Local book lovers are reading together, silently
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Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios
When author Mandy Shunnarah moved to Columbus from Alabama, she hoped to find friends who loved reading as much as she did — just not necessarily the same books. So she started a silent book club.
Why it matters: Shunnarah was ahead of the curve. Nearly a decade later, such clubs are gaining traction nationwide as a low-pressure twist on the traditional assign-and-discuss format.
How it works: Participants meet regularly in public places and read any book at their own pace.
- Aside from quick introductions, chitchat is optional.
- Anyone can drop in to discover new reads and new people.
Zoom in: Shunnarah's group meets the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30pm at the Clintonville Raising Cane's, 5132 N. High St.
- The group of regulars has grown so large — typically 25-35 people — that it's been hard to find a free space to gather that also allows food.
- The fast-food restaurant has embraced their dinner time meetings and has even started turning off its overhead music during reading hour, she says.
1 cute thing: Shunnarah tells Axios she met her partner of three years through her club.
What they're reading: Titles run the gamut, from vampire novels like "Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil" to "Team Building," a memoir about Google contract workers' efforts to unionize in Pittsburgh.
The big picture: Today there are nearly 2,000 official silent book club chapters in over 60 countries worldwide, per the official website.
- In addition to Shunnarah's, there are also local chapters in Westerville, Pickerington, and the Hilliard area.
What they're saying: It's fun to "nerd out about books" with others without feeling pressured to analyze what's on the pages, Cassie Fulton tells Axios.
- She and Cane's regular Joe Cassidy recently formed a separate West Columbus chapter that meets at 6pm on third Thursdays, usually at Coffee Connections, 4004 Main St., Hilliard.
- As a new mom, Fulton enjoys the informal break in her routine.
The bottom line: "It's a place to be introverted together," Fulton says.
Go deeper: Find a chapter near you or learn how to start your own.