Best For Book Clubs Novels & Stories

I didn’t even like books. Maybe that should’ve been my first clue. But after getting dumped by my ex—over text, mind you—I needed something, anything, to take my mind off it. That’s how I found myself in this dimly lit club, clutching a glossy pamphlet I barely skimmed before showing up. The Book Club: Where Your Desires Come Alive.

I’d make some new friends, and if that didn’t work out, I’d still have my coursework and classes. The book club met twice a week to accommodate for classes and the time it’d take to read the books, but it went from nine PM to midnight or later, just like a writing workshop—or so I was told. They were more than happy to let me join in, much to my relief, and were very welcoming. One of the girls in the club, Alice, talked to me as everyone waited for whoever volunteered their car for the evening to arrive.

I sat on Xavier's lap, Dane and Theo on either side of me as we chatted with their parents, Marilyn already popping one of the faerie bottles and pouring four glasses. She handed one to me and I blinked in surprise. "If you're joining Book Club, you'll need to get use to the buzz." She winked. My ears twitched and they all chuckled. "You'd allow me to join your Book Club?" I asked, Xavier squeezing me sweetly. The mother's smiled at me, sitting shoulder to shoulder beside Dane. "Theo says you're reader of classics." I smiled and nodded. "I love them." Thena pulled out a bag from under the table.

I can’t. MidnightReader: Okay but can we talk about the ice??? Because I’m definitely trying that SpicyBooks4Life: “Pleasure that feels like death” - I FELT THAT I scrolled through the comments, giggling despite myself. These people had no idea they were reading my actual life. Then I saw a new comment thread forming. NightOwl_Reader: Okay guys, we need to talk. This community is getting HUGE. We need a name. RomanceAddict47: Yes! Like a secret club for readers who are obsessed with this story

But thеrе’ѕ something аbоut meeting thоѕе сhаrасtеrѕ fоr the fіrѕt tіmе, wаtсhіng thеіr ѕtоrу unfоld and taking thаt fіrѕt jоurnеу tоgеthеr thаt саn’t bе rерlауеd. Thаt’ѕ whу I’m sad whеn I fіnіѕh a bооk, bесаuѕе I’m grіеvіng for the characters I hаvе tо say gооdbуе to. Yеѕ, I have a mіllіоn mоrе bооkѕ tо read аnd a mіllіоn mоrе еxреrіеnсеѕ to gо through, but I hаvе a lіѕt оf books thаt have blоwn mе аwа у, thаt have рullеd mе in ѕо I lіvеd еvеrу wоrd оn thе раgе. Thоѕе are thе bооkѕ thаt you don’t fоrgеt, despite being a hundred bооkѕ оn, I’m ѕtіll hungover fоr thе trulу bеаutіful ones I lеft bеhіnd.” “Sо Kellan and Travis and thе others аrе lіkе thе Championship fіnаl fоr mе.”

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“No doubt.” “What about those two small FedEx boxes?” “Most recent novels from Samhain Horror.” “Awesome. Those books I bought at the Webb County Library sale last week?” “Sorted into general and mystery fiction. Struck the mother lode with all those Mary Higgins Clark novels.” “We cater to all tastes, miss. Unless you like Twilight, 50 Shades of Gray or James Patterson. Folks want drivel, they can drive to Utica.” “Hey. I actually liked Twilight. It wasn’t all bad.”

I’m trying to be patient, but it’s harder than I’d like to admit. Two months ago, I opened my bookstore, and it’s been incredible. Twice a week, we host book clubs, and I’ve made it a point to bring one of the guys with me to each session. It’s hilarious watching their faces as we dive into the discussions. The women seem to enjoy it too—something about discussing steamy romance scenes with a bit of eye candy in the room. The door finally creaks open, and I sit up straighter as they walk in.

Yet here I was, in this room full of people who had chosen me, not because they had to, but because they wanted to. I smiled, a real one this time, and sat at the center of the circle. April clapped her hands together, bubbling in excitement. “Okay, enough of the emotional display. Let’s get to work. Book Club is officially back in session!” Laughter filled the room. We started tossing around ideas for the next reading list, but the discussion quickly turned into a chaotic mess of inside jokes and playful teasing. Maya insisted we include something “dark and brooding,” while Sammy argued for something “funny, because God knows we all need to laugh more.” April rolled her eyes and wrote both

Sometimes we go to a book club which we both love. “Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover.” “Oh my God. I love that book. It made me cry.” “Yeah I know. It’s the third time I’m reading it.” I put some laughing emojis on the message. “What are you reading?” I ask her. “Things We Left Behind. Lucy Score.” She has placed heart emojis and book emojis at the end of her message. “Oh wow. I love that book. I’ve read the two after it. You need to get them.” I tell her, noticing that a smile is on my face as I lay here in the dark.