A new space for women to connect has popped up across Moreton Bay.
Launched in January, the Northside Book Girls is an initiative created by 25-year-old Makala Roberson.
“Because it can be hard to make friends in your 20s, I wanted to have a space to make genuine connections with people outside of the internet, while also enjoying my favourite hobby of books,” Makala said.
Although Makala enjoyed the few book clubs she attended in Brisbane City, she craved a book club closer to home.
So she created her own.
Building Community Through Books
“Northside Book Girls is an inclusive space for women of all ages and backgrounds, and my goal is to keep it fun,” she said.
Meeting up once a month in a different location across Moreton Bay, Makala said she chooses the monthly read from a jar of book titles contributed by club attendees.
“Choosing from the jar keeps the book selection fresh with different genres,” she said.
“Originally, I was doing interactive polls on Instagram, but thanks to some great feedback from the girls, we are doing it this way, and it really gets you out of your comfort zone.”
But Makala said she realised there was more to enjoying books than just reading. That’s why she also hosts bookish craft activities alongside some of the book club meet-ups.
“In March, we sat together around a big table and made bookmarks, which was really fun,” she said.
“And in May, we did book bedazzling, which is taking a book cover and dressing it up with rhinestones.”
In addition to the book club being a fun project, it also provides Makala with valuable personal development opportunities.
“The marketing side has been a really good learning experience because I haven’t done graphic design before,” she said.
“To learn, I have been looking at other bookish Instagram accounts and taking note of what I could improve or be inspired by.”
Unlike most book clubs, Northside Book Girls is run on a ticketed basis with free and paid events on offer.
For more information, follow @NorthsideBookGirls on Instagram and Northside Book Girls on Facebook.
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