I have another new book club, and I hear that this kind is sweeping the country. It’s all the rage right now. I’d heard of Silent Book Clubs, and the idea was intriguing. My first thought: I can read silently at home in my pajamas in my favorite chair; why do I need a silent book club? Then I was invited to one, and I went as a guest. I was delighted to be surrounded by readers who were completely immersed in the joy of actual reading – – something we don’t see at most other book clubs, since we read ahead. It feels reassuring to glance around and see others taking in print, not distracted by the dryer buzzer or the dogs or the kids or anyone asking for anything.
My friend Janette is one of the most avid readers I know, so it’s no surprise she has begun hosting the Silent Book Club Flint River chapter here in middle Georgia. You can check out and join the page to follow all of our book adventures and see what folks are reading by clicking here. It’s not the only book club the two of us attend together, but rather than being a club with a common title and established meeting location for discussions each month, the meetings are created pop-up style in various locations, and each reader brings whatever book they’re reading at the time. We know there’s going to be a meeting when we follow the Facebook page and see the time and location. We show up with our book and read for an hour in a room full of old friends and new friends. Some read from Kindles, some listen to audiobooks, some read hard copies, and some, like me, even bring noise-cancelling earbuds or headphones to play nature sounds as they read.
If you don’t have a Silent Reading Club chapter near you, consider starting one. Until then, join us – no matter where you are in the world. Find out when and where we are reading, then do the same from your favorite comfy chair….or bench….or beach towel. Send a picture of you and your book and say hello on the Facebook page. Let us know that you read for the hour. We can’t wait for you to be a part of all the fun and to create new opportunities for reading wherever you are!
Silent Book Club reads
in adventurous places
world page-travelers
Common Threads 
Oh, my goodness. I’ve been off on an adventure looking into the Silent Book Clubs. What a great idea! We have one in the next town twenty miles away, so I’m going to ask about their next meeting. Thank you for sharing! Love the photo, and you in your nature sounds headphones! So sweet.
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Denise, I’m glad you like the post, and I hope you find a silent reading club close to you. If not, I think you are just the person to start one! I do love my headphones. I bought them at the suggestion of a friend at work, and now I would say they are my best purchase of last year. I don’t know how I’ve lived without them to block noise at work and to listen to ambient music while Briar watches television and I read. And you know I love Kate Baer’s writing music playlist on Spotify….. :). Take care!
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Thanks for introducing me to the concept of silent book clubs, Kim. It was new to me. I checked and there are locations near me. One of them is at a library and the other is at a cafe. I will opt for the latter if I have the guts to leave my nest to read. (I also wrote about reading in a cozy place for today’s SOL Tuesday.)
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Stacey, I get it – I’m the ultimate introvert and pretty much like my electric throw and my pajamas and my fuzzy slippers and dogs draped all over me, no makeup and bad hair while I read. That’s who I am as a reader. But I’ll get up and get dressed if it means reading in the coffee shop for sure! Not having to talk to people much or discuss my book really appeals to me. Your post with your cozy place looks wonderful in your post today, by the way. I, too, love a hygge place to read.
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I like this idea! I think my local library has tried this a couple of times. Maybe I should check it out. The place where you were reading looks amazing.
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We have met in coffee shops and even a fudge shop. I hope you find one and try it. It’s a great way to read.
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Wow, I love this idea. Thanks for sharing the link and the photograph shows the joy! I’m reading The Lying Game right now, but I think I read it already. Ugh. I need to go back to Goodreads and keep my reading noted. Have a great week!
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Barb, thanks. I have just updated my Goodreads today. I get slack with it by mid-year, but in January I’m updating the minute I finish.
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Kim,
I’ve read about silent book clubs. They remind me of sitting in class reading silently. Glad you’re enjoying this unique way of gathering.
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Thanks, Glenda, it’s a unique twist.
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Kim, I have never heard of this before, but a quick Google search showed me there is a club at my local library! As I read your post and even as I did the Google search, the image of hundreds of students and teachers sitting “criss-cross applesauce” on the floor, looking around, pretending to read, smiling and giggling instead popped into my head. My principal considered it a wonderful photo op and we did it regularly during Drop Everything and Read Friday mornings. The only real great take away (for me) was seeing what others were reading (if it was a real life book)! Now, without students giggling, it just might work.
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Yes, Anita, I think you would enjoy reading among readerly adults. There is magic in that.
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What a great idea! I am often so distracted at home that I only make time to read before I go to sleep. How does everyone stay on task? Do you save time for sharing and chatting?
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Margaret, I think the location where there are no chores to do really helps me stay on task with reading. Reading for a solid hour is exhilarating. I make sure I have coffee as I read, and then I plug in my headphones so I can’t hear anything but a babbling brook as I read. We just mostly socialize and always take a picture of what everyone is reading. We don’t really talk about the books. I like seeing what everyone is reading and only asking about a book if I am interested in a particular other one. I think you would like the club.
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Thanks for sharing this unique way of connecting with others over books. I love the picture. This looks so cozy and quiet. I’ll have to see if there are any Silent Book Clubs near me.
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Rita, I hope you find one so you can try it out! And if you do, please slice about it!
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Oooo, Kim! I want to start a Silent Book Club. Thanks for the idea. I really want to go to Zebulon, Georgia to read at the coffee house too!
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You are welcome to come anytime! We would love to have you!
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Wow, I had never heard of this! Will definitely check it out.
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Ana, I’ve now attended two and had to miss one while we were out of town. I can see why this type of book club is catching on. It’s fun but without the guilt of not preparing for a book club.
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I’ve seen these offered for quite a few years, first begun at our local indie bookstore in WA. I’m already in too many book clubs, but my favorite is the Greensboro Gals. We meet at a coffee shop and talk about what we’ve been reading since our last gathering. We all come away with longer TBR (I call them WTRs, Want to Read) lists.
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Ramona, I love this idea of spotlighting books at a book club. I would really love to try that type of gathering sometime. I have a sister in law who has been looking for a club and I may suggest this to her – to start a book club to feature the books friends have read. And Gals. She’s gotta have the word Gals in it. I love it!!!
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Kim, the idea of a silent book club sounds like a wonderful idea.I can imagine how nice and cozy it must be to be surrounded my other readers. It is a good way to find out what are great books to read and some that don’t make it into the best book category.
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Carol, I hear you on this – – there are so many great books that don’t get the air time because others have deemed what is popular. This is where I find such joy in those indie bookstores that curate such amazing collections that are a bit obscure. I love travel writing, and they never quite make the popular lists, but I could live in Travels with Charley by Steinbeck.
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