Promoting reading in the Arab world: The book club model

Abstract

Despite their proliferation in many parts of the world, book clubs have received little attention from academic researchers. This study seeks to understand the status of book clubs particularly in the Arab world. An in-depth illustration of the status of Arab book clubs was provided by 18 moderators from six Arab countries. The findings indicated that Arab book clubs operate in several distinctive ways; ranging from formal, highly structured meetings, to informal, friendly gatherings. The findings also revealed the motivations for establishing the book clubs in the Arab world. In this respect, participants set high expectations for personal growth, interpersonal relationships, and social responsibility. However, Arab books clubs faced several challenges as perceived by the participants in this study. Several suggestions were made for the sustainability of Arab book clubs. The implications of the findings for librarians, educators, and the general public are also emphasized to create momentum for their continuity.