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Do you love reading? If you do, there are different book clubs around the community that you can join for free, including at Hill’s Bookstore, Crave Wine Co. and The San Benito County Free Library. Every month, the members of these clubs select a different book to read together.
Kimberly Hill, the owner of Hill’s Book Store, said she wanted to bring together people who love reading, so she decided to start a book club at Running Rooster.
“We had a lot of feedback on who wanted to do an offsite location,” Hill said. “The group wanted to order food, and that’s how we put it together.”
The restaurant and its owners, she said, turned out to be great partners, as they too love reading.
Jessica Aldana, who runs Hill’s book club, said they are currently reading “Incidents Around The House” by Josh Malerman.
“We pick as a group what we want to read,” Aldana said. “They just pick all genres they are interested in, and I do a selection from that. Then they pick the next one to read.”
The club has read four books besides the Malerman title: “King of Ashes” by S. A. Cosby, “Red Rising” by Pierce Brown, “How to Solve Your Own Murder” by Kristen Perrin and “What We Can Know” by Ian McEwan.
“I love ‘Red Rising,’” Aldana said. “I thought it was just surprising as far as what was really happening in the world and all the action that was going on.”
Hollister resident Olivia Nicholson, who attends the club, said she became interested in reading in 2010 and has since read books such as the “Harry Potter” series by J. K. Rowling, “Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins and “Graceling” by Kristin Cashore.
She said she definitely likes romance, fantasy, sci-fi, and that she will always have them in her heart.
“I love being able to discuss the books,” she said. “I like talking about them, and we can all get together like a community to eat and talk. It’s a wonderful thing.”
Crave Wine Co. co-owner Maura Cooper, an educator and avid reader, has wanted to host a book club at the business since it opened. She said having her own location makes it easier to curate the club and provides a nice environment.
She said the club recently read “Verity” by Colleen Hoover and “Remarkably Bright Creatures,” which they voted as their favorite books last year.
She said she tries to keep everyone in mind when selecting books for the club to consider, and aims to offer a variety. When it comes down to a winner, though, it’s usually a thriller, such as “Wild Dark Shore” by Charlotte McConaghy.
“I was pleasantly surprised by this book,” she said. “It was very atmospheric, and the story moved at a great pace, not too slow and not too fast. There were a lot of interesting characters and plot twists throughout the story.”
Book club member Brittany Intravia said that “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt was one of her favorites that the group has read.
“It took us out of our comfort zone with its talking octopus,” she said. “When we read it as a group, I think the majority of us gave it four to five stars.”
San Benito County Librarian Austin Curtis said he got a book club started at the library in 2024 because a library where he previously worked had one.
“I thought it would be a good adult program,” he said, “so we started a Murder Mystery book club, and it slowly built. I think this is a good opportunity for people in the community to meet others who are interested in similar genres of books.”
Club member Cynthia Emeterio said they have read 24 books so far and that it’s been a very enjoyable experience. “Our first book was “Mother-Daughter Murder Night” by Nina Simon,” Emeterio said. “The story is set in the Elkhorn Slough and Salinas area. I like that we are reading together, the discussions after we read each book, and just having a community that I can visit with.”
Hill’s Book Store Book Club crew chatting about ‘Incidents Around The House’ by Josh Malerman at Running Rooster. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Olivia Nicholson and friends at the book club. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Delatna Gates, Tiffany Tegenkamp and Rachael Burnham is chatting about “Lola In The Mirror” by Trent Dalton. Photo by Adam Bell 
Crave Wine Company owners Mara Cooper and Mike Kohne chatting about a book. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Book club event at Crave Wine Company. Photo by Adam Bell.
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