Best Book Clubs To Join In Los Angeles
While reading is mostly an individual exercise, a book club can infuse a communal and social aspect into it. Many prefer the book-club setting because it allows for intellectual stimulation through the discussion of the material read, the exchange of ideas and opinions and sometimes even the input of the authors themselves. Book clubs often present selections that may have been otherwise missed and, in some cases, provide readers with social interaction with people of like interests. Here are five wonderful opportunities to enjoy the benefits of belonging to a book club in Los Angeles.
Vroman's Bookstore
695 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 449-5320
vromansbookstore.com
The Vroman's Bookstore's in-store reading groups meet on specific dates near its fiction section on the lower level of the store. The genres of books members can join along in reading include Shakespeare, fiction, literature, mystery and books I should have read. There are periodical conversations scheduled with authors, as well as opportunities to present one's favorite book as a possible future book-club selection. See meeting dates on the store's website above.
Skeptics' Book Club
Center for Inquiry – Los Angeles
4773 Hollywood Blvd
Hollywood, CA 90027
meetup.com/skeptics
Proud to consider its members a group of critical thinkers, the Skeptics' Book Club gathers atheists, agnostics, secular humanists, deists and theists alike to discuss a monthly book selection in a welcoming environment. Each meeting is on the second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. and snacks are usually part of the event. The next meeting of the book club will be held on June 13, where members will discuss Richard Dawkins' "The Greatest Show On Earth." Sign up today to get involved in the discussion.
The Ladies' Guilty Pleasures Book Club
Locations vary with each meeting
theguiltyladies.com
This book club liberates anyone who has ever felt tempted to hide those delightful books with supermodel Fabio on the cover. With reading selections that could be described as brain-candy, scandalous and fanciful, the book club members gather at a Los Angeles restaurant every six weeks to discuss their story pick. Author events are also hosted throughout the year. Sign up to be a member on the club's website.
Las Comadres & Friends National Latino Book Club
Coffee Table
1958 Colorado Blvd
Eagle Rock, CA 90041
(512) 928-8780
lascomadres.org
Las Comadres is a women's national organization based in Texas that also has a Los Angeles chapter. The L.A. chapter holds a meeting on every third Monday of the month to discuss a book selection, and its members are also invited to join monthly teleconferences with well-known authors. The main focus of the book clubs is to promote noteworthy Latino authors. June's featured book will be "Traces of Bliss," written by Cecilia Velástegui.
Los Angeles Public Library - Online Book Clubs
supportlibrary.com
Encouraging a five-minute break each day to read, the Los Angeles Public Library will send portions of a book from Monday through Friday to your e-mail account and allow you to sample two or three chapters of your chosen book. Every second Tuesday of every other month, the library will send you a new selection in the genre of your choice, which you can pick between fiction, non-fiction, romance, thriller, audio, mystery, classics and more. After sampling the first couple of chapters, you can decide whether to borrow the book from the library or to purchase it, in which case the book club will provide you with a code that gives you a great discount.
Related: Indie Bookstores for Angelinos
