The Joy of Bookclubs
I’m writing this as we prepare for Independent Bookshop Week. We hope this week will give a much needed boost to sales for all independent bookshops across the country.
Bookshops are so vital in the unsettled world we find ourselves in.
We are all ‘cultural assets’ on our High Streets and provide a very unique form of retail.
Independent Bookshop Week is a national campaign that allows us to celebrate, physical bookshops and the physical book.
It’s all about the ‘in person’ experience.
Bookshops are ‘hybrid’ businesses: we sell books, but we are so much ‘more than just a bookshop’.
Within our walls, we create communities, a safe space for people to come together to share their ‘Passion for Books’ and reading.
Across our two Bookshops in Oswestry and Bridgnorth, we run 9 adult bookclubs. They are all over subscribed, such is the demand.
So what is it that people enjoy so much?
Bookclubs are mini eco-systems of readers where friendships can flourish and reading horizons widened.
It boils down to the connection that readers feel when reading a book and discussing it. Also the opportunity to listen to others and hear different points of view and ideas generated from reading the same book.
In a world where ‘loneliness’ is prevalent, coming along to a Bookclub provides a place to socialise easily. Members develop a strong sense of ‘belonging’.
There is nothing nicer than sitting in a bookshop and indulging in ‘bookchat’.
Our Bridgnorth shop has only been open for 20 months and people always comment on the ‘smell of the books’ as they come in the door.
As booksellers who work in the shop regularly, we have become nose-blind, so it is always good to be reminded that the bookshop environment itself brings great pleasure to customers.
Of course it is this sensory experience that we are playing to. Being in a bookshop, sitting and reading provides ‘a digital detox’, a way to escape from the stresses and strains of daily life.
We are always trying to add value for our readers and being a member of a bookclub provides that.
Our Bookclubs are themed:
In Bridgnorth we have ‘Cosy Bookclub’ with Hazel, ‘Chapter Two Bookclub’ with Caroline and ‘Thrilling Reads’ with Caroline.
In Oswestry we have ‘Keen Readers Bookclub’ with Ruth, ‘Country Matters Bookclub’ with Rosie, ‘Under the Covers Romance Bookclub’ with Sian and ‘Thrills and Chills Bookclub’ with Courtney.
One of the most wonderful things about our bookclubs is that we have a mix of ages – particularly in Sian’s ‘Under The Covers Bookclub’ – the youngest member is 25 and the oldest is 70+. This mix of ages and life experience make for very interesting, insightful and fun discussions.
The majority of our bookclubs take place in the evening but we also have a couple that are day-time.
Lovely Things that Happen in Bookclubs:
What happens in Bookclub stays in Bookclub, but I don’t think members will mind us sharing some highlights: celebrating a wedding, Summer Socials (visiting a local Pizza restaurant), welcoming visiting authors, attending author events, sampling recipes featured in one of the books.
I remember Lauren Laverne, the host for the annual National Book Awards, stating that ‘reading is a radical act’. I presume she was referring to the fact that our lives are so digitalised that actively choosing to switch off your phone and take time to exist between the pages of a book is not always instinctive or easy. The distractions of modern-day life are real.
The joy of reading a physical book is alive and kicking – our bookclub members are all brilliantly radical.
Big Bookclub Social
During Independent Bookshop Week, our Bridgnorth team are hosting a ‘Big Bookclub Social’ where existing members can socialise with people interested in joining a bookclub. Caroline and Hazel will be showcasing the Indie Book Awards shortlist as well as chatting about the most popular books they have read in their Bookclubs over the year.
Across the UK and Ireland, lots of other bookshops will be hosting in-person book clubs at the same time and it feels good to be part of something on a national scale.
If you are curious about joining one of our Bridgnorth Bookclubs – why not pop along to find out more on Wednesday 18th June at 6 pm
You will be sure of a friendly welcome.
Why not take a look at the Indie Bookshop Shortlist:
