Welcome to Broadway Stages’ Spotlight, where we feature local shops, restaurants, organizations, individuals, and venues. With a new year, we embrace new opportunities. This week we present to you a way to explore new worlds and make new friends right in your neighborhood through the joy of reading!

The author Edmund Wilson said, “No two persons ever read the same book.” That’s why discussing a book and the impression it made on you is so valuable. So, this year why not enjoy your journey with one of the city’s great book clubs or join a book discussion group hosted by the New York Public Library?

In recent years, book clubs have enjoyed a renaissance. In 1996, Oprah Winfrey began her infamous book club, which has seen several incarnations. Currently, you can join her every two months on Apple +. Each episode focuses on a single book featuring an interview between Winfrey and the book’s author.

A more recent celebrity entrant to the book club arena is Reese Witherspoon. Witherspoon’s community is “propelled by meaningful connections with stories, authors, and fellow members,” sparking “thought, joy, and conversation” online and offline. Members can download the app for Apple here or Android here to begin.

Another option for a more local book club would be the WNYC Virtual Book Club. This book club is offered in conjunction with the NYC Public Library system. Members can borrow the book club selection (and more than 300,000 others) for free through the Library’s e-reader app SimplyE, available foe iOS and Android devices.

Each month, WNYC host Alison Stewart and the Library will accompany readers throughout the month, providing touchpoints on-air and on social media at @allofitwnyc and @nypl. Plus, don’t miss out on our librarian-led book club discussions, hosted in-person and online. Find a discussion group!

Suppose you are interested in an even more local and intimate group. In that case, your local NYC Public Library branch will likley have something that fits your needs. Book groups are hosted at libraries throughout the city and facilitated by New York Public Library staff. Find one in your neighborhood or visit one in another neighborhood! Also, follow the NYC Public Library on Facebook and Instagram for ongoing events for you and the whole family!

Finally, Broadway Stages suggests you consider one of our favorite bookstores and the club they offer. Yu and Me Books in Manhattan is a bookstore, bar, and café that focuses on diversity, particularly on emigrant stories. Bookstore founder and owner,  Lucy Yu pictured a place where readers from all works of life could come together, share their passion for reading, strive for change, and advocate for justice. For more information about the book club, you can click here or contact the store at info@yuandmebooks.com or (646) 559-1165. And be sure to follow them on Instagram.

Book clubs are a great way to explore your world and meet your neighbors. So, make 2023 a year of new ideas and friends with a good book and friendly conversation.