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BookBrowse Research Reports


Recent Research Reports

Insightful Market Research into All Aspects of Contemporary Book Clubs

The Inner Lives of Book Clubs

The Inner Lives of Book Clubs is the essential guide to all things book club. In it you'll discover the elements that most happy and successful book clubs have in common, you'll find proven solutions to a dozen common book club problems, and so much more. It combines the findings from two surveys of more than 5,000 book clubbers (conducted in 2019) with BookBrowse's 15+ years of book club experience and research.

Recommended for every library and every book club.

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Book Clubs in Lockdown

Book Clubs in Lockdown investigates how book clubs adapted to the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and the implications for the future. It is based on an October 2020 survey of more than 3,400 book club members.

Findings include: how book clubs responded and adapted, where book clubs met and what precautions they took, the good and not so good aspects of meeting virtually, what book clubs did—and did not—discuss in 2020, and the ways in which the pandemic is changing book clubs for the long term.

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See articles based on our research findings in our blog

  • I have been running the Recycle Book Club for over four years and got a number of ideas from your report that I am anxious to apply. Thank you, for putting so much effort into making all book clubs better.

    Lloyd Russell, The Recycle Book Club, Campbell, CA

  • The report is fascinating, and got more interesting the more that I read. It is well written and informative, clearly organized and beautifully designed.

    Beata Obydzinski, Branch Manager, Monterey County Free Libraries


  • I've spoken with over 200 book clubs in the past fifteen years and this report is not only consistent with my experience with clubs, it told me things I never knew about them. Fascinating, detailed, and highly recommended to book clubs and anyone involved in the book trade."

    Alan Brennert, author of
    "Daughter of Moloka'i"

  • It's a wonderful report, so very interesting. I learned so much about how to better run a book group, and it has re-energized me to make our group better. I think it should be given to every librarian.

    Terye Balogh, Milpitas Public Library, CA



  • I thoroughly enjoyed The Inner Lives of Book Clubs because the content caused me to reflect on my own book club experiences. Also, I was especially impressed with the qualitative data, the defined intended audience, how well the research was conducted and how easy the report was to comprehend.

    Darcus Smith, Adult Librarian, Edmond Library

  • Your research is impeccable, and your conclusions well supported. It is a treat to read because there is nothing else like it available. Since we run a book group program here at Darien Library supporting over 100 book groups and growing, it is of great interest to us what is happening nation-wide. Thank you for helping to keep us on top of trends.

    Patricia Sheary, Darien Library, CT

  • You focused on all the things I've wondered about book clubs through the years. Thank you for such an informative study.

    Lynne Zolli, book club member

  • The Inner Lives of Book Clubs is fantastic. It gives a thorough, well-rounded picture of book clubs.

    Seth Morris, Assistant Director, Crown Publishing Group

  • This is absolutely phenomenal. Great job!

    Kena Clarke, Me Time Book Club, Tuscaloosa, AL

  • Fascinating report! A must read from BookBrowse!

    NYT bestselling author, owner AuthorBuzz.com, M.J. Rose

  • As a book publisher, I found The Inner Lives of Book Clubs to be objectively revelatory well beyond anything else that's out there. As a book lover, it inspired me to start my own book club - the right way.

    Bruce L. Bortz, Publisher, Bancroft Press, a Top-Ten Indie Since 1992

  • I was struck by the universality of the desires book club members have and the issues that arise. I loved how you outlined the problems that book clubs have and how they responded. I kept nodding and thinking: we've been there and we've done that.

    Beth Martin, book club member

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