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Although reading is, in itself, a solitary activity, people often enjoy discussing their favorite books and authors with other people. And for decades people have gathered together to celebrate their love for the written word at a Book Party.
For decades book parties were often known as quiet, homebound affairs involving close friends and family members. A scene in “Gone With the Wind” depicts the sedate hostess Melanie Wilkes reading to a small group of female friends as they worked on knitting projects. Traditionally, the Book Party was an intimate event celebrated at home, involving the people most familiar to the host and accented by the serving up of cakes, cookies, muffins, coffee, and great literature.
The character of the Book Party shifted slightly from the ‘60s through the early ‘80s, as many communities featured community book clubs and parties at more public venues, ranging from book stores to restaurants to coffee houses. The Book Party became more of a social event where people could meet, drink coffee and wine, and break bread as they discussed their favorite reads. And instead of just casually discussing these works, the group would set forth a designated set of discussion topics and talking points surrounding the books.
From the ‘90s through today, book parties have taken on a more universal character, this thanks to the World Wide Web. People from around the world, who may never have met in real life, convene online in chat rooms and Internet groups to discuss their favorite books. A homemaker in the United States could be talking Tolstoy with a doctor in Africa; and teens could be gushing over the Twilight series in different languages, from various parts of the globe.
In this day and age, the Book Party has morphed into a universal festivity, with people around the globe united by their love of the written word. Plan a Book Party today!
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