As a result, sustained engagement with literature—the worlds imagined by writers and the ideas that

As a result, truly original works become rarer—books that could achieve global recognition and inspire a new generation of writers.

One can attribute this grotesque social bearing to many factors, inter alia: the rise of phones, bots, and other technological advancements that, as a trade-off, provide 'efficiency' and short-form content instead of a sustainable, intellectual adventure; busy schedules and economic stress squeeze our leisure time; and an educational system that prefers mimicry over exploration incites the herd mentality.

All of this leads to impairment of cultural and cognitive capital, and this discussion is not novel; it has been in the mainstream for a while, and apparently this won't end very soon.

Notwithstanding, we are interested today in exploring how book clubs can play their role in stopping, or at least slowing down, the lethal post-literate current.

Historically, book clubs started in the 17th century, not as a social gathering to discuss fiction, but theology, and eventually metamorphosed into study circles where literature, poetry, and other writings were discussed across nations, with ‘the Book-of-the-Month Club’ founded in 1926.

The close reading, apart from the obvious participatory need, helps us shape our thoughts around a book and its impact at a somewhat universal level.

Book clubs also teach us to think critically, challenge our misconceptions and prejudices about an author that are often shaped by public discourse, connect the world of the text to the realities of society, and deepen our understanding of the evolving relationship between the reader and the act of reading.

Also, this type of reading can help a writer-cum-reader to understand how others read the works of renowned writers; their distinctive writing themes and styles, unique forms and structures, and the common pitfalls identified and debated on in the session could guide the burgeoning pen.

Book clubs not only help us in reading books and improving our reading depth, they also provide a literary environment and a safe space, where an introverted person [like me] can, without any hesitation or fear of being judged, share views that might be blunt or controversial apropos authors, books, and conceptions fomented by them.

Hence, the whole session can become an intellectual rage room; eventually, leading to little or no knowledge preservation, while discussions end with the meeting itself and no insights are documented whatsoever. The joy of reading is no less than transporting into unseen, unheard worlds, and this whole experience needs to be shared, beyond solitary confinements, with others, through inclusive and incisive clubs.

Different members come from diverse backgrounds with many purposes – socialising, literary analysis, intellectual discussion, professional development, personal growth – ultimately fomenting an interpersonal relationship, both amongst members and with books and authors; this bond, through a jointvivisectional and insightful reading, results into developing -- by refutation and acceptance -- points of view that were completely alien to the members.

He can be reached atalifurqan647@gmail.com. All facts and information are the sole responsibility of the writer. Pages. Pakistan. Business. World. Opinion. Life & Style. Sports. Blogs. Videos. Our Sites. Express News. Urdu E-Paper. English E-Paper. Sindhi E-Paper. Cricket Pakistan. Express Live. Campus Guru. Express Entertainment. Food Tribune. About Us. Contact Us. Online Advertising. Privacy Policy. Copyright. Fuel Prices Pakistan. Gold Prices Pakistan. Prayer Timing Pakistan. Weather Forecast Pakistanfollow us