June 2024 Spotlight: #Bookclub
Our June 2024 Spotlight started this year!
The idea originated from informal conversations with parents and caregivers after library storytimes. It’s tough being a stay-at-home parent. At times there is nobody to talk with, feelings of isolation, and some serious TikTok scrolling. Those organic conversations were the start of a new kind of book club. One that combined trending titles on TikTok and caregivers!
#BookClub is unique because it encourages parents to bring their kiddos. While the adults discuss, the children are given toys and activities. And while this setup leads to interruptions, everybody understands that’s just how it is to be a parent. As one of the members said, “Being able to interact with adults without having to find childcare is everything.”
Book selection is based on what is trending on Booktok (a community on the TikTok social media platform). The room setup is pretty easy. Play and activity stations for the children are on one side of the large meeting room and on the other side you’ll see chairs for the adults to discuss that month’s book and whatever else we are reading at the time.
We read mostly contemporary romance and contemporary fiction. Similar to other book clubs, the first few months were chosen by library staff. But, since we’ve been meeting for a few months, it’s now more of a democratic approach. Members suggest titles, I create mini-bios for each book, and we all vote on what to read. We try to keep our book choices to newer titles, yet there is always some wiggle room. Here is what we have planned for 2024:
(January) The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas (2021)
(February) The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2017)
(March) Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood (2022)
(April) Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (2022)
(May) So We Meet Again by Suzanne Park (2021)
(June) Funny Story by Emily Henry (2024)
(July) Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez (2024)
(August) Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn (2023)
(September) Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston (2022)
(October) The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling (2021)
(November) The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna (2022)
We are still very much a new group looking for more parents to join. This book club is a resource (and lifeline) to an often overlooked group trying to balance a lot all at once.
– Emily Alexander
All of our Spotlight Groups receive a box of books for discussion! Tor Publishing Group will be sending the members of #Bookclub copies of Such a Lovely Family by Angie Blum Thompson, A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher, The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst and Foul Days by Genoveva Dimova.
To enter to become an RGC Spotlight group, email a picture and description of your group to info@readinggroupchoices.com.