They weren’t necessarily tortured poets themselves, but Swifties and bookworms gathered at the Rose Quartz Juicery at 608 W. Main Street in Ardmore, OK, Friday night to get their reading on while they listened to her newest studio album that dropped that day.
It was one of a few places in town that celebrated the release of Taylor’s surprise double album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” which included a total 31 songs instead of the expected 16. The Clubhouse also hosted an event, where Swift fans watched “The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version)” and listened to TTPD while playing arcade games, played Taylor trivia, and made friendship bracelets.
The vibe was a bit more laid back at Rose Quartz, where a handful of ladies brought their current reads and sipped on smoothies, lemonade refreshers, and champagne while they read their books as they were serenaded by Taylor’s songs in the background.
It was all part of Rose Quartz Juicery’s new Books and Bubbly monthly event for readers who just want to read together without a lot of fanfare. This was the second B&B offered by owner Mikaylan Downing, who opened the business last August. Friday’s event was dubbed “Taylor’s Version,” and gave Downing the opportunity to play the new album on repeat throughout the day and evening.
“I don’t know if I’d call myself a Swiftie. I don’t look for the Easter eggs and everything in it. I wait until other people figure it out,” Downing said, referring to the clues Taylor layers into her songs that help listeners figure out who a song might be about. “I’m not that into it, but I love following her.”
Amy Ashmore of Ardmore sat by the window in a comfortable padded chair reading her book “Chasing the Boogeyman” by Richard Chizmar. On a sofa nearby, Angela Miller got caught up on “Iverson’s Rules for Commuting,” by Clare Pooley, the current book of the month for the Gloss Book Club, of which both ladies are members. Tracy Holt brought “Redeeming 6” by Chloe Walsh, and LaTonya Nkere, a self-proclaimed Swiftie, took breaks from reading “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” by Suzanne Collins to Google Taylor’s song “Florida” to confirm the voices of Florence Welch and The Machine were those accompanying Tay on vocals.
Downing said she started Books and Bubbly as a way to give readers an alternate place to gather together and read while enjoying each other’s company in a calm pink-and-white atmosphere accented with plush sofas, and tables and chairs lining the walls, adorned with centerpieces of tiny succulents and rose quartz crystals.
Books and Bubbly is just one of several opportunities readers in Ardmore have to get together. The book event takes place at 5 p.m. on the third Friday of every month.
Ashmore said she enjoys the quiet atmosphere, which is a different experience from her other book clubs, and she’s practically tried them all. Ardmore has several opportunities for bookworms to gather together and talk about their favorite novels. Most clubs pick one novel a month for members to read, then meet to discuss the work, and have a little fellowship at the same time.
One of the largest book clubs in Ardmore is Read Between the Wines, sometimes boasting 30-plus members at each monthly gathering. The group quickly outgrew Café Alley and has since moved to Sidelinez Grill in Thompson Square. RBW also has an active online community where readers share “Whatcha Reading Wednesday” and give book recommendations to other members. They also have teamed up with Sara’s Project, a victim advocacy non-profit group, through Chair-ity Nite to help raise money for the local Children’s Advocacy Center as part of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Various organizations and individuals provide themed chairs to be auctioned off. RBW is providing “the reading chair,” complete with a throw pillow, blanket, lamp, bookshelf, Kindle with accessories, gift cards, and, of course, books. The event takes place this Saturday night at the Ardmore Convention Center.
Following is a list of various book clubs offered in Ardmore. If anyone knows of others, please drop me a line:
Read Between the Wines: meets the second Tuesday of the month at Sidelinez Grill in Thompson Square. The current book of the month is “The Lost Letters of Aisling” by Cynthi Ellingsen.
Books and Bubbly: meets at 5 p.m. on the third Friday of the month at Rose Quartz Juicery, 608 W. Main St. Readers bring whatever book they want to read.
Gloss Book Club: meets on the third Tuesday of the month in various locations in Ardmore. Those interested can join through the group’s Facebook page, where meeting notices are posted. The current BOTM is “Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting” by Clare Pooley. July’s book is “The Lost Bookshop” by Evie Woods.
The Book Affair: for romance readers, meets at 5:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at Ardmore Public Library, 320 E St. NW.
Ravenous Readers: meets at noon on the third Wednesday of the month at Ardmore Public Library. This group covers all genres of fiction and the library offers food for those who come to read on their lunch hour.
The Monthly Book Club: meets at 5:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month at Southern Oklahoma Library System, 601 Railway Express. The current BOTM is “The Boys in the Boat” by Daniel James Brown.