Parenting Australia

Bookclub – Worthwhile or a Waste?

Since I was a little girl I remember nights when Mum would have her head buried in a book that she desperately wanted to finish before ‘Bookclub’. In my mind Bookclub was something for people a lot older than me – for Mums. But then as time has a habit of doing, it quietly passed. When I started talking to friends about starting a Bookclub, something about it sat a little uncomfortably with me, as though it was something I was not yet old enough to enjoy. Then I realised how illogical these thought were that were prejudicing me against Bookclub. I am now a Mum (which must also mean I am not quite as young as I used to be!).

Once I got past these ‘ageing’ issues, I talked to some friends about starting a Bookclub and eventually, with a fair bit of trepidation, we sent out the first email enquiring if anyone else would be interested in joining us in a Bookclub. The response was great and we pieced together a structure that we thought would suit most of the girls involved.
Tanya Duncan

At our first get-together we did not have much of an idea what to expect, the group was varied and interesting, but there were two things that we were all seemed to be hoping to achieve; 1. Get back to reading more. 2. Catch up with friends on our terms more often.

Getting back to reading has been undoubtable achieved, and a great success for all of us. My reading demise probably started way back when I was first pregnant. Novels were swapped for pregnancy and baby books and once baby arrived I barely had any time or energy to pick up a book unrelated to how to work out this cute little baby’s crying, sleeping or eating – any spare time was spent trying to catch up on news or flicking through magazines. Books were definitely put into my ‘too hard’ basket for awhile.

I have now got more efficient at keep up with the news and ‘what is going on in the world’ mainly via the radio. I am in the habit of flicking on ABC radio when I am at home or in the car so that I at least keep up with major events and happenings both around Australia and the world. Magazines, well they are still good for a bit of a flick now and then, but books... well they have recently found a new place in my life.

A good book has the ability to transport you. Take you to another time and place. Introduce you to people, situations and images that would otherwise never cross your path. Make your imagination alert and active. Books transport you to their world and reading them is something that you are doing completely for yourself. They educate, entertain and give enjoyment. Busy Mums who indulge in reading give themselves something that can be done entirely for herself each day, and it is a very rare activity that can take place within the time that is available, whenever it is available and wherever you happen to be when you have a little free time. Pretty unique really.

Our second objective to catch up with friends on our terms more often has also been achieved. We have a regular night – First Wednesday of each month – and we leave our families at home. It is one of rare times that I can have a complete conversation that is not punctuated with kids’ interrupting - bliss. The regularity is also great in keeping your commitment. Things come up, life is busy, so having a date set each month means that you make it work and don’t put it off – either you fit in or miss out – which works really well and gives Mums a fantastic night out of the house, catching up with friends and it can also help that there is no expense involved in having this night out with friends.

I am glad that we took the first step towards starting our Bookclub, the personal benefits for a Mum with young children is significant and worthwhile.

Are you a member of a Bookclub? Have you considered setting one up with your friends? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comment box below.

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Tanya Duncan is the Mum of 2 year old Fletcher and 3 year old Hugh. She runs a boutique marketing firm Infokus Marketing and has developed Mums Card which combines her professional and Mum experiences to make a product that all Mums would find useful. Tanya has a keen interest in women’s lifestyles, creating a health balance in a seemingly pressure packed life to try and enjoy her life with her partner and give her boys the best possible start for their lives.

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