This past Sunday, Sept. 22, PHS Book Club’s “Silent Book Club” convened for the second time.
For those unfamiliar with Silent Book Clubs, they consist of a period of silent reading, usually for up to an hour. Then, participants discuss their books for a specific period of time. Attendees are welcome to bring any book they would like to read.
The concept of a Silent Book Club has been gaining popularity since its inception 10 years ago, initially founded by Kristin Appenbrink, Laura Gluhanich and Guinevere de la Mare in San Francisco, according to readitforward.com. It was started with the intention to allow busy parents the time to read, but it has grown into much more.
At Plant, the club was founded with the goal of expanding the Book Club’s range of activities. “We started doing silent book club because Mr. Penn saw it online and wanted to try it out,” Book Club President Maggie Welch (12) said. “One of our goals was to try and do different activities and add some variety into our activities, and this seemed like a good way to do it.”
Welch also commented on how Book Club has decided to run the club—”It’s a real no-judgement zone…people are reading all different things and genres, and we talk about them all equally because every book deserves to be talked about. It’s nice to talk to people who want to talk about books just as much as you do and who aren’t going to judge you for whatever you’re reading.”
Plant’s Book Club held its first Silent Book Club meeting at the end of last year. It was met with success, with students coming out on the weekend to read and discuss their favorite books.
This past Sunday marked the Book Club’s second Silent Book Club meeting, near the Hillsborough River at Armature Works. Students could be seen reading, sitting silently in a circle. Each student read a different book: some fantasy, some romance, some realistic fiction, but all read what interested them and shared enjoyment with others.
After reading, each person took turns discussing what was happening in their books. Members asked each other questions, such as what their favorite character was or what was on their TBR (To Be Read) list.
Many participants enjoy the unique aspects that a Silent Book Club brings. For one, it allows them time to read. At Plant, many students have packed schedules filled with APs and extracurriculars. Often, it can be hard to find time to read between homework, sports and club meetings.
Ian Riddle (10), when asked why they enjoy Silent Book Club, said, “Because you can just read books quietly for like an hour.” It’s a rare opportunity for students to have the chance to relax and read a book in peace, reflecting the club’s original intention—to give those with a busy schedule a moment to engage in their love of reading.
“It’s good because it carves out a designated time in your day that you do nothing but read,” Welch said later. “These days, it feels like people’s lives are so hectic and distracted that they can’t find time to slow down and read, and this event helps them do that.”
Another aspect that many people like about Silent Book Clubs is that participants are allowed to read any book they choose, in contrast to the usual set reading of traditional book clubs. This allows for greater freedom and flexibility within the meetings, and it also exposes participants to new books they may want to read.
Luckily, PHS’ book club offers both—at the same time that they hold Silent Book Club meetings, they also hold more traditional book club meetings where they discuss a chosen book. Right now, the book is “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr.
If you’d like to join in on the silent-reading fun, Welch urges you to “Please join book club! It’s super low-key, no pressure and we have lots of fun and do lots of different things.”