This is the reading community you've been looking for!
I am on a mission to build a bookish community and one of the ways I do that is through my literary salons (read more about this tradition here!). This means every month I host two virtual book discussions: one on a new, modern novel and the other on a classic novel. You can see all the upcoming books for the next six months by clicking here.
My local book club is free. Why does Le Salon have a cost?
Well, not only is the technology and date/time organized for you, but I also use my research skills from my master’s degree in English literature to bring you all the relevant and interesting information about the author, the novel, and what scholars and critics are saying. This means you get all the info with none of the Googling legwork!
Not just that, but the discussion questions are original. I always craft my questions in a thoughtful way, based on themes, characters, and plots—much different than the reader’s guides you might have seen in the back of books! Plus, having someone facilitate the discussion means we stay focussed on the book and the space remains a safe place for sharing ideas.
➡️ I know people prefer to try before they buy to make sure they understand what they’re getting, so I have an introductory offer of 40% off your first ticket (I know you’re going to love the experience!).
With that said, here are six things I know you’re going to love about my monthly online book discussions:
1. You can talk as much or as little as you want. I always hold space for everyone to speak, but I know some people enjoy listening more and others like to speak up more—it’s totally up to you!
2. Life gets busy and sometimes reading falls by the wayside. It is ok if you don’t finish the book before we meet—show up anyways! Often this can shift how you interpret the rest of the book you’re reading.
3. I create a safe and respectful space so we can talk about difficult subjects with the book at the centre. From Passing by Nella Larsen to Orlando by Virginia Woolf, we use novels to talk about and explore themes of race, gender, and politics. It is ok if you are learning (or unlearning) ideas around these complex topics, so are the rest of us!
4. I give you all the juicy context on the novel and the author before our discussion. I spend the first 15 minutes or so giving you any information that I think will add to your reading. That might be the author’s inspiration for the work or historical context to understand the era in the book.
5. Hearing how others interpreted a novel/scene can totally alter your reading. This is one of my favourite parts of my online book discussions! I believe we always apply our own experiences and lenses to a novel but discussing with and listening to how others understood bits of a book can shift your perspective and bring new things to light for you.
6. We laugh and have a fun time connecting! It is so cool to meet with bookworms in different cities without even leaving the comfort of your living room. So, pour a glass of your favourite drink and come join the community!