King’s Books Offers a Bonanza of Book Clubs

King's Books Tacoma Book Clubs
The Classics Book Club is probably the most active of all the clubs, with about a dozen active members. Photo credit: Ily Goyanes

King’s Bookstore is more than a place to buy books and really cool t-shirts. The downtown Tacoma store is also a starting and meeting place for several book clubs—currently, eight to be exact.

We did some research and compiled a list of all active clubs. With such variety, it is likely you’ll find something of interest, but if not, you can start your own club or bring one of the inactive clubs back to life. In fact, the folks at King’s welcome you to start your own group; members even get a discount on the club’s featured books.

Ready bibliophiles? Here we go!

Classics Book Club

King's Books Tacoma Book Clubs
The Classics Book Club is probably the most active of all the clubs, with about a dozen active members. Photo credit: Ily Goyanes

For more traditional types, there’s the Classics Book Club, which meets at King’s on the second Wednesday of every month. The group, which formed 1994, chooses books across a variety of genres and styles, but they must be 50 years old or older, with occasional exceptions according to club organizer Don Lacky. Recent reads include Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck, Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald and The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway.

The Banned Book Club

Are you somewhat of a rebel? Then the Banned Book Club should be right up your alley; the group reads and discusses books that have been banned or challenged by schools, libraries and – of course – Big Brother. Recent reads include The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X, So Far From God by Ana Castillo and Watership Down by Richard Adams. The Banned Book Club meets on the third Tuesday of every month at Doyle’s Public House, next door to King’s Bookstore. Find out what the group is currently reading by visiting the events page on King’s website or visit the club’s Facebook page.

Vegan Book Club

King's Books
A member of the Classics Book Club takes a break from the discussion to pet Atticus, one of two resident cats at King’s. Herbert, the tuxedo cat, not pictured. Photo credit: Ily Goyanes

If you avoid barbecues like the plague on the off chance that someone will mistakenly serve you a cheeseburger, you’ll probably feel a kinship with the members of the Vegan Book Club, coordinated by the South Sound Vegan Meetup Group. Meet likeminded folk on the fourth Tuesday of every other month at King’s Bookstore. Past books discussed by the group include A Wolf Called Romeo by Nick Jans, Dewey by Vicki Myron and A Buffalo in the House by RD Rosen. The club description states that the “book club is open to anyone interested in a vegan diet, vegans and vegan-curious alike.”

LGBTQ Book Club

If you’re interested in LGBTQ fiction and nonfiction, meet with members of the LGBTQ Book Club on the second Saturday of every month at the Rainbow Center in Downtown Tacoma. The group reads both classic and contemporary works. Its last three reads were Teaching the Cat to Sit by Michelle Theall, Under the Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta and The Days of Anna Madrigal by Armistead Maupin.

Reading for Writers: Fiction

Other active book clubs at King’s include Reading for Writers: Fiction, which meets the first Thursday of every month. This group is a great resource for writers as the group consists of writers who discuss fiction works. The group meets at King’s Books.

Sword and Laser Book Discussion

The Sword and Laser Book Discussion meets the first Sunday of every month also at the bookstore. The Sword and Laser is a national group of science fiction fans, and this group represents the the Tacoma chapter.

Other Book Clubs

Tacoma book clubs
“I really appreciate hearing what they think,” says Kathy Sommer, of her fellow Classics Book Club members. Photo credit: Ily Goyanes

The Poetry Book Club and Food Justice Book Club have just been reactivated after a period of inactivity. As of the writing of this article, there was no further information. Keep checking the bookstore’s website for updates on these two groups or call the store to inquire if meeting times have been scheduled.

The Broad Horizons Book Club (feminist speculative fiction), the Shared Memory Book Club (intercultural experiences), the Spanish Language Book Club, the YA Not Book Club (young adult) and the Graphic Novel Book Club are currently on hiatus. If you’re interested in resurrecting one of these dormant clubs, you can find more information on the Book Clubs page on King’s website or by calling or visiting the store.

King’s Bookstore is located at 218 St. Helens Avenue in Tacoma. Be sure to confirm meeting dates and times by calling the store at 253-272-8801.