Image from Pixabay Image from Pexels In Brazil, reading is not a habit for most people. Due to the lack of capital in education or family stories, books were more associated with intellectuals. After the popularization of cell phones, the difficulties in encouraging reading increased, as the device attracts a lot of attention even if users don't realize it.There are people who can spend hours with the device in their hands, chatting online, watching videos or doing other activities. Ultimately, they feel like time has passed and they can't pick up a book.
However, there is a growing trend that could change this reality. They are reading clubs, a place to share ideas about work and where readers of all ages can participate. Book clubs have existed for many years and you can also find references to them in classic works. The difference is that now the groups meet in a virtual environment, with many options to choose from.
Why it's worth joining a reading club Unlike the Internet, where people share messages, photos, videos and memes, reading is a more solitary habit. You need to focus on reading a book, whether physical or digital, and spend some time without interacting with other people around you.
For those who are used to it, this is not a problem, in fact, it is one of the benefits of reading. However, those who have never maintained this habit may find it difficult to concentrate and, especially, to share the ideas they see at work with someone.
The book club solved this problem. Readers of the same story can get together to listen to each other's stories, discuss theories, talk about characters they like and dislike, etc. In other words, it is a way to make reading more dynamic and engaging.
Furthermore, this interaction can spark friendships and expand the social circle of participants. So much so that it was for this reason that the groups were expanded, as many people wanted to socialize, but were limited by health measures.
How to join a book club Firstly, it is important to say that there are different types of book clubs. There are groups that are paid, while others are free. There are also those that specialize in literary genres, such as horror books, and other more general ones. There is also a division between face-to-face groups, which usually meet in libraries or educational institutions, and digital groups, which allow people from all over the country to be present.
For those who prefer virtual meetings, it is interesting to find a club in the genre you want to study. However, if the idea is to meet people, then the research should be done through discussion groups in a given city.
In general, readers do not need to spend money on work. In addition to having many books in the library, digital versions are also available, which can be downloaded or purchased at a lower cost than physical works. If there is a reading option on Kindle, it is also possible to take the file in a text editor and then change the format, that is, from Word to PDF. The conversion takes a few minutes and is free.
Check out the main reading clubs for those who want to participate online or are in São Paulo:
Butaran Je Bhatin: a conversation about literature, cinema and art. Each month, the group chooses a book to read and a film to watch. Then, on a designated day, participants discuss their ideas about the task online, which typically have some common points. Club Da Blox: This is a face-to-face meeting that takes place on the first Monday of each month at Livraria Shopping Free Canadian. The discussion focuses more on science fiction books, so anyone who likes the subject and is in the capital of São Paulo can take advantage. The book discussed is chosen at the end of each event, and you can also find out about it on the bookstore's social networks. Mario de Andrade Library Club: The largest library in São Paulo and the 2nd largest library in the country, Mario de Andrade is another opportunity for those who want to explore the world of books and make friends. There are many book clubs there, including groups dedicated to works written by women, poetry and more. More than encouraging reading, literary discussions can be an opportunity to make friends, learn more and have a new perspective on different topics. Even those who don't know the books yet can follow a conversation and benefit greatly.