Book clubs have been around for like forever, yes we know. They’ve been popular for several generations, and will continue to be for generations to come. No one is reinventing the wheel here. However, throughout the last decade or two, thanks to technology, traditions of gathering around to discuss a book, or even reading one at all for that matter, have faded away.
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That being said, as of late, thanks to an added boost from Bookstagram and BookTok, it seems the book club is “back,” with a new digital spin and sometimes a celebrity endorsement.
Oprah’s lead, who’s successful book club has been around since 1996, Reese Witherspoon and Emma Roberts ventured to do the same on their own terms, as part of a larger content-making book club-to-movie or TV series pipeline.
Hopping on the book club bandwagon, Dua Lipa launched a monthly club via Service95, her global style, arts and society platform that describes itself as “the ultimate cultural concierge.”
“Reading a book is one of the most profound joys in life,” Lipa shared. “Reading provides a form of escapism, a way to understand human connection and helps us navigate human relationships. Through the pages of a book, I can go places that I have never been and feel like I have lived there for a lifetime.”
Each month, Lipa picks a new book to read, that highlights the club’s belief that literature can “represent diverse global voices, telling powerful stories spanning fiction, memoir and manifesto.”
Lipa also includes an abundance of bonus material with each selection, including author interviews, playlists and discussion guides. “Members are invited to read along with the Book of the Month aided by discussion guides, author Q&As and further reading lists to bring readers closer to the authors, their inspirations and the worlds they create.”
“The true magic of a great book comes alive with sharing the experience, talking with friends, and swapping recommendations of what to read next,” Dua expressed. “I can’t wait to do that with readers from every corner of the globe through the Service95 Book Club.”
The Service95 Book Club kicked off in June 2023 with Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart, which won the Booker Prize and both ‘Debut of the Year’ and ‘Book of the Year’ at the British Book Awards when it was released in 2020. As part of the ultimate cultural concierge Service(95), Lipa also sat down with Stuart at the prestigious Hay Festival in Wales for a special live-recorded episode of her podcast, Dua Lipa: At Your Service.
Her latest, “March Monthly Read is Trust by Hernan Diaz,” a book the Dua shared, “made my head spin!”
For more information on Service95 and to sign up for the book club monthly newsletter — click HERE.
