Come for the book, stay for the community.
Our Mission
SOFT COVER exists to bring Twin Cities readers together around books. Books give us a reason to gather, spark conversation worth staying for, and invite us back month after month. We believe reading is richer when shared, conversation is better when it’s honest, and community grows when people feel safe being curious out loud.
Our in-person circles are intentionally small, designed to keep things flowing without turning into a lecture. We’re not here for showy intellect, just real people and real conversation. Some circles highlight particular voices or themes. All circles are welcoming, opinionated, and feel like a room you actually want to stay in.
Read closely. Talk freely. Stay feral.
FAQ: Why is this paid / donation based?
Free book clubs exist and we support them! We want our book club to not only bring the community together but give back to the community to. As we grow, we are navigating models that allow us to bring the community together around books, cover some of the costs of running an in-person book club, and give back to our local community.
Club Rules
Come ready to engage
Read the book, skim it, or listen on the drive. Come ready to think, listen, and say something true.
Share the air
We want to hear from you and from everyone else. Talk, listen, and notice when it’s time to pass the mic.
Disagree with Care
Different takes are welcome. Respect is not optional. Argue with the ideas, not the person holding them.
No Book Shaming
Reading looks different for everyone. Skimming counts. Audiobooks count. Thoughtfulness counts most.
Be Present
Phones down when you can. Look up. Make eye contact. Stay for the conversation you came for.
Take Care of the Room
Be kind. Be curious. Leave people feeling glad they came.
HARDCOVER
HARD COVER is the non-fiction focused arm of SOFT COVER with the same book centered community building but with real-word topics, deep discussion, and curiosity led conversation.
Additional Club Rules
Engagement
Reading the book is strongly encouraged.
Disagreement Is Expected
Challenge ideas. Ask questions. Debate ideas, not people.
Stay thoughtful
Maintain curiosity, generosity, and respect. Leave people feeling challenged but safe.
Hate speech, harassment, personal attacks, or discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated. SOFT COVER / HARD COVER is a space for curiosity, thoughtful conversation, and community, if you can’t respect that, this isn’t the community for you. All queer and gender identities are to be respected, full stop. Everyone has a right to feel safe, respected, and seen in our community.