{"id":7264,"date":"2024-04-23T01:00:46","date_gmt":"2024-04-23T05:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/how-a-book-club-can-make-you-happier\/"},"modified":"2024-04-23T01:00:46","modified_gmt":"2024-04-23T05:00:46","slug":"how-a-book-club-can-make-you-happier","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/how-a-book-club-can-make-you-happier\/","title":{"rendered":"How a Book Club Can Make You Happier"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Profit<\/a>
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Ancient philosophers and contemporary scientists agree: Strong relationships make people happier<\/strong>. We need enduring, intimate bonds; we need to feel like we belong; we need to be able to confide; we need to be able to get support\u2014and just as important, give<\/em> support.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ancient philosophers and contemporary scientists also agree: Reading makes people happier<\/strong>.<\/a> Reading regularly boosts creativity, reduces stress, fosters empathy and understanding\u2013and it\u2019s fun<\/em>.<\/p>\n

A great way to combine relationships+reading is through a book club!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Any kind of group or organization can help us form and strengthen our relationships, but I do think we get a special boost from a book club.<\/p>\n

How a \u201cbook\u201d club can make you happier<\/h3>\n

Many people want to cultivate the habit of reading. Belonging to a book club means that you don\u2019t neglect this aim. And, especially if you\u2019re someone who benefits from outer accountability and deadlines\u2014Obligers<\/a>, I\u2019m thinking of you\u2014belonging to a book club means that reading doesn\u2019t get pushed to the bottom of the to-do list.<\/p>\n

A book club is a terrific way to meet new people who share similar interests.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m in three (yes, three<\/em>) book groups, and through them, I\u2019ve met people I would never have otherwise met, and made strong friendships.<\/p>\n

A book club creates a feeling of community and exposes you to new perspectives and ideas. Meeting on a regular basis ensures you\u2019re connecting consistently and have something on the calendar you look forward to with pleasure.<\/p>\n

Shape the book club to suit your interests<\/h3>\n

People often assume that a book club has to be organized one way. There\u2019s no right way!<\/p>\n

You can start or join a book club for whatever topic or genre interests you. For instance, for a long time, I didn\u2019t admit my passionate interest in children\u2019s literature<\/a>. It didn\u2019t fit with my ideas of what I wished I were like. But when I acknowledged what I found fun and made this activity a major pastime by starting a \u201ckidlit\u201d reading group, I dramatically ramped up the fun I got from it.<\/p>\n

I now belong to two kidlit groups. To be clear, these groups are for adults who have a taste as adults<\/em> for children\u2019s and young-adult literature\u2014no actual children are involved. Just as some adults like mysteries, sci-fi, or experimental fiction, some enjoy kidlit.<\/p>\n

I also belong to a \u201cregular\u201d book club where we read adult books\u2014mostly fiction.<\/p>\n

Creative book club ideas<\/h3>\n

Not everyone wants to join a classic book club, but there are many ways to structure a book club to make it as enjoyable as possible. Consider:<\/p>\n