Middle Georgia Silent Book Club provides safe haven for bibliophiles: ‘The love of reading’ 

WARNER ROBINS — The Middle Georgia Silent Book Club is creating a safe space for bibliophiles. 

The club meets every Tuesday at Decadent Dessert Bar to share their current reads in a cozy environment. From 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., members bring whatever they are currently reading. Johnson said members’ ages vary greatly, up to her mother, who is 84. 

“It’s a great way to be around other bibliophiles and people who just love to read. There’s a freedom to reading what you want at your own pace,” she said.

The club is unique, with no required reading. It’s BYOB: bring your own book. Co-creator Holly Johnson says members can also bring audiobooks, e-readers or newspapers of any genre.

During the last 15 minutes, members introduce themselves and share current reads. Johnson believes this is a great way to get book recommendations and meet fellow book lovers. 

Attendance is free, unless readers want to purchase an item at Decadent. 

The club is approaching its first anniversary next month. Trish Del posted on Robins-to-Go her interest in starting the club and Johnson immediately wanted to assist.

“We became fast friends and we worked really hard to get the word out,” she said. 

Del was involved in a similar club in her home state of North Carolina. When she moved to the area, she wanted to bring a piece of home with her and meet other bibliophiles. Del has since stepped away from operations, but left it in good hands with Johnson and other admin, Crystal Noll. 

The club has grown significantly. Johnson created the club’s Facebook page, which started with 200 members. The group has grown to almost 700. 

She believes word-of-mouth and bookmarks with their QR code have helped with promotion. 

The club advertises upcoming meetings on Facebook, sharing with groups across the area. They are also listed on the official Silent Book Club website, connecting locals to the chapter. 

Johnson said the club only met twice a month. After a record-breaking meeting, meetings were bumped up to the first three Tuesdays. The club has also hosted pop-ups on Saturday mornings at various locations for those unable to meet during the week.

“We’re trying to include as many people or as many businesses as possible. I believe the more locations we have, the more available capacity we have for more people to join us,” she said.

The club has also been invited to participate in the recent Middle Georgia Lit Fest, where they set up a table and talked to people about their chapter. 

“It’s open to all ages, and it’s a good way for extroverts and introverts to get together over the shared love of reading,” she said. 

Johnson said the goal is a fully inclusive club, open to all genders and backgrounds. 

“Reading is not defined by a culture, race, color or age,” she said. 

Johnson’s love for reading started at a young age, inspired by her mother, also an avid reader. She has since passed on the love of reading to her daughter.

“We are intergenerational with our love of reading and we’re very lucky to have that and not have it be mandatory,” she said.

Johnson invites young readers to participate and grow to love reading as much as she does. She said the club does not promote authors, sell books, or do book swaps because it is not about the financial aspect.

The club is looking forward to celebrating its first anniversary next month and to continue being a safe space for readers. 

“Whatever makes you happy makes us happy. It’s just the love of reading … it doesn’t matter if you’re 10 or 94, you are welcome here.”

To keep up with the Middle Georgia Silent Book Club, visit their Facebook page.