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Reading is often considered a solitary activity, but in Lafayette, people have several options for sharing their love of books in a supportive community.
There’s a local Silent Book Club chapter for those who enjoy no-frills communal reading, and Lafayette book businesses like Cavalier House Books, Book Rack of Acadiana and Bonne Vie Macarons and Book Club & Co. all regularly host themed book clubs. Bonne Vie has five different book clubs for mysteries, cookbooks, romance books, nonfiction and books that have been made into movies — all with a waiting list of eager readers.
If you’re an especially prolific reader, there’s another option that might be just the challenge you’re looking for. The Lafayette public library system is home to the “100 Book Club,” where members have one goal: reading or listening to 100 books through the year, with a medal and certificate of completion awarded at the end.
Medals wait to get giving to young readers who read 100 books or more during the Lafayette Public LibraryÕs 100 Book Club annual celebration at the South Regional Library on Monday, February 9, 2026 in Lafayette, La..
On Monday night, participants gathered at South Regional Library for a ceremony honoring their achievements last year. Names were read and cake was sliced as the all-ages group mingled and shared their love of reading. In order to complete the challenge, they had to read over eight books per month, or nearly two a week — a brisk pace in a screen-dominated society.
Heather and P.J. Best run Lafayette’s Silent Book Club chapter, and on Monday, the whole family was inducted into the 100 Book Club — mom, dad and two sons, 7-year-old Eli and 8-year-old Ethan. Ethan’s favorite read last year was “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” and Eli’s was a graphic novel titled, “Dog Man: The Scarlet Shedder,” from author Dav Pilkey.
When asked how they center reading in their household, Heather Best had a simple answer: “We very rarely watch TV.”
“It’s very important to us to raise readers,” she said. “In order to prioritize something, you have to say no to something else.”
Book readers who read 100 books are more arrive during the Lafayette Public LibraryÕs 100 Book Club annual celebration at the South Regional Library on Monday, February 9, 2026 in Lafayette, La..
According to library outreach services manager Emma Guillory, the program has been very successful since its launch in 2013, and hundreds of people participate each year.
“They just love it,” she said. “One of our participants said, ‘It’s not hard to do what I love.’ They just love that they can be celebrated for reading, but also it’s being part of something that you work all year for, and it comes to fruition at the end with prizes.”
For every kind of reader, it’s clear that reading as part of a community made the experience something worth their time and dedication, particularly in an age where taking time for an immersive, solo hobby is something almost luxurious.
Brittney Boutte was supported by her family when she received her certificate, and as a working mom, she said she makes time for her reading by leaning on audiobooks — and the community aspect of the program is a “nice push to do it,” she said. Another participant, Shalala Thompson, said that pursuing the goal made her a better reader.
Readers can join the 100 Book Club challenge for 2026 by visiting any Lafayette Public Library branch to register and receive a personal reading log. All participants, ages 6 and up, have to read or listen to the books themselves, and picture books are permitted for elementary school-aged readers. Magazines and comic books don’t count, but graphic novels, eBooks and audiobooks do.
