I recently took back hosting a book club that I had been on a bit of a hiatus from, during my busy last year. When our current host needed a little reprieve, I jumped at the chance to host again, because there’s nothing I love more than having sweet friends come to my home with snacks to talk about any book at all.
That being said, I know there are plenty of times friends have mentioned at book clubs that they didn’t read the book. I have even heard of times when absolutely no one read the book, but everyone showed up because they love the connection and the idea, just couldn’t fit the actual reading into their month!
From that perspective, I’m here this month to suggest that perhaps loving the context of a book club but not being able to fulfill the prerequisite reading, calls for other options! Here are some that I’m thinking we should consider:
1.The Reading Club
This is something I have heard of recently on social media. Gather somewhere cozy for snacks and chats, then everyone settles in for some time of reading their own book in companionable silence. The set aside time to read is now available, with the perks of a preamble of snacks, friends and conversations (which might be what we were after anyway).
2. The Writer’s Retreat
For those of us who not only love to read, but aspire to write, wouldn’t it be lovely to get together in a group and either a) do as above and have a snacky, chatty preamble before we settle in to work in our companionable silence or b) take some time to read each other’s progress first, and then give feedback (and of course snack) in the second half of the meeting.
3. The Magazine Club
Honestly, as much as I love a book, I sometimes love a magazine more. There is no commitment, no need for focus or concentration, it can never take you long to “get into” one… I would love a magazine club where we bring our latest magazines to share and we flip through articles, half-reading, half commenting and sharing what’s interesting about what we are skimming through. We can point out great products or outfits or ideas to one another, and switch several times throughout the meeting. Snacks also. Still bring snacks.
4. The Cook Book Club
You may have noticed a pattern in the important elements of book club for me and it’s always the food factor. So what if it was just about the food? Pick a cookbook instead of a work of fiction or nonfiction, and everyone picks a recipe from the book to follow and bring to share! What a great way to share both food and fun from a book!
5. The Pinterest Plan Club
For those of us who still haven’t made it off of scrolling to a physical page, there’s still room for some kind of “share what I learned online” club that could work! While many of us may be regularly sending Pins and Instagram reels to our besties and sisters (I know I am), there may be some pins that you want to shout from the rooftops, or maybe get feedback on what others think of it (if it’s something you want to try out). This is your chance! Everyone can bring a Pin to share, with the context of if they plan to work on it (or something similar) or just thought others might enjoy it too. Discussion on the projects will keep everyone inspired all night (with snacks)!
Deepen Friendships
Whether you choose one or all of these un-book clubs to try out, any chance of connecting with friends (and snacks) in inspiring ways is sure to deepen friendships and broaden horizons!
