Readers' clubs or book clubs have existed longer than most readers would likely assume. According to one writer, they had taken different form from as early as the 17th century in different parts of Europe. In one academic article*, Georgios Bikos and Panagiota Papadimitriou outline the history and iterations of these readers clubs from their exclusive form among the elite such as politicians and the wealthy, to the modern forms that most Westerners are acquainted with, including virtual book clubs. Noteworthy is the authors' assertion of how book clubs have always been a form of social practice. Though their analysis of what causes readers to become part of a social group is simplistic, they do provide a philosophical basis for this inclination. Readers seek to be in the company of like-minded individuals as a form of social solidarity that contravenes the solitary endeavour of reading itself. Interestingly, Bikos and Papadimitriou do not highlight one caveat to this presupposition, that is fiction authors' use of public book readings. Whether it is primarily for book marketing or to engage the reader through use of another sense of experiencing the story, many authors have stepped out from their introverted literary world and have embraced this common social phenonmenon. Bikos and Papadimitriou assert that the reader joins the author through the platform of their shared literary interest—the novel, yet does not address the other side of solitary. For days, months and even perhaps years for some writers, they toil at their craft hoping to produce a book worthy of publication. Unless they are co-authors, they are alone. They write their stories, wondering if it is worthy to be shared with others. The only true company they have during this process is the characters and creatures they create. No matter how realistic they may be—even if conjured in the world of fantasy, the author is alone. So many are introverts that they prefer it, thus the hosting of book clubs for many authors is a daunting social endeavour.

Bikos and Papadimitriou provide much detail on the early forms of readers' clubs in Greece, which have now been reduced to state-sponsored entities. This provides a different sort of social implications for the average reader. Nevertheless, the authors enumerate the positive results of this sort of reading inclusivity. The authors emphasize these efficacies within the confines of the Greek readers' clubs perhaps as an anecdote as to what the socially organized versions could socially provide in the future. Bikos and Papadimitriou generally conclude that readers' socially and intellectually benefit from participating in book clubs.

We have witnessed the effect of external circumstance that has encouraged both authors and readers to use more technology in relation to book clubs or social gatherings that revolve around literature. In the past two years there has been an increase of virtual book readings by authors. This actually provides an interesting social dynamic to many authors who are already introverts. They read to share with others, yet they sit within the safe haven of their home or other space apart from the listening crowd. Unless virtual book readings are live with a question and answer session to follow, the author has successfully circumvented one aspect of the book reading—being in public. In contrast, the reader has become more reliant on devices such as laptops and ereaders as a normalized method to access books. This amid waves of business and other operations closing due to the current health crisis. Yet, the reader benefits from this technology in another manner. He can now view, assess and determine whether he or she would purchase or continue to support an author, just by observing him or her at a distance. However, the traditional format of book clubs are likely to see a resurgence when the international community has been able to adequately address the current pandemic.

Patricia M. Muhammad announces the launch of her book club. The first book to be read is Love Captured. General Rules and Etiquette Protocols may be found on her website here: https://pmmuhammadbooks.webnode.com/book-club/

Love Captured is currently discounted to $2.99 on Smashwords.

About Patricia: Patricia is an American multi-genre fiction author who has written in science-fiction/fantasy, fantasy, contemporary crossover romance, historical romance and mystery/detective romance genres. She has written 20 books. Patricia is currently based in the United States.

Connect with Patricia:
Social media: @pmmuhammadbooks
Press: [email protected]

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*See Approaching Reading Clubs from a historical and sociological perspective, 2 International Journal on Integrated Information Management 38 (2015).