Female-Led Book Clubs to Have On Your Radar

Popularised by celebrities like Reese Witherspoon, Oprah Winfrey and most recently Dua Lipa, book clubs are on the rise among millennials and Gen Z according to a recent CNN report. In the US, book club event listings grew 24% from 2022 to 2023, while The Guardian stated a growth of 41% in the UK. New spins on the traditional book club setup include rotating restaurant experiences, ‘bring your baby’ events and even silent book clubs, where members get together to quietly read.

In the UAE, bookworms are witnessing a revival of the traditional, in-person model — and contrary to assumptions, these book clubs are not just excuses to network and socialise. Shiza says that she is a strict host and moderator, and that at least 80 per cent of the time is spent talking about the book. There are also rules to follow — the first and foremost being to actually read the book every month. “I get it, everyone is busy on tight schedules and not all books are made equal, but the purpose of this club is to push ourselves more in an intellectual meet-up, as opposed to the usual social ones we have,” she explains. She also urges members to be punctual, come prepared with questions, share their honest thoughts and stay on topic.

As we approach World Book Day, celebrated on 23 April, it’s clear that Shiza’s is just one of many book clubs welcoming aspiring — and existing — readers in the Emirates. Tamreez Inam, who is a member of the Foundation Book Club run by Emirates Literature Foundation, says that the local book club culture is thriving, and that being part of one helps readers become more open-minded. “Especially in Dubai where members are from all over the world, they share their cultural insights during a discussion, which leads to a deeper appreciation of a topic,” she explains. Tamreez is drawn to book clubs because they turn a solitary activity into a social one, which can be helpful when digesting heavier subjects.

 

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During the pandemic, Leeds-based Sofia Rehman started her online ‘Islam and Gender’ read-along group, which focuses on books and academic texts that explore Muslim feminism. “These books have a lot to offer but are often difficult to read because of how specialist they are. By breaking it down into weekly chapter discussions, I aimed to make the reading easier to understand and process,” she tells MOJEH. Each session is recorded so that participants can catch up if they miss one, and after the group completes each text, Sofia organises a Zoom call with the author. Some members have been so inspired by the readings that they have started their own physical book clubs in the cities they live in.

Sofia also runs in-person book clubs, but believes there are benefits to the online model. “The greatest perk has to be the breadth of inclusivity it provides, allowing people from around the globe to join in the discussion,” she says. “This allows us to be challenged and have our considerations and horizons broadened beyond what our own personal experiences and contexts could have provided us.” Platforms like Patreon, Eventbrite, YouTube and Instagram have been instrumental to the literati community seeking to connect with fellow readers. When Sofia first announced her ‘Islam and Gender’ reading group on social media, she expected 10 or 15 people to sign up, with around half of them dropping out by the third or fourth session. “Fifteen minutes after I had made that initial Instagram post, I had over 100 people signed up,” she recalls.

The pandemic caused an increase in recreational reading, and the booming #BookTok niche on TikTok is reportedly driving more than half of total book sales from social media. Enthusiastic readers are taking bookish culture into new and uncharted territories while encouraging critical thinking within social settings. And at a time where our minds are all but consumed by our digital devices, getting lost in a book may just be the ultimate escape.

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