Nottawa bookstore hosts trendy silent book club
The silent book club is an introvert’s dream, says Caleigh McKenzie-Greer of the Nottawa Cottage Bookstore.
Located in the cottage behind Nottawa General Store, the bookstore was recently named New Business of the Year by the Clearview Chamber of Commerce.
McKenzie-Greer and her husband both hail from Creemore, and had always dreamed of owning a bookstore as a retirement project. After several years in Toronto, they moved to Collingwood, and decided the time was right to pursue the dream.
“From the time we opened people were telling us they wanted a book club, but not necessarily a traditional book club,” says McKenzie-Greer.
She says many reported that the old book club model where everyone reads an assigned book then gets together to discuss it is very stressful for some people.
“Maybe they don’t like the book that was chosen, or they didn’t have time to read the book or prepare for the discussion so they were left feeling guilty,” she explains.
McKenzie-Greer says the silent book club is part of a growing global community which brings people together for quiet camaraderie.
She says, “Our format will be 30 minutes of fellowship followed by 45 minutes to read whatever you’re reading, or do some other activity like writing, or painting. Then there will be time to discuss what you’re reading, if you feel like it.”
In essence, she says, it’s about allowing people two hours to disconnect from the “dumpster fire world” out there. The club met for the first time Wednesday evening.
For Emily Lloyd, the silent book club is about carving out time for herself.
“I work all the time, so having a dedicated time for reading and community is important to me,” said Lloyd, who has never belonged to a traditional book club but likes the idea of choosing her own book and just connecting with like-minded people.
Kim Burton, has belonged to other book clubs and doesn’t like being forced to read something she’s not keen on.
“And half the time, when you go to discuss the book it’s just a lot of wine drinking and not much discussion,” she said. “I’m looking forward to meeting new people, relaxing, and reading what I like.”
When they announced creation of the Silent Book Club, McKenzie-Greer says response was enthusiastic. “We filled up the first sessions within 18 minutes, and we have 30 people on a wait list,” she said, adding that due to space limitations at the cottage, only 12 people can be accommodated for each session. “As the weather improves, we may expand to the patio and open it up to more people. We may also do things like a beach day book club.”
Since priority was given to bookstore members, McKenzie-Greer says she expects most attendees to be local residents.
“We’re expecting a real mixed bag of people, from younger people in their 20s and 30s to mid-career professionals and retirees. The real beauty of it is that we’re bringing people together.”
Plans are also in the works for a Grown-Up Book Fair at Side Launch Brewing in Collingwood on March 22. See nottawacottagebookstore.ca and Page 2 for details.
