How I’m Getting Back Into IRL Book Clubs
Recently, I went to my first IRL Book Club meeting. A few of my new friends in L.A. have this little book club they call The Bad Bitches Book Club, where we read books written by bad ass authors. I loved this idea and the book they were reading was The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin, so you know I’m in that club.
I was thinking about the last time I was in a real life book club. To be honest, I haven’t been in a real book club ever. I had a few books I read with coworkers together, but no one really worked on that and the whole thing fell apart after reading the first book.
I love the social aspect of it. You read a book together and if it’s amazing, then you can sit down with each other and talk about it. I love that there’s no biases and if you have a difference of opinion with someone, it isn’t the end of the world. They listen, state their points, and then drink it all off because it’s just a book.
I feel like such a hermit. I’m alone a lot of the time (which is how I like it), but sometimes I finish a book and turn to my stuffed animal or my pillow and tell them about it. Sometimes it gets super lonely.
The social aspect of reading a book, sharing an opinion, and listening to others is what fuels me to going to book club meetings. I really wish I did something like this a few years ago, but I don’t think I knew what my reading life would be now back then. Sometimes you need to give things a few years to show its true colors. From there, you can decide what book club to join.
I’ve been envious of book clubs that have met for years. It surprised me to know that the book club I just joined has been around for three years. Three years of great reads and genuine friendships with real people would mean the world to me.
Reading in and of itself is so isolating. You read alone. If you’re with friends, you’re reading with them, but you’re in the story alone. I just can’t believe I’ve been missing out on the joys of book club (and book club beverages).
So now I’m in an official book club. I’ll be throwing their books into my TBRs and joining in on their convos. If something really intriguing comes up, you know I’ll be reporting back here.
Are you in an IRL book club? How long have you been together? What kinds of books do you read?
