BookBar, Denver, Colo., has announced a new book discussion group: Fight Book Club. As interest in martial arts, mixed martial arts and book clubs continues to grow across the country, BookBar owner Nicole Sullivan thinks this concept is a "no-brainer." She explained that book clubs often get pretty lively. "It just makes sense to provide a space where people can get out their book discussion frustrations in a physical but safe way, in a community environment."
BookBar aims to be the first independent bookstore to combine these two, at first glance, divergent pastimes. "We can't speak for the chain booksellers. We do have every reason to believe that Amazon brick-and-mortar stores, particularly their 4 Star locations, have been hosting Fight Book Clubs on a regular basis for some time. But as far as we know, no other indies are taking this on. Of course, it is impossible to know, since the first rule of fight book club is... you never talk about fight book club," explained manager Erin Mazza, with a wink.
"We understand that not all of our patrons feel the need to clock someone in the face if they claim that Sense & Sensibility is the best Jane Austen book when everyone knows it is Pride & Prejudice. EVERYONE KNOWS IT!!!! But some of our guests do appreciate having that option when the situation presents itself," added Abbey Paxton, the store's buyer. Clubs can reserve the space ahead of time but walk-ins are also welcome if the ring is available. BookBar staff will also be instructed to tap in any clubs who are becoming agitated over their monthly chosen book topic. Staff are trained to watch for signs of escalation: rising voices, red faces, wild gesticulations toward a book and frantic sketching of story arcs. In fact, that is how Sullivan came up with this idea. "We had a fight break out on the patio over Infinite Jest. It wasn't about the book, exactly. One club member strongly suggested that this title be their next pick for discussion. The rest of the club kinda lost it and before you knew it--it was literary mayhem. And I thought, hmmm... I see an opportunity here." Sullivan sees this as filling a need in the community: "There are not many places where you can go and just have it out over a book in this way."
The basement will retain the same look and feel as the bookstore and the regular menu will be served, but in shatterproof dishes. The coffee will be necessarily lukewarm. Clubs can have their meetings and bouts catered as well, just like upstairs. In addition to hosting Fight Book Clubs, BookBar will also host a monthly store meeting and bout called FightClub BookClub; sign up here. You can also visit ReadTribe to find another Fight Book Club or start your own!