Located in the heart of midtown Ventura, Calif., Timbre Books is one of the town’s thriving independent bookstores. With its charming interior and friendly staff, the bookstore is a welcoming atmosphere to all local readers. Each month the shop hosts a book club meeting, open to anyone and all who are interested. The book, which is picked from people’s suggestions, changes each month.
The latest meeting, hosted on Nov. 20, 2024, discussed acclaimed author Sally Rooney’s latest novel, “Intermezzo.” The contemporary fiction novel was highly anticipated to hit the shelves, as Rooney received much recognition for her past three books, particularly the devastating novel turned TV show “Normal People.” “Intermezzo,” published on Sep. 24, 2024, is an Irish novel about two brothers and their relationships following the death of their father. “These aren’t books that I would typically pick up myself, and I thought that was a really fun thing to stretch on,” Samantha Ransdell, a returning member of Timbre, remarked.
The book club began with an open discussion, with the attending members discussing whether or not they enjoyed the novel. From then on, there was no particular structure to the conversation – the discussion flowing through various topics featured in the novel. Members were able to voice their opinions as much as they liked without feeling pressured to speak. The conversation explored a wide range of topics such as character development, grief, sibling dynamics and relationships in the book. The discussion as a whole was respectful but lively, with attendees speaking their minds and debating while also being able to listen to others’ opinions. Sarah Jones, who is a regular attendee at the book club, said that one of her favorite aspects is “just the conversations and everybody’s input … hearing everyone’s opinion is really fun.”
As someone who hadn’t even read “Intermezzo,” the conversation was still engaging and lively. I walked out of the book club intrigued, wanting to delve into the novel myself. Timbre Books’ book club has brought together the community, people of all ages, to discuss a shared love of literature. Mirna Villeda, who works at the bookstore, added that “everyone gives suggestions for the next pick, so I think that helps it be more wide … there’s a larger variety with the books that are being chosen, and then it’s not just what we want, it’s what the community wants to read.”
From sharing new book ideas to connecting with other fellow readers, the book club is a collaborative environment that cultivates a community centered around books. Whether you’re looking for an interesting new read, or looking to engage in some intellectual conversation, Timbre’s book club is truly a special place to be.
