In 2018, I set out to combine two of my favorite things: uncovering hidden treasures in our amazing city and immersing myself in the pages of a great book. From there, Under Cover Book Club (UCBC) was born — a blend of scavenger hunt excitement and the timeless love for literature.
At its heart, UCBC is about turning the act of discovering a book into an adventure. I hide books in places both familiar and unknown in Cincinnati, and participants get to find them with “clever clues” in the form of coordinates.
I still remember the first time I hid books around the city. I selected a few of my favorite reads and propped them outside coffee shops, restaurants, fences and benches. Normally, I would leave as soon as I posted the coordinates on social media, but occasionally I would see people finding a copy and it was amazing to watch. A reciprocal relationship began to form between hider and scavenger, growing over the years into something beyond anything I could have imagined. UCBC has become a community of readers and explorers who love the thrill of discovery as much as they love the stories themselves.
Now, I’m thrilled to announce an exciting new chapter for UCBC: a partnership with CityBeat! This collaboration will take the UCBC experience to the next level, offering even more opportunities for readers to connect, explore and celebrate the joy of storytelling. Here’s how it will work:
- On the first of each month, starting Jan. 1, 2025, UCBC will publish reviews of the month’s featured titles in CityBeat. Most titles will be new releases, many from debut authors! These reviews will offer just enough intrigue to spark your curiosity, providing a glimpse into the stories and their themes without giving too much away. The date, time and location of the hunt will also be published.
- The hunt will take place on the last Saturday of each month, beginning Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. CityBeat will publish the coordinates, which can also be found on UCBC’s social media. The hunt will officially begin at noon in a different neighborhood each month, so mark your calendars and put on your sleuthing caps.
This new format blends the thrill of discovery with a shared reading experience. Each month, participants will have the chance to learn about new books, follow clues and race to uncover their hidden location. Whether you’re an avid reader, a scavenger hunt enthusiast, or just someone who loves a good adventure, UCBC and CityBeat invite you to be part of this unique journey. Through this partnership, my hope is to reach even more people. UCBC is about more than finding a book; it’s about creating a shared experience, sparking conversation and celebrating the power of storytelling to bring people together.
Ring in 2025 with a few of your bibliophile buddies and get ready for the hunt. Whether you’re exploring the city for the first time or rediscovering familiar places, Under Cover Book Club is here to make the journey unforgettable.
Happy hunting!
This article appears in Nov 27 – Dec 10, 2024.
