Our Get to Know Our Clubs series gives you an inside look into book clubs using Bookclubs, in case you need a little inspiration. These clubs are building unique communities on our platform, so let’s admire their ingenuity and creativity.
Book clubs are born from existing friend groups, workplaces, library communities, and many other places, but have you heard of a book club started by a Barbershop? The club we’re highlighting today did exactly that! The Barbershop Book Club started as a small group of barbershop patrons and has grown into a wonderful community of friends and family members. The club’s admin, Cody Wright, has taken things a step further to bring more meaning to his own reading experience and those around him with his creation of Blue Line Bookmarks.
Read on to learn more about The Barbershop Book Club + Blue Line Bookmarks, and how Bookclubs helps Cody keep his club organized and thriving.
Tell us a little about The Barbershop Book Club and how it came about.
I’ve always thought you can learn at least one thing from anyone. Owning a barber shop I get to meet people I would never have met otherwise. This provokes one of my favorite questions: “Name one book I should read.”
We end up chatting about their recommendation, my recommendation, what I'm reading that day. In the interest of getting back to my job these talks often end prematurely.
Eventually someone asked, “could we do this every month or so after you close the shop?” So, we started picking a book and a bottle of whiskey to talk about.
Since The Barbershop Book Club’s inception, its membership and structure has changed over the years. What has that evolution looked like?
At our first meeting there were two of us. From there membership grew when clients asked to join. Then they started inviting friends they thought would enjoy meeting with us.
How has Bookclubs helped keep your club organized and thriving?
Bookclubs might be the only reason I put the effort into formalizing The Barbershop Book Club. If I’m going to do something it has to be organized. Bookclubs was instrumental in my being able to keep the club organized, scheduled, and provide a clear channel for members to communicate. I can’t do without it.
What are your tips for hosting successful meetings and inspiring thought-provoking discussions?
I try to keep things as simple as possible. Currently we only have two guidelines for meetings. Read the book and be respectful. As the host, I usually make sure to have a few general questions on hand in case the conversation falls. [Pro-tip: you can be prepared too with a Bookclubs discussion guide].
Tell us about Blue Line Bookmarks and where the inspiration to create them came from.
Blue Line Bookmarks started as a way for me to add an additional layer of meaning to my own books. The “source” and “motivation” sections highlight who recommended the book, where did I get the book from, and why I’m reading it.
A best seller you bought for yourself on Amazon or a self-published title for a friend bought at a local market, those details are part of the story.
How does using Blue Line Bookmarks enhance a reader’s experience?
Try as we might, you'll forget that favorite passage, epic speech, new word, or concept. Blue Line Bookmarks are a prompt so you note these often forgotten details every time you read and make them part of your personal collection by keeping your notes with each book.
How can interested readers purchase a Blue Line Bookmark?
Look for Blue Line Bookmarks at your local indie bookstore. If they haven’t heard of us please help us spread the word. You can always find us at BLUELINEBOOKMARKS.COM
What book is currently on your nightstand?
An Introduction to General Systems Thinking by Gerald M. Weinberg
As an added bonus, we are giving away 20 Blue Line Bookmarks + some goodies from Bookclubs over on our Instagram! Head there now to enter for your chance to win.
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