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New book club is not for the gabby

Readers enjoy books without distractions at the Silent Book Club, which meets every other Wednesday at The Buzz on South Grove Street. [ERNEST MOWELL/Hendersonville Lightning]

By ERNEST MOWELL, Published: April 13, 2024

There’s a new book club in town. Michelle Rosenberg brought her husband, Seth, who describes himself as “not really a reader,” to enjoy Hendersonville’s Silent Book Club. But this isn’t a typical book club.

“It’s vastly different,” reader Jason Christopher said.

On a recent Wednesday evening, about 40 readers joined Christopher and the Rosenbergs at The Buzz Sober Social Bar and Cafe with books, tablets or phones in hand. They met and talked over coffee, filling the space with the chatter of an active coffee shop. Then, at the direction of organizer Summer Stark, the group fell silent and began to read. No phones ringing, no talking — only the occasional hiss of steam from the espresso machine. Otherwise, focused silence.

In a traditional book club, members read the same book within a certain time period and meet regularly to discuss. At Silent Book Club, readers choose their own books. There’s no set schedule to follow. Discussion centers on why they chose a particular book and what they are getting out of it.

“That’s part of why Silent Book Club has been a hit and I also really like it, because it’s the most low-maintenance book club you can possibly find,” Stark said. “You don’t have to bring food, you don’t have to bring a certain book. You just show up with what you want to read.”

First organized in Hendersonville in January, Silent Book Club is a global group with chapters in 50 countries. North Carolina has more than two dozen chapters. Stark said she learned about Silent Book Club on a flight from Texas when she met an SBC member from Asheville. After attending and enjoying a few Asheville meetings, she knew she wanted to bring it to closer. Christopher found a flier for the club and thought, “OK, something to do in Hendersonville.”

The Buzz provides ample space while selling drinks and food for the readers. Manager Katy Shay said the club was a good fit for The Buzz’s Wednesday night schedule.

“The first night, Summer said we should expect 5-6 people, and then the place started filling up,” Shay said.

While much of the Silent Book Club advertising seems aimed at self-professed introverts, there is a definite social aspect to the club. Stark encourages everyone to sit with people they haven’t met before and engage over their love of reading, an instant ice breaker.

Checking in with the Rosenbergs at the end of the hour, Michelle had made significant progress on her novel without the regular distractions that come from being home. Seth seemed to have enjoyed starting the biography he downloaded on his tablet.

SHIRTTAIL

The Silent Book Club meets every other Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Buzz, 225 S. Grove St. More information can be found on the club’s Facebook page. To join, Stark says, “just show up with a book.”