seeking: book club members.

{photo by megan}

You know that book I loved so much, MWF Seeking BFF?

Well, life is imitating art. This summer, four of our most devoted book club members embarked on adventures of their own, leaving Tallahassee -- and our book club -- behind. Now, the book club I've loved for four years is dwindling in number. We're starting to look a little pitiful each month, and since book club feels a little bit like my baby, I'm taking it personally. We need new members -- just one or two to boost attendance and make it less noticeable when others of us aren't able to attend -- and it's getting desperate. 

The members who moved to new homes tried to suggest the club to friends before they left, but nobody's stuck. The rest of us have exhausted our resources, randomly asking neighbors and classmates and baby yoga attendees, and we're not quite sure who else to invite.

Enter me, being awkward with every plaid-wearing female who comes into the store. 

It feels a lot like dating, or, more specifically, flirting -- something I have very little practice with since Jordan and I met in a great books literature class when we were 18. 

If a 20- or 30-something female comes through our doors, you can guarantee I am paying attention. (It is, in fact, as creepy as it sounds.) I'm looking at what books they're buying, trying to guess based on their wardrobe and book selection whether they'd be

a) too intellectual for our book club (a more-common-than-you'd-think problem in a university town),

b) too low key for our book club (as in, more interested in wine choice than in the book of the month), or 

c) the perfect fit. 

Like any other star-crossed lover, if a girl comes into the store fitting my ridiculous criteria (aforementioned plaid, appreciation for Kinfolk Magazine or children's literature, good taste in bestselling fiction), I immediately become tongue-tied, unable to even invite them to book club because... Where would I even begin? Isn't a little creepy to randomly invite someone to your book club without even knowing their name? 

MWF Seeking BFF encouraged me to be brave and borderline absurd, but I'm still the same old introverted me, and I'm not sure finding out someone's name and Twitter handle via their credit card information is entirely appropriate. (Though I'm certainly not above it, if the past few weeks are any indication.)

I guess what I'm saying is: We need more book club members. I work in a bookstore. This should be easy. 

So what am I missing? How do you meet new people and make new friends?

And, if you're somehow reading this and from the Tallahassee area, please don't think I'm a weirdo. Instead, come try out our book club and decide in person! Seriously, it's a lot of fun and the best thing I've done as a grown-up. 

We'd love to have you, even if you don't wear plaid.