Silent Book Club Chapter Meets at Central Library | Arts and community

A book club without discussion could be an introvert’s dream.

Fortunately for discreet bibliophiles, a chapter of the Silent Book Club has begun in Newnan.

SBC is a book club that does not require reading. Members bring theirs and read silently among themselves. There is a social period before and after reading during which members can discuss what they are reading, recommend books to each other, or discuss anything that has nothing to do with literature.

SBC was started in San Francisco in 2012 by friends who enjoyed reading together in silence. Twelve years later, according to the SBC website, there are more than 1,000 SBC chapters in 50 countries.

The Newnan chapter of SBC began in February. It meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Central Library at 4 p.m.

After hearing about other silent book clubs, Kathryne Pfundstein founded the local chapter.

“I had seen they had them in Atlanta, but we didn’t have them south of Atlanta. There weren’t any in Peachtree City or Carrollton,” Pfundstein said. “I’m an introvert, so it suits me perfectly.”

Pfundstein said being part of SBC can add a little social dimension to what is usually a solitary activity.

“This way you can do it yourself, but with other people,” she said. “You get a sense of community without needing to do anything specific or talk for a long time.”

By hosting the event at the library, attendees don’t even need to bring their own books.

Machelle Hill, assistant director of the Coweta Public Library System, said hosting the event at the local library is beneficial because librarians can offer book suggestions.

Currently, the group is open only to adults, but Hill said she hopes it will grow so that a version can be offered to younger readers.

“We hope the message spreads and we can do it for our younger ones because we know kids imitate what they see,” she said. “If they see you reading, they will read too.”