A BOOK CLUB
FOR DISCERNING READERS
So Textual is a curated book club for thoughtful readers drawn to the ideas, references, culture, ephemera, and emotional afterlives of literature. We help you uncover new depths in your reading life—and connect them meaningfully to the world around you.
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—Leah S.
"I joined because I thought the book choices seemed interesting, but what makes it are the people in the group. They’re amazing and friendly and smart, and they’ll bring up perspectives I’d never think of. One person connected Orlando to a Cindy Sherman photo, and suddenly the whole book felt different to me. I’m not even a big talker in the meetings, but it’s worth it just to come and listen."
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—Shannon F.
“So Textual's book club walks that fine line of feeling both cool and exclusive, but also supportive and welcoming. The book selections are thoughtful but not on the nose, (we haven't read something I've already been through yet) and the reading guides help me contextualize what I'm reading and how I feel about it. The monthly meeting and always-on Circle forum is the perfect choose-your-own-engagement-level adventure. I wish I had a group like this for every genre of literature I'm into!”
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—Eleanor W.
”…the prompt mailing, beautiful packaging of the book, & the thoughtfulness of the onboarding materials also in hard print is beyond my expectation. This has been such a pleasant surprise for me, & I am so looking forward to my journey in this group! …Bar none the most pleasant consumer experience I have encountered in quite some time.”
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—Jessica C.
“I have been a voracious reader my entire life, and So Textual is giving me the opportunity to access books I otherwise would never have known existed. I feel intellectually challenged by the selections, and I love the opportunity to connect with others who care so deeply about literature. I also love that there’s no “snobbery”—readers of any level can feel comfortable learning how to engage a text. I’m glad I joined!”
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—Madison H.
“So Textual is one of those internet gems I'm tempted to gatekeep, but I can't stop telling everyone I know. Every newsletter is sharp & delicious. Receiving one in my inbox feels like being invited to a fabulous dinner party. All for the price of a coffee date? I'm obsessed.”
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—Sarah P.
"I got tired of book clubs where the picks felt like they were just plucked from bestseller lists. So Textual is different—the books are chosen for their depth and how they connect to bigger ideas, not just because they’re buzzy. This month we read something I’d never heard of before, and I’m still thinking about it weeks later. It’s nice to feel like someone’s actually putting thought into the choices, not just following what’s trending."
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—Mark D.
"There’s no pressure here. It’s not about being the most well-read or knowing all the answers. I joined to bring a little more structure to my reading, and I’ve found myself looking forward to the monthly book guides and discussions. They’re low-key but meaningful. The Source Material prompts have actually helped me keep track of what I’m reading and why it matters to me. It’s a nice way to slow down.”
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—Jess F.
"I didn’t realize how much I missed reading until I started again with So Textual. Having a set book each month makes it easier to stay on track, and now I find myself reaching for books more often—not just for the club, but in general. It’s been a nice shift."
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—Morgan L.
"…the thought and care put into everything, from the printed onboarding materials to the way the book arrived packaged so beautifully, made it feel so intentional. I joined because I wanted to read more, but this experience has been so much more than I expected. It feels personal and really intimate, which is hard to find on the internet.”
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—Alex T.
"I used to start books and never finish them. Now, I actually make time to read every month—it’s become something I look forward to."
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—Jamie L.
"I didn’t expect to get much out of the onboarding materials, but they were honestly so useful. The prompts made me think about my reading habits in a new way, and now I feel more intentional about how I read."
Our one-of-a-kind book club places literature in conversation—with films, poems, paintings, as well as the memories, associations, and curiosities each encounter stirs.
For women who live by books, reading becomes a way to organize inner life—and extend it outward.
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Read as a way of seeing
Our monthly selections are chosen because they’re timeless. Each enduring work offers a lens through which to observe culture, self, and memory. You’ll find yourself not just reading more, but reading with new eyes—attuned to nuance, resonance, and the world beyond the page.
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Every margin you annotate, stack you build, and reference you trace becomes part of your “source material.” We give you the framework to collect and catalog what resonates—so your reading life becomes a reflection of who you are and what you’re drawn to.
Build your personal archive
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You might not finish every book—and that’s okay. The point is to stay curious. Our prompts, reflections, and conversations are designed to meet you where you are, whether you’ve read one chapter or all of it. There’s always something to take away, and always a new door opening.
Be in thoughtful company
HOW OUR BOOK CLUB WORKS
Through monthly book club immersions and curated reference features, So Textual offers a shared methodology for engaging with fiction as something more than text — as a way of noticing, reflecting, and building a private vocabulary for the world.
WHY JOIN SO TEXTUAL?
We offer a literary experience that transcends traditional book clubs.
Here's what you can expect:
CURATED READING GUIDES —
At the start of each month, you’ll receive a PDF reading guide grounded in the same analytical voice and high literary standards that define So Textual. We outline what the book is about, the themes we’re noticing, and why it matters. It’s also where we introduce the novel’s three companion works—interdisciplinary pieces that place the text in broader cultural conversation. From there, we discuss, explore, reflect—and see what emerges.
