BYOB (bring your own book) to a silent book club near you

Have you heard of a silent book club? They’re popping up all over the country and there are several here in Portland.

It’s like any other book club where a group of people comes together to talk about books, sort of. In a silent book club, you BYOB — bring your own book, of course.

Whatever book you want, or you can buy one if your book club takes place in a bookstore, like mine did. Then you sit in companionable silence with others and read for an hour.

It’s not as terrifying or awkward as it might sound.

My local bookstore in Milwaukie, Spoke & Word Books, takes care to be a welcoming and inclusive space. It’s always cozy, with charming mismatched seating and rugs, which help turn the retail space into a book nook. The homey atmosphere helps, but I’ll tell you firsthand, it was sort of nice to be in a space where my only responsibility for the next hour was to read.

When you’re at home and reading there are lots of distractions. I have two adorable dogs, a house that always needs some kind of chore done, neighbors to chat to, TV to watch, etc.

However, when you’re in a room full of people reading, you look silly if you’re not reading, too. Then, before you know it, you’re 70 pages into a new book.

After the allotted reading time is over, book club members can chat — about books or pop culture or whatever. At Spoke & Word Books’ silent book club, there were also snacks provided, which were likely purchased with the small fee for the ticket to attend.

I liked the spin on the traditional book club model because I know I am guaranteed to spend my time with a book I enjoy, instead of choking down a book I might not be into just to discuss it with others. I got so many book recommendations from the other attendees and did some unnecessary but soul healing book shopping when it was over.

Check out more of my cozy experience at a silent book club in the video below:

Destiny Johnson | djohnson@oregonian.com | @hello__destiny