After the unexpected joy I found in joining a writers group, I decided that it was time to join a book club too.  

Firstly, I should clarify what I mean by a book club. It seems ‘book club’ can mean a multitude of things online. The book club I have joined are a group of people, who meet monthly, to discuss a book that they have been assigned to read that month, by another member of the group.

I love to read, in specific genres, with authors that I have enjoyed for many years, their new books on pre order, prior to release and then devoured within the space of a day or two. Reading is my absolute indulgence and my absolute pleasure. By joining a book club, I knew I would read books outside of my comfort zone and I wondered if they could bring me the same amount of enjoyment or if, perhaps, there was some new facet to reading a book I did not choose, that I hadn’t yet considered?

As it turns out, I did not only join one book club, I actually joined two! One had been suggested by some members of the writers group and the other one has actually just been started at the school my children attend.

I was unsure what to expect. Reading is usually a solitary experience and I have my go to genres. Why should I join a book club, what value would it bring to me?

Book club is like the social element of being a writer. I met readers, other readers like myself, and I found that I enjoyed listening to their perspective, the diversity of thoughts, suggesting alternative points of view and conveying valuable lessons that I could utilise in my own writing.
As Jules Clancy says:

Joining a book club “Gives you insights into the minds of other readers.”

Jules Clancy: Why Joining a Book Club Will Make You a Better Writer

Conscious, that I would have to discuss this book with others: I found myself analysing the stories in a whole new way, as I read them.  Examining the plot in more detail, delving into my emotional reactions to understand exactly what, they were a reaction to. Pin pointing exactly what it was I enjoyed or I did not enjoy about a book. The characters, the plot line, the themes. To articulate these thoughts into notes that I could share with a group of people and engage in a conversation.

“There are many rules of good writing, but the best way to find them is to be a good reader.” Stephen Ambrose

Jules Clancy: Why Joining a Book Club Will Make You a Better Writer

By joining a book club, I am already certain that I will become a better writer. Books that have not swept me away in a plot line and engaged my mind wholeheartedly in the characters or the story, have allowed me to be more objective and to learn so much more.  I pay more attention to sentence construction, the way the authors use words to be descriptive, to describe characters and set scenes. I actually, study a book. Book club has forced me to read books that I have had to mentally push through to the end of, not quite enjoyed and then really think about why.

“Step outside your comfort zone and see what else you can learn. Every genre has something to offer you.” Richard Thomas

Christopher Shultz: Reading With Purpose: Four Reasons Every Writer Should Join a Book Club

The first book I read is The Glass Palace by Amitav Ghosh. Read my review by clicking here.

I found this book a tough read, but I am so glad I persevered and that I gave an honest review of the book to the other members of the book club. It prompted an insightful debate.  The most astonishing part of my first book club meeting, however, was that one of the participants, actually had family members who had experienced some of the events, that had taken place in the story, first hand. This made the book far more compelling; it brought the story to life in my mind and engaged my creativity as I imagined telling their story.

Book club is another place for a writer to find ideas, to make new friends, people with similar interests and meet some people with interesting stories of their own to tell.

There are very few writers, if any, who do not read. Reading and writing are synonymous for a writer because both activities resonate with us, they are compelling and we become absorbed in the words. Joining a book club makes you think more about what you have read and encourages you to read stories you may never have got around to or heard of. It also forces you to read books and sometimes as life gets busy, we can neglect this pleasurable past time.

“If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have time to write.” Stephen King

Jules Clancy: Why Joining a Book Club Will Make You a Better Writer