“I love about the concept of the Silent Book Club – there’s no crazy stress about needing to read a certain number of chapters or prepare a discussion beforehand,” Jessica Ferroni explained. In July, she helped host Geauga County’s first Silent Book Club at Ferroni’s Café & Coffee in Middlefield.
Ferroni explained how the concept works. “You just bring whatever book you’re reading or have been trying to get around to reading, chat with your fellow readers for a bit if you like, enjoy your book and beverage until the hour is up. Then you can continue reading or talk books with other attendees,” she noted. “It’s such a great idea, and perfect for those who want to be a little more socially active without draining their social battery.”
But just how did the international Silent Book Club concept come to Middlefield, Ohio? Like any good idea, it started with a little collaboration. “Last September, Jessica did a lovely Coffee Tasting event for us,” noted Paula Wagner, Head of Adult Services at the Geauga County Public Library Middlefield Branch. “Jessica is such a joy to work with!” Wagner added. “I asked if she would be interested in having a book club at Ferroni’s Café & Coffee, and she readily agreed.”
“Then I attended a Silent Book Club event with my adult daughter in Pennsylvania,” Wagner explained. “It was a collaboration between the local library and a winery.” Wagner noted that while she wasn’t sure what to expect, she really enjoyed the SBC. “It was wonderful spending time in unique, casual setting, silently reading with people of all ages.” Wagner thought the concept would fit in well at Ferroni’s Café, not knowing it was already on their radar.
“An SBC is something we had been discussing at the Café,” explained Jessica Ferroni from Ferroni’s Café & Coffee. “There’s a picture floating around on socials describing a Silent Book Club — how it’s the perfect low-key event for introvert and extrovert readers alike.”
“It wasn’t long before we applied and were added to the world map of the Silent Book Club world movement!” Wagner marveled. “I’m surprised by the number of people I meet at library outreach events who mention that they have never visited our library – and these are people who have lived in the area for decades.” Wagner noted that self-described ‘non-library’ people may be encouraged to visit the library if they meet a friendly staff member in a non-traditional place, like the Café. A program like the SBC can help connect readers to the resources they may not have known were available at their local public library.
Ferroni concurred sharing, “The biggest reason we spun the Cafe on Springdale off from my family’s small coffee shop (Ferroni’s Allegro) roughly a year ago was that I wanted a place where people could relax, chat and have a mocha or tea, and just be together,” Ferroni explained. “That’s why we host so many events: to help people connect and find others with shared interests.”
“I didn’t even realize how globe-spanning the SBC is until I looked at their map – how neat is it to be a part of the worldwide community of book lovers in our little county? And Paula is an amazing hype-woman!” Ferroni marveled. “We sat down in one afternoon and worked out the details together.”
The local SBC, called ‘Read-A-Latte’, began this summer. It’s the first SBC in Geauga County. “The feedback we received from our soft launch was very positive!” Ferroni noted. “It was such an exciting feeling to connect with new friends and discuss the books they were reading. One thing I know about avid readers is that we’re always looking for our next book, and this is a chance to ask questions and get ideas about which book to read for next month, Ferroni shared. “Our baristas are already coming up with book-themed drinks for our next meeting,” she added.
The Read-A-Latte Silent Book Club meets at Ferroni’s Café & Coffee (14950 Springfield Avenue) in Middlefield every third Thursday at 10 am. There’s no need to register, just bring whatever book or eBook you’d like to read. Grab a drink, chat (if you’d like to), then silently read for an hour at this non-traditional book club. Read-A-Latte SBC takes place on September 19th, October 17th, November 21st, and December 19th.
