This month we're thrilled to shine a spotlight on Silent Book Club Columbia, South Carolina. Organizer Jemia Williams (pictured above, left) may be relatively new to hosting a local chapter, but her impact on the community has been huge. Jemia also writes a Substack newsletter, so we've invited her to be our guest blogger. Thanks, Jemia, take it away!
People often ask, “How did you become a Silent Book Club host?” The answer is pretty simple—I just asked.
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When we launched Silent Book Club, our goal was to make this experience accessible to everyone, from small town cafés to international cities to indie bookstore owners and local libraries.
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Fellow bookworms, introverts, and fans of not talking... We have some exciting news to share – Silent Book Club has officially reached more than 1,000 chapters worldwide!
From a cozy gathering in San Francisco back in 2012 to a global network spanning six continents, this journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. It's a testament to the universal love of books, the power of shared experiences, and the magic that happens when people come together in quiet camaraderie.
A Massive Thank You to Our Amazing Community
We could not have reached this milestone without the dedication and passion of our volunteer chapter organizers. You are the heart and soul of Silent Book Club! From bustling city centers to quaint towns, you've created welcoming spaces for readers to connect, unwind, and escape into literary worlds.
A special shoutout to the bookstores, libraries, cafes, breweries, and other small businesses that generously open their doors to our chapters. Your support has been instrumental in fostering a sense of community and belonging for book lovers everywhere.
Looking Back and Moving Forward
This incredible journey has been filled with unforgettable moments:
As we celebrate this milestone, we're also looking towards the future. We're excited to continue expanding our reach, connecting even more book lovers, and fostering a love of reading in every corner of the globe.
Join the Celebration!
Whether you're a long-time member or just discovering us, we invite you to join the celebration! Find a chapter near you, start your own, or simply share your love of Silent Book Club on social media with the hashtag #sbc1000. We have a whole summer of celebrations planned, so stay tuned!
Let's raise a book (and a quiet toast) to the power of reading, the joy of community, and the endless possibilities that lie ahead for Silent Book Club.
The results of our first SBC Reader Survey are in! We asked Silent Book Club members to share the last great book they read and more than 1200 readers replied.
In total, there were 818 books recommended across all genres and eras from classics to new releases. Readers shared fiction, non-fiction, works in translation, poetry, YA, graphic novels, thrillers, horror, self-help, memoirs, and much more.
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Do you love to read? Have you attended a Silent Book Club meetup or are you thinking of joining one? We'd love to hear from you!
We're launching our first-ever survey to help us better understand your thoughts on books, reading, and Silent Book Club. After the survey ends, we'll be sharing a report of the Top Books Recommended by SBC Readers. We can't wait!
Added perk, when you complete the 5-minute survey, we'll send you a discount code to receive 20% off your next order at the Silent Book Shop.
Questions are optional and your data will not be shared with third parties. You can read our privacy policy for more details.
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Earlier this month, the host of NPR's Nerdette podcast, Greta Johnsen, dropped in on Silent Book Club at Dorothy, a lesbian bar in Chicago (previously featured in this great article). She and her producer interviewed SBC organizer Charlie Schumann and bar owner Whitney LaMora, and chatted with attendees and bartenders to hear what people thought of Silent Book Club.
It's a fantastic listen, highly recommend. The story aired on WBEZ Chicago and you can find the recording online (the SBC feature starts at 15:15), but we've transcribed it here if you don't have a podcast player handy.
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