Four Seasons Books events manager Julia Young and children's book manager Chelsea Semonco chat, as they work together behind the counter last week. Photo by Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Four Seasons Books has been growing its community of book lovers, by increasing the number of niche book clubs it offers.

By the end of this spring, the store will have nearly 20 book clubs — each with its own, unique theme. According to events manager Julia Young, the two new additions to those numbers are Throwback Lit: A Nostalgic Book Club for Millennials and Nonfictional Regional Read. The Throwback Lit book club will kick off with a discussion of the first book in Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series, on April 19 at 6 p.m. The Nonfictional Regional Read will be launched in May or June, with an author visit.

“We’re investing in our community in different ways than before. We spent the last two years kind of honing what our demographics are and for what type of events they’d be interested in attending,” Young said. “We just listened to the community and have developed our events and book clubs based on their interests.”

By paying more attention to the demographics of potential customers, Four Seasons Books has been able to expand its customer base.

“We’ve been able to build a community within the bookstore that wasn’t already there — kind of filling a need for a third space for book lovers in the area,” Young said.

Shepherdstown resident Liz Wilson, right, makes a purchase for a book club from Four Seasons Books associate Celene Wilson, center, and events manager Julia Young last week. Photo by Tabitha Johnston

For horror lovers, there is the Horror Haven Book Club, which is reading through Allison Gunn’s novel, “Nowhere,” for its April meeting. Those who prefer stories with happy endings can find a home in the Tales from the Cottage: Cozy Book Club, which is currently reading Danie Stirling’s novel, “Crumbs,” for its April 27 meeting. Mystery lovers need look no further than to join The Crow Club, a mystery and thriller book club, which plans to discuss Ava Morgyn’s “The Bane Witch” in its next meeting on April 30. Those interested in keeping up with new publications are encouraged to join the Recent Reads Book Club. And, for readers who have a passion for both classic and contemporary literature, the Well-Read Book Club is the perfect place for them.

For genres with niche subgenres like romance, the bookstore runs multiple book clubs. The Daggers & Darlings Romantasy Book Club focuses on reading romantic fantasies, such as with its next book for its May 29 meeting, Juliette Cross’ “Firebird.” The Feral Love Book Club delves into the realm of mythical creature romance — its next meeting on May 17 will be on Lindsay Straube’s “Kiss of the Basilisk.” The After Dark Book Club centers its reading around spicy romances, such as B.K. Borison’s “First-Time Caller,” which the group is reading for its May 22 meeting.

“There was a demographic that was missing a place to congregate, post-COVID. That’s how the After Dark Book Club was born,” Young said, mentioning that book club started the store’s expansion in book club options. “We wanted to create a safe place for people, where they could talk and be unabashedly themselves.”

The work Four Seasons Books has done to create that safe space, has led to the bookstore now having over 300 members in its book clubs.

“Our thing is, we’ve got something for everyone!” said children’s book manager Chelsea Semonco, who runs close to half of the store’s book clubs.

Young nodded in agreement.

“I think we cover every genre, at this point, from the classics to nonfiction,” Young said. “But we never say never to a new idea!”

A few of the store’s book clubs are pop-ups or series-specific studies, adding to the overall variety available to customers. And the development of more book clubs is in the works. New employee Celene Wilson plans to start a book club that appeals to those like her, who enjoy reading a mixture of fiction and nonfiction works.

“I hope to start a book club about books that inspire people, both fiction and nonfiction,” Wilson said.

To learn more, visit https://www.fourseasonsbooks.com.