Who would have thought that a group of guys getting together at a pub in New England to read books would be considered tough? Turns out, tough guys read books.
President of the Tamworth Chapter of the Tough Guy Book Club Luke Macdonald established the local branch of the TGBC late last year after seeing an advertisement on Facebook.
“I was a big fan of the Tough Guy Book Clubs across the country (there are 150 around the world), followed it for quite a while and then thought it would be a good idea to start our own here in Tamworth.
“The first meeting was only me! But the following month we had three guys show up, then five after that and now we have up to 10 for every meeting.”
Luke said while the club is focused on reading great books, it offers a lot more than that.
“The main benefit is connection. It’s great meeting other blokes who like books and talking about a range of interesting topics, not just work. We really enjoy delving into literature and other heavy issues and it’s a great support network.
“We have quite a range of ages, including young Dads and older Dads and we all tell war stories about our kids. I’ve always loved books, and this was reinvigorated when I had my own young children and started reading to them. It’s good for kids to believe that reading is cool.”
Luke said there are many ways to be ‘tough.’
“Being tough can mean you are strong emotionally, not afraid to show your vulnerability and look out for people who might need someone to listen or being able to handle difficult situations like loss or facing up to the challenges of being a father.”
Tough Guys Book Club Spokesman Des Doyle said new members are always welcome.
“Every chapter has a led discussion about the book and members right around the world all read the same book every month.
“We read a very wide selection of fiction, from Tolstoy to Tim Winton and Hemingway. Traditionally I think blokes read a lot of non-fiction but in the TGBC we only read fiction then enjoy having a robust conversation about it afterwards over a beer.”
Des said the book clubs are men only and this allows them to have an opportunity to talk about stuff they perhaps wouldn’t discuss at home or in workplaces. And discussion about work is banned.
“The Club offers a great opportunity for men to not only have meaningful conversations but also to build some lasting friendships and even improve mental wellbeing.
“Local club chapters are successful in making sure that men are reading in spaces where other men (and particularly young men) can see them – fostering important “intergenerational conversations” between men through books.”
The clubs also try to demonstrate that reading doesn’t have to be a solitary act – it can be inherently social.
“We made a club that is about reading, talking and having more friends, but also a community within our community that people could be involved and engaged with. And we did that by just learning the classic lesson of not judging a book by its cover,” Des said.
Many of the groups are started up with friends, who often bring their friends, or members are bolstered by people searching for their closest group.
Tamworth Chapter’s Luke Macdonald said he found the Tough Guys Book Club to be a positive space, and he’s gained some great mates through the process.
“It’s been a fantastic experience and is something I’m really proud of starting and getting support from our local town.”
The Tough Guys Book Club meets at The Tamworth Hotel at 7pm on the first Wednesday of every month and there is also a Chapter in Armidale, with meetings held at The New England Hotel.
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