A book club without discussion might be an introvert’s dream.
Luckily for quiet bibliophiles, a Silent Book Club chapter has begun in Newnan.
SBC is a book club that does not assign reading. Members bring their own and silently read amongst themselves. There’s a social period before and after reading for members to discuss what they’re reading, recommend books to one another or discuss anything unrelated to literature.
SBC began in San Francisco in 2012 by friends who enjoyed reading silently together. Twelve years later, there are more than 1,000 SBC chapters in 50 countries, according to SBC’s website.
The Newnan chapter of SBC began in February. It meets on the fourth Tuesday of each Month at Central Library at 4 p.m.
After hearing about other silent book clubs, Kathryne Pfundstein founded the local chapter.
“I had seen that they had some in Atlanta, but we didn’t have any south of Atlanta. There weren’t any in Peachtree City or Carrollton,” Pfundstein said. “I’m an introvert, so it’s right up my alley.”
Pfundstein said being a part of SBC can add a small social dimension to what’s typically a solitary activity.
“This way you get to do it by yourself, but with other people,” she said. “You get a sense of community without the requirement of doing something specific or talking for a long time.”
By hosting the event at the library, attendees don’t even need to bring their own books.
Machelle Hill, assistant director of the Coweta Public Library System, said hosting the event at the local library is advantageous because librarians can offer book suggestions.
Currently, the group is open to adults only, but Hill said she hopes it grows so that a version can be offered to younger readers.
“We hope that the word will spread and we can do it for our younger set because we know children mimic what they see,” she said. “If they see you reading, they’ll read too.”
