We knew it was coming and here it is. On Friday night, March 14, Trump dropped an executive order calling for the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, America’s only federal agency for libraries.

The order eliminates agencies that “President has determined are unnecessary.” It calls for the firing of 75 federal workers and rejects funding requests for the nation’s 125,000 public, school, academic, and special libraries.

This is not about “managing efficiency,” “reducing bureaucracy,” or “fiscal responsibility.” Public libraries in the United States use 0.003% of the federal budget for programs and services that support more than 1.2 billion in-person patron visits every year, and many more virtual visits and calls.

Let us be clear: this is about stripping the American people of free speech, literacy, and public access to information.

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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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In 2012, we had no idea that this lark of an idea would spark a global movement. The concept was simple: gather with fellow book lovers, enjoy the company of others without the pressure of conversation, and lose yourself in the pages of a good book. Today Silent Book Club has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, with more than 500 chapters in 50 countries across 6 continents. Continue reading

Last week, I went to the movies with a group of about 30 women to see “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” The event was hosted by the reading realtors, two friends who are locally famous for always including a book review in their real estate newsletter. We had a book exchange before the movie, ordered wine and popcorn, and filled the theater with Gen X women who grew up on Judy Blume. Continue reading

We polled local chapter leaders and the Silent Book Club Facebook group to find out what SBC readers loved this year. Not all of the books included were published in 2022—we wanted to know what folks read and loved this year regardless of when it went on sale. Here are the top faves! Continue reading

Whatever holiday you're celebrating this season, we've got something for every reader (and introvert) on your list. Continue reading

Over the years, I’ve noticed that each month has its own character, when it comes to Silent Book Club events. And some months have particularly big character. Continue reading

Embrace Jólabókaflóð, Iceland's “Yule Book Flood,” this season and give your loved ones books to read on Christmas Eve. It's a tradition worth passing along. Continue reading

Once a month, a group of friends meet up at a bar after work. We sink into leather couches, we order drinks, and we pull out our books. There’s chatter about who’s reading what, author recommendations mix with gossip, and a few books swap hands. The drinks arrive, a cheese plate appears, and the books-and-wine tableau is snapped, filtered, and hashtagged. As conversation dies down, we put our phones away and begin to read. It’s a Monday evening, so the bar is quiet. A classically trained pianist drifts from Bach to Adele without rustling a page of sheet music. We order more drinks. A few latecomers trickle in and are greeted warmly. We turn back to our books, and read. Continue reading

Silent Book Club is an anti-racist organization. We are committed to actively dismantling systemic racism through our brand and activities.

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