Reading is arguably the second-most intimate human activity, and, as with the first-most intimate human activity, there are people who will try to convince you that it’s better done in groups. These groups are called book clubs. I am in one. Maybe you are, too. If so, here’s why we’ve both made a terrible mistake.
Adam Sternbergh clubs book clubs in The Walrus.
I have to disagree on this one. I’m not a member of any book clubs, but the idea that talking about a book makes is pointless is just silly. As with any art form, literature is subjective to some extent. Different people take different things from it, and as such discussing what you understood and responded to with other people might open your eyes to more in the book than you initially saw. I recently read The Sound and the Fury by Faulkner – that definitely benefited from talking about it with a friend and Faulkner-enthusiast.