READ (GREAT) LITERATURE IN GOOD COMPANY.
Together, we read one (cult) classic book a month. When so much is vying for your attention, put your trust in enduring literature.
In the BOOK CLUB, we go deep into a book’s culture to reflect on its meaning & significance—why does it matter & what can we learn?
Onboarding Materials—
Mailed to your home, these materials include prompts and questions to articulate your influences, creative projects, and goals. In light of your intellectual biography, what are the threads you can connect between who you are and the formative cultural resources of your life? In the Reading Residency, this question matters.
READING GUIDES —
Every month, we send you a Reading Guide via newsletter that’s both educating and entertaining: we guide you through a deep, close reading while covering the basics and never forgetting the gossip—we always include the good stuff.
COMMUNITY —
Our raison d’etre, our community makes it all worthwhile. That’s why we chat on our Community Forum in Geneva to not only discuss the book, but to share the articles, quotes, and gifs that will enrich your reading experience and truly make you feel a part of the Club.
ARCHIVE ACCESS —
Members enjoy access to our archived Reading Guides and recorded Book Club Meeting content. Not only have we consolidated everything into a single essay (with great pics), but we continue to add to old entries when we create new content.
CURRENTLY READING
THIS MAY
An unhappy love affair, a portrait of a hypocritical society, and an exploration of exile and breakdown; all written in Rhys's hauntingly simple and beautiful style.
READING NEXT
IN JUNE
An intimate and devastating story of the path of two lovers through the ruins of a relationship, set against the backdrop of a seismic period in European history.
Shortlisted for the Booker International 2024.
Sign up to read with over 100 Members next month, and enjoy the convenience of receiving your book mailed to your door.
MODERATED BY
ASHLEY PATTISON-SCOTT
Ash is a reader, a MFA candidate at Sarah Lawrence, a writing teacher, and the So Textual Book Club Moderator. Previously, she was the Creative Director of The New Literary Project.
“While I do love the feeling of reading a book on my own, listening to the words echo in my mind as I go about my day, I think I love discussing books just a little bit more. Reading is how we make sense of ourselves, but discourse is how we make sense of ourselves in relationship to the world.
In a culture that values the individual, I’m thrilled to lead discussions with So Textual, a community that values reading in a collective. Together, in discussion, I hope we can multiply our literary ideas and insights to learn, and grow.”
FAQs
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At the beginning of each month, Members receive an email announcing that month’s Book Club selection. If you’ve signed up to receive your book in the mail, it will arrive the first week of the month.
Next, you’ll find updates, prompts, and good conversation in our Geneva channel where you can connect 24 hours a day. It’s a great place for us to share our reading impressions, as well as articles or relevant info.
Throughout the month, we’ll email you the Reading Guides. These are fun explorations on themes and cultural influences, with queries for further engagement in the community channel.
At the end of the month, we meet virtually with our Book Club Moderator to discuss the book together. It’s our favorite hour of the month and a great way to make friends.
Lastly, we are (currently) working to archive everything to the website so that you have access to all the content—even from Book Clubs before you became a Member. Stay tuned!
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Yes! Our Geneva community allows people from different countries and time zones to connect. (However, not all countries permit Geneva access—be sure to check your country’s guidelines.
Additionally, while our Book Club meetings always take place on EST, we will be recording and archiving them on the website beginning in 2024. This will make it possible for those in other time zones to still attend the meetings. (Please be patient as we develop the infrastructure to do this—it is a top priority but may take us a bit of time to execute).
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Unfortunately, we can only ship books within the contiguous United States.
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If you have an enduring (cult) classic in mind, we’d love to hear about it! Email us at info@sotextual.com to put it on our radar.
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Of course! We love to receive both constructive criticism and raving reviews. Your feedback lets us know what’s working, what isn’t, and how we can better improve our offerings.
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We understand—work, vacations, life. If you need to pause your Membership subscription for a little while, simply email us at info@sotextual.com.
WHAT MEMBERS ARE SAYING
“The sexiest book club on earth.”
— Erin C.
“So Textual is one of those internet gems I'm tempted to gatekeep, but I can't stop telling everyone I know. Every newsletter is sharp & delicious. Receiving one in my inbox feels like being invited to a fabulous dinner party. All for the price of a coffee date? I'm obsessed.”
— Madison H.
“I have been a voracious reader my entire life, and So Textual is giving me the opportunity to access books I otherwise would never have known existed. I feel intellectually challenged by the selections, and I love the opportunity to connect with others who care so deeply about literature. I also love that there’s no “snobbery” - readers of any level can feel comfortable learning how to engage a text. I’m so glad I joined!”
— Jessica C.
”…the prompt mailing, beautiful packaging of the book, & the thoughtfulness of the onboarding materials also in hard print is beyond my expectation. This has been such a pleasant surprise for me, & I am so looking forward to my journey in this group! …Bar none the most pleasant consumer experience I have encountered in quite some time.”
— Eleanor W.
SLOW READING is an immersive & reflective practice that often leads to greater understanding, insight, & personal growth.
Give yourself the gift of a reading practice, & enjoy the magic that belongs to those who cherish stories to enhance lived experience.
NOT READY TO COMMIT?