“A book read by a thousand different people is a thousand different books.” Andrei Tarkovsky
Reading may be a solitary activity, but it also leaves plenty of room for connection and book clubs are no modern invention. I’ve been a member of a few different book clubs, some which worked better than others. My worst experience was in a beautiful but stuffy private Mayfair members club where I felt wildly inferior and couldn’t decipher the conversation, let alone the book. I never went back, despite its seductive leather armchairs. My current book club, on the other hand, has given me many happy evenings and excellent books. It’s been one of the few things that kept me going through lockdown (virtually). I was curious as to what good book clubs have in common, so I spoke to the driving forces behind three, quite different, local clubs.
Jemina Talja
I started with the lovely lady behind my own local book club, my friend Jemina, about what she thinks has made it endure through the past few years, despite covid’s best efforts to scupper it. Jemina started the book club at the school gate, soon after her eldest started school. With members taking it in turns to host and cook, it’s a group of mum friends with similar aged kids and it’s been going strong for 3 years.
Why did you start your book club and had you been in one before?
I had been in one in Finland for ex-pats. Although I’m Finnish myself, I’d just returned home from living in the UK for years and was missing being abroad. Joining an ex-pat book club was my connection to all that. I was keen to start one here and school was an easy way to find likeminded people.
Your book club is loved by its members, how did you stumble across the winning formula with regards to the details?
Errr by accident really. I initially messaged about 20 people I’d met locally, thinking there wouldn’t be much take up and people would be too busy. When everyone started accepting, I was a bit nervous because I wanted to keep it low key in terms of entertaining. I think we’ve ended up at 13 and that really works. It’s still quite a lot of people to cook for but it’s just about manageable. And it means that even if a couple drop out of an evening, there’s still a big enough crowd for it to feel like a really fun evening. Anyone can suggest a book and we choose by vote and meet every 6 weeks.
So what would you say to people who accuse you of being a wine club dressed up as a book club?
I would say we carry that title with pride! Our club is for busy women and mums, and it’s about socialising as much as it is about finding the time to read and love books again. And food as much as wine! We’re not serious and I think that’s largely why it works.
Most popular book?
Probably Educated by Tara Westover or Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo . Caitlin Moran’s, More than a Woman created the most conversation
Least popular book?
The Electricity of Every Living Thing by Katherine May wasn’t a popular read.
Emily Adsett, The Haslemere Book Shop Book club
We are so lucky to have a wonderful book shop in Haslemere and I spoke to Emily Adsett about their own, extremely popular, book club. Started due to pressure from their customers, the Haslemere Book Shop Book Club has a whopping 129 people on their mailing list!
How does that work?
Well, with such demand, we divided it into two groups, one meeting on a Tuesday afternoon and one on a Thursday evening. And actually, we usually have around 10 people at each. The most we’ve had is 20 and that was a bit of a squeeze. The same book is discussed at each sitting and we’re not strict on which you attend so people can choose the time that suits them best each month.
What’s good about your book club?
It has been running for 6 years now, and I’ve made very close friends. It’s been particularly great for people who might perhaps be new to the area and don’t know many people yet. Because it’s a book shop run club, they don’t need a way in. They can just join and that’s so good for making those first connections.
What would you say to anyone worried that it might be too high brow for them?
That’s funny because we have actually had someone leave because there wasn’t enough in-depth analysis and they expected us to be more literary. It’s a very friendly group. Also, we have people who come along each week and just sit quietly and listen, and that’s fine too.
Most successful book?
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
Least successful book?
Our first book was The Guest Cat by Takashi Hiraide, and it was so unpopular that people actually thought it was a hazing and that if they were able to get through that book then they’d be allowed to join the book club!
Kate Cracknell, Book swap and Book Club
Kate Cracknell started the local Haslemere Book Swap and Book Club page on Facebook during the second lockdown. Since then, nearly 300 people have joined the page, with members explaining it helps them feel connected with their local community again.
How did the book club come to be?
It was really off the back of some great cooperative Facebook groups springing up in the past couple of years. I loved the Buy Nothing page and wondered if a book swapping page would work on a similar basis. A friend wanted to be involved but was a kindle reader, she pointed out that not everyone has a physical book to swap and asked if we could do a book club too. A lot of our readers are still members of other book clubs which is great, so we meet every two months to give people plenty of time to read the book.
What were your priorities for the book club?
I think it’s about everyone’s opinions being respected and not being judgemental. Our group is very relaxed, but we do have quite in-depth discussions. Because we started during lockdown, all our meetings have been virtual so far, but that’s given it a good structure. Of course, we have the usual catch up first but then we have to be disciplined about getting on and talking about the book because we know we only have 40 minutes. I hope that everyone feels they can give their honest opinion and it’s valued equally.
Most popular book?
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins . There was such genuine interest that people had actually researched and read around the subject.
Least popular book?
There have been none that we’ve all hated. Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid had mixed reviews but that made it a really good discussion.
I loved talking to the three book clubs. The word connection came up in each conversation and I think that’s what it all comes down to. Good book clubs often seem to have space for a little bit of socialising as well as analysis. A respectful and relaxed space for people to give opinions on a topic they love can make local book clubs a positive community affair.
You also need open minded members who are willing to read books they wouldn’t have chosen themselves – that’s the beauty of being in a book club. But whilst encouraging you out of your comfort zone is one thing, it’s not about showboating – if Finnegan’s Wake is light fiction to you, that’s great, but read it on your own time. You won’t make a great book club by being too highbrow.
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