Book Clubs for Everyone

Are you into reading good books but may not know what you want to read? You should check out one of the many library and online book clubs available. Many libraries in Monmouth County have their own book clubs and there are a number of online book clubs as well that you can check out if you want to discuss books in the privacy of your own home.

Some interesting book clubs to check out include:

• “Director’s Choice” book club at the Middletown Township Public Library, which meets on the second Friday of every month;
• Holmdel Library's Monthly Book Club, which meets on the second Monday of each month
• “Rabid Readers” book club for teens (grades 6 and up) at the Hazlet library that meets the fourth Monday of every month at  7-8:30 pm.
•  “Book Bites” lunch book club for adults at the Hazlet Library that meets the fourth Thursday of every month from 12-2 p.m.

These book clubs select the books to read so you don’t have to worry about picking out a book to read.

For example, the “Book Bites” group for October is reading the classic The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton, and the “Rabid Readers” group is reading This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel.

The Director’s Choice book club is going to read The Submission by Amy Waldman, and the Holmdel library is reading The Paris Wife by Paula McLain.

The books are available at the circulation desk of each library.

But what is it about a book club that may appeal to readers?

Veronica Stevens, coordinator for young adult programming, and facilitator of three book clubs including the “Rabid Readers” book club, the “Telling Tales Short Story Book Club” in Manalapan, and the “Book Bites” book club for adults, said, “I think people join book clubs for the camaraderie of reading. Where else can you discuss books you enjoy with a group of well-read people? Also, book clubs help you expand your reading palette and force you to read outside your own personal comfort zone? It is a great way to connect with other people, learn about a different time period or topic, and have an enjoyable group discussion.”

The members of the “Book Bites” group had different opinions as to why they joined the book club. Dorothy said, “I needed something to do. I do a lot of reading.” Another member, Ann P., said, “I saw it in the library. I’m a rabid reader.” Susan said, “I’ve been waiting for a book club for many years.” In other words, it’s a way to socialize while talking about your passion…books.

Book clubs provide plenty of time to discuss the book and other books that the members have been reading, books that have had an impact on them, and books they’d recommend to other readers.

Robin Miller, Reference Librarian at the Marlboro library, said that book clubs bring people together to discuss books. They push people to read books they might not read and get them out of their comfort zone. She felt that there’s a lot of camaraderie in a book club.

How successful are the book clubs? Stevens said, “I think that our clubs have been successful because people keep returning each month. It is the facilitator’s job to bring to the group interesting facts about the author or the story. It’s also vital to give additional information about the time period that is related to the story. All this, all along with challenging questions, makes for an interesting reading group.”

Miller said, “We have 20-30 people each time and visits from authors, so I’d say it’s pretty successful.”

In addition to in-person book clubs there are also a number of online book clubs that readers can join to discuss books with other readers.

For example, one good one is the Barnes and Noble book clubs, a book discussion group in which people can socialize, talk about their Nooks, discuss books of various genres, and even discuss their writing.

Other examples include the New Yorker which has a book club blog where they have various discussions each month delving into a selected book.

Oprah is famous for her book club and on her website her book club picks for the month are featured.

Members of the Barnes and Noble group had similar reasons to members of the library book club for joining. One user, Jefferson_Thomas said. “I joined a couple of book clubs here at Barnes and Noble because I’m always looking for interesting new books to read, which I admit is kind of dumb, because I already have a bunch of books at home I haven’t read yet!”

Thomas also said, “The way I see it, book clubs are beneficial to at least two different types of people for completely different reasons: they benefit readers, because they tell readers about books they wouldn’t otherwise find out about; and they benefit writers and bookstores because they would help them sell more books.”

Book clubs provide plenty of relaxation and socialization for those who might not have people to discuss books with.

They are successful because of what each reader brings to the table—their experience with the book, the books they’ve read recently that they’ve liked and disliked, and what books they’d recommend to other readers.

They are a great way to spend a couple of hours because you never know what books you’ll find out about and what people might have gotten out of a book that you read.