We’ve all been there.
Book club is tonight, you glance guiltily at the bookmark that’s been sitting halfway through the novel for two weeks, and you seriously consider texting the group to say you can’t make it.
But before you hit “Send,” here are five reasons it’s worth showing up anyway…
1. You don’t have to be an “expert” on the book.
Book clubs aren’t quizzes, and nobody’s grading your reading. Some of the best discussions come from asking questions, listening to others, and discovering new ways to think about a story—not from remembering every detail.
One of my favorite things about Little Free Libraries is that you never know what you’ll discover. Sometimes it’s the perfect beach read. Sometimes it’s a forgotten classic. And this summer, you may even stumble across a 2026 Reading Group Choices guide, filled with recommendations and discussion questions to help your book club find its next great pick.
If you’ve noticed a few new touches around Reading Group Choices lately, this may be a good time for a quick introduction… Hello! I’m Amanda Angelini, and in February I stepped into the role of Executive Director of RGC, following in the footsteps of longtime director Mary Morgan. Over the past few months, I’ve been getting to know this incredible community of readers and book clubs, and thinking about what’s ahead.