What the heck is a silent book club? Simply put, it's a book club in which people gather together (usually for an hour) to read on their own in silence. You B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your Own Book...or Kindle or audiobook with earbuds), arrive early for provided beverages and munchies, find a seat, and start reading with the sounding of a bell. When the bell is rung again to mark the hour's end, socializing with your fellow book club members is optional. You can talk with others about your book, continue reading, or just leave.
I haven't heard of silent book clubs until recently, but apparently they've been around for over a decade and can be found around the world. They started in 2012 when two friends in San Francisco enjoyed reading but disliked traditional book clubs that felt like classes with assigned books. The emphasis of silent book clubs are on reading, and there's no pressure to read the same book in advance of the event. There's also no pressure to participate in conversation, no stress of trying to think of something witty to say.
Some of you may be wondering what's the sense of getting together with others just to read quietly and have snacks. Well, there's something to be said about companionable silence. Readers who are introverts are not necessarily hermits and may want to be among others like themselves. As C.S. Lewis once wrote, "We read to know we are not alone."
Have you been in a silent book club? Would you like to be in one? Share with us!
Wishing you a happy hour (or more) reading from the perch.
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