Onboarding Materials—
When you join our book club we share all that we know about developing a life-long reading practice so that you’re up to speed with how we do things. We’ll send you a beautiful welcome packet in the mail that complements the virtual resources you’ll receive: weekly emails, guided videos, hyperlinks of references we consider essential, personal check-ins, and an exclusive meeting for new members with our host so you have the skills for deep reading.
INTERACTIVE MEETINGS —
We meet twice a month to get the most out of each book—not just the story, but its cultural weight, the author’s place in arts and letters (and sometimes Page Six), and the associations sparked by the group. The first meeting introduces the novel and its three companion works; the second is for sharing what stayed with us, what surprised us, and what now feels newly illuminated. Each gathering is thoughtfully guided by our host to help deepen the conversation.
EXCLUSIVE ARCHIVE ACCESS —
The point of all this is simple: we want the books you read to become resources for a well-lived life. Our archive is where that vision takes shape—a living library of past selections, thoughtfully designed reading guides, member reflections, and conversations worth returning to. Whether you’re catching up, revisiting, or diving into something new, you’ll always have meaningful material to explore—and a place to contribute your own insights along the way.
EngagED Community FORUM—
Our community is our raison d'être, infusing every moment with new surprises, fresh perspectives, and recommendations that lead us down rabbit holes we don’t want to emerge from. The community forum serves as our hub for book club chatter and our monthly meetings, as well as a 24/7 hangout for literature, art, and culture enthusiasts. Our founder, hosts, and active community are always contributing something that will keep you engaged and constantly discovering.
The Membership
For less than the cost of a single book each month, you receive access to the books we love to read and discuss, the passages we underline and return to again and again, and a vibrant community who m excellence, expert insights, and a vibrant community—all without adding stress to your life.
You can join anytime and cancel anytime. And if Tier 1 doesn’t feel like the right fit, we offer a 30-day refund—no questions asked.
Choose your plan
Tier 1
$12 / month
POPULAR
Tier 2
$34 / month
Everything in Tier 1, PLUS the monthly book selection mailed to your door each month.
Tier 1 or Tier 2
$140 / year +
Annual Membership
OUR FOUNDER—
Jennie has been a lifelong reader, always finding that meaning can be drawn out of texts—not just by thinking through words, but by marking them up, archiving small thoughts, and exploring them in conversation with others. She founded So Textual to cultivate a community around these shared practices, one where literary fiction becomes more than just something you read but a way of experiencing, reflecting, and building personal and collective narratives. With a Master’s from Harvard Divinity School, she’s spent years thinking about ritual narratives, symbolism, affect, and the phenomena that connect us to story. Through this platform, Jennie invites others to engage with books as intimate guides, drawing us closer to the self and the world around us.
FAQ—
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At the beginning of each month, Members receive an email announcing that month’s Book Club selection. If you’ve signed up to receive your book in the mail, it will arrive the first week of the month.
Next, you’ll find updates, prompts, and good conversation in our Circle channel where you can connect 24 hours a day. It’s a great place for us to share our reading impressions, as well as articles or relevant info.
Throughout the month, we’ll email you the Reading Guides. These are fun explorations on themes and cultural influences, with queries for further engagement in the community channel.
In the middle, and at the end, of the month we meet virtually with our Book Club Moderator to discuss the book together. It’s our favorite hour of the month and a great way to make friends.
Lastly, we are (currently) working to archive everything to the website so that you have access to all the content—even from Book Clubs before you became a Member. Stay tuned!
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Absolutely! Our Tier 1 membership is perfect for international readers. It offers full access to all our online resources, Reading Guides, and archived discussions, as well as the community forum, so you can join the conversation no matter where you are.
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Unfortunately, we’re unable to ship books internationally at this time. However, we encourage you to source the monthly selection locally or through online retailers.
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We curate with intention. Each book is chosen for its ability to challenge, inspire, and stay with you—timeless works that resonate and enrich your perspective. No filler, no trendy fluff—just books worth your time and energy.
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If you have an enduring (cult) classic in mind, we’d love to hear about it! Email us at info@sotextual.com to put it on our radar.
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Our twice-monthly meetings aren’t just book talks; they’re guided explorations. Led by our Book Club Moderator, we dive into the themes, ideas, and cultural significance of each selection, sparking meaningful conversations with like-minded readers.
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No problem! So Textual is designed to meet you where you are. Even if you only get through part of the book, our Reading Guides and discussions ensure you’ll still gain valuable insights and feel connected to the community. It’s about thoughtful engagement, not perfection.
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Don’t worry—everything’s recorded. You’ll have full access to our meeting archive on Circle of past discussions and Reading Guides, so you can catch up anytime or revisit your favorite books and insights.
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We totally understand—work, vacations, and life happen. If you need to pause your Membership subscription for a little while, simply email us at info@sotextual.com, and we’ll help you take a break without losing your spot in the community.
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Yes! We know life changes. You can cancel anytime, and we even offer a refund within the first 30 days if you decide it’s not the right fit.
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Very. So Textual is not about surface-level reading or checking a box. We go deeper, connecting literature to personal growth, cultural awareness, and meaningful conversations. If you’ve felt let down by other book clubs, this is the change you’ve been looking for.
THE NEWSLETTER
Not ready to commit to the book club, but like to have periodic peeks into our world, join our mailing list to learn more about us.