The hottest new social scene might be a book club

Some readers credit the explosive growth of unique book clubs to the Covid-19 pandemic, during which many former book lovers had the time to rediscover their passion for reading. That, combined with a yearning for meaningful relationships and in-person activities, created the opportunity for socially centered book clubs to flourish in recent years.

“Reading is such an escape,” said Allison Yates, 33, who founded Chicago’s inaugural Read and Run club. “But really what people want is to feel something deeply, and it slows us down a lot in a time when everything is digital and everything is fast-paced.”

The trendiest book clubs today incorporate activities outside of discussing the book itself — such as wine tastings, blind book exchanges and local walks or running tours. About 79% of Gen Zers and millennials surveyed by Eventbrite said they are seeking events that blend multiple interests.

Yates’ group meetups, for example, feature a guided run through a string of locations mentioned in that week’s book pick. At a recent gathering, after reading former first lady Michelle Obama’s memoir, “Becoming,” members took a 4-mile run through Chicago’s Hyde Park (where the Obamas resided for years) before ending the event with a book discussion, complete with snacks from a local popcorn chain she frequented as a teenager.

Chicago is among the cities that have seen the most dramatic growth in book-oriented events from 2023 to 2024, according to Eventbrite. Others include San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles and Boston.