Our social lives have turned mostly virtual these days, especially with the winter season upon us. But that doesn’t mean that the fun must stop or that your goal of meeting new people cannot be achieved in 2021. As we hit 10 months of dealing with the global COVID-19 pandemic, many social clubs have perfected their virtual or fully outdoor setups to allow for a great time and for mingling to happen, even via a computer screen or outside through the colder weather. We have rounded up local social clubs here in Hudson County to join to meet some new people.
Have more to add to the list? Email us at hello@hobokengirl.com and we’ll add!
Book Clubs
Completely Booked Book Club
Hosted by HobokenGirl’s own Jordan Hernandez, The Completely Booked Book Club has launched and will have its first official meeting on January 26th. This club meets every last Tuesday of the month and votes together on their next book pick, focusing mostly on books by authors of color, female authors, or millennial themes. All meetings will be held via Zoom for now. For more information contact Jordan via Instagram @_completelybooked or via email at completelybooked201@gmail.com.
Music Book Club
New Jersey is home to many great musical artists and this book club has formed to celebrate them. Husband and wife Holly and Michael Tedder gather for their book club once a month to celebrate and honor musical legends through books. In normal times, this club would meet at Little City Books but has switched virtual for now. Email mtedder@gmail.com to join.
Sci-Fi Book Club
Wednesdays are for Sci-Fi. Well, at Little City Books they are. This club’s reads will focus all on the world of science fiction and the latest in this genre. Email info@littlecitybooks for the latest pick and stop on in to the store to grab a copy. Information on virtual logins will be given via email.
Read More: Book Clubs to Join in Hoboken, Jersey City, + Bayonne
Mystery Book Club
Often a crowd favorite, mystery books are fun to discuss and hypothesize as a group. Luckily, the Hoboken Library is doing just that. On the second Tuesday of every month, this book club gathers to chat about old-favorites or new works starting at 6:30PM. Connect with the organizer via email at rosary.vaningen@hoboken.bccls.org for virtual information and to join.
Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Discussion Group
Another one from the Hoboken Public Library. This sci-fi and fantasy book group dates back to January 2014 with its conception from a local resident interested in these two genres. They gather once a month on a Monday to chat about the book that was chosen by its members at 6PM. Often, film adaptation screening is shown starting at 4PM if applicable. Email hplwriters@gmail.com to learn more.
Well-Read Black Girl Book Club
WORD Bookstore in Jersey City has created a chapter of the American Booksellers Association and Well-Read Black Girl club with its own Well-Read Black Girl Book Club. Every last Sunday of the month, members meet via Google Hangouts to discuss a recent and relevant book by a Black author. Visit the website to see the next book pick.
Just Another Magic Monday Book Group
Magical realist literature with a focus on Latin American literature is the focus of this group. While their meetings have been on hold for a bit, they will pick back up virtually every third Monday of the month starting in the new year. Check out their section on the WORD Bookstore website for more information.
Octavia’s Brood Book Club
Another club placed on hold due to the pandemic but starting up again in the new year is Octavia’s Brook Book Club. This group gathers every third Monday of the month to discuss intense speculative fiction/horror books. This is another WORD Bookstore special.
North NJ Women’s Book and Cook Club
Weekends are now for the girls, eating, and reading. Join the North NJ Women’s Book and Cook Club to gather with women aged 25-45 who look for books and good cooks. Each month a weekend day and time is agreed on by the group to discuss a book and cook food that goes along with the book’s theme. Although all events are held via Zoom now, in non-pandemic times gatherings are at club members’ homes. Sign up for January’s meeting via Eventbrite.
Cooking Clubs
Bambino Chef
This is one for the kids. Jersey City cooking club, Bambino Chef has moved all its classes virtual for now. The same great fun as their in-person events can now be done at home. On Wednesdays from 4:30-5:30 the 9-12-year old’s meet with Thursdays at 3:10-4:10 being reserved for the 5-10-year olds. All meals are vegetarian and are simple to make. However, adult supervision is heavily encouraged. Book a set of virtual classes here.
Education
New Jersey 4-H Club
4-H is a U.S.-based network of youth organizations whose mission is “engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development”. Now, their events have gone virtual and allow for even more students to take advantage. Rutgers is gathering kids monthly for courses on a long list of subjects ranging from cooking to clean energy. Take a look at all that is available and register at the site here.
See More: Hoboken + Jersey City Running Clubs to Join
Be Outdoors
With over 2,000 events a year, the Be Outdoors Appalachian Mountain Club will keep the busiest of adventures going. There are over 100,000 members who are known as ‘the most diverse conservation and outdoor recreation organizations in the United States,’ according to its founders. From backpacking to yoga and hiking to softball, gathering together to explore the outdoors is their thing. Sign up for an event near you today on the website.
Adventures for Women
There are not too many women-only outdoor clubs in the U.S., but this is one of them. Founded by Betsy Thomason in 1981, the Adventures for Women Club seeks to help women empower, improve, and define themselves through activity. Their schedule is robust and is already launched through February 2021. Check it out here.
Hiking New Jersey for Young Professionals
Even during the pandemic, this group is safely meeting up to hike trails in northern NJ and NY. As of now, hikes are limited in capacity due to social distancing guidelines — but are still happening. Organizers ask that those who have signed up for the hikes are respectful of others, wear a mask, and follow through on a commitment to the hike. To become a member and sign up for a hike, click here.
