We’ve compiled a list of more than 40 book clubs in six of the state’s largest cities.
“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” – Stephen King. “There is no friend as loyal as a book.” – Ernest Hemingway. “The reading of all good books is like conversation with the finest men of past centuries.” – René Descartes. “Books are the plane and the train and the road. They are the destination, and the journey. They are home.” – Anna Quindlen
The above quotes are all great ones, all from leading literary minds of their respective generations. But here’s the problem with a great quote about reading: You can’t converse with it.
Quotes become cliches over time, while dialogue and discussion can lead a bibliophile down a whole new road of understanding regarding a piece of writing that may send them right back to page 1 for another read-through.
Book clubs are the perfect way to enter into this discussion, or start a new one of your own. There are two spaces that often host book clubs: public libraries and independent bookstores. We’ve tapped both as we’ve crossed North Carolina looking for who’s hosting the most intriguing literary conversations, be they niche, centered on inclusivity, or just a chance to meet a new friend and talk about a book you love (or hate).
We found 40+ book clubs hosted in six of North Carolina’s biggest cities. While we won’t list them all one by one below, we’ll highlight our favorites and send you to the right bookstore or library to find more.
Book clubs in Asheville
Malaprop’s Bookstore & Cafe
55 Haywood St., Asheville
Founded in Asheville in 1982, Malaprop’s “was the heart and soul of Asheville, NC, when Asheville was a sleepy little hippie town, and it’s still its heart and soul now,” as Ann Patchett once wrote in the New York Times.
The store sponsors nine book clubs covering genres such as mystery, romance, and science fiction, plus specialized groups such as WILD (Wild in Lively Discussion). Some of the groups are hosted virtually, while others take place in other locations. You can find a full listing here.
It must be noted that Asheville was one of the hardest-hit towns by Hurricane Helene. At the time of this writing, it is still closed until further notice, as the shop is without power or internet and cannot process payments.
All events have been canceled through at least Nov. 3, and the shop has asked that members of any given book club contact their moderators to see how they’re moving forward. Check out this GoFundMe page to see how you can support Malaprop’s in its recovery effort.
Our Pick: Notorious H.B.C. (History Book Club)
Next meeting & selection: Nov. 27; Simon Sebag Montefiore, “The Romanovs: 1613-1918’”
Hosted by Malaprop’s bookseller Patricia Furnish, this group tackles a range of books across different periods of history, often covering challenging subjects in which there are few heroes, if any, and the stories are unvarnished, complex, and surprising. Email [email protected] to see if the November meeting is still on.
Book clubs in Raleigh
Quail Ridge Books
4209-100 Lassiter Mill Road, Raleigh
Founded in 1984 by Nancy Olson, Quail Ridge Books provides a wide variety of carefully selected books, events, discussion groups, and town hall meetings. Owner Lisa Poole bought the store in 2013 and is dedicated to keeping it a locally owned community hub.
With a whopping 18 book clubs to choose from, Quail Ridge has the most wide-ranging selection of genres and demographic groups, including the Well-Read Black Girl Book Club and the Triangle Tolkienists. Check out all 18 clubs here.
Our Pick: Understanding The Middle East Book Club
Next meeting & selection: Nov. 18; Isabella Hammad, “Enter Ghost’”
This club explores the rich culture of the Middle East through literature such as poetry, fiction, and memoirs. Although they read writers from the West, the goal is to discover the many talented authors from Middle Eastern countries who may not be well known in the US. The group does include nonfiction readings to help gain an understanding of history and current events, and while politics do come up in these discussions, they are not the focus of the group.
Book clubs in Charlotte
Park Road Books
4139 Park Road, Charlotte
Opened in the historic Park Road Shopping Center in 1977, Park Road Books has been the cornerstone of independent bookstores in Charlotte for nearly half a century—still from its original location. Along with the five book clubs the store hosts, it regularly holds book discussions and signings with local and regional authors.
The club selection at Park Road Books is niche. For example, there’s the Reading Challenge Book Club, which is hosted in partnership with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and challenges participants to step outside their comfort zones with genres they don’t normally read.
Our Pick: Banned Book Book Club
Next meeting & selection: Nov. 5; James Baldwin, “The Fire Next Time’”
In a country where folks are regularly showing up to school board meetings and even public libraries to demand that classic books be kept from civilian eyes, we could all use more banned books in our lives.
Book clubs in Greensboro
Scuppernong Books
304 S. Elm St., Greensboro
Scuppernong Books opened in 2013 and has since been an essential part of downtown Greensboro’s rebirth. The store carries fiction and poetry, along with a great children’s section and a broad range of general-interest titles.
In 2017, Scuppernong was instrumental in launching the Greensboro Literary Organization, a nonprofit organization that stages the annual Greensboro Bound Literary Festival and brings authors into the Guilford County Schools through its Authors Engaging Students program. Without a defined listing on the shop’s website, you have to surf through the event calendar to find clubs as they’re scheduled. We found five throughout October and November.
Our Pick: Silent Book Club
Next meeting & selection: Nov. 10; BYOB
Becoming a more popular version of the book club at locations across the state, the silent book club offers a space for book-loving camaraderie in which readers bring their own selection and read in silence until there’s time for discussion at the end … or you can be on your way.
Book clubs in Wilmington
The Roasted Bookery
707 S. 16th St., Wilmington
The Roasted Bookery serves as a source for inclusive, diverse literature for all ages, centering modern works written by BIPOC, API, differently-abled, and Queer writers. Husband-and-wife duo Erin and Jerry Jones launched the bookstore to push back on what they saw happening around them: a lack of empathy driving wedges between different segments of society.
Our Pick: Monthly Book Club
Next meeting & selection: TBD
There’s only one book club at The Roasted Bookery, but it’s a good one. The October meet-up featured a low-stakes discussion about Maria Dong’s “Liar, Dreamer, Thief,” a sensitive exploration of mental health. Check the shop’s event calendar for when to expect the next one.
Book clubs in the Outer Banks
Dare County Library Adult Book Clubs
In September 2022, recognizing a need for more community activities for adult residents, the Manteo and Kill Devil Hills branches of the Dare County Library announced the introduction of new book clubs for adults. Since then, the Hatteras Library has joined the club. Check out when each club meets and which book they’ll be discussing at the Book Club Information and Resource Center.
Or maybe you’re interested in starting your own book club. The Dare County Library offers Book Club in a Bag kits, which contain 12 copies of a book, a book assignment tracker, discussion questions, and additional resources about the book.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
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