An introvert's dream Friday night
Chapter #44: Not a book club, but a *reading* club
Feeling My Shelf is a newsletter about books, life, and, well, life with books. Grab your favorite caffeinated beverage and get comfy. First up, some recent reads.
My Train Leaves at Three by Natalie Guerrero
Grief takes center stage in this coming-of-age novel following an Afro-Latina singer from Washington Heights. Xiomara once had dreams of Broadway, but is currently reeling over the death of her older sister and stuck working two jobs. But when a charismatic, on-the-rise Broadway Director stumbles into her life, Xiomara believes it could be her second chance at stardom. The opening scene instantly hooked me, and the prose is fantastic. Despite the many sleazy and shitty secondary characters and constant setbacks, the story never loses sight of its heart, making it a hopeful and deeply moving journey about a working-class woman and the relentless pursuit of dreams.
Love You to Death by Christina Dotson
Almost immediately after I finished writing a letter about my hate-hate relationship with messy characters, I picked up this book. And of course, it follows two of the messiest 20-somethings ever. Kayla and Zorie are two down-on-their-luck hotel employees whose secret “side hustle” is crashing weddings and, ahem, stealing the gifts. It’s just stupid, petty theft until a grab accidentally turns deadly. Soon after, the co-dependent best friends go on the run across the South like a bootleg Thelma and Louise. It was frustrating and heartbreaking, with some good twists. I finished it in one sitting. Now, I’m begging Hollywood to make this into a movie.
Audre and Bash Are Just Friends by Tia Williams
Have you ever read a book, met a fantastic secondary character, and wished the author would write a book about them next? Well, fans of Tia Williams’ Seven Days in June, which introduced charming teen Audre, got their wish. She’s the junior class president, debate team captain, and often gives unofficial advice to her classmates. As an aspiring therapist, she’s wise beyond her years, but having fun isn’t exactly her strong suit. Desperate to change the narrative, the summer before senior year, Audre enlists the help of the mysterious new guy, Bash, rumored to be “King of having a good time,” to show her the ropes. Too bad he’s equally charming and super cute, and before long, the lines of friendship begin to blur. It’s sweet and funny, and ahh, to be a teen in love again. It’s the best.
My mom’s favorite thing to tell me is that I’m not going to meet my husband sitting at home with books. “Men can wait, reading can’t,” I often smugly reply. ALSO, MAYBE I WILL! Probably not, but damn, let me dream.
What can I say? I’m a certified introvert. People drain me. Especially the people I work with. (IYKYK) So, the last thing I want to do after a week of commuting is hang out at a crowded bar. Nonetheless, I've been making an effort to put myself out there, which is how I found myself sitting in a bookstore surrounded by strangers last Friday night.
Rep Club hosted their “Read the Room” event. A monthly reading club. Not a book club. There was no required reading or group discussion. Just a room full of people who enjoy books and don’t necessarily love the traditional “going out” scene, but still want to be social.
Hi, it’s me.
When I’m itching to read somewhere other than my apartment, coffee shops are my go-to. I’m a sucker for an overpriced iced matcha latte and eavesdropping on other people’s conversations, but sometimes those conversations get a little loud. Read the Room felt like the next best thing, so I immediately bought a ticket after seeing a post on Instagram.
While waiting in line, I wondered if this was silly and if I should’ve just started a new book on my couch. But the moment I settled into a comfy armchair with a book light, I felt at home. The energy was warm and intentional, with snacks and an effortless friendliness in the air. And seeing how quickly the room filled up with readers put my overthinking brain at ease.
Two designated break times between reading blocks allowed guests to stretch and mingle, without the horrible icebreakers that networking events often come with. I chatted with a few people about what they were reading, favorite genres, and how disappointing horror movies have been in recent years (random, but hey, I have a lot of thoughts).
I’m slowly working my way out of both a reading rut and a newsletter writing rut (can you tell?), so dedicating that time to one of my favorite things felt not just refreshing but necessary. I powered through 200 pages of No Ordinary Love by Myah Ariel, and then came home and finished the rest of the book.
It was a small but happy step toward a more active social life, and I’ll definitely go again. And Mom, you’re right. My husband probably isn’t at home… instead, he might be at a bookstore, reading quietly beside someone else who needed a little push to get out too. :)
Thinking of trying something like Read the Room? Here are a few tips to make the most of it:
Eat before you go. If the event is not at a coffee shop or is later in the evening, do not count on snacks to fill you up. I love a charcuterie board, but trust me, it's hard to focus when you are dreaming about Cava.
Start fresh. Pick up that book you’ve been meaning to read, but haven’t gotten around to. Dedicated reading time is perfect for finally diving into that lengthy TBR list.
Stick to the no phone rule. The goal is to lock in and read, so give yourself the gift of no scrolling, no notifications, and no distractions.
Talk to people! Laugh in line, mingle at the snack table, and use the easiest convo starter in the world: “What are you reading?”
Get comfortable. Bring a book light, a small pillow, or a blanket. Some places provide lights, but cozy spaces can get dark. Comfortable clothes are also a must.
And if you want to find more bookish events like this:
Check Eventbrite for “reading club” or “silent book club” events. Many cities have small, low-key groups meeting in coffee shops, libraries, or indie bookstores.
Follow bookstores (like Rep Club) on Instagram or TikTok and sign up for their newsletters. Events often get announced there first.
Keep an eye on Threads or other local platforms for casual meetups organized on a whim.
Or hey, ask your favorite coffee or tea shop if they host off-hours gatherings for regulars and plan one yourself.
Above all, remember that you do not have to be an extrovert or leave with new friends to enjoy these events. Just bring a book, show up, and let yourself enjoy the rare joy of reading in a room full of people doing the same thing.
I’m currently reading All the Men I've Loved Again by Christine Pride, which is about “a woman who finds herself in the impossible situation of being in love with the same two men who won her heart in her early twenties again as she nears forty.” Exactly the kind of drama that I live for!
“It’s the summer of the crash out.” Yeah, not disagreeing. I wonder what the late fees would be for this “lost” book that mysteriously got returned to the library 82 years(!) later. Eleven authors discuss the “mortifying ordeal of being published.” Alexis Okeowo on learning “how people can love their home while still acknowledging its imperfections.” And a fun one: a list of books paired with each Life of a Showgirl track.
Thanks for reading (typos, misplaced commas, and all)! If you'd like to (further) support this newsletter, forward this email to a friend who likes books with a recommendation to subscribe!