5 Virtual Book Clubs to Join During the Quarantine
Stay connected from afar.
As we continue to observe social distancing guidelines during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, many of us are taking advantage of the extra time and diving into some good literature. But if you’ve been feeling a bit lonely and crave the stimulation of discussing your favorite reads, joining a virtual book club could be the perfect quarantine activity!
Many of us don’t normally have the time to attend a book club meeting, but nowadays, virtual meetings and message boards are opening up to help people connect with one another through reading. Scroll down for a few virtual book clubs you can join now to keep you entertained and social during the quarantine.
New York Public Library Book Club
Social distancing doesn’t mean we can’t access the library! The New York Public Library and WNYC radio station have teamed up to host a virtual book club to bring folks together through reading. Right now, the group is reading James McBride’s new book, Deacon King Kong, a deeply human story set in 1969 Brooklyn, sprinkled with some belly laughs. The best part is, you can download the eBook for free!
Throughout April, radio host Allison Stewart and the library will provide reading touchpoints, and discussion are happening on Instagram at @allofitwnyc and @nypl. McBride will join readers everywhere on Thursday, April 30 at 7 PM EST for a live discussion and Q&A. Find out how to get involved at The Greene Space’s website.
Silent Book Club
This book club is perfect for you if you identify as more of an introvert, but still want the opportunity to be a part of a reading group. Silent book club was founded in 2012, and has since grown to 260 chapters in 31 different countries around the world. During their meetings, members in each chapter gather virtually to read silently for an hour and then have a discussion. Check out a full list of their meetings, here.
Tolstoy Together
If you’re a fan of classic literature, now is pretty much the perfect time to dive into Tolstoy’s War and Peace. With this in mind, author Yiyun Li is heading a book club exploring the novel through independent publisher A Public Space’s social media channels. The group reads about 15 pages a day, and representatives from A Public Space say that 3000 people all over the world are joining in. Find out how you can get involved, here.
Quarantine Book Club
The coronavirus quarantine might be your one and only chance to chat personally with some up-and-coming authors. The quarantine book club invites about two guest authors daily to discuss their books and chat with fans on Zoom. You do have to pay $5 for a ticket to enter the Zoom meetings, but according to TIME, over 200 people have attended some of the sessions so far, with authors on a variety of topics offering their expertise and being a part of the discussion. Check out their upcoming offerings, here.
Poppy Loves Book Club
The Poppy Loves book club is a space exclusively for women. The club “meets” on the final Wednesday of each month for a live discussion on the current book selection via Facebook Live. Creators of the club announce monthly book selections through their official website, and they can also be found on Poppy Loves Book Club’s Facebook and Instagram pages. The Poppy Loves book club takes an interest in reads that inspire and reflect the experiences of women, so if you’re craving some much-needed girl time, be sure to check them out!
