Join a Book Club

Arlington is quietly one of the best cities in the region for book lovers who want to read with other people. The Arlington Public Library alone runs more than a dozen free book clubs spanning a remarkable range of formats, tastes, and schedules. The lineup includes Book Whisperers (contemporary fiction and nonfiction, 4th Thursdays at Westover Library), Cherrydale Library Book Club (4th Mondays online), Court of Fiction (contemporary fiction, 3rd Saturdays at Courthouse), Escapism (lighter literature, 2nd Wednesdays online), Love is Love (LGBTQIA+-themed titles, 4th Mondays at Shirlington), and Never Too Old (adults reading young adult titles, 3rd Tuesdays online) — among others. The High School TAB and Rainbow Reads clubs serve teens specifically. Click the Arlington Library Book Club link for more information.

For those who prefer their literary discussions accompanied by a cold beer, the Westover Beer Garden Book Club  meets the third Monday of every month — one of the most civilized and enjoyable book club formats imaginable. Alcoholic beverages are available for those 21 and older, and the relaxed setting lends itself to the kind of honest, wandering conversation that good books tend to inspire. Meetup.com also lists several independent community book clubs meeting across Arlington in coffee shops, living rooms, and community centers — a good resource if you’re looking for a specific genre focus or a smaller group dynamic.