Feeling the presence of our fellow readers

Whenever we send out the reminder for our next zoom meeting, our silent book club members respond swiftly and generously. Swiftly, because they’re keen to attend, share and catch up with the group and get some new bookish recommendations and insights (which, admittedly, is perhaps a euphemism for when a member is not able to make a recommendation, but can offer constructive and lively criticism). Generously, because even when members can’t attend on particular dates, they still provide their recent reading lists for inclusion in our blog posts – to share with each other and with the broader circle of readers who enjoy our posts and lists.

As we head into the autumn, we hope we can still augment our virtual book club meetings with some in-person joy. If the weather holds, we might still be able to layer up and head to Stephenson Park for some quality reading time under the trees. We still don’t know what the future holds in terms of indoor in-person meetings, at our not forgotten local, Press or other coffee/book shops. What we do know is that virtual meetings have afforded us the opportunity to enjoy elastic boundaries, where Toronto extends to Edmonton, Jersey City and Pontypridd … and we want fervently to keep up those bookish connections and friendships. We want to keep feeling the presence of our fellow readers.

Sue reading Duck Feet, Fleur supervising

Kath E read the Women's Prize shortlist

Vicki's books

Our latest combined reading list brims, once again, with variety and vibrancy. The titles featured in each of our reports combine print and digital versions of books, along with audiobooks (which are indicated separately, with narrator/performer information where possible).

More book-related articles, resources, news, recommendations and more were offered by our members and/or came up during this meeting’s discussions and chat, including:

Fellow readers everywhere, boost your reading with fodder from our previous silent book club meeting reports (online and in-person incarnations) and book lists – find them all here. Perhaps you’ll come across new and unexpected bookish delights!

You can also check out links to articles, 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 hiatus, but many are running virtual meetings in different formats. Please feel free to contact me for more information about our club and its offerings.

Stay safe, stay well, stay inspired, stay engaged with lots of books, glorious books!

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