Silent Book Clubs
By Susannah Kerest
Front Porch Forum hosts online newsletters in every town in Vermont, and now in some Upper Valley NH towns. Neighbors, nonprofits, businesses, and government officials can post messages, share news, get advice, make recommendations, announce events, sell items, and much more. It's all about helping neighbors to connect and build community.
This fall, Front Porch Forum is featuring Vermonters who excel at building community and offer tips for how to you can get started in your own town. Read it here in The Bridge Weekly.
Despite being a "hesitant organizer," Elena decided to start a Silent Book Club in Burlington. Her goal was to build some community after moving to the area, all while enjoying one of her favorite activities -- reading!
Silent Book Clubs are gatherings that combine a modest amount of socializing with a full hour of silent reading. There's no obligatory book chosen for you, and no need to have finished the book in time!
"I try to seek out venues, like local coffee shops and breweries where it's a little more of a chill atmosphere," Elena explained. "If there's a business that opens right at noon, but they don't tend to get people who show up until later in the afternoon, that's a perfect place for a Silent Book Club."
After nearly three years of monthly meetings, which she promotes on Front Porch Forum, Burlington's Silent Book Club attracts 50 to 60 attendees to each session!
Read about Elena's approach to starting this popular, all-are-welcome club. (And find out what books are trending!)
https://frontporchforum.com/join-project/silent-book-club
Have you ever thought about getting neighbors together around a shared hobby? Elena has a few good tips for you! Learn more here: https://frontporchforum.com/join-project/town-ice-rink