Book Clubs and Book Commerce

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.

List of contents

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.

Product details

• Authors: Corinna Norrick-Ruhl, Corinna Norrick-Rühl
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press Academic
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.12.2019
• EAN: 9781108708814
• ISBN: 978-1-108-70881-4
• No. of pages: 75
• Dimensions: 127 mm x 180 mm x 5 mm
• Series: Print on demand; Elements in Publishing and Book Culture
• Subjects: Education and learning; Social sciences, law, business > Business > Management; business strategy, Literary studies: general, Literary theory, Retail sector, Publishing industry & book trade, Publishing and book trade, Retail and wholesale industries