Book Clubs: More Than Just Reading

Have you noticed how often book clubs in TV shows and movies are portrayed as something more than... well, book clubs? It’s an oddly specific trope: women claiming to attend a book club while secretly leading double lives—whether it’s concealing an affair, fighting crime, or engaging in clandestine adventures. Popular examples include Shauna in Yellowjackets and Lila in The Umbrella Academy, both using the “book club” alibi to deceive their loved ones.

It got me thinking, is there some truth to how fiction portrays book clubs, or are we simply drawn to the intrigue of hidden agendas?

Being a member of a women-only book club myself, I started to reflect on my experience and what book clubs might mean to those in them and to those watching from the outside. Is a book club always just a place to discuss novels, or is there something more going on?

The Portrayal of Book Clubs in Media

The media portrayal of book clubs often leans toward the "front" trope, offering characters opportunities to escape the monotony of everyday life or mask deeper conflicts. Here are some notable examples:

“Yellowjackets” shows Shauna lying to her husband about attending book club meetings while carrying out an affair and hiding criminal activities. Her double life unravels with the shocking revelation, “What? There’s no book club?!"
“The Umbrella Academy” features Lila, who pretends to attend book clubs but is actually sneaking away to resume work as an assassin, exploring themes of individuality and secret lives.
“The Bletchley Circle” creatively uses the book club as a cover for four women engaged in solving crimes, leveraging their wartime codebreaking expertise without arousing suspicion.
“Just Add Magic” gives the book club concept a whimsical twist, as three young friends form a secret cooking group tied to a magical recipe book that leads to extraordinary adventures.
Meanwhile, in the historical fiction The Secret Book Society, a book club provides women in 1895 London a safe space to connect and defy societal norms under the guise of polite tea gatherings.

Across all these examples, book clubs are less about discussing novels and more about escape, deception, or empowerment. It’s storytelling gold—after all, who doesn’t love a double life narrative? But how much of this reflects reality?

My Own Book Club Experience

Being part of a real-life, women-only book club is far less dramatic, but that doesn’t mean it’s devoid of quirks. I’ve noticed a hilariously strange pattern. While I diligently show up to every meeting (as the unofficial book club calendar organizer), only about 10% of the group’s members consistently attend. Where are the other 90%? Are they too busy, or could their absence really be... something else? Are they out there, living a secret life I know nothing about? Fighting crime? Starting their own cooking clubs? Or, maybe the truth is far less exciting—they just didn’t read this month’s book.

I can’t help but laugh at the contrast between my mundane book club reality and the intrigue-filled portrayals I see on screen. Still, these fictional narratives do highlight an important theme: the hidden power of female connection and the ability to find our identity beyond traditional roles.

Reality vs. Fiction

The way book clubs are portrayed in fiction raises some interesting questions. Are book clubs more than they seem? Not necessarily in the sense of leading double lives, but do they serve as a critical outlet for women to connect, escape, or express themselves? Historically, the answer is a resounding yes.

During restrictive times throughout history, book clubs acted as safe havens for women to assemble, share ideas, and find empowerment. Whether discussing literature, politics, or their own lives, these groups were more than social settings—they were sources of growth and resilience. Today, while there’s far more freedom in how we live and gather, book clubs often remain places where women can step away from the chaos of life and forge meaningful connections.

But does fiction exaggerate this into something it’s not? For most of us, yes. My own book club is far from a front for spy missions or secret culinary endeavors. For the majority of us who show up, it’s about discovering stories, swapping perspectives, and occasionally drinking too much wine over a heated book debate.

Why the Trope Works

The “book club as a front” trope persists because it plays on something very real—our yearning for escapism and empowerment. Book clubs are inherently intimate spaces. They suggest community, trust, and shared secrets, making them the perfect narrative device for drama or deception. It’s no wonder stories like “The Bletchley Circle” and “Yellowjackets” tap into this idea to explore hidden layers of female agency or, in some cases, moral ambiguity.

However, reality paints a different picture. Most book clubs provide space for connection and camaraderie, often without the mysterious undertones seen in media. That said, for many, they are an escape—just a less nefarious one. And that, perhaps, is where the truth blends into the fiction.

The Power of Female Community

One thing fiction does get right is the power of female relationships. Whether you’re uncovering magical recipes or supporting one another through life’s ups and downs over coffee and literature, the connective tissue of a book club is the relationships it fosters. These bonds, whether portrayed with fantastical flair or grounded in reality, offer a glimpse into the possibilities of shared strength and solidarity among women.

At the end of the day, book clubs might not be the clandestine fronts pop culture makes them out to be. But they are, in their own right, a frontrunner for what it truly means to unite, share, and grow in a community driven by one universal love—stories.

And Final

Am I the only one who's actually attending book club for the books? Maybe. But honestly? The value I see in these gatherings—whether for personal growth, meaningful connections, or even just a good belly laugh—makes it worth it.

Now, over to you. If you're part of a book club, what’s your experience been like? Have you noticed similar trends in how book clubs are portrayed in media? Or maybe you’re here to confess—what’s your “book club” really about? Share your thoughts in the comments!