Why join a book club?

I recently stumbled upon this quote in my local bookstore.

The value of reading:

With all the bad economic news, it is easy to forget the old blessing. Books are a great bargain in hard times, and a new flat screen never changed anyone’s life.

It got me thinking about books, and book clubs. This month our book club is talking about State of Wonder, a pharmaceutical thriller set in the Amazon (at least that’s how I’d describe it), by A

Patchett. I liked it, and realize I probably would not have read it unless mandated by my highly intellectual book club. And being forced (I mean, encouraged) to read new things is just one of many great reasons to be part of the club. Here are a few more.

15 reasons to join a book club

1) Learn about great literature, on a sofa.

2) Discover the difference between fiction, non-fiction and useless fiction.

3) Create a community – share your passion with consenting adults.

4) Meet new, smart and refreshingly odd people… who read about things that scare you.

5) Discover authors and genres you’ve never heard of.

6) Find out little-known facts, transgressions and secrets about your bookie friends.

7) Ask yourself, and others, questions about the world as you see it.

8) Increase your vocabulary, and use it recklessly.

9) Combine your guilty pleasures – wine and excessive amounts of really good food usually accompany the books and discussion.

10) Read the book before you see the movie, and enjoy the best parts that the fllm leaves out.

11) Discuss (psychoanalyze?) those books that just need to be talked about. (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, comes to mind).

12) Finish the classics that you were supposed to read in high school.

13) Rant, pass judgment and make outrageous moral or cultural commentary without consequences.

14) Be part of a club that would have you as a member.

15) Expand your reading, expand your world – some books really can change your life.

Part of a book club? What have you read that’s made an impact?