Reading communities, or book clubs in less fancy words, are often associated with spectacled individuals who sit around chatting about fictional characters. Yes, more often than not, people who read wear glasses (even if they wear them just for reading) and yes, there are conversations about fictional characters, but all that is just a tiny part of what reading communities have to offer.
Joining a book club may not be the most exciting activity for you (yet) but I do have pretty strong arguments in its favour. Hear them out? Or in this case, read them out?
You actually read
Come on, that’s the most obvious one! No matter what everyone says, if you’re a member of a book club, you’re expected to read. And you actually do. Whether it’s from your genuine love of reading or your fear of being left out, you read. And that’s kind of the whole point, isn’t it?
You make friends that aren’t fictional
No matter how much we deny it, we are all guilty of having fallen for a fictional character. But the good thing is, in a book club, no one is going to judge you for it.
Not only are book clubs a safe space to romanticize (or demonize) some of the greatest literary characters, you actually get to have never-ending conversations about them with people who feel just as strongly.
Being a reader could be a lonely path because not everyone is as interested in books as you are. But by joining a reading community, you get to hang out with people who love books just as deeply as you.
Believe it or not, it is actually very refreshing to just relax with a group of people who understand your passion for the written word.
You step out of your comfort zone
One of the most amazing things about book clubs is that they compel you to pick up books that you otherwise wouldn’t. Whether it’s a genre you’re not a fan of or an author you hate with your guts, book clubs are an incredible opportunity to get accustomed with the many worlds of literature, especially the ones you’ve been avoiding.
And while this may sound scary, it actually broadens your horizon and gives you a new, fresher perspective on things. We all know that sometimes it’s the recommendations from friends or the books you randomly stumble upon that end up changing your life.
You get a break from seemingly mundane life
No, I’m not saying that your life is boring. I’m just saying that everyone can use a break from their routine every now and then. And book clubs give you the perfect opportunity for that! A few hours every week/month where you don’t have to worry about the upcoming exam or making that sale or choosing what to make for dinner can really leave you feeling refreshed.
You learn so much!
Because who doesn’t? The wide, wide world of literature has so much to offer! And we’ll never be able to grab a fraction of it, no matter how much we try. But that shouldn’t stop us, should it?
In fact, that’s all the more reason to devour all that we can. From the creation to the future of the world—books can help you learn everything. Whether it’s hard cold facts about the universe, customs and traditions around the world, or unquantifiable knowledge on intangible aspects of life, there is just so, so much to learn!
So, if you’re convinced (which I’m sure you are), come join this little family of nerds. And if for some reason completely unfathomable to me, you still have doubts, let’s talk. You and me, right now.