In its new report on Canadians and book clubs, BookNet reports that celebrity and the search for ‘the new Oprah’ is not as strong as many might expect. Some say they’re there to ‘talk about life.’

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By Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief | @Porter_Anderson

Club Members Said They’re Not in It for the Wine

[dropcapT[/dropcap]he BookNet Canada statistical research service reports that between 2018 and the first three quarters of 2019, “the percentage of Canadian book buyers who belong to a book club or reading group jumped from 7 to 14 percent.”

As the organization points out, the driver may be assumed by many to be celebrity. BookNet itself has a page of articles from the last two years, each headlined with a “new Oprah?” question—”Is Obama the New Oprah?” and “Is Jenna Bush Hager the New Oprah?” and “Is Reese Witherspoon the New Oprah?” and so on.

But, in fact, the old Oprah may have less to worry about than such giddy excitement might indicate.

“Results from BookNet Canada’s surveying of Canadian book club members,” according to media messaging, “shows that less than half (47 percent) are members of a celebrity book club.

“Among these, Oprah reigns supreme (46 percent), followed by Emma Watson (26 percent), Emma Roberts (20 percent), and Sarah Jessica Parker and Reese Witherspoon tied at 17 percent each.”

read more https://publishingperspectives.com/2019/11/booknet-canadas-book-club-memberhips-have-doubled-this-year