Reading identity: American and Irish Women’s book clubs, culture, and identity

Abstract

This research examines the role of reading and book club attendance in the lives of Irish and American women’s fiction readers who actively participate in women’s book clubs utilizing mixed methodology, including ethnographic observation, participation in book club meetings, and in-depth narrative interviews. Women in Ireland and the United States used reading to develop a sense of self and to learn about the social world, as well as to construct their own identities, often in contrast to expected norms of feminine identity. Women in Ireland utilized reading and book clubs to develop knowledge and understanding; women in the United States were influenced to increase their status in order to potentially secure or retain a high-status romantic partner. At the same time, important key themes relating to social positionality and social networks, capital development, and the construction of identity were similar and central to women in both cultural environments. Reading was deeply entrenched in the identities of the women in this study and attending book clubs allowed them to continue engaging literature, construct identities, and gain knowledge about the world around them.

Literary communities in social media: the influence of motivations on engagement and purchase intention in women

“…and radio segments and shows dedicated to literature (Reddan, 2022), the act of reading and exchanging opinions as a group has kept those involved more engaged and motivated to read while strengthening the relationship between participants (Petrich, 2013;Augusto et al, 2019;Augusto et al, 2020). These groups are integrated by a variety of people who share an interest for literature and for the act of reading, but are especially popular among the female population (Craig, 2019;Sedo, 2003).…”

Examining Facebook Groups Engaging in Reading Experiences: The Interactive Therapeutic Process Perspective

“…Most often, groups of this type discuss a book that everyone has been asked to purchase and read in an allotted period of time. Women who take part in these clubs do so in order to find new ways to relate to each other, using cultural tools to develop personal identities (Craig, 2019), produce knowledge, and develop high cultural literacy and academic skills (Radway, 1997). In addition, book clubs have enabled women to overcome the long-standing gender discrimination and expectations they frequently face.…”

“…In addition, book clubs have enabled women to overcome the long-standing gender discrimination and expectations they frequently face. Through conversations with other women, participants can acknowledge their opinions, express their arguments, and practice discussing their feelings and thoughts in a safe group (Craig, 2019).…”

“…Although they were the biggest and most popular in Israel, future research can benefit from sampling more members from a wider selection of online reading groups. Second, this study examined only women, as they are more likely than men to participate in book clubs (Craig, 2019) and in social media sites (Gazit et al, 2019). Therefore, the sample might not adequately represent the overall population and a future study may examine also men's groups and groups of men and women together.…”

“…The groups examined in this study can be defined as virtual serious leisure groups (Briliana, 2019; Bronstein & Lidor, 2020) that replace traditional book clubs (Álvarez-Álvarez, 2016; Craig, 2019). Hence, the literature review will first discuss offline book clubs, then online serious leisure groups, and finally, the interactive therapeutic process (Lenkowsky, 1987), which we believe takes place in the unique groups under study.…”