Interested in joining a book club? Look no further

Last week, The Press published a letter to the editor about the Riverdale Y book club seeking new members. However, the author was confused and her letter turned out to be a mistake. The book club is thriving, with a waiting list to boot.

But local literature lovers need not fret because Riverdale is teeming with book clubs, many eager to welcome new members. Two groups have formed in recent months as organizers cited a rising interest in reading collectives throughout the community—a practice going back more than a century.

In the early 1800s, book clubs emerged in the form of intimate literary salons, often hosted by women’s groups, churches and libraries. They reached new heights in the Roaring Twenties when the Book of the Month Club revolutionized the concept, bringing curated selections to a national audience. Decades later, the launch of Oprah’s Book Club sparked a cultural shift, transforming mainstream reading habits with newly crowned bestsellers.

Riverdale offers plenty of options for bookworms of all walks of life. Whether you prefer lively discussions over dinner or gatherings at community centers, you’re bound to find your perfect match.

REMOTE REFLECTIONS

 For those interested in the Riverdale Y’s reading group, reserved for adults 60 and up, they may want to check out “Mickey’s Book Club” – the group originally meant to be highlighted in the letter to the editor.

Founded by Mickey Krakowski, 94, “Mickey’s Book club,” brings literary discussion to life through Zoom, offering an accessible and engaging option for those who love to read.

“[Our members are not] all in their 90s, but they’re not so young” she explained. “We were an older bunch to begin with, and now we're certainly older.”

Though the 12-year-old book club began meeting in-person, the pandemic shifted their gatherings online, and they’ve kept the virtual format ever since. 

Although the group has shrunk from a dozen to about six or seven participant – due to age and some inevitable losses – it continues its monthly tradition.

The pick of the month rotates among members, and this month, Mickey picked it Alfred D’Allesandro’s, “B-Side of Paradise.”

RESTAURANT READERS

Annemarie Golden is an original member of a nameless book club going strong for about a decade. Formed by a group of strangers through the social platform Meetup, it’s now grown to 15 core members – although the number of active participants varies month to month.

They meet at Moon Star Grill on Johnson Avenue the last Wednesday of every month. Once the clock hits 7 p.m., the restaurant transforms into a haven for literary exploration and for two hours, Golden and her counterparts delve deep into reflective conversations over fried rice and dumplings.

“We like books that will evoke discussion,” she explained. “The idea is to read things you may never read, so it could be fiction or nonfiction. It could be a bestseller. It could be a book that's 80 or 90 years old.”

Each month, a different member selects a new read, aiming for titles under 300 pages.
In March, the club read “Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine” by Gail Honeyman. Up next: Patrick Radden Keefe’s, “Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland.”Although open to all ages and genders, Golden expressed a shared interest in seeing more men join to welcome a wider range of perspectives.

DINNER AND DISCUSSIONS

Those searching for a more intimate setting, another unnamed book club may be more your speed. Wendy Allegaert, involved since 2022, is one of about six avid readers participating in a bi-monthly gathering consisting of an informal dinner party held in a member’s home.

Although the group aims to come together every other month, the gaps between meetings can often be longer.

“We’ve gotten to know each other somewhat socially, but it’s mostly people who want to come and talk about books you’d never think to read,” Allegaert noted.

The group is currently reading “Beauty and Sadness” by Nobel Prize-winning writer, Yasunari Kawabata. Each book is determined by a member of the book club, rotating each time.

LIBRARIANS AND LITERATURE

After a long hiatus, the Riverdale Library has revived its in-person book discussions. The branch launched its new book club in February with Zora Neale Hurston’s, “Their Eyes Were Watching God” as the inaugural pick.

“We wanted a book club for people who work during the week or have busy schedules,” Rebecca Brown-Barbier remarked, library manager. “I noticed there's been a lot of interest lately on the Riverdale Facebook page and social media in general, so it seemed like the perfect time for this.”

The Saturday session commences monthly at 12 p.m. in the branch’s meeting room at 5540 Mosholu Ave. The first meeting drew nine attendees and interest continues to grow, with more readers registering for upcoming discussions. The group is capped at 15 members, though the library can accommodate up to 20 if demand increases.

The next meeting is scheduled for April 26. This time, the group will discuss “Brooklyn” by Colm Tóibín and enjoy tea, soda bread and cookies – on theme with the book.

Along with this new addition, the branch offers a virtual short story discussion through Zoom, led by librarian Helene Samburg. She said its members extend far beyond Riverdale, with some tuning in from as far as South Korea.

The library extends its support beyond its own book club, keeping stories in everyone's reach by supplying an array of works to local institutions, including assisted living facilities.

CAMARADERIE, COVER-TO-COVER

One budding book club the Riverdale library serves is at the Riverdale Neighborhood House. Still working on its first read, the four-person group is actively looking to grow and can accommodate up to 10 readers.

“We’re not just focusing on a discussion about the book, but also getting to know each other over coffee, tea and refreshments,” Lidia Torres said, director of community strengthening at the Riverdale Neighborhood House.

In November 2024, the nonprofit conducted a survey to identify new programs residents wanted to see. The results showed interest in forming a dedicated reading circle. In response, the Neighborhood House introduced the new program.

In addition to works like best sellers, the book club also plans to feature local authors on their reading lists – like their current selection, “Lessons for Survival” by Riverdalian, Emily Rabato. It addresses themes of climate change and social justice – something Torres expressed is part of a plan to read books that bring light to issues of national and global importance. 

The club will host Rabato for a book talk in May and aims to highlight more Bronx authors.