Research has shown that reading fiction can enhance individuals’ social and emotional intelligence, helping them to navigate complex social interactions and understand the perspectives of others. Not only that, but reading can help you escape from the stressors of daily life, offering individuals an opportunity to recharge and rejuvenate their minds by getting caught up in the narrative of a good story (and if you’re reading a paper book, it simultaneously gives our eyes a break from all the screens we look at throughout the day).
While the benefits of reading sound well and good, it’s just like any other habit that takes time and dedication to stick with. And sometimes that’s easier when it’s done together. The Arlington Public Library offers an assortment of Book Clubs that meet monthly for those who want to share in the reading experience with others. We asked readers from different book clubs offered to tell us some of their favorite aspects about being involved with reading clubs. We share some of their answers below!
What book stands out as a favorite that you’ve read this last year and why?
Angela Harris – Night Out and Wine Down: Our February read, The Midnight Library by Matt Haig was a favorite of mine because of the concepts it explores about philosophy, memory, and how the way we feel about our life choices is all a matter of perspective. It had a great message about leaning into the life you have and not spending your life regretting all the paths you didn’t take. Every life we could’ve lived would still have its share of triumphs and challenges, joys and heartbreaks.
Has the perspective someone else shared made you appreciate a book more than you would have otherwise?
Sharon Granado – Good Ground: The best thing about the Good Grounds book club is that you can easily get wrapped up in someone else’s excitement about a book even if it is a genre or title you may have not been interested in. My reading list grows after every book club by the wonderful book discussions that are shared.
What would you tell others—both readers and non-readers alike—about book clubs that might encourage them to participate?
Tamera Miller – Southwest Spine Crackers: What I love about book clubs is what each individual person brings to it. Everyone contributes their own likes and dislikes and challenges everyone to step out of their reading comfort zone. I will often read something I wouldn’t pick up on my own and completely fall in love with the book.
| Club Name – Next Meeting Date
Good Grounds Book Club – March 15 @Woodland West Library Book for March: Choose Your Own Book KUTUB: Arabic Book Club – March 4 @Southeast Branch Book for March: Choose Your Own Book Night Out Book Club – March 9 @locations vary Book for March: Magpie Murders, by Anthony Horowitz Southwest Morning Reading Group – March 8 @Southwest Book for March: City of the Dead, by Jonathan Kellerman Southwest Spine Crackers – March 16 @Southwest Branch Book for March: Someone Knows, by Lisa Scottoline Wine Down Book Club – March 24 @Virtual meetings Book for March: Professional Troublemaker, Luvvie Ajayi Jones Source: arlingtonlibrary.org/book-clubs |
