My Online Book Club

Let me tell you the story of one of my favorite things--my online book club! I've always wanted to be in a book club, and had hoped to start one in my new apartment complex, but we moved in shortly before COVID, and that's still on the back burner. However, my world is not without a club---The One For The Books Book Club. That being said: please check out my friend's blog: https://oneforthebooksblog.com/ !

First, I have to tell you how I met Sami (our fearless leader). I met Sami back in 2018 when I entered and won her first Instagram book giveaway! We were INSTANT friends.

I was lucky enough to win a signed copy of The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan. I had no idea what I was in for when I started reading this book, but I can tell why Sami had used it as her first giveaway. Having just lost my grandmother (my Boubie), I was having a lot of trouble coping. This book honestly was one of the things that got me through that grief. The story was beautiful, the imagery was impeccable, and it was one of the first books I had read in a very long time that gave me "all the feels" (one of my favorite phrases...so just get used to it). Sami opened my eyes to a world I never knew existed. I had loved books in the past, but to be able to feel a special kinship with one book in particular was something I had never felt before.

Almost immediately after reading The Astonishing Color of After, Sami and I realized that we had so much in common. We loved a lot of the same things, had been through similar life experiences, and could always recommend a book to one another that we knew would be appreciated.

Finally, one day she brought up the idea of starting an online book club, where we would read books and chat about them on Instagram. In my opinion, it was one of the best ideas I had ever heard!

This group started small, but has gradually grown into something spectacular. For one, we're way too big for an Instagram chat now, and have moved our operation to WhatsApp, where we all talk daily. Not just about books though--we all share life's joys, sorrows, and photos of our pets. This group of book lovers have quickly become friends. We even had a kick-ass Secret Santa gift exchange!

We've read some amazing books along the way also. Starting with The Reckless Oath We Made by Bryn Greenwood, to Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell, to Forever is the Worst Long Time by Camille Pagan, to Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston, to many more (and counting). Some books we collectively loved, some not so much. But the one thing we all have in common is that Sami was able to bring together a group of people who all shared joy in talking about a good (or bad) book.

During times of uncertainty, it's nice to have a place that feels comfortable. What I've personally found with this group is that, even with all our different backgrounds, we can come together, support one another, and be ourselves. It's important to not lose sight of who we are, and this group, for me, helps keep me grounded.

I'm so grateful for this book club, and cannot wait to see what 2021 has in store for us. Please check out Sami's blog also!