Carrie Rollwagen

By Carrie Rollwagen Let’s talk about book clubs, those tight little groups of readers who wander around the city, carrying wine and paperbacks into each other’s living rooms. You have basically two classes of book group: those who actually read the book, and those who pretty much just drink the wine and gossip. As a book nerd, you’d think I’d be more impressed with the first group. But, surprise! Book nerds like wine and conversation, too. I’m actually equally excited about both.*

In a book club where members all read, there’s often a fascinating exchange of ideas. In a club with strangers, you find commonalities through stories. And book clubbing with a group of friends allows you to have safe conversations about everything from love to politics to religion — because you’re discussing these topics through the lense of fiction, you can be more open about your opinions without worrying about hurt feelings. (Well, worrying less about hurt feelings, anyway.) Besides, it’s fun to talk about reading with other people. When you’ve spent time in an imaginary world, when you’ve fallen in love there and traveled with world there and existed on this whole other plane of existence for awhile, it’s nice to talk to other people who’ve been there, too. It’s kind of like a summer camp reunion, but with less canoeing.

read more

Story by Carrie Rollwagen   This week, my bookstore, Church Street Coffee & Books, is celebrating a week of sharing. We're…