OUR STORY
We were founded in April 2022, with the hope of bringing together a community based on one shared passion.
Based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, we are an active and enthusiastic Book Club with events and meet ups taking place monthly.
Each month we read a different book collectively as a group and share our honest views and opinions.
Our next book is then voted for by our attending members. Every month features a new theme to keep our reading list fresh and diverse, exploring a wide range of genres and unique perspectives.
Members are always welcome to recommend books for the upcoming months.
OUR mission
At the Shrewsbury Book Club, our mission is to bring the community together through a shared love of reading.
We promote a safe and friendly environment, open to all and encourage our members to engage in fun and thought provoking discussions, while making friendships that will hopefully last a lifetime.
OUR club
We offer free monthly face to face meetings for three groups, providing the opportunity to discuss our book of the month in a dynamic space where members can explore new genres, discover new authors and connect with fellow book lovers.
In addition, we offer the chance to take part in social activities outside of book club to encourage friendships and build upon the sense of community.
We welcome members from all backgrounds. Everyone is welcome.
not just a book club…
Outside of book club, we try to organise a variety of activities that take place between meet ups. Book club is a safe place for many and we want to strengthen those bonds while doing everything we can to support our local businesses. With book themed cinema trips, pottery painting, yoga classes, murder mystery nights, book trips, ice hockey games, local tours and walks, we have it all covered. Suggestions from members are always welcome and we always try to cater to diverse interests.
how do i join?
We are so excited that you want to join us!
We are currently closed to new members and have temporarily paused our waiting list while we roll out our brand-new, members-only app and streamline our booking process.
The best way to reach us right now is via Instagram DM. We will post updates on our social media channels the second our waiting list reopens, so keep an eye out there!
can i join online?
YES! Our Virtual Chapter is the official online home for discussing our current Book of the Month. Whether you missed the live event, are waiting to join us in person, or online works better for you, head over to our Facebook group to share your thoughts and see what everyone else is saying.
There is no waiting list for our online book club. This runs at the same time as our Wednesday night group and can be accessed via Facebook.
OUR FOUNDER
Hi everyone, I wanted to introduce myself and share a little bit about the story behind Shrewsbury Book Club.
My name is Nadine. I’m 29 years old, I’ve lived in Shrewsbury my whole life, and I run SBC alongside my full-time job. Outside of work and reading, my favourite things in life are my dog, holidays, country music and watching the sunset.
My love for books started when I was a child. Reading has always been my escape from reality and a way to adventure into unknown worlds, which became especially important to me during the pandemic. At the start of lockdown in 2020, I created a bookstagram account (@naaddssbooks) to share reviews and keep up with reading trends. It introduced me to a wonderful world of book bloggers I didn't even know existed, and through that community, I’ve been fortunate enough to collaborate with authors and attend exclusive book events.
When life returned to normal, I realised how much I missed that sense of connection. I had taken part in an online book club during lockdown, but I really wanted to find a face-to-face group locally. When I couldn’t find one in the Shrewsbury area, I decided to take a chance and set up my own.
Public speaking has never been my strong suit, so when 15 to 20 people showed up to our very first meeting in April 2022, I was incredibly nervous. If you had told me back then that we would eventually be hosting three nights a month with over 200 members attending, I wouldn't have believed you. Stepping so far out of my comfort zone was daunting, but seeing the community this club has become is more rewarding than I ever could have imagined.
Thank you so much for being a part of this journey with me.
Nadine x
