Tell us more about Silent Book Club. How did it get started?
Silent Book Club is a global organization started by two friends, Guinevere de la Mare and Laura Gluhanich, over drinks at their local pub in San Francisco. The two women always enjoyed quietly reading and being in the company of bookovers. In 2012, they decided to formally launch Silent Book Club and invite other individuals to silently read and chat about books. Today, Silent Book Club has more than 300 chapters around the world led by local hosts.
What inspired you to start this program?
I’ve been an avid reader most of my life. My love for books first started when my Grammy Jones spent time reading to me before I was school age. We read the classics: The Three Little Pigs, Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Snow. She had the best Goldilocks impression. I can still hear her voice in my head to this day and it brings a smile to my face.
I’ve been in my fair share of book clubs over the last few years, including the awesome IndyHub Book Club! While I enjoy the camaraderie that book clubs can create, I love being able to choose what I want to read depending on what’s happening in the world at the time or my mood. Silent Book Club provides an inclusive space for introverts and extroverts alike to silently read and chat about books. We don’t assign a book so participants bring whatever they are currently reading. I love hearing what authors or titles other people are enjoying and talking about the latest book-to-films.
What has surprised you most?
I was most surprised by the number of new people I’ve met through Silent Book Club Indy. I figured it’d be mostly my friends to start, but attendees have been overwhelmingly people I’ve never met. It’s great!
Can you give some examples of what has been read or discussed in the past?
Silent Book Club is a non-structured book club. We don’t have a monthly book assignment so individuals bring the book they are currently reading. Although, I have noticed some popular books since SBC Indy’s inception. Emily Henry, in particular, seems to be an author of choice this year. She wrote The People We Meet on Vacation, Beach Read and Book Lovers–all New York Times Best Sellers.
How can people get more involved? Is there a fee to join?
Silent Book Club Indy is free and open to the public. There is no book assignment so bring whatever book suits your fancy. We’ve learned that Silent Book Club is a great space to get caught up on your reading assignments for other book clubs. We typically meet monthly on the second Tuesday, but are exploring what day works best for our audience. Since April, we have been graciously hosted by Hotel Indy. We love the comfy lounge seating the space provides and delicious cocktails and eats. It really is the perfect place for cozying up with a good read and mingling with fellow bookworms.
However…The next meet-up is Tuesday, September 13 at Herron-Morton Place Park at 1927 Alabama Street from 5:30-7ish PM. This is a book club you don’t want to miss. We are partnering with UVA Tastings to provide free wine samples and will also have a book swap! Bring a book, or two, to trade in the book exchange. Also, be sure to bring a lawn chair/blanket, snacks and a few friends.
What are you currently reading?
My current read is Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. Although the storyline takes place during the 1950’s, Garmus perfectly weaves in political issues and stigmas that females still face today–70 years later. The thought-provoking book includes a strong female lead facing traumatic life events all while trying to maintain a career in a male-driven science industry and raise a child as a single parent. Highly recommend! This book has made me laugh and nearly cry. What more could you want?
What should someone expect at their first Silent Book Club?
Like I mentioned, there is no book assignment for SBC. Simply bring whatever book, magazine, newspaper, etc. that is currently of interest to you and enjoy having an inclusive space with fellow book lovers. Some attendees relish in having a break from their hectic lives and silently read while other individuals want to discuss the latest bestsellers and get new book recommendations. At every meet-up you can expect good company and a welcoming environment. Follow @silentbookclubindy on Instagram to stay up-to-date on monthly gatherings, learn about cool indie bookstores and discover my latest read.
Meet Kelsey Jones:
A native Hoosier, Kelsey has called Indy home for over a decade. She enjoys perusing Indie bookstores, biking Indy’s great trails and cooking at home with her husband, Luke, and their feline, Winston. For her 9-5, she works at Roche in communications and project management. Kelsey serves on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail Young Professionals Board and is passionate about making Indy a city of choice.
