Arts & Entertainment

Tacoma’s 13 best book cubs

With cold weather upon us, you may feel more in­clined to settle down in front of the TV and binge watch “The Office” for the 10th time, but resist that urge! Fall is the perfect time to dive into a new book. Joining a book club is the perfect way to keep on track with your reading and make friends who have similar interests. Luckily, Tacoma is chalk full of book clubs for every type of reader.

BOOKS ON TAP

Hosted by Tacoma Public Library, Books on Tap is a book club geared toward readers aged 21 and older. This club aims to create a space for adult readers to interact with one another while also supporting local breweries around Tacoma. In the spirit of Halloween, Books on Tap’s next discussion will be Halloween themed. October’s read is “Franken­stein” by Mary Shelley — and cos­tumes are definitely encouraged.

Meeting Dates: Last Tuesday of every month
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Tacoma Narrows Brewery

BANNED BOOK CLUB

The Banned Book Club strictly reads books that have been banned from schools or libraries. This club covers banned books from a variety of genres with past reads including “How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Ac­cents” by Julia Alvarez and “A Wrin­kle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle. The club is currently reading “Death and the Maiden” by Ariel Dorfman.

Meeting Dates: Third Thursday of every month
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Doyle’s Public House in the meeting room

BUDDHISM TODAY READING GROUP

Sponsored by the Tacoma Bud­dhist Temple, Buddhist Today Read­ing Group focuses on connecting Buddhism to the modern world and applying Buddhist principles to cur­rent issues. Though they focus on Buddhist principles and teachings, the club is nonsectarian and open to everyone. They are currently reading “The Dharma of the Princess Bride” by Ethan Nichtern.

Meeting Dates: Second Thursday of every month
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: King’s Books

THE CLASSICS BOOK CLUB

Since 1994, the Classics Book Club has met in Tacoma and contin­ues to read a variety of classic works. They read classic literature both an­cient and modern with past reads including “Les Miserables” by Victor Hugo and “The Phantom of the Op­era” by Gaston LeRoux. Their Octo­ber read is “The Turn of the Screw” by Henry James.

Meeting Dates: Second Wednesday of every month
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: King’s Books

GRLS STUDIO BOOK CLUB

This book club only reads books written by female authors, focusing on exploring literature written from a female perspective.Past reads in­clude “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Mar­garet Atwood and “A Room of One’s Own” by Virginia Woolf. The next GRLS Studio Book Club meeting will be Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. During the meet­ing, members will pick the book they will read in November. Drinks and snacks will also be provided.

Meeting Dates: Monthly
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: GRLS studio, 728 Pacific Ave.

LGBTQ BOOK CLUB

Open to everyone, this book club reads both nonfiction and fiction novels. LGBTQ Book Club aims to provide a safe space that is open to everyone. In the past they have read “Call Me By Your Name” by Andre Aciman and “God in Pink” by Hasan Namir. November’s book pick is “Sensing Light” by Mark A Jacobson.

Meeting Dates: Second Saturday of every month
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: The Rainbow Center

LITERARY MEDICINE BODY AND SOUL BOOK CLUB

The Literary Medicine Body and Soul Book Club focuses on books with themes tied to the human expe­rience, human suffering and medi­cine. The club is open to everyone and is geared toward those inter­ested in learning about health and wellness. Past reads include books such as “Still Alice” by Lisa Genova and “Being Mortal” by Atul Gawa­nde. This group’s November read is “Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers” by Robert M Sapolsky.

Meeting Dates: Every first Thursday
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: King’s Books

NIGHT OWL NATURE BOOK CLUB

A club designed for those inter­ested in the natural world, Night Owl Nature Book Club is an extension of Tacoma Audubon Society. The club is open to everyone and you do not have to be a member of the Audubon Society to join. In the past they have read “Coyote America” by Dan Flores and “A River Lost” by Blaine Harden. They are currently reading “Two in the Far North” by Margaret E Murie.

Meeting Dates: Third Thursday of every month
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: King’s Books

QUEEREST BOOK CLUB EVER

The Queerest Book Club Ever is geared toward queer, trans youth and young adults, but is welcome to all. This group focuses on themes such as coming of age, queer and trans issues, and social justice. Previous reads include “Brown Girl Dreaming” by Jacqueline Woodson and “Not Your Sidekick” by CB Lee. Next month, they will be reading “Two Boys Kissing” by David Levithan.

Meeting Dates: Second Monday of every month
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: King’s Books

SHAKESPEARE READING GROUP

The Shakespeare Reading Group is a club that reads Shakespeare’s work aloud — no acting experience necessary. Parts are distributed at the begin of each meeting. In the past, they have read “Winter’s Tale” and “Hamlet.” They are currently reading his classic, “Henry VIII,” and will meet next Nov. 21.

Meeting Dates: Third Wednesday of every month
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: King’s Books

SPANISH LANGUAGE BOOK CLUB

The Spanish Language Book Club is geared toward intermediate and advanced Spanish speakers who are looking to dive into Spanish litera­ture. The featured book — as well as most of the discussion — will be in Spanish. The club is currently reading “Y Yo No Se Lo Trago La Tierra” by Tomás Rivera.

Meeting Dates: Third Thursday of every month
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: King’s Books

SWORD AND LASER BOOK DISCUSSION

The Sword and Laser Book Dis­cussion is a group that picks a book each month revolving around the world of science-fiction or fantasy. This month, the group is reading “Lovecraft County” by Matt Ruff.

Meeting Dates: First Sunday of every month
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: King’s Books

 

For more information or for your book club to become associated with King’s Books, email
 books@kingsbookstore.com

PHOTO BY SARAH SMITH

Alex Alderman

Alex is studying sustainable urban development. She loves going to events around Tacoma and telling people about them. Her goal is to use her degree to make cities more sustainable.