Would you like to read more but can’t find the time? If, after work, you slouch dog-tired in front of the TV then a book club could be for you.
The popularity of book clubs is an international phenomenon that took off with Oprah Winfrey’s television club in the United States a decade ago. Her show turned struggling authors into household names.
The “Oprah effect” also applies in South Africa. The book club trend has been brewing here for years, and there are at least a couple of thousand of them proving an outlet for (mostly) women to meet with like-minded readers.
For those not in a club, they might seem daunting, with images of competitive, high-brow debates over theme and characterisation. But it’s not like that at all.
They usually take place monthly, you take it in turns to host and there are three constants — chat, tasty nibbles and discussion on the book.
Louise Meny-Gibert of Jonathan Ball says her estimate would be that there are about 2 000 clubs in South Africa and the retailers do their best to get in touch with them.
“They work extremely hard at promoting good relations with the book clubs in their areas. Some of the bigger retailers in the country can have up to 300 clubs on their books and they attract them through special discounts, appro and that sort of thing.”
For the most part it’s white, middle-class women in these bookclubs, says Meny-Gibert, but in urban areas the demographic changes.
“The age ranges from the 20s all the way through to the 80s.”
“Sadly, men don’t seem to feature much and if they do, you will rarely find an all-male club. Perhaps anthropologists and psychologists would be more adept at answering the ‘why’ in this case,” she says.
A quick vox-pop of some men I know (who anxiously asked to remain anonymous) highlighted their reluctance.
“It’s a farce, the book is hardly read and it’s just another excuse for gossip and wine,” says one. Another husband starts planning his escape weeks before. “You are a refugee, you can’t go home. Too many women cackling and chatting about men … it’s scary,” he says.
Ann Donald of Kalk Bay Books in Cape Town has had a different experience and says men do sign up. The shop has been open for 18 months and already has about 40 book clubs registered with it.
“It’s a fallacy that book clubs are only for women and it’s only about the night out with the girls and chick lit — we have mixed groups, groups that focus only on non-fiction and a very strong leaning to literary fiction.”
The assistant manager of Kalk Bay Books, Aisling Heath, says in her experience there are three types of gatherings. The chick lit clubs go for the likes of Penny Vincenzi and Maeve Binchy, the literary types opt for more high-brow reads such as Ian McEwan, Peter Carey and Peter Hoeg, and the third is more into non-fiction, particularly biographies and philosophy.
There are also lots of crossover options that show up at most clubs such as The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns and A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian.
Rene Brophy, of Pan Macmillian, says that while her publishing company does not deal with clubs directly “we do know they affect the sales of our mass-market fiction titles.
“Bookclubs tend to go for authors they recognise but hard selling plays a large part. I have seen a Hyde Park bookseller sell to a book club and it is really something to behold. Crime fiction is always a big seller and so is woman’s fiction.”
I tracked down some clubbers to see why they go.
Pretoria recruitment consultant Fatima Sadien (35) says it encourages her to read more often and widely. She thought it was usually older women so was delighted to hear of a younger club.
Midrand resident Meladi Mampane (30) says initially she never wanted to join as she was previously in an all-female social club that ended quite bitterly. However, she thoroughly enjoys it. Her club is a good mix, with many non-South Africans and she enjoys getting different perspectives.
Gadifele Moroaswi (30) has been part of her group for more than two years. Like Mampane’s club it’s a night-time affair and the chats can get quite raucous.
Pretoria-based artist Nazira Khamissa (50) says her reading tastes have been broadened as her 9.30am club reads mostly African literature. As the organiser she keeps an eye out for news in magazines and papers, promotions and author visits.
With so many benefits it seems a shame more people are not joining, but books are pricey and, for most, buying fiction is a luxury.
Trade publishing only accounts for 30% of the industry, with half of that imported. Not including the education and academic markets, it’s thought there are only 450 000 to 500 000 regular buyers, with the price pushed up by a weak rand, shipping costs and VAT.
But there are ways around the expense. Take it in turns to purchase, get down to the library and sign up with retailers for discounts. Keep the maximum to 12 and remember a level of commitment is required. You need a core of at least five to keep things stimulating.