January Book Club Reading: A Clean-Slate Guide (Plus This Week’s Vintage Finds)

December 30, 2025

New Year, New Book Club 🎉

January is the month of fresh starts… and fresh group chats. If you’ve ever wanted a book club that fits your life (and your quirks), this is your sign.

Book clubs don’t have to be fancy. They just need the right theme, the right pace, and the right stack of books.

Behind the Scenes at Reading Vintage

Reading Vintage has been on Etsy since the start—books, yes, but also the darling non-book treasures (pretty glass, patches, Christmas and home décor, skeleton keys).

Lately, I’ve been building collections on the Reading Vintage website and adding new pieces week by week—like curating a little vintage “cabinet of curiosities,” but with extra bookish joy. More to come soon...

This Week’s New Finds

Mid-Century & Nostalgia

Highlights for Children (1965, lot of 4): A bright, cheerful blast of mid-century childhood—perfect for memory-lane browsing or gifting.

Book Club: Cozy Kitchen Edition

All About Home Baking (1937): A sweet pick for a “bake-and-discuss” club—each week, try one recipe and compare notes.

Mackinac Island Cook Book (1975): Community cookbooks make excellent book club material because they spark stories—family dishes, local favorites, “my aunt used to make this.”

Vintage Wooden Recipe Box (handwritten recipes): Not a traditional “read,” but a fantastic group theme: everyone brings a family recipe and the story behind it.

Cast Iron Cookbook (1969): Your practical pal—especially for a winter cooking challenge.

Art & Quiet Winter Reading

Andrew Wyeth (1970): This is for the “cozy, slow, observant” readers who love a calm winter mood.

Curiosity Shelf: History, Folklore, and the Strange

Roycroft “The Philistine” (1899–1902): Literary satire and social commentary—great for readers who like sharp ideas and vintage context.

Remedies & Folk Medicine bundle (3): A fascinating look at old approaches to health and folklore—perfect for curious collectors.

Fiction Picks (for mood-based clubs)

Alice in Wonderland (2-book set): Whimsical, classic, re-readable—ideal for a “comfort classics” club.

Jaws: A “one-sitting thriller night” pick.

Logan’s Run: For the group that likes ideas, pacing, and a little dystopian sprint.

Practical “Skill Book” Book Clubs

Knots & Splices: A club where you learn something every meeting? Yes, please.

Motor Bodywork & Painting: For the hands-on crowd—projects + pages.

History Matters

The Vietnamese and Their Revolution (1970): A reminder that reading history is part of being an informed citizen. Knowledge is power—and book clubs can be a safe, thoughtful way to learn together.

How to Start a January Book Club (That Actually Sticks)

Collector Resource: How to Start a January Book Club (That Actually Sticks)

1) Choose a theme, not just a title

Themes make it easier to keep going. Try:

• Cookbook Collectors Club (community cookbooks, vintage test kitchens, cast iron cooking)
• Dog Lovers + Books (theme nights: memoir, fiction, training, vintage ephemera)
• Mid-Century Mood (1960s paperbacks, childhood nostalgia, retro design)
• Skill Club (knots, repair manuals, hobby how-tos)
• One-Topic Curiosity (art, folklore, medical history, satire)

Pick one approach:

• Potluck Style: Everyone makes one recipe from the chosen cookbook and brings it.
• Same-Recipe Challenge: Everyone cooks the same recipe, then compares results (funny, low-stakes, and surprisingly bonding).
• Menu Night: One host makes 2–3 recipes; everyone else brings drinks, dessert, or a simple side.
• Story Swap Night (my favorite for vintage): Everyone brings a recipe (or recipe card) and shares the story behind it.

Why vintage cookbooks shine in a book club: they’re little time capsules—full of practical know-how and the kind of details that spark stories and nostalgia.

