Circle of Friends Book Club was founded in 1994 by Jennifer Copeland and a few of her co-workers in Valdosta, Georgia. The purpose of the club was initially for the group to read books and meet once a month to discuss the book. The book club to date has been quite successful in that it has held meetings on a monthly basis and has held other activities to promote literary.

Because there is a need in today�s society for �sistahs� to reach out to each other in sharing and fellowship, Shunda Blocker decided to continue the legacy of Circle of Friends by forming the Atlanta, Georgia chapter called �Circle of Friends Book Club II�. Their first meeting was on January 1997. COF II has hosted book signings for authors such as E. Lynn Harris, Sheneska Jackson, Walter Mosley, Omar Tyree, Eric Jerome Dickey and Michael Baisden. In September 1997, COF II was chosen as one the guest book clubs and appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show. In September 1998, three sistahs from COF II flew to Chicago and appeared on Oprah�s book club once again to celebrate Oprah�s book club anniversary show.

The legacy of Circle of Friends continued and a third chapter was formed in Tallahassee, Florida called �Circle of Friends III�. Their president is Lisa Mitchell and they held their first meeting in December 1997 and they are active in promoting literacy through reading and fellowship.

Six additional chapters have since been formed. Jacksonville, NC is the home of Circle of Friends IV. Gainesville, GA is the home of Circle of Friends V. San Diego, CA is the home of Circle of Friends VI. Memphis, TN is the home of Circle of Friends VII. Charlotte, NC is the home of Circle of Friends VIII. And finally Circle of Friends IX was formed in Toledo, OH. (More to Come!)

Each Circle of Friends Book Club promises to promote and support spreading knowledge by promoting literacy every chance we get!