It’s no secret that things are not what they used to be. Due to COVID-19, we are now living in a world where masks are a new accessory, and staying home is the new going out. We’re now in the world of zoom happy hours and virtual book clubs. I’m sure we all wish now more than ever that we can go back to the way things used to be – hanging with friends and family all together again. It seems as though all at once, our lives were up and taken away from us.
Although we may never go back to the way things we’re there will eventually be a new normal. And that does not mean that we all still can’t be connected. And what better way to do so than through the power of reading and these virtual book clubs.
Staying Connected Through Reading
Why Reading Is The Perfect Past Time
If you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for new ways to pass time, now more than ever. And one of the best ways that I found to do so was cracking open a good book! I’m reading a book by the classic author Joan Didion called “Slouching Towards Bethlehem,” which is a collection of short personal essays, one of my favorite genres. Reading is the perfect way to get your imagination going for a little while as well as reduce screen time.
It’s actually scientifically proven that reading is beneficial to you. Studies have shown that those who read for pleasure have higher levels of self-esteem and a greater ability to cope with difficult situations. Reading for pleasure was also associated with better sleeping patterns.
Not only that, but reading is just a great way to get your mind and imagination going. To quote Colin Wilson, an English writer, philosopher and novelist “Imagination should be used, not to escape reality, but to create it.” Get your mind stimulated through the world of reading. Whether you’re interested in political science or you have a keen eye for art, that’s what makes reading so special – there are no limitations to the knowledge or enjoyment that comes from reading!
Book Clubs: Connecting Through Your Favorite Books
Quarantine Book Club
If you’re looking for the perfect virtual book club, look no further than the Quarantine Book Club. This is one that has been the start of quarantine at home, beginning on March 16th. It was started by two designers living in San Francisco, Mike Monteiro and Erica Hall.
The book club offers Zoom events daily with a vast variety of authors. This club offers a vast amount of books and material. Topics range from design to political science, so there is such a variety between the members. The club offers tickets to these digital events at just $5, which gives you complete access to these intimate talks. Lucky for us, this book club will be up and running as long as people are going to be staying at home!
Book Riot Insiders Epic Quarterly Read
This next virtual book club is for those of you who are a part of the Book Riot Insiders. If you are, you, along with other members, join together to vote for a book that will qualify for the Book Riot Read Harder 2020 task. After, everyone reads the chosen book together.
Not only are you reading along with everyone else, but there are also page notes as well as discussion questions for each section of the book! The discussion leader, who is a staff member of Book Riot, is providing these prompts. And, make sure you mark your calendars because the second Saturday of the last month of the book quarter there is a video chat about the book!
The Stacks Book Club
This last book virtual book club is for all of my fellow podcast fans! The Stacks Book Club is in association with Stacks Podcast and recorded every other week on the podcast. How can you join in? It’s simple – all you have to do is subscribe to the podcast.
The books are announced and then discussed every other week (check the website here for more details). Along with the discussions, there is also a special guest host, including the legendary Toni Morrison. They also include Instagram posts, which allows the readers to connect with each other in the comments.
The Girlfriend Book Club
If you’re a gal over the age of 40 years old, then this next virtual book club is for you! The Girlfriend Book Club is a part of the AARP’s newsletter and website The Girlfriend. And now, they offer an exclusive book club, located on Facebook only – but it’s open to anyone! This club explores titles such as “What You Wish For” by Katherin Center, an uplifting novel about finding happiness through tragedy.
Each month, a book is chosen through the members on a Facebook poll, which is then focused on. The authors participate through live Facebook chats, which occur each month on every third Tuesday.
Book of the Month
This next book club offers a variety of ways to stay connected, at just a small monthly fee at $14.99/month. Not sure if you’re going to enjoy the title chosen by the book club? Then this is perfect for you – Book of the Month offers a monthly subscription box that sends books right to your doorstep! Each month, they offer you a variety of 5 books to choose from, and then it’s up to you to decide which you want.
Once you’ve made your choice, it’s delivered right to your door. From there, each of the selections is posted on the Book of The Month Instagram page, combined with guest posts, and book reviews that are written by a panel. Happy reading!
