Hurricane Helene has devastated multiple areas in the United States, including communities where Silent Book Club chapters and families are based.

We have gathered resources to support the people impacted by the storm, and encourage any who can give to donate where we've been told is most helpful from locals. 

Local and regional organizations on the ground:

• BeLoved Asheville
• The Remarkable Foundation - Oconee State Bank 
• Golden Harvest Food Bank
• Second Harvest Food Bank 
• East Tennessee Foundation
• Wild Abundance Disaster Relief Fund
• RISE Erwin
• Solidaire Mutual Aid
• Holston Habitat for Humanity
• Disaster Check-In
• North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund
• Local Cloth
• Tampa Bay How to Help
• Appalachian Service Project
• Tri-Cities Hospitality Assistance
• North Carolina Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD)
• Jonesborough Community Chest
• Asheville/WNC Resources

 Personal funds and wish lists of friends and family:

• The Whale Outpost - A GoFundMe from the venue that hosts Silent Book Club Asheville
• The Stacks Bookstore support
• Wishlist for residents of Keaton Beach, Dekle Beach, and Cedar Island
• Barnardsville fund for fuel

Orgs to support animals: 

• Renegade Paws Rescue
• Brother Wolf Animal Rescue
• Red Rover
• Unicoi County Animal Shelter
• Richmond SPCA

Global and national organizations with focused efforts: 

• World Central Kitchen 
• Local Red Cross Orgs
• Operation Airdrop
• United Way CSRA
• United Way Asheville and Buncombe County 

We will continue to gather resources and links from our community and will update this page as new information comes through. 

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To celebrate 10 years of audiobooks and 1,000 chapters, Silent Book Club + Libro.fm are giving away 10 free copies of one of our favorite Summer 2024 reads: Funny Story, by Emily Henry, read by the inimitable Julia Whelan. Continue reading

Liza Achilles has been a friend of Silent Book Club for many years. She is one of our original chapter organizers, running the SBC Rockville chapter since 2017, and she's been a guest contributor on the blog. Liza is publishing a new book on July 1, and we were delighted to interview her about it here! Continue reading

We recently had the pleasure of interviewing Mandy Shunnarah, author, poet, and longtime host of Silent Book Club Columbus. We chatted about her writing journey, publishing her first book, and the joys of being part of the SBC community. Continue reading

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!

How I Became a Silent Book Club Host

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:

• 2015: Our website launched, making it easier than ever for volunteers to start chapters in their own communities… with swag!
• 2019: Oprah Magazine, NPR, and The New York Times took notice, with media coverage helping us grow to 300 chapters worldwide.
• 2023: A viral Instagram reel captured the essence of Silent Book Club, introducing us to countless new readers and sparking a wave of chapter growth.
• 2024: The magic number: 1,000 chapters reached in May, marking a momentous achievement for our community!

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.

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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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