Read All About It: 21st Century Book Clubs

As the emergence of the Kindle and other portable e-books really begin to scare the humble paperback, and whilst more publishing houses fall to the popularity of digital media, it is a wonder that book clubs (or book discussion clubs, as they are known in the US) still exist. But they do. In fact, the 21st Century and the progression of internet technologies seem to have been very good for this wholesome tradition.

Of course, the Kindle doesn't look at all likely to have any adverse effects on book clubs. On the contrary, it could be set to enrich them even further by making obscure and expensive texts more easily available. This is a plus-side that echoes the, rarely-discussed, advantages that the internet has had in regards to the consumption of literature. Aside from online shops such as Amazon and Ebay, user-generated sites offering book reviews help readers make a more informed decision after just a few clicks.

Traditionally book clubs were quite simple affairs. Usually set-up by a zealous gaggle of fiction enthusiasts, they are typically held in private homes (sometimes rotating between members), at libraries, or in other community meeting places such as pubs and town halls. Aside from deciding where and when to meet, one of the only other variable to consider was whether the club would be a single-title club or a multi-title club - with the former meaning that all members read the same book before each meet-up, and the latter meaning members discuss their own current reads.

As it has done for communities in general, the internet has rejuvenated book discussion environments and has reinvented the way book-lovers can find, and interact with, other like-minded litera-maniacs. Thanks to the web, geography is now no object for book clubs. They can be conducted in a synchronous or asynchronous manner online, offline or a combination of both.

Yet, even for those who are eager to establish a traditional ‘tea and biscuits' type club, having a website or blog is fast becoming considered a book club essential. This way all members can log on at anytime to see updates, be reminded of what to be reading, and see what has been read in the past etc. But for those who are eager to embrace the future shape of book clubs, social media such as Facebook groups and more recently, Twitter, have changed things even more - the latter giving users the ability to offer opinions on their reads whenever they want to, and to engage in conversation with other readers whenever they like.

T Roberts writes about family and hobbies. For book (http://www.reviewcentre.com/consumer_reviews16.html)and other entertainment reviews visit Review Centre.