Latest news with #MandyShunnarah
Axios
08-08-2025
- General
- Axios
Local book lovers are reading together, silently
When author Mandy Shunnarah moved to Columbus from Alabama, she hoped to find friends who loved reading as much as she did — just not necessarily the same books. So she started a silent book club. Why it matters: Shunnarah was ahead of the curve. Nearly a decade later, such clubs are gaining traction nationwide as a low-pressure twist on the traditional assign-and-discuss format. How it works: Participants meet regularly in public places and read any book at their own pace. Aside from quick introductions, chitchat is optional. Anyone can drop in to discover new reads and new people. Zoom in: Shunnarah's group meets the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30pm at the Clintonville Raising Cane's, 5132 N. High St. The group of regulars has grown so large — typically 25-35 people — that it's been hard to find a free space to gather that also allows food. The fast-food restaurant has embraced their dinner time meetings and has even started turning off its overhead music during reading hour, she says. 1 cute thing: Shunnarah tells Axios she met her partner of three years through her club. What they're reading: Titles run the gamut, from vampire novels like " Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil" to " Team Building," a memoir about Google contract workers' efforts to unionize in Pittsburgh. The big picture: Today there are nearly 2,000 official silent book club chapters in over 60 countries worldwide, per the official website. What they're saying: It's fun to "nerd out about books" with others without feeling pressured to analyze what's on the pages, Cassie Fulton tells Axios.
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dayton Metro Library open to receive applications into poetry contest
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – The Dayton Metro Library is accepting applications for its 'Where We Belong' poetry contest. The application window will be from Monday, Feb. 10, to Wednesday, March 5. Contestants are encouraged to explore the theme of 'belonging' by writing about their personal views of home, community, and identity. Residents of Greene, Miami, Montgomery, Preble and Warren counties can enter the contest. They are limited to entering one poem in any of the following categories: Child, Second through Fourth Grade Child, Fifth through Eighth Grade Teen, Freshman through Senior Adult, ages 18+ Both written and spoken poems can be accepted. Written poems are limited to one page and spoken poems must be submitted via a YouTube link (without tagging DML). The submitted poem must not contain profanity or language that incites violence. Poems that are aligned with the rules will be judged on originality, creativity and impact. There will be a prize for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each category. Authors will keep the copyright to their work. Entries can only be submitted online. The winners will be notified on Friday, March 28, and will be invited to the Poetry Showcase on Thursday, April 24, at the Main Library. The emcee of the showcase will be special guest Mandy Shunnarah. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
