What is a Book Club?
A book club, also referred to as a reading group, is a collection of readers who participate in the regular discussion of books. Traditionally, a book club consists of several members who meet in person each month to talk about a specific work.
However, the advent of web forums and email has made it possible for book clubs to exist online. While both traditional and online book clubs offer readers the opportunity to participate in spirited discussions, each type has its own set of advantages.
Traditional book clubs offer the benefit of having all members in the same room, which makes for a much more personal and intimate experience. Since most traditional book clubs are somewhat small in size, each member typically has more control over what books are selected to read (often members will vote on a list of suggested titles that have been submitted or take turns selecting). At the same time, it is often difficult to organize and maintain a book club that meets regularly. In addition to the challenge of recruiting quality members for a book club, a regular meeting time and place may be difficult to establish, especially if members have busy schedules. Also, the small size of the traditional book club typically limits the diversity of views and perspectives that enter into the discussion.
Online book clubs offer several advantages over the traditional reading group model. Due to the vastness of the web and the variety of book clubs available, readers who turn to the Internet to find a book club enjoy a much wider selection of clubs, including many dedicated to a specialized interest or genre. In addition, online book clubs can be more convenient, as many of them are available at any time of day. Of course, there are also disadvantages associated with online book clubs. For instance, the intimacy of a personal discussion is lost, along with the social interaction that is often a part of the traditional book club experience.
Yet another category of book clubs belongs to Oprah's Book Club, in which books are recommended on a regular basis by the popular talk show host. Because Oprah's Book Club consists exclusively of recommendations as opposed to discussion, it can be considered its own category separate of others described on this site.
Whichever format of book club you prefer, Book-Clubs-Resource.com will help you make the best of your reading group experience. With links to some of the most interesting book clubs on the web, a comprehensive index of reading group guides and much more, Book-Clubs-Resource.com provides you with all you need to begin enjoying book clubs and reading groups today.
~ from the Book-Clubs-Resource.com website
Want to start your own Book Club?
Starting & Running a Book Club
Or would you like to join an Online Book Club?
Online Book Clubs
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