The reality of our new, remote existence has officially set in. Cans of chickpeas and rolls of toilet paper are now bought in bulk, YouTube has seemingly become a boutique gym, and the buzziest happy hour spot in the world is on Zoom (that’s right, Zoom!). It’s bizarre and maddening and near-impossible to process, but – for those privileged enough to be safe at home and working remotely – there are still little things we can all do for a moment’s reprieve from the news cycle. For homebodies and bookworms in particular, having the extra time to curl up with a paperback is one undeniable perk. (Bonus points if you’re cozied up with a slice of homemade banana bread, which everyone seems to be baking these days.)
Now is the time to tackle your to-be-read list, catch up with friends, and, if you’re able, support local, independent booksellers all in one go. In that spirit, here are five simple ways to host the perfect virtual book club – one that’s sure to make Reese Witherspoon proud!
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Select a Bookish Virtual Venue
The first matter of business is locale. Ordinarily, we’d suggest you gather at a cozy pub or cocktail spot – ideally one with a literary menu (more on that in a bit). Given current circumstances, though, choices are limited.
In lieu of corner booths and high-top tables, try gathering on Google Hangouts, Zoom, or via Book Movement’s Book Club app (made expressly for digital book clubs). Pro tip: recommend everyone allow five to 10 minutes for tech set-up before you dive into a provocative conversation about your chosen book; goodness knows we all need a bit of time to tackle last-minute technical difficulties.
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Support Local Booksellers
Once you’ve landed on the date, digital meeting medium, and book of choice, you have to make sure you’re able to get your hands on an actual copy. And fortunately, there are still loads of ways to order from local shops without physically visiting their locations. Google the shops you usually frequent – many of them are continuing to take orders by phone, email, and through their respective websites.
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Order From Digital Indie Bookstores
Prefer ebooks? Audiobooks? Unwilling to wait for the post? Not to worry. Websites like My Must Reads and Libro.FM allow you to buy digital and audio editions directly through local bookstores as well. Niche titles, bestsellers, Stephen Fry’s sweet narration, and the power to support small businesses are all, quite literally, at your fingertips.
