Why Book Clubs Still Matter and Might Just Make Your Book a Bestseller
Think book clubs are outdated? Think again, they’re changing the game.
By Charlie Levin
In an era dominated by streaming, podcasts, and algorithm-driven content, it’s easy to assume that traditional reading communities like book clubs are fading into quaint irrelevance. That assumption couldn’t be further from the truth.
Book clubs, yes, actual groups of people sitting down to discuss the same book, are not just alive and well. They’re subtly and consistently reshaping the literary landscape.
From Oprah’s Book Club to neighborhood gatherings, these clubs don’t just spark discussion. They create bestsellers, set trends, champion new voices, and breathe life into books long after their launch. As both an author and a grateful guest of multiple clubs, I’ve seen this influence firsthand.
1. Book Clubs Turn Books into Bestsellers
A single book club pick can change a book’s fate overnight.
Oprah’s seal of approval? Practically a golden ticket. Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine pick? Instant visibility. But even the more intimate clubs the ones held in someone’s living room with wine and a dog curled up on the couch have weight. When everyone in that room buys a book, tells a friend, posts about it? Momentum builds.
I was lucky enough to be invited twice to the Cedar’s Book Club: first for my debut thriller, NOT SO DEAD, and again for the sequel, NOT SO DONE. These weren’t just events. They were thoughtful, lively conversations that sparked real interest beyond the group. One member invited me to speak at her library. Another shared my book with her entire office. That kind of engagement? You can’t buy it.
2. Word-of-Mouth Is Still King
In a world of sponsored ads and influencer fatigue, genuine recommendations still stand out. And book clubs run on those.
When someone says, “You have to read this,” and hands you a copy with a coffee ring on the cover and the corners dog-eared? It means something.
More than half of readers still choose their next book based on a friend’s suggestion. Now multiply that across a dozen readers, all excited about the same story and you’ve got a ripple effect that’s more powerful (and more lasting) than any ad campaign.
3. Book Clubs Set the Trends
It’s tempting to minimize book clubs to simply chasing what’s popular. But often, they’re ahead of the curve.
Colson Whitehead’s The Underground Railroad. Delia Owens’ Where the Crawdads Sing. These books not only became viral, but they also became the moment, thanks in large part to book club buzz. These were experiences that shaped public conversation.
4. They Amplify the Voices That Need to Be Heard
Today’s book clubs are doing something essential: lifting up stories we might otherwise miss.
From The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett to An American Marriage by Tayari Jones, clubs are helping powerful, diverse voices reach the mainstream. These aren’t just “important” books—they’re compelling ones. And they’re reaching more readers because book clubs are choosing them, sharing them, and talking about them deeply.
5. They Give Books a Second (and Third) Life
Publishing can feel like a sprint. But book clubs don’t care about your launch week.
They’ll pick up a book six months later. Two years later. And when they do, it’s like a second debut. Some of the most rewarding messages I’ve received came long after NOT SO DEAD launched, notes from new readers discovering it because their club just picked it up. That kind of longevity? It’s rare, but book clubs make it possible.
6. Digital Book Clubs Are Changing the Game
Book clubs have gone digital, thriving on TikTok, Instagram, Discord, and Goodreads as much as around coffee tables.
Hashtags like #BookTok and #Bookstagram are driving discovery in ways that traditional publishing never could. Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library exploded after taking off on TikTok, fueled by club buzz and sincere reader enthusiasm.
Rather than taking away from in-person groups, online book clubs amplify them, making the experience more inclusive, far-reaching, and dynamic.
So How Do You Get In?
This is the part no one tells you: it’s not about pitching. It’s about connecting.
I’ll never forget how I first connected with Nora, the a Book Club organizer. She emailed me out of the blue after reading NOT SO DEAD, saying it “felt like it was written for book club discussion.” We ended up talking for over an hour about pacing, plot twists, and why a character made that one baffling decision. We didn’t even talk about sales, and a few weeks later, I was their guest.
Book clubs invite authors they believe in. So write the story only you can tell. Make it easy for people to find you. And when a reader reaches out, treat it like a conversation, not a lead.
Why Book Clubs Still Matter
Book clubs are the hidden engine behind many literary successes. They may not always make headlines, but they make books matter to readers, to communities, and to culture.
If you’re a writer, don’t underestimate their power.
If you’re a reader: thank you. You’re keeping the soul of literature alive.
If you would like to publish your book or your audiobook (or are just dreaming about it), let the MunnAvenuePress.com team help make your dream a reality.
Happy Writing! Charlie Levin, Publisher & Founder
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