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Reading in community, reading for community: a survey of book clubs in regional Australia
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 22:04 authored by Robert ClarkeRobert Clarke, Nicholas HookwayNicholas Hookway, Burgess, RWorries about weakening community are central to assessments of modern Australia, yet it is easy to overlook the everyday ways we “do” and participate in community life. Book clubs are one area of community participation largely ignored by researchers despite the local and national proliferation of such clubs. Surveying twenty-two book groups and ninety-seven book club members, this study investigates the roles that book clubs play in the cultural and community life of a regional area of Tasmania. The results show that book clubs promote regular intellectual engagement and provide for a distinct female sociality that consolidates and creates new social connections and function as everyday “escape attempts” from the obligations of work and family. We suggest that the support and development of local book club programs may have considerable potential as a strategy for Australian governments and communities to foster a sense of community.
History
Publication title
Journal of Australian StudiesVolume
41Pagination
171-183ISSN
1444-3058Department/School
School of HumanitiesPublisher
RoutledgePlace of publication
AustraliaRights statement
Copyright 2017 International Australian Studies AssociationRepository Status
- Restricted