With its gorgeous natural scenery as well as the emphasis on a unique shopping and eating experience, one might forget about the bookish scene in Cookeville, Tennessee. Dear reader this is an outright crime. The literary community is alive and well in Cookeville with its active library and several independent bookstores meaning there are plenty of books to buy and lots of bookish events to attend. Here are some of our favorite monthly events catered to the avid reader:
Book Clubs of Specific Genres
Books are best enjoyed when you have someone to discuss each page turning event with. The Plenty Downtown Bookshop provides such an experience for everyone no matter one’s preferred genre with their book clubs focusing on fantasy and self-help as well as lighthearted, young adult, and literary fiction. To learn when and where these clubs meet and how to join, visit https://www.plentybookshop.com/events.
Silent Book Club
All readers struggle with this same issue: finding the perfect reading spot. The Plenty Downtown Bookshop has a solution with their Silent Book Club because where better to read than surrounded by books? Join the bookstore’s staff and other kindred souls once a month for a quiet morning spent reading a book of your choice. The dates and times for this event series can be found at https://www.plentybookshop.com/events.
Twice Told Tales Book Sale
In need of a way to cheaply stock your bookshelf? The Putnam County Library provides the perfect opportunity to do just this with their Twice Told Book Sale. Stop by 50 East Broad Street, Cookeville, TN on the first Saturday of the month between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to buy books ranging from $0.50 and $3.00. Treat yourself at their next opening!
Author Events
Of course, we cannot forget about the writers. Cookeville has something for this crowd as well with the Plenty Downtown Bookshop’s Author Events occurring at least once a month. Here, writers can learn writing tricks, publishing tips, and receive powerful motivation from visiting authors of all genres. March’s visiting authors include Jeffrey Rosen author of The Pursuit of Happiness and Kimberley Nixon of Rock Bottom. More information is available at https://www.plentybookshop.com/events.
Sawmill Poetry Series
For all poetry enthusiasts, the Plenty Downtown Bookshop has an event just for you. Every first of the month the bookstore hosts a reading from a southern poet and after attendees will have the opportunity to meet them as well as purchase a signed copy of their collection. This special night concludes with an open mic event. You might even find the Iris Review’s very own leading professor, Dr. Hoover, there as she helps to organize the Sawmill Poetry Series. To learn more, visit https://www.plentybookshop.com/events.
As you can see, the literary community in Cookeville, Tennessee is thriving. Which events are you most excited about?
-Kaitlyn Baltz