Little Free Library :)

Sixteen years. That's how long ago it was, that day when Todd Bol decided to put up the very first Little Free Library outside his home in Hudson, Wisconsin. It was built to resemble a mini schoolhouse. A tribute to his book-loving mother. The idea was a simple act of altruism. If you see a book that interests you, take it home. Finished it? Cool. Pass it on. Add your own favorites. Let the community grow and thrive, one book at a time. The concept was surprisingly contagious. Just three years later, Bol and friends reached their first goal of 2,509 Little Free Libraries. Today there are more than 200,000 Little Free Libraries, sharing the light of literacy across 128 countries. Little Free Libraries come in many quaintly adorable shapes, but they are normally post-box sized little cabinets, stuffed with an enticing diversity of books. The benefit of anonymity adds the quiet power to transform them into safe spaces, and they are powered by kindness and empathy. Join in and share your own curb-side repositories or discoveries.

Members: 150.1k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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Show Your Home Library

Good Housekeeping Book Room

FRIENDS AND FICTION

Good Housekeeping Book Room

While the heart of a home is no doubt its kitchen, its soul has to be the room with the most books in it, albeit living room, bedroom, private library, reading room or even (dare we suggest) a bathroom. This is where you can nourish your inner self with a delectable menu of adventure, wild romances, everyday exploration, or even a few moments of nail-biting tension - sustenance that by-passes the palate and allows you to breathe in a different place that nevertheless feels like home. Conversation is lively in the Good Housekeeping Book Room, with reading pleasure at its heart. It is a place where you can share without judgement, the experience of having your heart broken by a book, the sense of bereavement you feel upon reaching the last page, and the joy of discovering someone else who shared your wonder of that special place. There are also booklists and announcements from authors, as well as reading lists and suggestions. A good space for readers to visit.

Members 84.2k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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FRIENDS AND FICTION

The Mythic Cafe with Charles de Lint & Company

FRIENDS AND FICTION

If books give you a reason to breathe. If stories are your pleasure and your poison. If your to-be-read pile is in danger of collapse, but you want more. If you've just visited the most awesome fictional place and dined and danced with its people, and now, you're looking for someone else who's been there too. If you need a road map or maybe just some directions to your next reading adventure. Then FRIENDS AND FICTION is the virtual lounge where you will receive the warmest welcome and more treasures than you can count, because its people are your people. Friendly. Positive. Cozy. And book-centric. The fact that so many books are referenced without authors' names, and the right people still get it, speaks of the easy familiarity that exists between members.

Members: 256.2k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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The Mythic Cafe, with Charles de Lint & Company

I Love Haworth and the Bronte Parsonage

Show Your Home Library

One poster calls it "my happy place" and I cannot think of a better description for a home library. Ideally, it's a cozy nook with a comfortable chair and a resident cat. Shelves upon shelves filled with wondrous treasures. Childhood favorites brushing spines with new discoveries. Photos with sentimental value, figurines, curiosities, toy cars and items of art guarding the portals to fictional vistas. Crumbling antique book covers lending gravity to a collection. Few things provide such profound insight to the soul of a person as their book collection, but often how it is housed offer additional clues. If you are an avid reader, this Facebook group will feel like home. 

Members: 33.6k, at the time of writing. 

Trigger Warnings:

Go here to visit or join. 

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Retro Horror Paperback Art

Retro Horror Paperback Art

 Horror is not everyone's cup of blood. Even though I do read horror, I have to admit that I am also rightly cautious of it. But scrolling through the media of this Facebook group, which focuses on the retro cover art of horror paperbacks, was immensely interesting. The covers feature household names along with great unknowns. There are anthologies, pulp magazines, foreign-langeuage covers of well-known titles, franchises such as the Friday the 13th series and also rarities by authors better known for other fields (musician Serge Tankian) or other genres (George RR Martin). Although some are definitely cringe, I found it really interesting to look at the sheer diversity of the artwork - and to enjoy the viceral realness of the depictions. With many images you can see very clearly that someone drew this. Of particular interest, was the frequent use of surrealism, an art form that blends seamlessly with horror elements. If you have an appreciation for visual horror or are simply looking for obscure book recommendations in the genre, this group might be well worth your time.

Members: 59.5k, at the time of writing

Trigger warnings: Disturbing and/or violent images.

Go here to visit or join. 

The Mythic Café, with Charles de Lint & Company

 Earlier this month, the co-founder of one of my favorite Facebook groups passed away. Charles de Lint and MaryAnne Harris created Mythic cafe to draw together fans of his books and through her active role in this space, MaryAnn became the heart and soul of a community of fantasists looking for tiny pieces of magic in our mostly mundane world. It was a place to share art, talk about books, share mythic tales and find those places that could be gateways to urban magic and beyond. At those time, when Facebook seemed to be stuck in its more toxic moments, this group became a balm and a refuge. While it is currently infused with a sweet sadness, it still remains one of the most special online spaces I know and it has exerted no small influence on what continues to motivate my quest to find Facebook's best online communities. My heart-felt condolences to Charles (who is one of my favorite authors) and to everyone who loved her. Unlike most of the groups I have featured since reviving the blog, this is a private group.

Members: 8.4k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to request access.

1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die

It's been a while since I've featured a reading related group. Having painstakingly gone through the list, I've decided I am not going to own up to how little of its contents I have actually read in the good old-fashioned book form. What I can say, is that I did not regret reading a single one of those, so if that is anything to go by, the list definitely has merit. A few writers seem over-represented. Threads on the discussion board include 'Which one are you reading right now?', 'books that affected you deeply but aren't in the lise', 'How many have you read so far?' and 'Is your favorite book missing from this list?' There are also several links to sites that offer free e-books.

What's great about this group: It inspires you to expand your reading horizons.

Update (29 October 2023)

There is a Facebook page with the same name, which has 1,200 followers and can be found here. Also check out the page 1001 African Books to Read before you die. 

Reading is Sexy

If friends and family do not quite understand why you spend most of your time with your face buried between the covers of a book, rest assured, the 79,000 plus members of this group know exactly how you feel. There are well over a thousand threads on the groups very active discussion board, which ranges from 'Book you're reading right now' and 'Favorite Book No One Knows About' to 'What character have you been dismayed to relate to?'.

What's good about the group: If you love books and reading, you will feel right at home.

A word of caution: If you're not that much of a reader, you might find yourself a little out of your depth.

(Update: 29 October 2023)

There is still a Facebook group called Reading is Sexy. Go here to visit or join.