Two years today, we got together for the first ever Buffy’s book club. As with any anniversary, it’s impossible NOT to wonder how on earth time has passed so quickly. Two years of Buffy’s?! I really cannot believe it. It’s changed my life, in terms of work, turning a hobby into a job, the structure it has given me, the people I have met, and through the expansive experience that reading more and more will always be.
I feel repetitive at points with the ways in which I say ‘thank you’ to you all, as I really don’t have the words to say how grateful I am. I have calls with brands, venues, and publishers every week who say such kind things to me about what I have built, when really you all deserve the credit for this. You have built it with me, invested in Buffy’s, taken the time to recommend books, to come to events, to be open and welcoming to every one who walks through the door. Buffy’s is truly a community, and one I am so proud to be a member of.
My favourite book club discussions since 2024
Needless to say every book club is completely different, and that is mostly driven by the book we discuss. Some of the least popular books have been the most lively discussions (The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides), and some of my favourites have been really divisive (The Sea, The Sea by Iris Murdoch). My stand out reads have been Stoner by John Williams, A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley, and Childhood, Youth and Dependancy by Tove Ditlevsen.
Here is a list of all the books we have read together so far, since June 2024, which I thought would be nice to include as a little reference if you are looking for some reading inspiration:
Big Swiss by Jen Beagin
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
Evenings and Weekends by Oisin McKenna
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai
Childhood, Youth and Dependency by Tove Ditlevsen
Perfume by Patrick Süskind
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
Stoner by John Williams
Symposium by Muriel Spark
Love In The Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides
Madonna in a Fur Coat by Sabhattan Ali
The Sea, The Sea by Iris Murdoch
The Group by Mary McCarthy
NW by Zadie Smith
Inspector Imanishi Investigates by Seicho Matsumoto
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Verdigris by Michele Mari
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
The Door by Madga Szabó
A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley
The Vet’s Daughter by Barbara Comyns
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
Looking at this list I can see how we collectively have moved in a more literary direction. I am proud of how much time we spend researching our choices, and I think we have read an incredible list of diverse literature over the last two years!
Buffy’s Next Chapter
My main goal for us going forward is to meet more of you, to read better and better books together, to continue to grow this community through our events. We are planning some big events for later this year, I cannot wait too announce some of them, and I hope to be lucky enough to continue to work with brands so we can bring really special experiences to you at a really affordable price (or free!). I have so many even grander plans too (a Buffy’s pop up?! A place we can all meet and read together all the time!!!), an endless list of cultural spaces I would love to host in, and just the longest reading list known to man.
Obviously, NONE of the past two years, and whatever is to come, would be possible without the community we have built and grown together. Thank you so so SO much to everyone who participates in Buffy’s, whether you’ve been here since 2024 or are a new member.
I would love to know what you want to see from Buffy’s, and any personal highlights you have had, as well as your favourite book discussions or events.
To the next two years!
Lizzy xxx
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