I have belonged to the same book club for almost ten years. It’s a relatively small group with eight members. Our taste in books is quite varied. As a result, I’ve read some books that I might never have chosen to read. Despite that fact, I often have enjoyed those books (though there were a few I would have preferred to set aside and never look at again).

A book club is a good idea if you’re looking to be motivated to read more, if you want to be in the company of other readers, and/or you want to expand your reading tastes. Whatever your reason for joining a book club, be prepared to hear opinions about your chosen favorite read that might completely disagree with yours. One time, a book I had thoroughly enjoyed and suggested the group read was verbally ripped apart by one of the members! I admit, I was shocked by her reaction to the book that I had so enjoyed. But, it happens.

That experience taught me a lesson. I have a thin skin, so the next time that it was my turn to select the book to read, I chose one that I was not crazy about. I knew that any negative reactions would not hurt me personally since I was not emotionally invested in it. This worked! I don’t think I’ll do this every time, but once in a while will work.