Slim down that TBR list and make new connections at these local clubs. | Photo by AVLtoday
Maybe you need help reaching your reading goals or maybe you can’t seem to get your bookworm friends together once a month. Whatever the reason, the start of a new year is a perfect time to reimagine your reading routine.
So if you like big books and you cannot lie, here are a few book clubs in Asheville you might not know about.
Silent Book Club
Introverts, unite. This unique book club invites you to settle in for a cozy hour of reading time with whatever book you’d like — then socialize with other readers once the time is up. Better yet, our city has four chapters of this quiet club — check out the clubs from The Whale Outpost, Grind AVL, Cuentos y Cafe, and the general Asheville chapter.
Malaprop’s book clubs
No matter the genre you like to read, the downtown bookstore probably hosts a book club for it. From mystery and romance to politics and science, explore the nine book clubs on offer.
Share your recommendation with us, and we’ll include a few picks in an upcoming newsletter. Consider it a mini AVLtoday book club. Bonus points if it’s from a local author.
Rethinking Disaster Recovery and Rebuilding Post-Helene | 7-8 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Warren Wilson College will host Dr. Jamie Shinn of SUNY ESF for a conversation on rebuilding, offering lessons from a significant 2016 flood in WV.
Latin Night Wednesday | 8 p.m. | One World Brewing - West Asheville | $7 | Get dance lessons from 8:30 to 9 p.m. before dancing the night away with DJ MTN VIBEZ providing the tunes.
Thursday, Jan. 30
Lovers, Sinners, and Misfits | 5-7 p.m. | The Moxy | $25 per raffle ticket | Enjoy drinks and light bites as a custom pet portrait from local artist Patti Anastasi is raffled off to support the rebuild of Brother Wolf Animal Rescue.
New Moon Sound Bath | Thursday, Jan. 30, Thursday, Feb. 27 | 6-7 p.m. | The Restoration Hotel | $25+ | Reset and recharge under the new moon with the sounds of crystal bowls, chimes, and flutes.
Friday, Jan. 31
Bite Nite: Dumplings | 5:30-8 p.m. | Botanist & Barrel Tasting Bar + Bottle Shop | Price of purchase | Sip on rare pours and snack on small plates at the casual, monthly foodie night — this time, it’s all about the dumplings.
Zuma Coffee Recovery Fundraiser | 7 p.m. | The Grey Eagle | $23 | See performances from Tony Levitas, Hannah Kaminer, Pierce Edens, and more while raising money for the beloved Marshall shop.
Asheville Community Square Dance | 6-10 p.m. | Haw Creek Commons | $10 | Grab the fam for an evening of old-time square dancing and grab some grub from a local food truck.
Gov. Josh Stein announced that global aerospace company Pratt & Whitney will expand manufacturing operations in Asheville, marking a $285 million investment in the area and creating 325 new jobs. The average salary for the new positions is $62,413, an increase from the average wage in Buncombe County of $54,416.
Number
3,850. That’s how many acres of the Great Balsam Mountains are now protected under a conservation agreement between private donors, Mainspring Conservation Trust, and the NC Forest Service — an agreement The Conservation Fund worked to facilitate since 1999. The new acreage connects to 770,000 acres of previously protected land, continuing a conservation legacy. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Community
The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at the Asheville Mall will close permanently today, Jan. 29, at 6 p.m. Two DRCs remain open in Buncombe County, at the Fairview Public Library and Weaverville Town Hall. Reminder: The deadline to apply for FEMA disaster assistance is Thursday, Feb. 6.
Sports
UNC Asheville tennis alum Henry Patten won the Men’s Doubles Final at the Australian Open this past Saturday alongside partner Harri Heliovaara, nabbing his second major career championship. Patten and Heliovaara took home a Wimbledon title earlier this summer.
Biz
In an article from Eater Carolinas, Katie Button of Curate and Molly Irani of Chai Pani reflected on their experiences in the post-Helene hospitality world, transitioning from feeding the community with World Central Kitchen to bringing in private water. Read about the challenges, hopes for the future, and how now more than ever, restaurants need local support.
Eat
As Golden Hour prepares to reopen in March, the restaurant is hosting two small pop-up dinners called A Taste of the Favorites. See the menus (full of local ingredients and wood-fired fare) and reserve a spot for the Friday, Feb. 7 and Saturday, Feb. 22 dinners.
Holiday
The Lunar New Year is today, Jan. 29 and we have just the way to celebrate the Year of the Wood Snake. Check out local celebrations, including a disc golf tournament, potluck, and sushi and boba tea specials.
Opening
The Bleachery Boulevard Walmart will reopen parts of its store on Friday, Feb. 14, offering clothes, electronics, toys, pharmacy goods, and non-refrigerated food. The Walmart has been closed since Helene hit, sustaining major flood damage — a full reopening is slated for spring. (WLOS)
Job
Don’t let your job posting get lost on over-saturated job sites. Get premium visibility when you post on our local job board. Your first listing is free.
Game, set, match. Watch tennis legends and celebrities rally for local charities at Stars Servin’ Up Love Presented by Explore Asheville on Sunday at Harrah’s Cherokee Center downtown. Grab tickets or donate online to raise money for communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.*
Featured Home
This cozy Deltec cottage sits on a wooded double-lot (yes, the yard is enormous) and includes custom hickory kitchen cabinets, stylish modern updates throughout, and a back deck big enough for entertaining. Take a look around.*
The Buy
The Buy
A tabletop fire pit that’s less than $30. It burns smoke-free and fosters a warm + relaxing environment.
Speaking of reading, I recently picked up Anthony Bourdain’s “Medium Raw” from Downtown Books & News. Have any foodie-centric book recs? Send them my way.
}})
