Debriefing before our second meetup

A few thoughts I haven’t already shared.

• Someone read the debrief I posted after my test flight, and she brought a small light to share because I mentioned how dark it gets. This is the kind of people we’re reading with. How wonderful is that?
• Baron’s group shots are fantastic.
• I never want to pressure anyone into being in a group photo, but I am so grateful everyone at that first meetup was game!
• Ten attendees was a great number, but there is no ideal number. If it’s ever just me, I’ll be completely fine. If it’s more or fewer, it’s all good. I just want to provide the opportunity for whoever wants to take it.
• We read for about 90 minutes at the last meetup. I’m wondering if that’s too long for some people. Looking at other Silent Book Clubs worldwide, I see almost every other group reserves an hour for the quiet reading. I admit I got a little squirmy in that last half hour, but I was also grateful we still had it.
• I did in fact bring a roll of paper towels and a spray bottle, and they made cleaning the table a lot faster and a lot better. I’m going to keep a spray bottle (just water and liquid dishwashing detergent) and a roll of paper towels in my Silent Book Club box, which doesn’t exist yet but will before Thursday.
• When you’re playing host, you’re never fully in the book. However, this little shortcoming is more than made up for by seeing all the people around me fully in their books. It’s truly a joyful thing to see people just enjoying reading alone together.
• The beer at the Puka is quite good, but I’m grateful there are other options. May just get coffee this week.
• Today I sent an email to the proprietor of a local bookstore, to see what we can set up together. I’m super excited about the possibilities!
• The hippos are just a thing. They are not meant to be permanent avatars for this silent book club, but I’m enjoying them while they’re around.
• I am still riding really high on how successful the last meetup was, and will echo what one of the participants said last time: I’m socially very awkward, but everyone was so nice!