D.C. is obsessed with book clubs (like obsessed). And we’re not complaining. Not only do they force you to stay well-read, they’re also a way to build community outside the workplace. But with clubs on everything from cooking to labor politics to Gilmore Girls, how do you possibly choose?!
Consider Why You Want To Join a Book Club:
Is it to learn more about D.C. history? To make new friends? Is it to have philosophical discussions? To get through the classics? This will help narrow down your search.
Browse Your Options:
Most of D.C.’s independent bookstores have public book clubs. Here are a few places to start:
Little District Books (Eastern Market) – A queer-owned and focused bookstore, so they have a lot of clubs centered around the LGBTQ community.
Sankofa Books (Park View) – A Black-owned bookstore with book clubs focusing on the African American experience.
Lost City Books (Adams Morgan) – They have loads, but their most popular is the meet-cute book club.
The D.C. Public Library (Varies) – Dozens of clubs on everything from travel to local Black history to “intimidating” books.
Bold Fork Books (Mt. Pleasant) – This bookstore hosts cookbook clubs, where everyone brings something they made from that month’s cookbook.
Lost City Book’s has some of my favorite book clubs in D.C. (Kaela Cote-Stemmermann/City Cast DC)
Attend Your First Meeting:
You won’t know if it’s a good fit until you go! To make it a little less intimidating, try going with a friend or to a bookstore you already love.
Still Not Seeing the Book Club for You?
We talked on City Cast DC with local book club expert Serena Zets about her favorite book clubs and even how to start your own! Here are some standouts she mentioned:
- Knits n’ Yarns (Solid State Books) - Knit and talk about what you're reading.
- Intimidating Book Club (West End Library): Work your way through gargantuan classics.
- Reading with Rory (East City Bookshop): Read a selection of the 339 books Rory is filmed reading in “Gilmore Girls.”
