Reading by candlelight 🕯️
Meet author George Saunders on tour, or join a silent reading vigil!
Next week marks the release of VIGIL, the latest novel from award-winning author George Saunders. As brilliant a writer as Saunders is, he sadly has not (yet) mastered the art of teleportation so his author tour can only cover so many stops. But never fear, readers, Silent Book Club and Random House are bringing the book launch party to you!
SBC chapters across the U.S. will be hosting candlelight meetups to celebrate the launch of our very first SBC Reads pick, and to bask in the glow of silent reading in community. If you live in one of these cities, RSVP to grab a spot!
Honolulu, HI - Jan 28
New Haven, CT - Jan 29 *** Snow delay! Postponed to Feb 12 ***
Atlanta, GA - Jan 31
Denver, CO - Jan 31
Tampa, FL - Feb 1
Huntsville, AL - Feb 2
Join us LIVE on Instagram! 🎙️📚💀
No matter where you live, all readers are welcome to join a live book discussion on January 29 with Silent Book Club cofounder Guinevere de la Mare and the folks behind the Silent Book Club of Death. We’ll dive into the book’s themes—from end-of-life reckoning to the role of a death doula—and discuss how George Saunders approaches these profound topics with his signature humanism and singular imagination. Whether you’re curious about death awareness, a Saunders fan, or just looking for a good book chat, you won’t want to miss it!
About the book – K.J. Boone is an oil company CEO and unrepentant climate change denier on his deathbed. Jill “Doll” Blaine is a spirit who has arrived to ferry him from this world to the next. Her previous charges have been greatly comforted in their final moments. But this tycoon will not be consoled, because he has nothing to regret. He lived a big, bold, epic life, and he will believe ‘til his dying breath that the world is better for it. But is it?
Listen to author George Saunders introduce the book and read aloud the first 1,000 words over on his Substack, Story Club with George Saunders.
“A magnificent expansion of consciousness . . . Saunders has crafted a novel that feels deeply resonant, especially in these fractious times.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Where the Heart Meets the Sea is an emotionally rich love story with themes of lost and found family in a stunning Norwegian island setting. A perfect book club read!
Announcing new chapters!
January is always our busiest time of year for welcoming new chapters, and our Programs Manager, Jazmyn, has been absolutely cranking to get new organizers registered and chapters launched. Welcome to all! We’re so glad you’re here. 💛
Bolivia: La Paz
Finland: Lohja
Japan: Hotaru
Philippines: Cantabaco (Barangay)
Portugal: Sintra
South Africa: Cape Town Deep South (Glencairn), Karoo, Ramsgate (KwaZulu-Natal),
UK: Belper (Derbyshire), The Cotswold Book Room (Gloucestershire)
Netherlands: Bibliotheek Mierlo
USA: The Black Lit (Cincinnati, OH), Gnoll’s Loot Table (Kalona, IA)
Mabel Public Library (Mabel, MN), Amblebrook (Gettysburg, PA)
Common Good Co. (Waltham, MA), Word on the Street Books (Livermore, CA)
The Literary Leaf (Clarkesville, GA), Hesston Public Library (KS)
Conejo Valley (Thousand Oaks, CA), Sherwood Bookstore (OR)
Sans Liège (Pismo Beach, CA), Departure Coffee (New Freedom, PA)
Goshen Public Library (Goshen, NY)
Morrisville, NC; Plaquemine, LA; Lexington, VA; Federal Way, WA
Tulsa, OK; South Haven, MI; Vernon Hills, IL; Slayton, MN
Find your local chapter
Check out our map to connect with a local chapter near you. You can search by location, filter by venue type, or join an online gathering. If there’s a chapter missing from the map, or a listing that’s no longer active, please let us know!