This week’s shelf picks that fit a cookbook club theme:

• All About Home Baking (1937): A sweet pick for a “bake-and-discuss” club—each week, try one recipe and compare notes.
• Mackinac Island Cook Book (1975): Community cookbooks make excellent book club material because they spark stories—family dishes, local favorites, “my aunt used to make this.”
• Cast Iron Cookbook (1969): a great winter challenge (hearty, practical, and delicious).
• Vintage Wooden Recipe Box (handwritten recipes):  the ultimate “story swap” centerpiece.

Cookbook Club: The Coziest January Book Club You’ll Actually Keep

January is a big “fresh start” month… but also a month when everyone is tired by 7 p.m. A cookbook club is the easiest way to keep momentum because the reading is light, the conversation is built in, and the meeting comes with snacks (a very persuasive format).

The secret sauce: keep it easy.
To make your club last beyond January, choose recipes that stay within: 10 ingredients, 45 minutes, and one mildly chaotic step (optional). Store-bought sides are always welcome.

The goal is connection—not perfection.

2) Pick a meeting rhythm you can keep

Monthly beats weekly for most groups. Keep it light. Keep it fun. Keep it going.

3) Make it “show-and-tell”

Vintage books shine when you can see them. Bring your copy, point out the cover art, share a favorite page, or swap “find stories.”

Fun Collecting Twist: Build a “Book Club Starter Stack”

Pick three:

1. One conversation-starter (satire/history/folklore)
2. One comfort classic (Wonderland)
3. One “hands-on” title (cookbook/knots/manual)
4. Boom—instant mini-collection with variety and personality.

Seasonal CTA + Shipping Heads-Up

Starting Sunday, January 4, 2026: free U.S. shipping on $35+ storewide.
Why? Shipping + materials + costs have risen, and I’m not cutting corners—I’m protecting the careful packaging and listing standards that keep vintage treasures safe.

Wrapping Up

January is a fresh page, and book clubs are one of the nicest ways to fill it — with stories, laughter, recipes, rabbit holes, and the occasional shark. If you’re starting a group this month (or joining one), let your theme guide you: cookbooks, mid-century nostalgia, art, practical skills, thrillers, or history that helps us understand the world better.

Browse this week’s new arrivals, build a little starter stack, and I’ll be right here curating the shelves (and keeping the packaging standards high) for whatever chapter you’re in next.

👉 Browse the latest arrivals (Here!)

FAQ

Q. When does free U.S. shipping on $35+ start?
     Sunday, January 4, 2026.

Q. What qualifies for free shipping?
 Any U.S. order totaling $35 or more (before shipping) will ship free.

Q. Why did shipping change?
Shipping, packing materials, and product costs have risen, and I can’t absorb those increases without cutting corners. Moving to free U.S. shipping on $35+ lets me keep packaging and listing standards high (aka: your vintage treasures stay protected and accurately described).

Q. Does this apply to everything in the store?
Yes — every thing (not digital downloads) in the shop counts toward the $35+ threshold.

Q. Can I combine books + non-book treasures to reach $35?
Absolutely. Mix and match books with your favorite extras (pretty glass, patches, décor, skeleton keys… the whole charming Reading Vintage universe).

Q. What if my cart is under $35?
You can still check out as usual — you’ll just see standard shipping at checkout. (Or treat yourself to one more “just because” book and watch the math do magic.)

Q. Is this only for U.S. customers?
Yes — this free shipping offer is U.S. only.

Q. What’s the best “starter stack” for a January book club?
Pick a theme (cookbooks, classics, thrillers, skill-books, history), then choose one conversation-starter + one comfort read + one wild-card. Instant momentum.

 Author Bio: Pam of Reading Vintage

Pam is a vintage book seller who turned her passion into Reading Vintage, an online bookstore. She finds old classics, fun collectibles, and hidden literary gems throughout Michigan. 

When she’s not exploring estate sales for her next treasure, Pam enjoys walking in the woods with her dog, teaching water aerobics, and curling up with a good read.

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