Building Community, Book by Book
By • August 12, 2026 One Comment 324
By Andy Leddy
Better Half (from other room): Hey, Barnes & Noble is coming back to Georgetown.
Me: Nice.
BH: I thought you might want …
Me: ?
BH: … to work there. I mean, all you do is sit around and read anyway.
That loving nudge began my now two-year foray into the retail world of selling books, right around the corner from our house.
With an M.A. in Russian literature and many years in the Soviet field, a career switch to teaching IB English and nearly 30 years researching and writing about antiques, books and reading have been constants in my life.
As I imagine many people do, I had a slightly rose-tinted view of what working in a bookstore would be like. In truth, many romantic notions have fallen by the wayside. But there has been a saving grace or two.
Through good fortune and permission to try new things, I’ve found myself the steward of both the History Book Club and the Fiction Book Club at the store. Each meets one Sunday a month.
I have never been a Book Club Person (full disclosure). My introverted nature just would not allow me to sit and discuss what I had always considered a very personal act: reading. With the wisdom of age, perhaps, but also knowing that I have so many interesting and accomplished neighbors, I thought that book clubs would be a great way to connect with a local crowd.
Of course, many nonresidents come to Georgetown, but I didn’t want to lose an opportunity the store offers for those of us who live here.
The summer months have us all blown to the winds, making schedules tough to coordinate. However, it only takes a few contributors for the discussions to blossom. Regardless, members keep up with the readings and I get regular, thoughtful emails about current readings and suggesting books for future readings. In fall, winter and spring, interest and attendance rebound.
In short, it is a great gift to read new books (in both genres) and to share impressions with sharp and perceptive readers. Of all the things I imagined finding at a bookstore, this has been perhaps the icing on the proverbial cake.
Besides the unexpected delights that come from finding a book a customer is looking for — or having someone excitedly purchase a book I’ve recommended — these clubs are a rare example of that much vaunted third space, a safe and relaxing spot away from home that makes it worth the effort to get there (and you don’t have to buy booze or a cupcake).
I’m so grateful that I’ve been able to meet so many really kind and contributive members. Whoever shows up is most welcome. To be fair, not all comers are Georgetowners, but I want more people in this community to know about the clubs and sign up.
I’m not sure if I’m an old dog learning new tricks or just trying to resist the increasing atomization of our society. Either way, bringing people together beats letting us drift apart. Books, I do believe, have magical magnetic powers.
To clarify: The History Book Club meets on the first Sunday of the month at 4 p.m. We’ve read a terrific array of history and history-adjacent books. The Fiction Book Club, in which we sort of alternate between current novels and classic or older works, meets on the second Sunday of the month at 4 p.m.
Our Sept. 6 History Book Club selection is “The Last Kings of Shanghai: The Rival Jewish Dynasties That Helped Create Modern China” by Jonathan Kaufman.
For the Sept. 13 Fiction Book Club, we’ve selected a novel in a non-urban setting, Gary Shteyngart’s well-received Covid novel, “Our Country Friends.” A light drama set in upstate New York, it has a good-sized cast of characters. I’ve read two of his many novels and also enjoyed his long-form journalism in the New Yorker and other periodicals.
Both clubs meet on the third floor of the store, located at 3040 M St. NW. If you’re interested in signing up for either or both clubs, contact Meg at [email protected]. The books are offered to members at a 10-percent discount and membership is free.
Andy Leddy lives with his (much) Better Half, Shelley Clark, and their cat Hollis on 29th Street, kitty-corner from Scheele’s Market.
I’ve attended one nonfiction discussion and look forward to returning whenever I can. Nice group of readers across wide age range. Good discussion led by Andy. Here’s to his BH for suggesting he join Barnes & Noble.