On any day of the week, through all the United States, men and women (well, mostly women) meet in homes, libraries, Y’s, churches, anywhere with lots of chairs, to talk about books . Or do not realize that (and be honest that probably has never thought of it), these groups are playing a vital role in our society. You could say that book clubs are making the world safe for democracy.
Obviously, that sounds a bit dramatic, exaggeration. And maybe it’s an exaggeration … but only a little. Book clubs are much more significant than just a group of people, socialize, eat and talk about the novels. They have become a sociological and political phenomenon. To understand why that is, we must return to the middle years of the 20th century.
In 1995 the Harvard political scientist Robert Putnam published an essay (which later became a book) called "Bowling alone". Locate on the decay of civic life in America, a trend that will take place over the past 40 years, starting in the 1950s. Putnam based his thesis on the decline in voter turn, reduction of public assistance, fewer people serving on committees or working groups of political parties.
We also observed a fraying around the edges of our social fabric, finding, for example, a decline in bowling leagues, although the number of players has risen! Interestingly, it appears that people are bowling alone.
Where is everybody? According to Putnam, we are at home and stay there. First, we isolated in remote suburbs, far from the centers of the city, where traditionally people always met. Secondly, we have become distracted by the technology: spending the night in front of our television and now computers. Finally, the majority of women in the workforce, have had less time and energy to civic participation.
The consequences that means fewer of us are engaged in communal life. And the subject, Putnam cree. This is especially true for a country whose form of government-democracy depends on active participation of citizens. If we lose the habit of participation, we will lose the know-how, knowledge of giving and receiving, of civil discourse, and to work together to achieve common goals. We do not even know what goals we should work toward.
Putnam has painted a grim picture.
But perhaps-and fortunately things have changed since Putnam began his study. Since then, he has sprouted an enormous book club wide circulation. And it is a movement, make no mistake! Nobody knows for sure, but the number of people participating in book clubs has been estimated at anywhere from 10-25 million … a number that continues to grow! (Ask the editors-who feel the effects!)
So how has this happened? When-and-why not develop this movement? The answer that first comes to mind is Oprah Winfrey. Bless her! In 1996 launched the Oprah Winfrey Book Club segment on her television and since then has helped trigger a huge popularity in the reading and discussion of books.
However, the resistance movement and burgeoning growth can not be defined solely on the feet of Oprah. After all, anyone can become involved in something so thoroughly if you do not have deep appeal. Not even Oprah! In this massive public movement must exist because something plays in our national consciousness.
I suggest to do with our own spirit, a hankering for a richer, deeper communal life. Talking with friends about sports, children, work, or the last trading at the mall can take us only so far-in the end, we want more substance in our discourse.
The books give us more, especially when we talk about them. Book discussions encourage us to think, out loud, our connection to the world over. And we ask each other: what makes a better life, what are our dreams and expectations, what kind of world we want to live .. what kind of people? All these ideas are things to talk about book clubs.
And then there is the manner in which books to broaden our perspective, enabling us to reach across time and space to understand other people from other cultures. Once again, we explore these issues among themselves, exchange views and developments of the mind.
I think book clubs are helping to reverse the trend so worried Putnam. Because book clubs, we re-enter community life, we are talking about substantive issues, we engage with ideas and one another.
Not to be overly simplistic about this, but book clubs can only save the world!
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