The Silent Book Club, a unique and rapidly growing reading group, is celebrating its first anniversary in Plymouth.
Originally founded in 2012 by Guinevere de la Mare and Laura Gluhanich in San Francisco, the club now boasts ‘chapters’ in over 50 countries. The Plymouth Chapter, established last year, has quickly become a haven for local book lovers seeking a relaxed and inclusive environment.
The Plymouth chapters founder Bethany shared how the idea of a silent book club resonated with her personally, she said:
“As someone who personally doesn’t enjoy set reading and has anxiety, I loved the idea of a book club where I could read whatever I wanted and have a little quiet time with people who felt the same as me. I could choose how social I wanted to be while still making friends who loved reading as much as I did.”
The club’s unique and relaxed format allows members to choose how social they want to be while connecting with others who share a passion for reading.
Over the past year, the Plymouth Chapter has experienced significant growth. What began with just eight members at the first meet-up has now expanded to gatherings of 30-35 people. The club’s online presence has also flourished, with over 1,000 members on Facebook and 400 on Instagram.
Bethany said:
“When we first started, there were around 8 of us in the first meet-up, and a year later, we’re now getting up to 30-35 people coming along, and we’re genuinely blown away by the growth.
We like to joke our baby is turning into a toddler! It’s introduced us to so many amazing people we’re now so lucky to call friends and people have said to us how glad they are this group exists.”
The Silent Book Club’s online following only tells part of the story. The real impact is seen in the friendships and connections formed during meetups, particularly among those new to Plymouth or who feel shy or anxious about socializing in more traditional settings.
“We get people coming along who want to make friends, people who’ve just moved to Plymouth who want to build a network here, people who are shy or anxious and looking to gain some confidence in a safe space by talking to people who are as passionate about books as they are, and those wanting just a bit of ‘me’ time.”
For those interested in joining, check the Silent Book Club’s Facebook or Instagram pages for dates.
“come along, grab a chair, say hi, and be as social as they want! People are more than welcome to just come along to read quietly for the whole event or chat with others when they like – whatever makes them feel the most comfortable.”
The club’s anniversary party is set to take place at The Boston Tea Party on September 14th and promises to be a special celebration. The choice of venue is meaningful, as The Boston Tea Party has hosted the club’s weekend meet-ups since the very beginning.
“Everyone who works there has been so supportive and accommodating, so we love having our events there!”
In addition to the usual quiet reading time, the anniversary event will feature several special activities. Local small business Forever Green Jewellery will host a pop-up shop, and there will be a competition to win a Waterstones gift card.
The competition involves a book-themed coloring page designed by co-host Lorna, with the winner selected in a raffle-style draw. Attendees can also participate in a community secret book swap, where they can exchange wrapped books with others based on brief descriptions.
The Silent Book Club’s first anniversary marks a year of connection, growth, and quiet reflection in Plymouth. As the chapter expands it continues to be a lifeline for those seeking community and friendship with a shared interest in books and reading.
Keep up with the silent book club by joining their INSTAGRAM or FACEBOOK
