Shhhhhhh

A club with dedicated quiet time may sound counterproductive, but for Silent Book Club it’s the norm. Silent Book Club is a global organization with more than 1,000 chapters. Traditional book clubs often pick one book and assign a deadline to finish, with the added pressure of feeling like you need to say something insightful. 

“I don’t want anyone to tell me what to read. I don’t even necessarily want to discuss the deeper meaning of what I’m reading. I just want to be entertained,” says Gillian Grdina, who began the Pinehurst chapter last month. There are no fees, but meetings are typically hosted at local businesses like wine bars or coffee shops. “It’s a good way for adults to make friends,” Gillian says, “Coming to something like this you know you have at least one thing in common with everyone around you.” 

The structure is simple: arrive at the location, mingle a bit, find your spot and then Gillian will set roughly an hour timer for reading to begin. Afterward you can socialize — or not. “It’s a way for introverts to sort of unite with only having to interact minimally,” laughs Gillian.

All ages are welcome, as long as they stay are able to stay quiet during reading time. The next meeting is from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9 at Pine Scone Cafe in Pinehurst. See the schedule on Instagram.