01 August . 2023
Read and socialize with Sweetwater’s “no shame” book club
Sweetwater Book Club leader Danielle Elliott calls it a “no shame” group because if a member hasn’t had a chance to read the book selection in time for the monthly meeting, or if they have to skip a few meetings, it’s no problem.
“The most important thing is we want everyone to feel welcome at all the meetings, even if they haven’t had time to even crack the book open,” says Danielle, who has led the book club since 2021.
While most members do read the books and come prepared for a lively discussion, Danielle, a busy mother of two, understands that sometimes life gets in the way of best intentions.
“Monthly fellowship with neighbors is the most important part of the book club,” she says. “I’ve even had to miss some meetings lately because of my daughter’s athletics.”
The club meets on the first Wednesday evening of every month at the Overlook Club. There are more than 100 residents on the group’s email list, with about 15 usually attending the meetings, which usually include a raffle for a free copy of an upcoming book selection. The annual holiday party, highlighted by a spirited White Elephant book swap, is the biggest gathering of the year.
The group votes on the genres and books they’ll be reading several months in advance, to give members a chance to find them at libraries and other sources.
Some recent and upcoming selections include “The Summer Place” by Jennifer Weiner, a classic light summer read. “The Orphan Train” by Christina Baker Kline is a work of historical fiction, and “The Henna Artist” is part of a trilogy by Alka Joshi. October is usually thriller month.
“We like to explore a variety of genres, to step out of our comfort zones and read something we might not ordinarily pick on our own,” Danielle says.
The book club has been a “lifeline” for Danielle since her family moved to Sweetwater from North Carolina in 2019.
“We didn’t know anyone when we moved in, and the book club was a great way to get out of the house and meet some neighbors, at the same time continuing my love of reading,” she says.
Residents who are not on the list can contact Danielle at dlelliott1974@gmail.com to be added.
Discover more Sweetwater Resident Groups where neighbors gather for everything from hiking and Zumba, to games and yoga.