Results of 2009 Book Group Survey

ReadingGroupGuides.com recently conducted a survey of book group members. Many, many thanks to the more than 7,700 respondents who completed the 62-question survey, weighing in on topics like where they get information, if they use online social and book networking websites, and whether their book-buying habits have changed in the last year.

To see the full results of the survey, click here.

Book club members offered a lot of great feedback, and based on that input we're developing some new features and other content for ReadingGroupGuides.com. We'll be sharing details on those initiatives in the fall.

Here are some of the survey highlights:

- 83% of groups read both hardcovers and paperbacks, while 15% read only paperbacks.

- 65.6% are interested in having authors join their book club discussions.

- 72% would like a place online where they can find out what other groups are reading.

- The top book selection categories are bestsellers, general fiction, classics, award winners, historical fiction, mystery & thriller, biography, memoir, books into movies and Oprah selections.

- Leading sources for information about books are local newspapers, followed by The New York Times; the Oprah Winfrey Show ranked third, followed by morning talk shows and NPR.

- 71% rely on recommendations from friends as their primary source of information for selecting books.

- Nearly half of book clubs make reading selections annually, quarterly or every six months; of those groups most do their planning in January, followed by June and September.

- 54% are on Goodreads and 53% are on Facebook.