Books. Maybe you love the smell and the feeling of the pages, or perhaps you’re more of an e-reader fan. No matter how or what you’re reading, there is bound to be a nearby book club that will suit your tastes through one of the many local independent bookstores in central Arkansas.
Beth Quarles, owner of Paper Hearts Bookstore in the Pettaway area of Little Rock, said when she first opened the store, it was with the goal of bringing together people through books. Because of this, hosting a wide range of book clubs has been at the heart of the store since it started.
Quarles said she has watched friendships and relationships blossom through the book clubs that Paper Hearts hosts.
“It’s so rewarding,” she said.
WordsWorth Books Co-owner Lynne Phillips said she has seen an increased interest in book clubs recently.
WordsWorth Books
“People are looking for connections and places outside of the home and work to gather,” she said. “We are also a third space — a place for events that bring our community together, whether that be book clubs, storytimes, author events, jigsaw puzzle contests, or book and wine pairings.”
Quarles said that supporting local bookstores rather than big book retailers is important to the community and the economy.
“Everyone that works at Paper Hearts is a neighbor,” she said.
By shopping locally, book lovers can keep their spending within the local economy. She said it is also easier to build a relationship with a worker at a smaller, local store, and that employee can give recommendations for new books that each customer will like.
Paper Hearts Bookstore
Phillips echoed this sentiment.
“Local independent bookstores are more than just a place to buy books, and we offer more than a retail transaction for customers. We offer friendly, knowledgeable conversation and personalized service,” Phillips said.
Since National Book Lovers Day is coming up on Aug. 9, there has been no better month to start attending a new book club (or two or three). Below is a non-exhaustive list of clubs that some of the bookstores in central Arkansas are currently hosting.
Pages & Ink
1018 Van Ronkle St., Conway
501-777-5751
- Pages & Ink’s monthly book club meets on the last Thursday of each month and focuses primarily on romance titles.
Pages & Ink
Paper Hearts
408 E. 21st St., Little Rock
- General Fiction – This club chooses a wide selection of books, so even if something does not strike you as interesting one month, you can always jump in on a different month. This club meets on the second Thursday of the month.
- Spooky Stories – Just like it sounds, this book club focuses on the horror genre primarily. It meets on the third Wednesday of the month.
- Silent Book Club – This is a great option for someone who does not want to feel obligated to read the same thing as a whole group, or even feel obligated to talk to other people when they go to the club. Silent book club includes 45 minutes of reading any book you want, and then you can choose to stay and discuss books with others, or just leave if you prefer. It is held on the last Monday of every month at Pettaway Coffee.
- Read Between the Wines – Every other month, this ticketed book club takes place at a local restaurant and features a wide range of books. More information for upcoming ones can be found on the bookstore’s social media.
- From Page to Stage – “Theatre can be a little intimidating, so this club is a way to step into it,” Quarles said. This club meets to discuss the show they’ve read, and then attend a local production of that show, before meeting again to discuss their thoughts on the stage version versus the story on the page.
- Book Lovers Club – For this new club, there is no assigned book, but people are encouraged to come talk about the book they are reading and connect with other book lovers. Stay tuned on social media to see when this will get started up.
Paper Hearts Bookstore
Pocket Dimension Bookshoppe
713A N. Main St., North Little Rock
501-904-1948
- Central Arkansas Science Fiction Book Club – This book club spans a wide range of science fiction picks and meets on the third Tuesday of every month.
- Little Club of Horrors – If you’re looking for spooky reading selections, then try this club, which meets on the last Tuesday of each month.
- Pride & Joy LGBTQIA+ Book Club – This club invites queer and trans adults to join in community to read books that reflect a wide range of LGBTQIA+ experiences. It meets on the second Tuesday of the month.
- Reading the Hugos – Read and discuss potential Hugo Award nominees on select Thursdays at the shop.
- Little Rock Fantasy Punk Book Club – This book club, which is new to the shop, will have its first meeting on Sept. 10.
Pocket Dimension Bookshoppe
Sammy’s Bookshelf
11121 N. Rodney Parham Road #13A, Little Rock
501-554-5090
- Sammy’s hosts one store-sponsored club a month on the last Tuesday of each month. The club alternates between fiction and nonfiction selections from month to month. August is a nonfiction novel month.
- For questions and to double-check dates of the clubs you are interested in, be sure to reach out to the shops directly or check their social media.
Sammy’s Bookshelf
WordsWorth
5920 R St., Little Rock
501-663-9198
- Worth the Read Book Club – This is a general-interest book club. Selections are generally contemporary fiction, with an occasional nonfiction work, Phillips said. This group meets on the second Tuesday of odd-numbered months.
- The All Voices Book Club – This club focuses on books by traditionally marginalized authors or featuring marginalized characters. They gather on the second Thursday of even-numbered months.
WordsWorth Books
Feature Photo Credit: iStock/aquaArts Studio
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