6 Reasons I Stopped Going to Your Book Club

book clubBooks clubs are a great way to connect with other readers and friends. This only works if you find a book club that truly fits your reading and social style. Otherwise it just ends up being a hassle. We realized awhile ago that both of us had quit going to our book clubs in the last year and started thinking about why some book clubs just don’t work out…

1. They never read books I’m interested in.
There’s really no point in joining a group that doesn’t read what you like to read. It’s great if you love the members of your book club but it becomes a drudgery if you feel obligated to read books you have no interest in reading.

2. There’s no diversity in the books chosen.
We know there are some readers who really only enjoy reading romance or contemporary, but I am not one of them. I need variety when it comes to my books. And diversity in the true sense of the word is what really sparks those fantastic discussions at book club anyway! What is more fascinating than discussing how different we all are?

3. I don’t have anything in common with most of the people who go.
There’s only so much connecting you can do through a book discussion. It’s important to have other things in common with your book club mates because that’s when a strong club tie really forms.

4. You talk about books and nothing else.
Typically a great book club will include conversation about other interests, outside of books. Sometimes the only time you see book club members is at book club, so it’s fun to catch up on the latest with each other. Book clubs are so much more enjoyable and interesting when there’s a bit of chit chat/laughing about life in general. It’s a great way to set the tone for a fun night.

5. You poo-poo audiobooks.
Everyone in book club has a life outside of the club, right? Our lives are busy enough that sometimes the only way books get read is by listening to audiobooks. And honestly, audiobooks can spark a whole new set of discussion questions if you talk about narration, pace, and plot interpretation.

6. You don’t make it fun and interesting.
No one wants their book club meetings to feel like sitting through a boring lecture, right? We love book clubs that pair something else with their meetings like wine, dinner, or even crafting. You even start a book club that read books and then watched the movies made from them. Get creative!


Are you part of a book club? What makes it unique and fun?

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// Comments //

  1. the only book club I’ve ever tried is one a friend of mine organized online. But they didn’t end up choosing books I was particularly interested in so I never really participated. It seemed like a great idea, but I have so many books I WANT to read, I don’t want to fill time with books that I’m not excited about!

  2. Got My Book

    Aug 29

    I admit that I don’t seek much diversity in my genres, but I agree with the rest of the list. Especially since I do most of my reading via audiobook.

    • Same here. I really think listening to the audiobook add a whole new level to the experience and gives a book club more to talk about.

  3. Agree with all your reasons although I’m shocked that some of them even need to be said. Like audiobooks, who cares what format people read the book in! I’m in 2 book clubs and in both we submit suggestions and vote for books so it’s all very democratic.

    • Yep, exactly. I love the idea of letting everyone submit suggestions and then voting on the book to be read.

  4. Tina

    Aug 19

    I have always loved the idea of a book club but there isn’t anything in my area to connect with. As you mentioned above, there are people I like but their book choices don’t float my boat at all. Online book clubs, like Cook the Books, sometimes appeal to me. I just haven’t found the right fit.

    • Yeah, right now I just like to read what I’m interested in. Maybe if I found a book club that read the same books I like to read then I’d jump into it.

  5. the other one

    Aug 18

    I go to my local library’s Young Adult book club. Officially it’s called the Young Adult Tangents with Books and Board Games and Mario Kart. We usually don’t set a book, and we all like different reading genres. We have a lot of fun broadening our genre preferences, and also get a look at ARCs and exclusive new YA books. At the end of our book talk, there’s nachos and cake to eat. I think we do a pretty good job 😀

    • Your book club sounds rad! I love that it’s paired with other interests you have.

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