I really dislike "Book Clubs"; but especially "Celebrity Book Clubs" I have never understood what they are for. I read for many reasons, but not to sit with a bunch of people, who also read the book and "chat about it". Why do folks do this? I realize that my reading choices are not consistent. I don't like Chick Lit, romance, writer's who are long dead and comprised an "era" or " a school of writers". That said, I will read just about anything in terms of genre once. I also like non-fiction. all kinds. One word in a blurb can send me to whole new writer or subject. But Celebrity Book Clubs. Not so much. (PS...I thought Jonathan Franzen cooked his own goose when he declined "being chosen by Oprah. Hubris, but I got it. And his best book...in my opinion is "The 29th City".

Where's all the new Thrillers, Gothic & Crime focused novels...
The only decent novel on these "lists" is Heather O'Neill's When We Lost Our Heads! Canadian.....

I totally agree with Chloe. I joined a neighborhood book club when I retired. That lasted about five months. I want to read what I want to read. I’m not into gabbing with a bunch of ladies (really, how many men are in a book club). I don’t get celebrity book clubs. Do you actually think that they sat down and read a book or was it their assistant. Also, availability of a book is problematic. I only use the public library. Their picks are usually brand new books that aren’t available and there is a waiting list. That being said, I’m off to read by personal pick— Lisa Scottoline’s “Eternal”.

I love my own personal book club, because we choose socially relevant books and discuss. But, like Chloe, I do not get why people follow celebrity book clubs. What makes a celebrity a judge of what's good? There are myriad ways to find a new book to read (I should know, I have 100's on my to-read shelf.) It seems starnge to just blindly read what someone tells you to.

I feel that celebrities recommend a book because they think we give a hoot about what they like. It's another way for them to grab some attention. As you may guess, l am not a fan of celebrities.

I love my book club! I've ended up really enjoying books that I would never have picked up on my own. When you can discuss certain aspects of a book with someone else, it can make you think about something in a whole different way. Different ways of thinking are one of the things that make our world so interesting. If we read a book that I don't like, that can even be more fun picking it apart at book club. It feels so good to release your frustrations about a bad book. We are all very respectful of everyone's opinion. We have great discussions and we always laugh a bunch.

That being said, I'm very skeptical of celebrity book clubs. If any celebrity is actually picking the book, it's only after its been vetted by their staff. I think a lot of books are chosen simply because of an author or current event addressed or who's going to make money off of it. I'd love an expose on the book club staffers and what is actually involved in choosing a book.

No non-fiction? Come on!

Chloe wrote: "I really dislike "Book Clubs"; but especially "Celebrity Book Clubs" I have never understood what they are for. I read for many reasons, but not to sit with a bunch of people, who also read the boo..."

I think that folks just like to talk about things that they're excited about. I'm not in any book club because it ends up making me feel pressured about when and what to read, but I do have a friend who I tend to catch up with or take recommendations from so we can discuss. Just like I used to discuss every single Game of Thrones episode in the office on Mondays. It's cathartic to discuss our reactions to things, especially apolitical topics where there's a factor of escapism.

I loved EVERYTHING about Lessons in Chemistry. It's the 51st book I've read this year, and only the second I adored enough to buy so I can have my own copy after returning the library book. Five stars from me!