WNBA Nashville ChapterWe gather, celebrate, and serve book lovers in the
Greater Nashville area and beyond |
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Join us in September!
WNBA September Book Club Gathering For September, we’re taking our WNBA book club conversation into the garden! Join us Wednesday, September 30 from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at the home of Alice Sullivan for a special evening featuring Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit by Lyanda Lynn Haupt—along with a garden tour led by Sarah Ruzic, founder of Tennessee Kitchen Gardens. Rooted explores the fascinating intersection of science, nature, and spirit, offering a thoughtful invitation to slow down, pay attention, and become more intentional about our connection to the natural world. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 6:00–8:00 p.m. Please RSVP to Alice to receive the address: [email protected] New Board 2026-2028
At the end of June, our 2026-2028 board members gathered for our annual Nashville chapter board retreat. The current board includes:
President: Carly Anderson Past President: Ami McConnell VP and Programming Chair: Amylane Reeve Secretary: Abigail Wells Treasurer: Tatjana Stoljarova Social Media Chair: Lauren Ellis Snider Coffee with Authors and SFOB Chair: Cici Christman Membership Chair: Catherine Hooper Hospitality Chair: Linda Harris Communications Chair: Mad Smith Book Club Chair: Kimberly Dana We look forward to serving our members in the year ahead! Poetry and Friends“Life in Verse: The Power of Storytelling Through Poetry” Camaraderie and poetry were on the menu at Carrabba's on April 7 when WNBA Nashville met to celebrate National Poetry Month. Our program featured published poets Carly Marlys, Heather Cadenhead, and Kate Gaston. Carly, Heather, and Kate each read from their collected works and answered our questions about writing poetry. Carly, Heather, and Kate can all be found on Substack. Check them out! The evening also included some friendly conversations as we enjoyed our delicious meals from Carrabba's. It's always great to get together and see old friends and make new ones! We especially welcomed our newest members and our guests. Lines from Lauren
Remembering Dolly Parton Hello everyone! I am Lauren Scott, and I am the youngest member of the WNBA Nashville Chapter. Today, I’d like to take some time to remember not just a country music icon, but a beautiful person: Dolly Parton. As many of you already know, Dolly Parton passed away on August 25, 2026. She was respected and loved by so many people, no matter their religion, political opinions, or beliefs. She wrote so many famous songs, from Jolene and 9 to 5 to I Will Always Love You and many others. Although her country music made a huge impact, so did something especially meaningful to those of us who love books: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The Imagination Library provides free books to children from birth to the age of five, helping children in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and other countries discover the joy of reading. I think it’s important to acknowledge all the work Dolly did - not just for her Tennessee community, but for the world. I hope this blog inspires you to learn more about our beloved country music icon and her commitment to, not just success, money, or fame, but to people. And just may be, one of the best ways we can remember Dolly Parton is to do what she encouraged millions of children to do: pick up a book, keep reading, and keep dreaming. Love, Lauren |
If you have yet to do, please renew your 2026-2027 membership year dues. To join or renew, click here. Our membership year runs from June, 2026 -May, 2027.
Thank you for your continued support, and welcome, new members! WNBA Book Club Goes Monthly
There is a quiet magic in reading alone—but an even greater one in reading together. As the new Book Club Chairperson for WNBA, I’m delighted to introduce a new monthly format for our book club gatherings. This shift opens the door for more frequent connection, richer conversation, and a stronger sense of community—one book at a time.
Book clubs do something special. They take a solitary act and turn it into a shared experience. They invite us to see through new lenses, to listen closely, and to linger a little longer in the world of a story. Around a table—whether in a cozy home or a favorite restaurant—books become bridges, conversations deepen, and connections grow into friendship. As our WNBA chapter continues to grow, we are inviting members to host a gathering. Choose a month, select a book, and decide on a setting that feels welcoming and warm. If you’re interested, please sign up with Kimberly Dana at [email protected] and include your preferred month, location, and book selection. Because the stories we read matter—but the connections we make around them matter even more! Warmly, Kimberly Dana WNBA Book Club Chairperson
Catherine B. Hooper, WNBA-Nashville Membership Chair, is an author who writes under the pen name, Cat B. Hooper. Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, she’s a retired communications director and event planner for Vanderbilt University, where she earned a degree in Creative Writing.
Cat had always wanted to write a novel, and years ago, while living on a horse farm, she began writing a story: “What if you unexpectedly inherited a horse farm—and a jealous relative schemed against you?” She also included original songs in the storyline. Years later, she resurrected the pages and using a five-thirty a.m. daily writing schedule outside of her full-time job, she finished her debut novel which is now being pitched to publishers. While awaiting a publishing deal, Cat is working on her second novel, full of fun magical realism about a California legend. While Cat regrets the twelve-year gap in completing the project, she reminds all aspiring authors to honor the creative spirit within, stressing it’s never too late to start, resume or complete a project. Outside of her Membership Chair role, Cat enjoys attending writing conferences and seminars and judging writing contests such as the Silver Falchion and the Rising Star literary awards. Cat is also a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association and has appeared as a panelist at the Writerfest Nashville conference. An avid traveler, she enjoys frequent trips to scenic places around the U.S. and Europe, especially national parks, coastlines and the mountains. Follow her author’s journey at: www.catbhooper.com, Facebook, and Instagram @catbhooper. 
Vanderbilt University Presents
the 38th annual Southern Festival of Books, a program of Humanities Tennessee 2026 OCTOBER 17 (9am to 6pm) OCTOBER 18 (10am to 5pm) Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, Tennessee State Museum, and Tennessee State Library and Archives We're excited to celebrate the written word with you downtown this fall! Initial lineup to come midsummer. In the meantime, happy reading! Great Group Reads
Upcoming Events Monthly Programming for Members. Guests welcome! Wednesday, September 30th - Book Club Discussion. Rooted by Lyanda Lynn Haupt. Details TBA. Saturday, October 3rd- Haunted Haven: 5 Authors, 1 Night Creepy Stories for Grown-Ups 6-9pm, 114 N. Main St. Goodlettsville, TN Tuesday, October 6th – Monthly Membership Meeting. featuring Carnegie Writers, Alpha Graphics Music City. 6:00pm Carrabba's Green Hills. October Book Club – Book Club Discussion. Details TBA. Saturday, October 17 – Coffee with Authors. Our WNBA signature event. Details TBA. Saturday, October 17 - Sunday, October 18 – Southern Festival of Books. Bicentennial Capitol Mall, Tennessee State Museum, and Tennessee State Library and Archives campus. See https://www.sofestofbooks.org/ for more information on the festival. WNBA Loves Books!We write them, we publish them, we sell them, we teach children and adults to read and appreciate them, we loan them, we borrow them, we give them, we read them, we listen to them, and we share them with friends. --Lee Fairbend Did you realize there are more pages on our website than this one? Click above the website header on the three lines or the plus sign to find the links to our other pages. You'll find lots more content and information! To join click here. And don't forget to check out our Member News page. Let us know when you have some news to share! |
About the Nashville Chapter
Since 1955, the Nashville chapter of the Women’s National Book Association has been promoting reading, supporting literacy, and advancing the role of women in the community of the book. We offer informative programs and networking opportunities from September through May, a book discussion group that meets six times a year, and various charitable and outreach activities
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Questions?
All events, with the exception of the annual Christmas dinner and the Garden Party, are free and open to the public. For more information, contact [email protected]