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Thoughts of the stereotypical book club may conjure visions of circled chairs and awkward discussion in a library conference room. Or perhaps a group of women who drink wine and gossip in lieu of discussing the chosen book. However, in the last few years, gatherings that bend the boundaries of the traditional book club have been popping up across the First State.
Jen Blab, owner of Hockessin BookShelf, added a Silent Book Club to her bookstore’s offerings at the beginning of 2025. This club is part of a worldwide community of chapters for readers who want the gathering experience without having a title chosen for them. Everyone brings their own book and then spends the first part of the club reading, followed by conversation about their books.
The club has drawn an average of eight to 12 adult readers every month to the cozy bookstore space. “I think it’s great for anyone who doesn’t want their reading choice dictated,” says Blab. “It’s also good for more introverted people. There’s no requirement to participate in the post-reading discussion. And it’s a great way to get book recommendations.”
Across the state, there’s something for every kind of reader, from the ones seeking community to those looking for a fun activity or just a place to read that isn’t their couch.
Silent Book Club at Hockessin BookShelf and The Crafty Reader
For those that want to choose their own books or are not fans of book clubs centered around discussion questions, silent book clubs can be a great way to switch up your preferred reading location and meet other readers. Hockessin BookShelf’s silent book club meets the first Tuesday of the month, while The Crafty Reader’s meets one Sunday afternoon a month.
7179 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin
39 North Walnut Street, Milford
Rockwood Book Club
This book club features a variety of titles with an emphasis on Victorian literature. Discuss the material and explore the dramatic themes of empire, race, gender, and exploration with the Rockwood staff inside the Gothic Revival mansion. The club usually meets on the first Wednesday of the month. Find the full calendar online.
4651 Washington Street Ext., Wilmington
LAB Book Club
Sip mead and cider and explore novels during a laid-back discussion twice a month at Wilmington’s Liquid Alchemy Beverages. The club usually meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month and reads one book per month.
28 Brookside Drive, Wilmington
Huxley & Hiro Book Clubs
Wilmington’s Huxley & Hiro host a variety of book clubs for every type of reader. The shop hosts a general book club, which meets once a month on Wednesdays. A silent book club meets on the first Sunday of the month. The LGBTQIA+ club reads and discusses exclusively queer literature. For the nonfiction readers, Huxley & Hiro also hosts a nonfiction club. You can find a full list of event offerings on Huxley & Hiro’s website.
601 North Market Street, Wilmington
Wisp Bookshop Book Club
Fans of fantasy books will find their people at these gatherings on the last Monday of each month at Crooked Hammock Brewery in Middletown. Wisp Bookshop owner Alina Pfeifer creates an immersive experience centered around the book of the month and encourages attendees to dress up and mingle with other book lovers as they enjoy discussion questions, games, trivia, and fun touches like themed cocktails.
316 Auto Park Drive, Middletown
Cooks & Books and Simmer Down — A Cookbook Club for Millennials
The Lewes Library offers two unique cookbook clubs—one for adults of all ages on the first Monday of the month and one for millennials on the first Tuesday. Both clubs invite each participant to cook a recipe from the month’s cookbook and then share the results potluck-style while discussing the recipes.
111 Adams Avenue, Lewes
Biergarten Book Club
If you prefer beer to accompany your reading time, Rail Haus’s Biergarten Book Club, held one Wednesday night a month, may be just your speed. Past titles have ranged from historical fiction to fantasy, thriller, and memoir, so this one is perfect for readers who are looking to branch out from their comfort zone.
92 North West Street, Dover
Delaware Book & Sip
A local chapter of the Book and Sip Club, its gatherings are just for the ladies. Providing opportunities for book discussion as well as social events—which in the past have included yoga, bowling, and paint nights—this group is for those that love reading and also want to find community among likeminded women. This club is fee-based and currently has a waitlist, so fill out the interest form to be notified when spots open.
Northern Delaware
First State Reader’s Society
First State Reader’s Society formed at the end of 2024 and has spread to having events in all three counties. Meeting locations are announced every month and have included Rail Haus Beer Garden in Dover, Amity Coffee Roasters in Greenwood, The Sycamore Wine Bar in New Castle, and Maker’s Alley in Wilmington. The gatherings follow a similar format to silent book clubs, in that there are no chosen reads, just time to read together then mingle and chat.
Events throughout Delaware
Related: Mobile Bookshops Cultivate Community Around Delaware
