A new book club is pairing fine books with fine wine at Smithers pubs and restaurants.
Book Lovers’ Night Out is organized by the Smithers Public Library one Tuesday each month. It had its first meeting at the Alpenhorn Bistro & Bar Nov. 10. The next drop-in meeting is set for 7 p.m., Dec. 8 at the Alpenhorn.
“For the next couple months we’re going to be at the Alpenhorn, but then there’s an option to go to different venues around town,” said library program and events coordinator Melissa Sawatsky.
She added that the club is meant to bring book lovers out into a public venue as a social gathering for all book lovers to meet and share their literary interests.
“It’s just a feeling that you get together and discuss literature over wine and just being out and about, kind of bohemian — reviving that idea, I guess,” said Sawatsky.
Not every month will have a dedicated book. December’s theme is war and conflict, with everyone choosing their own book.
“We’ll have a discussion about how different authors have approached or dealt with that. And then January we’re all going to read the same book, and that will be distributed at the December meeting,” said Sawatsky.
The library will be handing out the books along with appetizers for any who drop in.
“We’re always remaining open [to drop-ins] and will post each month at the various community event boards and the library website what we’re reading or what scene we’re reading on so that if people are interested in dropping in and seeing what it’s all about, they can do that,” explained Sawatsky, who enjoyed meeting new people at the first meeting.
“People will end up in a book club with individuals they may not have ended up in a book club with ... That’s part of what we’re after, creating community in a way.”