Readers Recommend: A Literary Show-and-Tell That Masquerades as a Book Club

Unlike a traditional book club with everyone reading the same book, you can think of this as a literary show-and-tell.

Come ready to recommend a book you've recently read that's on-theme with the month's topic.

December means RESOLUTION READS. Not sure what that means? Here are some ideas:

• Growth and reinvention! Think characters or real peopel starting over, finding purpose, or redefining themselves.
• Reflection and attention! Think published journals, diaries, or collections of observations that show the art of noticing, slowing down, and making meaning out of everyday life.
• Exploration and curiosity! Think travel writing, science, history, or philosophy that made you see things differently.
• Resilience and courage! Think stories of overcoming hardship or taking leaps (personal or societal).
• Creativity and play! Think books that inspired you to make something, take a risk, or look at your own art differently.
• Community and connection! Think stories about building relationships, movements, or traditions that matter.

A few rules:

1. No self-promotion. The book cannot be written by you, nor by a friend or family member.
2. Recent reads only. Bring something you've read (or re-read) in the last month. Keep it fresh in your mind.
3. Respect the time. Keep shares brief so everyone gets a turn. If you're sharing, plan to speak for about three minutes on what the book is, why you loved it, and who else might enjoy it.
4. EMAIL AHEAD! Let us know what book you'll be promoting at least a week in advance so we can stock copies. Please email YnJ5biB8IHNhcmFzb3RhYm9va3MgISBjb20=.
5. Keep it conversational. After each recommendation, others can ask questions or chime in, but keep it friendly and supportive.
6. Any genre goes! Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, graphic novels - it's all fair game.

The goal is discovery. Everyone will leave with a list of new titles to explore!

Interested in attending, but don't want to share? Not a problem! Everyone is welcome.

Also check out other Arts events in Sarasota, Literary Art events in Sarasota.