Join a Book Club to Read More and Build Meaningful Connections
Every year, people across the globe make New Year’s resolutions in the hopes of building new and improved habits and creating meaningful change in their lives. One of the most popular resolutions is to read more. And a great way to keep yourself accountable to this resolution is by joining book discussion groups.
The purpose of clubs in general is to bring people together to connect, learn, and discuss something that is important to its participants. Clubs help build community in a world where people often feel isolated and without true personal connections. And book discussion groups are no different.
Reading helps people to gain new perspectives of different people, places, and cultures. And reading outside of your typical interests can help you to develop increased levels of empathy and grow as a person.
Book discussion groups offer a shared reading environment, which are often linked to enhanced feelings of calmness and relaxation, resulting in improved concentration, confidence, and quality of life.
The Westfield Memorial Library is offering several new and continued book discussion groups in 2023.
Courageous Conversations Book Discussion Group is for adults and meets quarterly on Thursdays at 7:00pm. Dates for 2023 are February 9, May 11, August 10, and November 9. February’s book will be The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together, by Heather McGhee. Copies are available to be borrowed at the library’s front desk while supplies last.
Friends of the Library Book Discussion Group is for adults and meets every other month on Wednesdays at 2:00pm. Upcoming dates are March 15 and May 17. March’s book will be Tell Me Everything: The Story of a Private Investigation, by Erika Krouse.
Teen Book Discussion Group is for all Union County teens and will meet Wednesday, February 15 at 5:15pm. In honor of Black History Month, the discussion will be focused on books by African American authors or featuring an African American protagonist.
In addition to the book discussion groups hosted at the library, you can also borrow book discussion kits for your own group. Each kit contains ten paperback copies of the same title, discussion questions, and other resources. You can check out a kit and distribute the books among your book club members. For a complete list of available kits please visit wmlnj.org/adult-book-clubs.