The Premiere of Holliday Farms Book Club (HFBC)
The Most Exclusive Book Club in the Midwest? You Bet.
I get it, you’ve heard this before. You’ve even joined a book club or two in the past. But after six months, the group dwindles, people stop reading, and meetings turn into an excuse for cocktails over lunch. Eventually, no one checks the pulse, and the book club quietly dies.
Sounds familiar?
It usually starts with you and your friends chatting over dinner:
“What book are you devouring right now?”
Suddenly, titles are flying, your Goodreads list explodes, and someone inevitably says:
“We should start a book club!”
Everyone is “all-in.” But the email or text never comes, and by the next social event, no one has organized it.
So, after nearly two years of hearing this same story play out, I’ve decided to make it happen. This time for real. I’m partnering with Stroll to launch the Holliday Farms Book Club (HFBC), and this time, we’re keeping it fun, simple, and sustainable.
The HFBC Rules:
We Do Talk About the Book Club! C’mon, this isn’t Fight Club. Love Chuck Palahniuk, such a great writer. We might even pick one of his books to read one day, but the goal is to bring people together, so spread the word! Share on social media your title and progress, post photos of the get-togethers, and (most importantly) text friends to sign up!
Adults Only. By all means, bring your spouse or bestie, but let’s keep this a kid-free zone so everyone can actually enjoy the discussion. If it’s tough to read a book next to my two toddlers (unless written by Dr. Seuss), I’m sure no one wants to juggle a meltdown mid-meeting.
One Book Every 2 months. Let’s keep it manageable. That’s only six books a year! What’s our first pick? Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Available in every format (Kindle, Paperback, and Audiobook) from Amazon (QR code below).
Two Fiction, One Memoir. I love fiction, but I get that some prefer nonfiction. The plan is a 2:1 rotation with two fiction picks, then one high-level memoir that reads like a novel (think Britney Spears’s or Matthew Perry’s). But we can see what the members ultimately like and pivot as needed!
How to Sign Up?
Scan the QR code for the book
Fill out the JotForm sign-up link (coming soon via Stroll)
Or… DM me on Instagram (@indy_rican_md)
When Do We Start? Tentatively on Tuesday, July 1st at 6:30 p.m. (Final location TBA with Stroll’s help but will likely be at a local spot near Holliday Farms, possibly Sixty’s Pool Bar, Starbucks, Aspasia, or Rivet?).
Who Picks the Next Books? We all do! I’ll curate five great titles, and we’ll vote. If someone has a book they’re dying to read, we can add it to the mix!
Why the Most Exclusive Book Club in the Midwest?
Because it has you in it.
Well, there you have it! The official launch of the Holliday Farms Book Club, sponsored by Stroll Magazine! Excited to join? Have a title you’ve been waiting to read? DM me or bring your suggestion to our first meeting!
(Amazon’s QR code for Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt)
This article was originally published on Stroll Holliday Farms Magazine (May 2025 issue).
