The origins of the Fog and Ink Literary Society can be traced to 2014, when Chris, Gary, Shan, Jack, Evan, and Ry had a radical idea: they should read more books. A second, equally important idea quickly followed: they should drink beer while doing so.
The club's first official institutional milestone arrived shortly thereafter with the creation of a Facebook Messenger group, an act widely regarded by historians as the true founding moment. As the years passed, the club's communications infrastructure evolved with remarkable technological sophistication. Facebook Messenger eventually gave way to a Facebook Group, which later spawned a Google Sheet, which was then supplemented by a WhatsApp thread, creating a layered communications stack rivaling many venture-backed startups.
The club also survived several existential trials. Ry’s years in business school constituted what scholars now refer to as the Lost Era, during which many beers were consumed but few, if any, books were discussed. Later came the Great Pandemic of 2020, when meetings moved to Zoom along with everything else in human civilization. The club also weathered what historians delicately call the Attempted Coup, when Mike and Ry briefly tried to select a book without holding the customary vote. The maneuver was swiftly challenged by the formidable democratic coalition of Amber, Anu, and Jacinth, who restored constitutional order and the sacred tradition of group voting. Miraculously, the club endured.
Membership has shifted over time, as great literary societies tend to do. But the core traditions have remained constant: lively discussion, eating good food, and drinking together while occasionally remembering to talk about the book.
In 2026, Ry decided it was finally time to make things extremely official. The club was given its formal name — The Fog and Ink Literary Society — along with a website at fogandink.org, a development that also conveniently allowed him to practice his vibe-coding skills.
Now in its 12th year, the society has never been stronger. The books are better, the conversations are livelier, and the technology stack is more confusing than ever.
Historians agree: the future of Fog and Ink looks bright — or at least pleasantly foggy. 🍻📚