After years away, I rejoined my old book club — a mix of familiar faces, great food, and lively debate over The Briar Club by Kate Quinn. Not everyone loved the book, but that’s what makes these nights so good. Between laughter, opinions, and a few too-gooey brownies, I remembered why I missed this group. Once a month, a drive and a story feel like the best kind of reset.

Book clubs can reignite a love of reading. After years of only scanning work emails and online articles, I joined a local book club and rediscovered the joy of getting lost in stories. From The Goldfinch to The Night Circus, each meeting was filled with lively discussion, laughter, and connection. Though I’ve since moved away, that time remains one of my favorite seasons of reading—and it even inspired me to write a book of my own.