Ways to Make Bookish Friends

Ever notice how hard it is to make friends after college? I have. I'm not much of a people person. I can be friendly and outgoing, but homegirl needs her alone time. BOOKRIOT seems to have a recurrent theme of publishing pieces about "making bookish friends." Their recent brilliant ideas include...

• Hangout in bookstores (work or visit) and strike up conversations [Um, no thanks, #introvert]
• Talk to others in line at book signings [which requires going to book signings, right?]
• Bookclubs [I hate being told what to read and when]
• The library [Aren't they quiet zones?]
• Book sales [the last time I went to a book sale two guys got into an actual fist fight over a pile of "reserved" $1 DVDs!]
• Wear conversation starting "merch" [Like Twilight t-shirts and Harry Potter pins? At my age, that seems a bit pervy as I am more likely to attract new-bookish friends' children.]
• Dating apps [Um, thinking my husband might not love this idea]

So, what does an adult gal (or guy) do to find bookish friends, you ask? Good question!

Here are just a few ideas that popped into my head...

• Commuting - If you commute, look around. There are almost always others reading either books, Kindles, on their phone. Sit next to one of them. Wait for a good moment and then pop the question! "What are you reading?" Guaranteed to get any reader, extroverted or not, to answer. If they clam up after the title, say, "Is it any good?" This almost always works! [Added benefit, if you repeatedly "run into" that person, you can eventually ensure yourself a reading partner on the train who understands, "It's been nice chatting, but it's time to shut up now and read!"]
• Co-workers, friends of friends - Bring up books in conversation with your non-book friends. Look into starting a bookclub at work, or put up a sign at the gym. [You would be seriously surprised how many people are closet readers just waiting for a chance to talk about their latest read.]
• Youtube and Instagram - Watch some bookish YouTube channels and keep an eye on the comments. Strike up a conversation with someone interesting, but seemingly non-crazy. Eventually progress to email or texting. [People are fairly open on these social media sites, it's easy to learn quickly if they are friend-material or not.]
• Skype and Facetime - Convince those YouTube buddies to start a bookclub and use one of these programs to link in, include long-distance friends, cousins, or more. [Friendly times, but at home. The best of the best!]
• Community read-a-thon - Rather than waiting for a group to come to you, initiate a read-a-thon at - or even better -  for your local library or school. Let the readers in your hometown come to you. [Added bonus: because they are local and maybe have children at the same school, you have more things in common.]
• Art-geeks stick together - Look for potential friends who have other similar interests as you. Do you knit or attend an art or pottery class? Do you have a local community chorus or theater? Arty folks are often bookish folks. Ask someone new if they've read any good books lately! [Worst case scenario, they look at you with disdain and say something like, "I'm too busy knitting a sweater for my pet gerbil, Bubba, to read..." One less person you have to waste time pursuing, move on.]
• Church - Again, same interests, same faith. Suggest reading an appropriate book together. Start up a Bible-Read-a-Thon. [Whatever works.]
• Book-luck Dinner Party - Plan a pot-luck dinner where everyone brings a book, rather than a dish. Non-readers won't bother accepting...or maybe they will and you can convince them they are truly bookish! [Maybe everyone also brings a dish related to their book, so you don't have to do all the cooking?]

• Yard-Sales - Go to yard sales with books, or have one yourself. Ask buyers/sellers what they read recently. [List Books on the Craigslist listing and watch them flock to you.]
• Free-Little-Library - Set up a little library in front of your house (check on your local laws first). Keep your eye on those folks who return time and again. Conveniently take the trash out when they approach and say hello. Strike up a conversation and invite them to your Book-Luck Dinner Party. [Then go plan your last-minute Book-Luck Dinner Party.]

Any other suggestions?