Image from Pixabay by Pexels In Brazil, reading has never been a common habit. Whether due to lack of funding for education or even family history, books were often associated with elites. After cell phones became popular, the difficulty of encouraging people to read increased, as the device has a profound effect on people even when users are not aware of it.There are people who can spend hours with the device in their hands, communicating online, watching videos or doing other things. At the end of the day, they feel like time has passed and they haven't been able to pick up a single book.
However, there is a growing trend that could change this reality. These are reading groups, which are places to exchange ideas about work and in which readers of all ages can participate. Study groups have existed for centuries and you can find references to them even in old books. The only difference is that now groups can meet in a virtual space, there are more options.
Why it's better to join a reading club Unlike the internet, where people share messages, images, videos and comics, reading is a solitary habit. You should focus on reading a book, whether physical or e-book, and spend some time without interacting with other people around you.
For those who are used to it, it's not a problem, in fact, it's one of the best reads. But those who have not maintained this habit may have difficulty concentrating and, above all, without anyone to share the ideas that appear in the work.
Book clubs have addressed this problem. Readers of the same story can come together to hear other ideas, discuss plots, talk about characters they liked and didn't like, and so on. In other words, it's a way to make reading more powerful and engaging.
Furthermore, this interaction can foster friendships, increasing the participants' social network. That's why the groups expanded, as more people wanted to communicate, but were limited by health measures.
How to join a reading club Firstly, it is important to mention that there are different types of reading groups. Some groups are paid, while others are free. There are also those that are identified by literary genre, such as horror novels, and others of general interest. There is also a division between in-person groups, which often meet in libraries or schools, and digital groups, which allow people from all over the country to attend.
For those interested in online conferences, it's fun to search for a class based on the genre you want to learn. But if the idea is to meet people in person, then the research should be done by studying discussion groups in a given city.
In general, readers do not need to spend money on activities. In addition to having a large collection of books in libraries, there are also e-books, which can be downloaded or purchased at a lower price than physical books. If the material is read on Kindle, it is also possible to download the file in a text editor and then change the format, that is, from Word to PDF. The exchange takes place in a few minutes and is free.
Check out the main reading groups for those who want to participate online or in São Paulo:
Animal fraternity: a dialogue on literature, cinema and art. Each month, the group chooses a book to read and a film to watch. Then, on a scheduled day, participants compete online about their opinions about the work, which often have common elements. Blooks Club: an in-person meeting held at the Shopping Frei Caneca bookstore, on the first Monday of each month. The competition tends to focus heavily on scientific literature, so anyone interested in the topic and located in the capital of São Paulo can take advantage. The featured book is chosen at the end of each event, and you can also find out about it on the bookstore's social networks. Mário de Andrade Library Club: the largest library in São Paulo and the 2nd largest in the country, Mário de Andrade is another opportunity for those who want to dive into the world of books and make friends. There are several reading groups there, including groups dedicated to works written by women, poetry and much more. More than encouraging reading, literary debate groups can be an opportunity to make friends, learn more and develop new perspectives on different subjects. Even those who are not familiar with the literature can follow along and benefit greatly.