Library Offers Book Clubs on Social Media and Face-to-Face Meetups
The Fortune magazine headline reads: “Book Clubs Are Really Having a Moment Right Now.” Naturally, we took note.
They’re more popular than ever, the article states, with bookworms seeking out more social media-based clubs moderated by celebrities, publishers and “influencers” eager to connect with readers/consumers and boost their brand.
The Library is in on it, too, but more about that later.
When NBC’s Late Night host Jimmy Fallon launched a summer book club through a social media/viewer poll, “Children of Blood and Bone” by Tomi Adeyemi jumped from about No. 287 to No. 1 on Amazon’s Best Sellers list the next day. (FYI – the book is available in multiple formats at the Library.)
Actress and bookworm Reese Witherspoon has a book club on Instagram under her brand, Hello Sunshine.
The Fortune article also notes the current PBS “Great American Read.” It involves an eight-part series as told through America’s 100 best-loved novels and a nationwide election via app or social media through October to determine the national favorite during the final episode. The Library and Ozarks Public Television are participating, and the Library is conducting its own contest on Facebook and other social platforms to determine Springfield’s best-loved read.
If you’re looking for an online book club closer to home, consider the Library’s ReadUps group on Facebook @thelibrary.org, under “Groups,” or the Springfield-Greene County Library District group on Goodreads.
Each month we choose a topic or theme and suggest related titles, post polls and articles. Near the month’s end, we find out what books you're reading on the topic and talk about them. July’s theme is Books Made Into Movies. August is Comics and Graphic Novels.
Of course, if you prefer a real-time, face-to-face book club, drop in on any of the Library’s 13 book discussion groups. We show up at Hurts Donuts for Donuts & Death; at Mother’s Brewing Co. for Books & Brew; and many of the branches for titles ranging from the Civil War to British Lit.
And if your own book group ever needs book recommendations, just ask a librarian.
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