For Gen Z And Gen X, Book Clubs Are Better Than Dating Apps For Meeting Someone Special

Forget swiping right — for many Americans, book clubs are proving to be the new matchmaker.

A surprising 23% of book club members say theyve developed a romantic interest during reading group meetups, with men significantly more likely to report meeting a love interest at a reading group (38%) compared to women (16%).

The survey of 2,000 book club participants, conducted by Talker Research on behalf of ThriftBooks, reveals that 44% of readers would prefer to meet a romantic partner through a book club rather than on a dating app. Gen Z (47%) and Gen X (45%) were especially inclined to favor the literary route to love.

But for a space fostering such personal connections, many are oddly shy about their book club involvement. More than half (56%) keep their membership a secret from friends and family — a tendency more common among men (69%) than women (48%).

Aside from romance, the top motivations for joining a book club remain centered on discovery and community: 68% join to explore new books, 63% to socialize, and 59% to make new friends. Gen Z and millennials lead the way in seeking new friendships through book clubs, both at 61%.

Mental health benefits also stand out. An overwhelming 93% say their reading group has been therapeutic, and 98% report improved mental well-being as a result of participating.

“Not only are reading groups having a significant impact on readers romantic lives and friendships, theyre also hugely beneficial for book club members mental health,” said Barbara Hagen, vice president of marketing at ThriftBooks. “Its incredible to see that readers are joining reading groups for the literary aspect as well as the social and wellness benefits.”

On average, members read 10 books a year with their club, with meetings split across in-person (42%), online (11%), or hybrid formats (43%). Finding like-minded readers is a key appeal — 28% said they had trouble meeting people with similar literary tastes before joining a club.

Romance is the top genre of choice for Gen Z (44%), while mystery tops the list for millennials (42%), Gen X (45%), and baby boomers (54%). When asked what theyre currently reading, members listed everything from “Fourth Wing” to “The Midnight Library,” “Gone with the Wind,” “The Outsiders,” and the Harry Potter series.

All-time favorite group reads include “Little Women,” “Pride and Prejudice,” “The Help,” and “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

Social media is playing a powerful role in influencing modern reading habits. Sixty-three percent of readers say social media inspired them to read more over the past year, and 57% follow book influencers online. Gen Z gravitates toward book discussions on TikTok (60%), while Facebook remains the top platform for millennials (62%), Gen X (64%), and baby boomers (54%).

“In the survey, we found that readers are meeting in-person, online, in hybrid in-person and online settings and even on social forums. Theyre also reading a diverse span of literature from recently-released titles to the classics and making friends and romantic connections along the way,” said Hagen. “If youre curious about or interested in joining a book club, we encourage you to do it. Theres a group out there for everyone.”