Just dug up a stat about how often book clubs actually finish the book they pick

I was scrolling through some data from a book club survey last week and found something that threw me. Apparently only about 60% of members finish the selected book before the meeting. I thought it would be higher, like 80% at least. The survey said the main reason was people got bored around chapter 5 and never picked it back up. That explains a lot of the awkward silences at my own group when the leader asks what we thought of the ending. It also makes me wonder how many debates we have are based on half the people guessing the plot rather than actually reading it. Has anyone else noticed this in your club or does your group actually all finish the book?

2 comments

2 Comments

kim1914d ago

Books are like gym memberships, people sign up for the idea of finishing but life gets in the way. I've seen this same pattern with podcasts people save for later and never listen to, or meal prep kits that sit in the fridge for a month. The first few chapters are like the honeymoon phase, then around chapter 5 the boring part hits and people just drift off. It makes you wonder how many conversations in general are built on half finished thoughts or guessed endings, not just book club debates. Probably same vibe as people agreeing with a movie plot they barely watched or a song they only heard the chorus of.

the_riley4d ago

Oh man, you absolutely nailed it with the gym membership comparison. That's exactly how I feel about half the books on my nightstand right now. I started reading this one thriller everyone was talking about, got through like four chapters super excited, then just... stopped. Had every intention to finish it but then work got crazy and I started a new show on Netflix and suddenly it's been three months and I don't even remember the main character's name. It's honestly kind of embarrassing how many conversations I've faked my way through nodding along about a book's ending when I only read the first 30 pages.