Dartmouth, N.S. resident Megan Brydon loves the idea of a locally owned bespoke book club.
Perfect pairings
During the pandemic, an East Coast bibliophile found the perfect way to bring the book-club experience home — with books, wine, and chocolate BY SHANNON WEBB-CAMPBELL PHOTOS BY BRUCE MURRAY, VISIONFIRE STUDIOS
T
he pandemic changed the way we connect, and in many ways, sparked new ideas and opportunities to bond. While stowed away in Dartmouth during quarantine, avid reader and wine lover Emma Bent came up with Read Between the Vines, a monthly subscription book club box. Bent launched the club in fall 2020. “I became a particularly voracious reader during the pandemic because I was spending more time at home. I was getting restless and needed an outlet,” says Bent. “I love to read, and although there are other book subscription boxes, none of them integrated a book club aspect. I wanted something that would not only keep me accountable – like a weekly book club, but that would also allow me to meet some new people.” While Bent researched book blogs, vlogs, and read widely as possible, she quickly learned which novels would lead to engaging conversations. Read Between the Vines subscribers receive a handdelivered box with free shipping in the Halifax area (but can also be posted Canadawide) featuring a novel paired with a bottle of white or red wine selected by Lucas Mader, a local sommelier from Bishop’s Cellar. For those who prefer to abstain, you can pair your book club box with coffee and tea
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WINTER 2021
