Reviving the art of reading, one book at a time

Shantanu Naidu, the founder of India's largest reading club, Bookies, also wanted to create a "third space" for reading—a social environment where people could gather and interact beyond the confines of home and work. "The intent was very clear and singular. While other hobby-based reading clubs existed, we wanted to create something bigger by forming a community of readers who would meet at heritage spots and green spaces in the city to simply read in silence, with no phones on," he shares.

How reading clubs work

Each book has its unique flavour. Rachna's Silent Book Club focuses on uninterrupted reading. "People bring whatever they're reading—books, magazines, e-books, even textbooks. We read in silence for an hour, and then, if they feel like it, they chat about books," she explains.

On the other hand, Kruthika Kumar's Bessy Reads in Chennai takes a more unconventional approach. "We host public book reading sessions by the beach. People just drop by with their favourite reads and spend serene Sunday mornings reading together," she says.

For Arunima Mazumdar, founder of Dokusha Book Club, the focus is on Japanese literature. "I wanted to build a community of readers who specifically loved Japanese literature," she says. Her club, which started in December 2022, now has over 800 members and hosts monthly book discussions and offline meetups.

The benefits of joining a book club

Reading clubs offer more than just a space to read—they provide a sense of belonging, intellectual stimulation and emotional well-being.

1. Building community and combating loneliness

For many, book clubs are a way to connect with others. Vrushali Wani, a member of Mumbai Bookies, says, "The book club has opened up opportunities to connect with so many people who share my love for reading. It's amazing how books can bring people from all backgrounds together."

2. Encouraging consistent reading habits

In a world full of distractions, book clubs help people carve out time for reading. "Knowing that people genuinely enjoy and look forward to these meetups has kept me motivated. It's a small but meaningful way to encourage reading for pleasure," Rachna notes.

3. Broadening perspectives

Book clubs expose readers to genres and authors they might not have discovered on their own. Kaav says, "It helped me become a more adventurous reader, foraying into genres I wouldn't typically pick up."

4. Enhancing mental health

A 2009 study at the University of Sussex found that reading can reduce stress by up to 68%. Another study published in Journal of Research in Personality in 2005 discovered a strong connection between reading fiction and better performance of widely used empathy and social acumen tests.

In a similar vein, Dr Jasmine Arora, a psychologist at Artemis Hospital, Gurugram, highlights the mental health benefits of reading and book clubs. "Reading relieves stress, improves concentration, and promotes emotional well-being. Book clubs add a social dimension, reducing feels of isolation and fostering empathy," she explains.

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Reading clubs build long lasting connections. (Image: Freepik)

Fun and unexpected moments

Book clubs are not just about serious discussions—they're also filled with laughter and camaraderie. Rachna shares, "At almost every session, someone gets lost trying to find us. It's practically a Silent Book Club tradition."

Kaav recalls a bonding moment over a poorly written book. "We once picked up a book that was so atrocious it bonded the entire group. Turns out, bad writing can build friendships that last years."

The future of reading clubs

As reading clubs continue to grow, they're also expanding their reach. Shantanu says, "We're in four cities now and plan to expand to Ahmedabad, Delhi and Chennai. Our goal is to bring back reading as a movement."

For Molina Singh, co-founder of Delhi Reads, the journey has been deeply personal. "It taught me the power of taking action. I started this as a college student with no resources, and today, we have over 65,000 people connected with us online," she says.

So, whether it's through silent reading sessions, beachside meetups or niche literary discussions, reading clubs are reviving the art of reading and proving that, in the words of Shantanu, "Reading is not lost—it’s lying dormant under the surface and can be brought back with enough attention."

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If you've been meaning to pick up a book or reconnect with your love for reading, a book club might just be the perfect place to start. After all, as Rachna puts it, "Sometimes, people just want to read in peace, be around fellow readers and maybe exchange recommendations." And in today's fast-paced world, reading is here to stay.