The Bibliophiles: An African American Reading Group
Founded in 1987 and incorporated in 1990, The Bibliophiles was born out of a mutual interest in sharing, promoting, and preserving the literature of the African Diaspora. Toni Morrison’s Beloved was the catalyst that drew the founding members, two commuting colleagues, together who yearned to share the pent-up emotions the book evoked. The group of two very quickly became ten as mutual friends were invited to join the newly organized Bibliophiles to discuss books of historical and literary significance to African-Americans.
Today, The Bibliophiles are 20 women strong who include among their varied activities literary field trips, book signings, Kwanzaa celebrations, and Special Exhibition Docent Program for both The Newark Museum and The Montclair Art Museum.
This summer we had the privilege of holding a public book club meeting with The Montclair Art Museum. The topic was Zora Neale Hurston’s seminal work, Their Eyes Were Watching God. Well over 100 people participated in the discussion led by a panel of Bibliophiles members.
The proliferation of activities by The Bibliophiles has been noted by the press in articles published in Essence, American Visions, Emerge magazines as well as The Sunday New York Times. We have also been featured on radio and television.
As we begin our third decade we remain excited, invigorated, committed, and loving our books. We continue to meet every other month in each other’s homes engaging in lively discussions, sharing and enjoying excellent meals together.
We provide our reading lists for your consideration as your group considers its reading selections or for your reading enjoyment and edification.
We wish you all good reading.