Book Clubs and Book Commerce

An introduction to book clubs as a distribution channel and cultural phenomenon. Book clubs and book commerce are linked inextricably.

Corinna Norrick-Rühl (Author)

9781108708814, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 13 February 2020

75 pages, 1 b/w illus.
17.9 x 12.6 x 0.6 cm, 0.1 kg

In the twentieth century, cumulative millions of readers received books by mail from clubs like the Book-of-the-Month Club, the Book Society or Bertelsmann Club. This Element offers an introduction to book clubs as a distribution channel and cultural phenomenon, and shows that book clubs and book commerce are linked inextricably. It argues that a global perspective is necessary to understand the cultural and economic impact of book clubs in the twentieth and into the twenty-first century. It also explores central reasons for book club membership, condensing them into four succinct categories: convenience, community, concession and, most importantly, curation. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

1. Introduction
2. Book clubs: definition and basic structure
3. Books for the masses: book clubs in the twentieth century
4. Chances and challenges for book clubs today
5. Conclusions and outlook.

Subject Areas: Publishing industry & book trade [KNTP], Retail sector [KNPR], Business strategy [KJC], Literary studies: general [DSB], Literary theory [DSA]