Book Clubs Are For Me!

The therapeutic power of reading together

A few months ago, we published the results of our recent poll about the ways that book clubs help people connect with one another. We've also written a lot about how reading can improve your health and well-being. So it wasn't at all surprising to find that being in a book club—reading and connecting with others about books—delivers a double whammy for your mental health. 

Nearly all survey respondents (93%) agreed that meeting with a reading group has been therapeutic and a whopping 98 percent reported that it has improved their mental health. When asked for specifics, respondents said that meeting with their reading friends improved their moods, sharpened their minds, and got them through tough times. Many surveyed even said that their book club helped them through periods of depression and grief.

Barbara Hagen, vice president of marketing at ThriftBooks, cited the "hugely beneficial" impact of book clubs on members' mental health and said, "If you're curious about or interested in joining a book club, we encourage you to do it. There's a group out there for everyone."

Read on for the specific benefits that book club members reported and recommendations for how to find (or start) the perfect book club for you!

I really enjoy getting to explore the obscure things I'm interested in with others. It makes me feel less alone.

When we find things that interest us, it is natural to want to share them. It's great to find a community focused on the types of things you enjoy thinking and talking about. Lots of respondents mentioned that they appreciated being part of a group that shared their interests and values. If this is something that appeals to you, you could look for a club that focuses on certain types of books and/or topics. For example, some readers look for books that jive with their specific belief system, like Christianity, Judaism, or general spirituality. Others may want to drill down on a particular genre like mystery or romance. If you have an idea of the kind of book club you'd like, you can find an existing one to join. Or start your own.

My 24-year-old daughter joined our club and when she and I talk books I get so blown away with her thoughts. Books are amazing and I'm so happy she loves them as well!

Several commenters mentioned the way that book club helped them make connections across generations. If this is something that interests you, consider starting a family book club and using literature as a way to bond with parents, children, grandkids, cousins, aunts, uncles, and more.

But a cross-generational book club doesn't have to be made up of family members. A staff member here at ThriftBooks started a neighborhood book club which includes people of all ages and stripes.

For this kind of club, look for books that explore universal themes of family, identity, and relationships. Good choices include:

• Pachinko by Min Jin Lee—A sweeping, multigenerational saga about a Korean family living in Japan.
• Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi—Traces the descendants of two half-sisters, one who marries an Englishman in Ghana, the other sold into slavery in America.
• The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett—Follows the lives of identical twin sisters, one of whom chooses to to pass as white.

Time-honored classics also make excellent options for a diverse group of readers.

• East of Eden by John Steinbeck—A powerful family saga exploring themes of good and evil, love and hate, and the complexity of family relationships.
• One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez—A masterpiece of magical realism telling the story of one family over seven generations.
• Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides—The story of a Greek-American family told through the eyes of a character who is biologically both male and female.

If your book club includes younger readers, consider middle grade or YA titles that offer rich literary experiences with relatable themes. Here are a few we recommend.

• Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson—This middle-grade novel celebrates the healing when a group of students share their stories.
• Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas—A YA story offering a blend of Latin heritage, magical realism, and LGBTQ+ representation.
• The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill—This Newbery Medal-winner is a must-read for fans of timeless fantasy fables.

I'm retired, so I really look forward to finding ways to interact with other people in a positive way.

Book clubs provide a respite from isolating situations, whether retirement, new parenthood, or family difficulties. One commenter said, "As a new mom, it would be easy to be stuck in the house. Being in a book club gives me a chance to read and socialize with friends."

After I broke up with a long-term partner, attending the book club was one of the things that helped me keep my sanity.

Lots of respondents said that being in a book club helped them through a tough transition or loss. One commenter said, "I was very down because my wife had died and book club helped me feel better with all the people who also enjoyed books as much as me." Connecting with others around literature is a great way to get through difficulties like these. It could be cathartic for a book club to consider titles focused around such loss if one or more of their members are having these experiences. Here are a few related recommendations:

• Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks—A heartrending and beautiful memoir of sudden loss and a journey to peace, from a Pulitzer Prize-winning author.
• You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith—The poet author explores the disintegration of her marriage and her renewed commitment to herself.
• Grief Is for People by Sloane Crosley—Witty and poignant, this slim volume explores the author's loss following the death of her closest friend.

Since starting my book club and reading, it has truly helped my anxiety attacks and now I barely ever get them.

Relief from stress is one of the many proven benefits of reading. Loads of commenters mentioned decreased anxiety as one of the outcomes of attending a book club, even if it's as simple as destressing after a hectic day at work. Getting lost in a fictional world and being able to discuss it with others helps us get out of our own heads for a while. It also may give us some needed perspective to read about other people's experiences. We even heard from respondents who started a workplace book club and have found that it leads to less stress in the office.

I had been going through a depressive episode and going to the book club helped to draw me out of the darkness just by being around others.

Much like decreasing isolation and providing an outlet for grief, reading and book clubs help people who are struggling with depression. We heard this again and again in the comments on our survey. Getting out of the house and seeing other people can be therapeutic. Finding connections with others who are feeling depressed, whether in real life or in literature can help us feel seen and understood. Here are some of our novels we like about people struggling with mental health challenges who find relief by connecting with others. 

• Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman—A socially challenged young woman finds her life transformed after a chance encounter with a stranger.
• It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini—After crippling anxiety leads to a suicidal episode, an ambitious New York City teenager finds an unexpected road to happiness.
• The Wedding People by Alison Espach—A woman who's hit rock bottom finds herself unexpectedly absorbed into a wedding party of strangers who help her start anew.

It felt good to be heard and to share my thoughts in a safe, supportive space.

Many survey participants touted their book club as a place where they felt free of judgment. One commenter said that at book club she experienced "shared laughter, deep discussions, and uplifting moments with supportive friends." Good books mine the world's big issues, provocative topics, and all of the tenuous gray areas of life. So naturally, book club is a place that welcomes open communication and an accepting environment. Here are a few novels that open up the door for mind-expanding discussions.

• Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout—Return to a beloved cast of characters of the Amgash series as they grapple with big questions.
• Bewilderment by Richard Powers—A widowed astrobiologist searches for life in the cosmos while caring for his unusual nine-year-old son.
• Colored Television by Danzy Senna—A brilliant take on love and ambition, failure and reinvention, and the racial-identity-industrial complex.
• The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich—This powerful, complex novel explores themes of love and death with lightness and gravity.
• Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar—A newly sober, orphaned son of Iranian immigrants embarks on a remarkable search for truth and purpose.

We hope this gives you some ideas about how to find your perfect book club experience. And if you're interested in tips about how to choose your next book club pick, check out our recent post about it.

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Read more by Ashly Moore Sheldon