We owe it to the beauty of the words … and our steadfast silent book club friends

Every silent book club meeting this singular year has been uniquely vital. The double-edged sword of so much of our lives moving online so swiftly is that we’ve been able to keep up all kinds of connections – work, personal, entertainment and more – while simultaneously being isolated and feeling disconnected. Maintaining those connections online has led to, not surprisingly, intermittent and at times utterly enervating fatigue. The activities that usually bring us comfort and relaxation – such as our beloved books and reading – were, ironically, often difficult to sustain, even though we in theory had much more of the time we often bemoaned we didn’t have for these very activities. But somehow, through it all, our silent book club zoom meetings (and occasional physically distanced meet-ups in our local park here in east end Toronto) were the unmissable, inspiring entries on our now strangely configured calendars. And somehow, the glow from our laptops and tablets and phones during these meetings was truly warming.

Our last silent book club meeting of this year (this year we all wish to put behind us …) was filled with heartening laughter and generosity and insights. We exchanged recommendations and reviews, as usual, and comisserated about overcoming this year’s particular reading challenges. One of our readers put it, most wonderfully, that she was determined to revisit reading that she had to set aside because it was too troubling during this year’s emotional rollercoaster ride, because “I owe it to the beauty of the words” to return. The beauty of the words and the steadfast presence of our friends has seen us through a lot and will continue to do so as we continue and get through the challenges still ahead.

To top off this very fine meeting (so fine that we might not be able to resist fitting in one more pop-up zoom meeting during the holidays …!), some of us hardy (foolhardy?) bookish souls assembled at our local park in east end Toronto for a brief, distanced sharing of books … and cookies, thanks to a thoughtful book club member. There was a chill in the air and snow on the ground, but hey … nothing has stymied this unstoppable silent book club this year!

Rosanne's stack of books

Sue W's stack of books

Vicki's stack of books

Silent book club members in the park

Silent book club members in the park

Sue R in the park

Jo in the park

Beth in the park

Anita in the park

Ruth in the park

Vicki in the park

Anita offering Jo cookies in the park

Enjoy another bountiful list of our recent reading. We know everyone is getting books this season, but if, say, you run out during the holidays, well, this list and ones from our past reports are here to help you … 🙂 The titles featured in each of our reports combine print and digital versions of books, along with audiobooks (which are indicated separately).

Our silent book club chapter recently celebrated its third anniversary. Our group co-founder Jo paid lovely tribute.

Our previous silent book club meeting reports (online and in-person incarnations) and book lists are here.

You can also check out links to articles, CBC Radio interviews and more here – some with San Francisco-based Silent Book Club founders Guinevere de La Mare and Laura Gluhanich, and some with us here in east end Toronto.

Learn more about silent book clubs via Guinevere and Laura’s Silent Book Club web site. You can find information on meetings happening around the world and close to where you live. Some clubs are currently on haitus, but many are running virtual meetings in different formats. Please feel free to contact me for more information about our club and its offerings.

A silent book club meeting with friends and neighbours, held at and in support of a local business exemplifies exactly the kinds of freedoms we are foregoing now to get through these unsettled and unsettling times … and is where we’re all going to want to be when we get through this. Read well where you are now, gather in the ways that are safe and make most sense, including virtually. Be well and let books buoy your spirits, make our ever changing and challenging circumstances more tolerable, and make the time pass swiftly. Read well and be well!

6 thoughts on “We owe it to the beauty of the words … and our steadfast silent book club friends

  1. Sue Wright

    That was such a lovely meeting, as they all are, but this one also held such hope for the future. Things will change, life does not stand still. Some of those changes will be difficult but others are bound to be joyous and included in that joy will be SBC. Thanks Vickie and Jo and all my new SBC bookworm friends

    Reply
    1. bookgaga Post author

      Sue, your words mean a lot, and your and Diana’s presence in our group means so much, too. You and your stellar devotion to books and readers and writers has been a bright light for many of us this dismal year. Onward!

      Reply
    1. bookgaga Post author

      You’re welcome. I like to find informative descriptions and reviews for all the books that come up in conversation during our meetings, so I was glad to have found yours. And yes, I suspect it’s a little chillier here than where you are right now! 🙂

      Reply

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