Reading clubs play Cupid, making us fall in love with books all over again

A woman sits down to read under a tree spreading a checkered cloth, and a man sits on a bench plugging in his earphones and listening to his audiobook. It is 8 am on a Saturday and at Kamala Nehru Park in Pune, you can see a group of people getting ready for a reading session. They are part of a group. Pune ReadsA silent book-reading community that meets every Saturday morning for a year to escape their daily routine.Shruti Siddharud, a member of Pune Reads, says, “I joined in 2023 and it has been a great experience. I found a community that I was looking for for a long time. I didn’t have many friends who loved reading, but I found it here. It became more than just a reader community.” The scene is no different in other cities, where people are returning to open spaces with just a book in hand.
“We started on June 3, 2023, and at that time we had 40 readers. We were worried whether the club size would grow during the rains, but people came and read at the gazebo regardless of the weather. There hasn’t been a single session when no one came” – Sonal Dharmadhikari, Founder/Curator, Pune Reads
Nikhil Dwivedi, a product manager in a multinational company and a regular member of Delhi’s Silent Book Club, says, “Reading amidst nature is a wonderful experience. Sunder Nursery And in natural light, it feels therapeutic. I think it’s easier to dive into the writer’s world when you’re outdoors. I see new people at every meeting and I’m sure the allure of reading in open spaces and the excitement of meeting fellow book lovers are two major attractions for them.” Rachana Kalra, who started the Delhi and Gurgaon chapters of Silent Book Club, says, “I chose Sunder Nursery because it gives you the peace and relaxation you need while reading. The sounds of nature, the chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves enhance the reading experience, making you want to come back again and again. Around 40-50 people join us in each session.”

Studying in beautiful Delhi
Nabiha Tasneem, co-curator of Lodhi Reads, says, “Reading outdoors in a place like Lodhi Gardens that is full of greenery, history and culture instills a love for reading and also improves mental health. Lodhi Garden It has a specialty that not only enhances our reading experience but also our experience of exploring the city. “The amount of concentration I get here is better than reading alone. As a dog lover, it is nice to have furry companions while reading and Lodhi Reads has many four-legged regulars like dogs,” explains Siddhartha DasWeb and Graphic Designer, Regular Writer at Lodhi Reads.

Chennai’s sea-kissed reading group
If you love reading while sitting by the sea, Bessie Reads organises reading sessions at Besant Nagar Beach in Chennai. “The beautiful shore and the sound of the waves make for a great setting to read and discuss books in bonding sessions every Sunday morning,” he says. Springa participant.

Mumbai says do whatever you want
It was co-founded by Amy Fazulbhoy and Abhimanyu Lodha Bandra Reads in June 2023. “For the past year our community has been meeting every Sunday from 8am to 10am at Joggers Park. Everyone has been braving the Mumbai heat, humidity and rain to be a part of this consistent event. Silent reading community.” The best part? You can do whatever you want: read, crochet, sketch. But quietly.

Quiet place in Hyderabad
Avinash Denduluri, a filmmaker and organiser of Read a Kitab in Hyderabad, loves attending outdoor reading events. “We gather every month at Lamakaan – a popular cultural space – and read together. It is a serene environment where ideas and poems flow freely,” he explains.

Kolkata, Lakeside
Come rain or shine, members of this community are present at every edition. If a viewer or passerby wants to take part in the activity, the readers welcome them, offering books from their collection, creating a sense of belonging in them. This sentiment also resonates with Dr Charulata Banerjee, a member of the Sarobar Book Club in Kolkata. “If someone is travelling and is in the city for a few days, they can join us,” she says. “We started seven years ago and chose the Rabindra Sarobar lake because any activity done near a water body is extremely refreshing. One doesn’t always need to go to a cafe to read, these open spaces are ours. We should claim them and use them for such activities,” she adds.

Bestsellers from Bangalore
Shruti Shah, co-founder of Cubbon Reads, a silent reading community that meets regularly Cubbon Parkbelieves it is important to unite readers around books without intellectualising them. Today, more than 500 people attend each session of the group. “The park is an informal space, unlike the library, and people can relax, unwind and even sleep without any policing. It reminds me of home,” she explains.
– Inputs Yvonne JacobShivika Manchanda, Anna Fernandes, Arnab Khanna, Mantha Surabhi, Sundas Javed, Raima Ganguly, Debarati S Sen and Shrestha Mukherjee