The beauty of book clubs is they not only make your life more literary but also introduce you to new friends—all while offering you a meaningful indoor activity during these cold winter months. Here’s an array of book clubs tailored for seniors:
Alexandria
Afternoon Book Club
Jan. 18, 2 p.m.
Meeting every third Wednesday, the club’s next book is Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations. // Burke Branch Library: 4701 Seminary Road, Alexandria
Cozy Mystery Book Club
Jan. 9, 1 p.m.
This club gathers every second Monday at the Hollin Hall Senior Center, a Fairfax County facility with an extensive list of senior activities. This month, they will examine A Thyme to Die by Joyce and Jim Lavene. // Hollin Hall Senior Center: 1500 Shenandoah Road, Alexandria
Arlington County
Culpepper Garden Book Club
Jan. 6, noon
This group gathers the first Friday of each month to explore both fiction and nonfiction, and it offers copies of each book. In January, they will read The Orphan Master’s Son by Adam Johnson. // Arlington Central Library: 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington
Lee Senior Center Book Club
Feb. 7, 11:15 a.m.
The Lee Community & Senior Center offers everything from folk sing-alongs to “ancient art movement dance” as well as a book club that meets the first Tuesday of every month. // Lee Senior Center: 5722 Lee Highway, Arlington
Fairfax
First Friday Book Club
Jan. 6, 11:30 a.m.
Held at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, this group welcomes members of “varied backgrounds and life experiences.” This month, the club will read The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende. // Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia: 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax
Fauquier County
Marshall Afternoon Book Club
Jan. 11, 1 p.m.
This general-purpose book group explores titles from January to November and gathers for a picnic in the summer and a holiday party in the winter. Their January book is Euphoria by Lily King, and their meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month. // John Marshall Branch Library: 4133 Rectortown Road, Marshall
Bealeton Book Club
Jan. 18, 7:30 p.m. & Jan. 19, 2:30 p.m.
In an effort to meet the needs of many schedules, this club meets twice a month—once in the evening on the third Wednesday of the month and once in the afternoon of the third Thursday. // Bealeton Branch Library: 10877 Willow Drive N., Bealeton
Loudoun County
Carver Center Book Club
Jan. 25, 10:30 a.m.
The Carver Center is open weekdays from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. just for seniors and then opens up to all ages after 2 p.m. On the fourth Wednesday of the month, a volunteer from Purcellville Library runs the book club, which offers copies of the selection. // Carver Center: 200 Willie Palmer Way, Purcellville
Leesburg Senior Center Book Club
Jan. 11, 10 a.m.
This club’s January selection is The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion, and members get together the second Wednesday of each month. // Senior Center of Leesburg: 102 North St. NW, Leesburg
Prince William County
Brit Lit Book Club
Jan. 30, 1 p.m.
Though the club looks at several genres when it meets on the last Monday of the month, all titles are set in the British Isles. This month’s book: Dark Corners by Ruth Rendell. // Potomac Community Library: 2201 Opitz Blvd., Woodbridge
Great Beginnings Book Club
Jan. 11, 1 p.m.
On the second Wednesday of each month, this new club invites prospective members to bring a book they like and chat about what the next month’s selection should be. // Haymarket Gainesville Library: 14870 Lightner Road, Haymarket
NOTE: Some book clubs may require membership and/or fees, and many offer copies of the selected book. Contact each organization directly with questions.
