Meet the Authors: Reston Letter Book Club Hosts Holiday Event

by Sarah Hickner, Reston Letter Book Club President

The holidays are a season of gatherings, stories, and gifts. This year, the Reston Letter Book Club is adding something special to the mix–an event sure to delight book lovers. Mark your calendar for Thursday, Nov. 6, when Café de Cleiu, a cozy new coffee shop and cafe in South Reston, hosts our first ever holiday book shop.

The Reston Letter Book Club was founded to connect local authors with local readers. While most clubs focus on specific genres or the latest bestsellers, ours takes a different approach. We shine a spotlight on books written by authors from our own community. Even better, the writers themselves attend, ready to answer your questions. No need to wonder why a character made a certain choice or how a scene came to life—you can ask the author directly.

The holiday book shop and club meeting will be a two-part event. First, the pop-up shop will showcase a variety of local authors. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or crossing names off your holiday list, you’ll find something for everyone. From children’s books to YA fantasy to memoir, the lineup offers a wide range of choices. Authors will also be on hand to sign copies, making each gift even more personal.

The featured book for our Nov. 6 meeting is “Truth Be Told” by Kathleen Barber. Originally published as “Are You Sleeping,” this psychological thriller follows a true-crime podcast that reopens a murder case, unraveling the lives of those left behind. The novel was even adapted into a Netflix series starring Academy Award–winner Octavia Spencer.

The Nov. 6 holiday book shop is the perfect opportunity to purchase meaningful gifts, discover new favorite authors, and connect with fellow readers. It’s more than shopping; it’s a celebration of stories and the people who write them.

If you or someone you know loves books, please be sure to share this event. Let’s bring local readers and writers together. After all, what is a community without its storytellers?

If you are a Reston author and would like to be a part of this event, please contact Sarah at therestonletterbookclub@gmail.com.