At the end of 2024, I joined a bookclub! Actually, I joined two! A couple of years ago, I remember having the conversation with a few friends about whether or not reading, specifically physical books, was a dying hobby. It seemed like fewer and fewer people were readers and finding a group of people who enjoyed loosing themselves in a fictional world for hours at a time was a challenge. When I did go around looking for bookclubs, either I struggled to find friends who read fiction (at least the same kind of fiction I read), or, as was the case with all the bookstore bookclubs, it was all crime thrillers intended for people in their retirement era (no shade to them!). That just wasn’t the vibe I was after, so I resigned myself to enjoying my books alone and talking about them on this blog.
There was a time when it felt like books were on their way out. The early 2000s were a weird transitional period where technology was advancing at lightning speed, and attention spans were shrinking to match. Social media was in its infancy, but the internet was already shifting how people consumed information. Suddenly, people had constant access to bite-sized content, news updates, and instant messaging—who had the patience to sit down with a 400-page novel when they could scroll through forums or spend hours on MySpace crafting the perfect profile song? Book sales were experiencing a bit of a slump, with the digital age threatening to render print obsolete.
At the same time, the rise of e-books and e-readers sparked a fear that physical books might become obsolete, much like CDs had with the rise of MP3s. And for a while, it seemed like that might be the case. Book sales began to decline, and bookstores—particularly independent ones—started to struggle. Borders, once a major player in the bookselling world, shut down entirely in 2011. The cultural conversation was shifting away from books, and for a brief moment, it felt like reading for leisure might become a niche hobby.
Fast forward to today, and books are back with a vengeance. Print book sales have climbed steadily over the past decade, with 2021 marking the highest sales numbers in nearly two decades. In the UK, book sales climbed by 15.6% since the pandemic, with genres like “romantasy” (that’s romantic fantasy for the uninitiated) leading the charge. A huge part of this resurgence can be credited to the unexpected rise of BookTok, a sub-community on TikTok that has turned book recommendations into viral sensations. In 2021 alone, BookTok was responsible for around 20 million book sales, proving that even in the age of ultra-short-form video content, people still crave immersive storytelling. Across the pond, the U.S. saw readers purchase over 825 million print books in 2021, marking the highest number since records began in 2004. This resurgence isn’t just a fleeting trend; it’s a full-blown revival. The #BookTok community has become a literary powerhouse, driving book sales through the roof. In 2021 alone, BookTok helped sell around 20 million books, accounting for over 2.4% of total book sales that year. Publishers are now courting influencers who can turn an obscure title into an overnight sensation.
But it’s not just TikTok that’s responsible for this renewed love of books. There’s also a cultural shift happening—a growing desire to return to more wholesome, analogue activities. After years of digital overload, people are finding joy in slow, intentional hobbies like knitting, baking, gardening, and, of course, reading. Bookstores, once thought to be relics of the past, are thriving again. Barnes & Noble, which was struggling in the 2010s, is now in the middle of a major comeback, planning to open 60 new stores in 2025. Independent bookstores are also doing well, benefiting from a renewed appreciation for local businesses and community-driven spaces.
Now, I will be the first to admit that the booktok world is overwhelming at the best of times. But I will also say that it brought a large majority of people back to the world of books in a way that is astounding to see. At the first bookclub meet-up I went to at the beginning of this year, I was amazed to hear how many people had been voracious childhood readers who fell off the hobby only to come back to it because booktok made it easier for them to find books that appealed to them. Many of these were simliar to the books that booktok got me reading.
So, why join a book club in your 30s? For starters, it’s a socially acceptable way to make new friends without resorting to awkward small talk at networking events. Plus, discussing themes, characters, and plot twists adds depth to your reading experience—and let’s not forget the joy of vehemently defending your favorite author over a glass of Merlot.
In a world that’s increasingly digital, there’s something profoundly satisfying about holding a physical book, turning its pages, and sharing that experience with others. So, dust off that library card, grab a comfy chair, and dive into the literary world. Your 30-something self will thank you.
Featured Image by Aneta Pawlik on Unsplash
