This article is an installment of Katia Graham’s series of columns for the La Jolla Light called “Overdue Column: A Love Letter to Libraries, Literature and Locals.”
You’ve heard about the joie de vivre (the joy of living). But what about the joie de livre (the joy of the book)?
Let us read for the sake of reading. Let us come together for the sake of doing so, spending time discussing books and connecting as people who share an appreciation for reading. After all, we want to read more. We all should read more. And this will give us an opportunity to connect with others, hang out with people we’ve been meaning to see and possibly make some new friends along the way.
You are invited to me for Joie de Livre. It’s more of a reading party than a book club. The first of these monthly reading rendezvous will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, at The Living Room Coffeehouse at 1205 Prospect St. in La Jolla.
The theme will be “that book you’ve been meaning to read.” Please bring the book so you can explain why it’s on your radar. This is your chance to socialize a bit and finally crack that book open. This is also an opportunity to do something nice for yourself.
Joie de Livre is for ages 21 and up. Though I normally specialize in children’s reading events, the best way to raise a reader is to be a reader as an adult. The Economist surveyed Americans and reported that only 54 percent of respondents said they had read or listened to a book in 2023. This cannot be!
My hope is for Joie de Livre to be so successful that it will get us reading more at home, too. And as if we needed another incentive, there will be a free beverage giveaway for one lucky attendee.
Joie de Livre was inspired by a recent reading party in Brooklyn, N.Y. When I saw the coverage in The New York Times, I thought, “What a great idea!” longing for my own community to have such a gathering.
To sign up for Joie de Livre, please email me at [email protected]. See you soon!
Katia Graham has a master of management in library and information science degree from USC. She is a former children’s services librarian at the La Jolla/Riford Library and is the founder of Librarian on the Go, a catalyst to encourage reading and community engagement through librarian outreach services. ◆
