Reading has seen an increase in popularity, with celebrities hosting their own online book clubs and bookstores being rebranded as trendy. Once an activity associated with quiet introverts, reading has become the new ‘it-girl’ pastime. This cultural shift has resulted in book clubs growing in popularity as creative spaces where readers can connect, discuss ideas, and form a sense of community. Book clubs encourage critical thinking and the discussion of new ideas in a safe space, which is important, especially post-graduation. Some book clubs meet over glasses of natural wine, while others discuss feminist topics online. Below are some of Dublin’s book clubs, suited for many different tastes. Whether you want to read your own choice of book in a silent safe-pace, or discuss science fiction books in your favourite book store, hopefully there is a Dublin book club for you.
Trinity Centre for Literary and Cultural Translation: World Book Club
Trinity Centre for Literary and Cultural Translation’s World Book Club meets on the third Tuesday of each month online to discuss a recently translated piece of literature. The most recent meeting discussed Kinderland by Moldovan writer Liliana Corobca, translated from Romanian. The book club has esteemed taste, as the September edition discussed Kairos by German author Jenny Erpenbeck, which won the International Booker Prize this year.
Silent Book Club Dublin
The Silent Book Club is a unique book club concept that has transformed into a global community of readers with around 300 clubs across the world. The concept of the SBC is that readers can gather together to read whatever book they want, without any deadlines or assigned reading. The goal is to form a sense of community within the introverted reader community. This book club meets monthly at Mish Mash on Capel Street. For more information check out their Instagram page @silentbookclubdublin.
Little Bird Book Club
Little Bird, the cosy cafe and yoga studio in Portobello, host their book club every month. This book club is perfect for those who love wholesome activities such as yoga, reading, and going to cafes, as it attracts like-minded individuals who frequent Little Bird. Past book club choices are usually contemporary fiction such as August Blue by Deborah Levy, or The Bee Sting by Paul Murray. While this book club does have an entry fee for each session, often €12, it includes a glass of wine and shared snacks. They sell their tickets on Eventbrite, so be sure to follow them there for information on their next meeting.
Hodges Figgis Book Clubs
A favourite book store to many, Hodges Figgis hosts three different book clubs, each meeting monthly. They have a crime book club, a sci-fi and fantasy book club, and their general fiction book club, catering to a variety of readers. These book clubs are perfect for those who are hesitant to join book clubs as they only read specific genres of books (crime or science fiction), or for those who simply love spending time at Hodges Figgis. The book clubs are free to join, meet at the bookstore, and updates are regularly posted on their Instagram page and website.
Feminist Book Club Dublin
The Feminist Book Club meets monthly online to discuss either fiction or non-fiction books relating to feminism. The group prides itself on picking intersectional books, so the topics of feminism discussed are as inclusive as possible. The Feminist Book Club is a spin-off to the Feminists in Dublin group, which meets twice a month to discuss different feminist topics during each meeting. While the group meets online, it is great to talk to other feminists in the city and learn more about feminism in a light-hearted safe space setting. Information about their meetings can be found on their page on MeetUp.
