Rising Stars: Meet Juana Kim of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Juana Kim.

Hi Juana, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
The Lit(erary) Bunch started as a simple idea between three friends who shared a love for books and wanted to connect with others who felt the same. What began as casual conversations quickly grew into something much more meaningful, a space where readers could come together, share perspectives, and build genuine community through storytelling. Founded in August 2025, our leadership team includes Juaneeq as President, with Bobbie and Taryn serving as Vice Presidents. From the very beginning, we set out to create an experience that goes beyond just reading. Each month, we host themed meetings that bring the book to life in a fun and intentional way. Our gatherings are potluck style, creating a warm and welcoming environment where everyone contributes and feels at home.

We have also had the opportunity to connect directly with authors, inviting them to speak with our group about their books each month, which makes every discussion even more special and personal. During our meetings, we incorporate interactive games, and members have the chance to win prizes, adding an extra layer of excitement and engagement. Beyond the meetings, we have created our own merch, and we make it a point that members always leave with small trinkets as a token of our appreciation for being part of the club. It is these thoughtful details that help turn each gathering into a memorable experience. Since its start, The Lit(erary) Bunch has grown into a vibrant and welcoming community. What began as three friends with a shared interest has evolved into something truly special, a space where people come not just for the books, but for the connection, creativity, and sense of belonging. And we are only just getting started.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a completely smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been building consistency while balancing real life responsibilities. As a team, we all have full lives outside of the book club, so finding the time to plan, organize, and execute each meeting at the level we envision takes intention and effort. Another challenge has been growing a community from the ground up. In the beginning, it can feel uncertain putting something out there and hoping people show up, engage, and connect. We also had to learn how to keep members engaged beyond just reading the book by creating experiences that feel fresh, interactive, and worth showing up for every month. Coordinating themed events, author conversations, merch, and thoughtful details like prizes and trinkets also comes with logistical and financial challenges. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes that people do not always see. That being said, every challenge has helped us grow. It has pushed us to be more creative, more organized, and more intentional about the experience we create. Watching the community grow and seeing the impact it has made makes every obstacle worth it!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We are the founders of The Lit(erary) Bunch, a community driven book club that blends creativity, connection, and storytelling into a full experience. What we do goes far beyond reading a book each month. We curate themed meetings that bring each story to life through intentional details, interactive discussions, games, and shared moments.
We specialize in creating experiences that make people feel connected. From planning our monthly themes to designing engaging conversations and coordinating author talks, every part of what we do is centered around building a space where people feel seen, heard, and excited to show up. We have had the opportunity to host authors who speak directly with our members, which adds a deeper and more personal layer to our discussions.
What we are most proud of is the community we have built from the ground up. Seeing people form genuine friendships, open up during conversations, and look forward to each meeting is something that makes all the work behind the scenes worth it. We have also expanded into merch and thoughtful touches like prizes and small trinkets that members take home, which makes each experience feel memorable and appreciated.
What sets us apart is the intention behind everything we do. It is not just about finishing a book, it is about how the book makes you feel and how we bring that feeling into a shared space. We focus on creating an environment that is welcoming, interactive, and meaningful, where people are not just members but truly part of something.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Luck has definitely played a role in our journey, but we see it more as preparation meeting opportunity. There have been moments that felt like luck, like connecting with the right people, having authors say yes to speaking with us, or seeing our community grow through word of mouth. But those moments came from consistently showing up, putting ourselves out there, and creating something people genuinely want to be part of. At the same time, what might look like luck from the outside has really been the result of intention and effort behind the scenes. We plan every detail, stay consistent, and pour a lot of care into the experience we create, which opens the door for those opportunities to come our way. If anything, we feel “lucky” to have found each other as founders and to have built a community that resonates with so many people. But we also know that growth, connection, and opportunity have come from the work we have put in.

Pricing:

• We aim to keep our events accessible and community focused. Most of our gatherings are low cost or potluck style, with optional purchases like merch available.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://msha.ke/theliterarybunch
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/theliterarybunch
• Twitter: https://x.com/thelitbunch?s=21
• Other: https://www.theliterarybunch.com/