Definition of the word book club

The term "book club" enters the English language during the late 19th century, although it wasn't initially called that. In 1869, a group of women in Boston, Massachusetts, established the "Seminary Literary Association," which was altered to "Seminary Book Club" in 1874 to accurately describe their meeting activity. The concept of a book club began to spread throughout other cities in the United States and England around the turn of the 20th century, with the primary aim of promoting literary discussion and informal learning among members. The term "book club" itself appeared in printed materials as early as 1912, largely due to D. Appleton and Company's monthly publication "The Reading Club Magazine." The rise of commercial book clubs during the 1920s further popularized the term, as companies like the Book-of-the-Month Club started selling books directly to consumers. This model not only democratized access to reading materials but also facilitated the growth of book clubs as recreational and social gatherings, allowing individuals with similar literary interests to connect and share their thoughts on books. Today, book clubs continue to evolve, both in online and offline settings, with dedicated online communities, podcasts, book subscription services, and virtual meeting tools expanding their reach and accessibility to a wider audience.