9 book clubs for all those looking for a reading community
Despite Stanford’s campus hosting a never-ending supply of events and talks, communities for avid readers are a rare find. I have compiled a list of many of the book clubs and book club-adjacent events. I have segmented them into those that are open to all Stanford affiliates and ones only available for select graduate students or staff.
Groups open to all Stanford affiliates:
Stoner’s Book Club
Location: In front of Mariposa House
Timing: Fall quarter, Tuesdays at 12 p.m. or virtually on Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Organized by writer and Stanford Creative Writing lecturer Austin Smith, this group meets weekly to discuss John William’s 1965 novel “Stoner.” This club was recently founded in response to Stanford’s “future-firing” of all 23 current Creative Writing Jones Lecturers. Smith said he “wanted to lead a discussion on [his] favorite novel about academia to reflect” on his grievances with his home department.
The group currently includes only a small number of students, but is open to anyone who wants to engage in lively discussion and celebrate the humanities at Stanford.
Afrofutures Now
Location: Black House, McMurtry Building
Timing: Dec. 2 from 12:00-1:15 p.m.; Dec. 8 at 7 p.m.
Open to all and co-sponsored by the Black House, this new group unites those who are presently endeavoring to build diverse and liberating futures for Black people. Afrofutures Now, which functions as a joint book club and workshop, illuminates political and social messages within Octavia Butler’s “Parable of the Sower.” The last session of the quarter, the night of Dec. 8, will include a film screening of “They Cloned Tyrone” to emphasize the “contemporary iterations of Afrofuturist thought.”
Center for the Study of the Novel Programs:
Location: Margaret Jacks Hall (460-411) or virtually, via Zoom
Timing: Details on future events throughout the year can be found here.
Mostly geared towards faculty and graduate students, the center hosts irregular talks based around the study of literature as human expression. As a community focused on examining the various forms of narrative aesthetics, this group commits to using interdisciplinary studies to guide their celebration of the novel and its relation to history and culture.
Aiming to answer “fundamental questions in literary theory,” this center is directed by Professor of Iberian and Latin American Cultures Héctor Hoyos. This project also includes a “Working Group on the Novel,” whereby advanced graduate students can meet in person two to three times per quarter to gain feedback on their works in a supportive environment.
Another Look Book Club
Location: Varies, but is typically held virtually via Zoom
Timing: Meets quarterly
Founded in 2012 by the former Dean of Stanford Creative Writing Tobias Wolff, this group hosts irregular panels with the goal of reviving the simple joy of reading. Discussion members include Stanford’s top scholars and writers, as well as other renowned figures from the U.S. and beyond. Books are selected with busy people in mind, hoping to share short masterpieces that may have been overlooked or forgotten. The sessions run for approximately an hour and a half.
The Longevity Book Club
Location: Virtually, via Zoom
Timing: Meets monthly on weekdays from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Run by Stanford’s Center on Longevity, this group hosts renowned authors and researchers to share their findings on aging and how to lead a healthier life. The talks are open to anyone who registers and covers topics like brain health, fostering stronger connections and mortality. Previous books covered include “Why We Die” by Venki Ramakrishnan and “Tough Broad” by Caroline Paul.
Method’s Café
Location: Varied
Timing: Irregular installments throughout academic year, approximately once a month
Hosted by Stanford’s English Department, this dialogue series invites two faculty members at a time to have a conversation about literary theory. Previous talks have covered a wide range of topics, with its most recent iteration on Oct. 17 hosted by Stanford’s Denise Gigante and Princeton’s Christy Wampole. Each text is chosen to exemplify the relevant theoretical models.
Groups open to graduate students
The Contemporary
Location: Pigott Hall (Building 260), Room 216
Time: Monthly on Fridays 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Currently reading Hannah Arendt’s “The Human Condition,” this club enlists Stanford faculty, graduate students and visitors to examine the innovative and wide-ranging label of “the contemporary.” Focused on three defining moments of contemporary culture (1945, 1989 and 2001), the group relies on an interdisciplinary approach to understand politics, culture and the arts. As a means to stimulate meaningful and continued discussion, the papers are pre-circulated and an online platform is available for members.
Groups open to faculty and staff
Stanford University Women’s Club
Location: Virtually or in person (must register to be given location)
Time: Second Monday of each month (September through to June) at 1 p.m.
Operated within Stanford University Women’s Club, this club aims to promote friendships and establish mutual interests through engaging literary discussion. Membership is open to active or emerita faculty, senior administrators, scholars and family of faculty. The facilitators of the group, Kathryn Spitzer Kim and Suzie Lincoln, select the books for the following academic year in July. Upcoming books include “Evil Geniuses: The Unmaking of America” by Kurt Anderson and “James” by Percival Everett.
Stanford Surgery Department’s Book Club
Location: Contact Rachel Becker (rebaker@stanford.edu) for details
Time: Meets virtually on the last Thursday of every month
This book club is exclusively open to staff, faculty and trainees within Stanford’s Department of Surgery. Suggested by department members and chosen via popular vote, books are most frequently fictional texts but can be nominated from any genre.
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