Celebrating the Power of Reading Together on Book Club Day

To celebrate Book Club Day on 11 September, we are shining a spotlight on the important role our book clubs and reading groups play in our libraries across Bridgend County Borough and the many benefits they bring to readers and communities.

This year’s Book Club Day theme is “Be a Reading Rebel”, celebrating the power of book clubs and reading groups to bring people together, spark conversations and make reading more visible. It encourages people to join a book club or reading group, raise the profile of an existing group or invite someone new to take part.

Being part of a book club or reading group is a simple, joyful act of connection, curiosity and challenge. They help readers meet others, start conversations and turn strangers into friends. Reading together supports social connection and helps communities become more welcoming, creative and connected.

The need to encourage reading for pleasure is clear. Research shared by The Reading Agency indicates that 46% of UK adults do not regularly read for pleasure, rising to 61% of young people aged 16 to 24. Book clubs and reading groups can help address this by making reading a welcoming, enjoyable and social experience rather than something people feel they have to do alone.

Book Club Day has added significance this year because 2026 is the National Year of Reading, a UK-wide campaign designed to reignite a culture of reading for pleasure. It aims to make reading joyful, relevant and visible for everyone, whether at home, in classrooms, workplaces or communities.

The National Year of Reading invites people to “Go All In” on the things they already love. Whatever you are interested in, from sport, music and food to gaming, film, fashion or creativity, there is something to read that can help you explore that passion. By starting with people’s passions rather than pressure, the campaign aims to create a stronger and more connected reading culture.

Creating conversations and connections

Reading can be a wonderfully personal experience, but sharing a book with others can open up an entirely new world of ideas, perspectives and conversations. Library book clubs and reading groups provide welcoming spaces where people can come together, discover new authors and genres, and enjoy thoughtful discussions in a friendly and supportive environment.

Book clubs and reading groups can also help reduce loneliness and strengthen community connections. For some members, the regular opportunity to meet and talk with others is just as important as the book itself. Friendships develop, confidence grows and people who might not otherwise meet can connect through a shared love of reading.

Supporting health and wellbeing

There are benefits for our health and wellbeing too. Taking time to read can provide relaxation and escapism, while discussing stories with others encourages us to listen, reflect and consider experiences from different points of view. Book clubs and reading groups create safe and respectful spaces where people can express their opinions, knowing there is no single “right” way to interpret a story.

Research has associated book clubs, reading groups and shared reading with improvements in wellbeing, concentration and quality of life. Reading fiction has also been linked with better social understanding, helping readers consider how other people may think and feel.

Even a relatively small amount of regular reading can make a difference. Adults who read for just 30 minutes a week are reported to be 57% more likely to have a better awareness of other cultures, demonstrating how reading can broaden people’s understanding of the world and the communities around them.

Book clubs can encourage readers to step outside their comfort zones too. A book chosen by another member might introduce someone to a writer, subject or style they would never have selected themselves. This shared exploration keeps reading fresh, broadens horizons and can inspire people to read more regularly.

The important role of libraries

Libraries are the ideal home for book clubs and reading groups because they make reading and participation accessible to everyone. Members can borrow books without the cost of buying them, receive recommendations from knowledgeable library staff and explore a wide range of titles. Our libraries provide inclusive and trusted community spaces where everyone is welcome, whether they are enthusiastic lifelong readers or picking up a book for the first time in years.

Here are the dates and times of Awen Libraries’ book clubs/reading groups.

Many are fully booked so please contact the library to check availability and join the waiting list. We are also launching Junior Reading Groups at our libraries – please get in touch if you have a child or young person who would like to join.

If you are interested in starting up a new group, our libraries can help with this and supply you with books to read. We have over 300 sets of adult reading group books (usually 10 copies of each book per set) and every year we purchase at least another fifteen sets, so there’s no need to buy your own copies.