By Denise Turney
Libraries, schools and bookstores are traditional places members of book clubs meet at to examine, explore and discuss great books. These avid lovers of great non-fiction and fiction stories also meet at each other’s homes. Attend one meeting as a new member and you’ll clearly see how passionate active members are about literature.
Key benefits you receive when you join a book club are friendships and the chance to celebrate a shared passion with likeminded people. You can also travel to other parts of the world, enjoying the sites and sounds of foreign lands during the day and authors reading from their bestselling novels at night. In fact, some book clubs like the Cushcity, Unputdownables and Explorations book clubs, host cruises for their members. During cruises authors not only read from their books, they also hold face-to-face question and answer discussions with book club members. While you’re at sea don’t be surprised if you strike up one or more lasting friendships with some of your favorite writers.
For me a true gem gained from joining book clubs is the chance to dive into the heart of a story alongside other avid book readers. I always learn something about a character, scene or plot that I didn’t notice before. It’s like watching a movie twice and picking up images and sounds that slipped past you the first time you watched the movie.
Other benefits you can gain when you join (and actively participate) in a book club include:
- Learning about great books you may not have heard about on your own (my first book, Portia, got a huge lift this way!)
- Buying books at discounted rates if your book club buys books in bulk
- Opportunities to meet authors in person during special club meetings
- Chances to spread the word about great books, perhaps even assisting in the launch of a talented writer’s career
- Ability to write articles and/or book reviews on books you read (and get paid for it!)
- Another reason to continue building your digital and/or print book collection!
If you’re looking for a book club to join, consider checking with your local library or bookstore. You can also join online book clubs listed at websites like Goodreads, Amazon.com, B&N.com and Mosaicbooks.com. Some of the larger, more widely known book clubs are Oprah’s book club (she’s bringing it back!), AALBC.com, Black Expressions, History Book Club, Doubleday Book Club and Romantic Times Book Club.
P.S.: If you’re a book club president or the member of a book club, please email me. I’d love to connect with you and offer you special deals on my books. Oh, and you’ve gotta know that I’d love to visit your club in person, share laughs, have fun with your club members and talk about my books Love Pour Over Me, Portia, Long Walk Up, Spiral and Love Has Many Faces!
Thank you for reading my blog. To learn what happens to Raymond, Brenda and the other characters in Love Pour Over Me, hop over to Amazon.com, B&N.com, Ebookit.com and get your copy of Love Pour Over Me today. And again I say – Thank You!
