Book clubs are making a comeback, and it’s good for your mental health. Niche book clubs, genre-specific groups, and even silent book clubs are providing fresh takes on what it means to read together. According to CNN, book club event listings grew 24% in the United States from 2022 to 2023.1
As reading offers so many mental health benefits, it’s no wonder that more people of all ages and backgrounds are looking for an excuse to read more. In addition to all the reasons reading on your own is good for your mental health, like empathy-building and relieving stress, doing so as part of a book club that meets regularly can do even more for your well-being:
- Book clubs increase social connection, which combats loneliness. Not only does social connection protect us against physical ailments, like chronic illness and disease, but according to the federal Centers for Disease Control, it also can lengthen our lives; help us better manage stress, anxiety, and depression; and improve our sleep quality.2 On the other hand, feeling lonely has been associated with increased levels of generalized anxiety disorder and depression.3
- Sharing thoughts and opinions can improve social skills, build confidence, and improve self-esteem. Self-disclosure—sharing thoughts, feelings, and experiences with others—has been linked to improved psychological resilience.4 A healthy amount of self-esteem has been found to benefit us in our relationships and our academic and professional work, and even to combat antisocial behavior.5
- Book clubs offer a safe space to explore social issues that can enhance personal growth and societal change. Self-reflection plays an important role in personal growth, and increased self-awareness has been linked to better decision-making and leadership skills, increased self-regulation, and prosocial behavior, and reduced stress.6,7
- Discussing books improves critical-thinking skills and intellectual development. Reading and examining literature have been found to be an effective way to improve critical-thinking skills.8 Interestingly, in one study fiction was found to uniquely drive critical evaluations through the subtle and deep way it presented ideas and understandings of the real world, suggesting that reading fiction boosts critical thinking skills in a manner distinct from nonfiction.9
Whether you like fiction or nonfiction, romance or murder mysteries, reading and discussing what you read with friends is good for your mental health. Community-building, personal growth and development, and a greater sense of self-confidence await at your next book club gathering.