Mystified by the surge of quiet reading groups scattered across Toronto? Let's delve into the enigma of these silent reading clubs.
A New Spin on Literary Connectivity: Breaking Borders and Building Bonds
In the heart of Toronto, an evening unlike any other unfolds each month at the Bampot tea house on Harbord Street. It's not the jovial banter or enticing aroma of tea that sets this gathering apart; it's the quiet, concentrated focus of the attendees crafting a collective tapestry of thoughts through the written word. Welcome to the Curious Company Reading Club, a unique reading collective started by friends Marilyn Kehl and Lawvin Hadisi.
"We bonded over reading. We were like, 'You need to read this book,'" Hadisi mused. This led them to the brilliant idea of reading together, rather than alone, and inviting others to join in. Far from the solitary hobby it once was, reading is now a communal activity that fosters connection and friendship.
Toronto's bibliophiles are greeting this new wave of reading clubs with open arms. Malcolm Duncan, an urban planner, founded Actual Book Club in 2023 as a response to social media's obsession with books as mere visual objects. "I wanted to create a space for people who read, without the financial obligation associated with this type of resurgence, or the social pressure of traditional book clubs," he explains.
While some reading clubs, like the Curious Company, transition from the traditional book club format, newcomers like Actual Book Club take a more meta perspective, rethinking what a book club can be. They host monthly meetings at Parkdale's Osprey Cafe and foster peer-to-peer lending, allowing members to read what they like on their own schedules.
Beyond fostering community, book clubs are becoming a force for good, raising funds for charities such as Parkdale Project Read. "My favourite moments are the ones that bring me closer to people," says Duncan, describing the club's monthly meetups as "very chill, unpretentious, third space kind of vibes."
The "third space" aspect - a place not home or work to connect with others - is a key part of the appeal of this growing global trend, according to Amanda Gauthier, a category manager at Indigo. "There's something about occupying that space that must scratch some kind of itch in terms of a soft social need that we have." Gauthier cites Alberto Manguel's "A History of Reading," suggesting that reading was not always a silent activity, since it was often done aloud in the first libraries.
Book clubs offer a chance to recognize fellow readers, to connect with others who share the same passion, providing a space for meaningful friendships. The Melanin Silent Reading Club, started by Monique Finlayter in February 2024, aims to be just that: a safe space for Black women to gather, read, and connect deeply with one another.
In an era of screens and superficial connections, book clubs provide a tangible, low-risk way to engage with others, a meaningful respite from the digital world. The penny is dropping: we crave authentic connections, and book clubs provide a perfect opening.
- The Curious Company Reading Club, originating in Toronto, fosters connections through a collective exploration of literature, meeting monthly at Bampot tea house on Harbord Street.
- Malcolm Duncan, an urban planner, established Actual Book Club in 2023, offering a low-pressure alternative to the conventional book club format in response to social media's focus on books as visual objects.
- Parkdale's Osprey Cafe serves as the monthly meeting venue for Actual Book Club, promoting a self-paced reading culture and peer-to-peer lending among its members.
- A significant benefit of book clubs is their ability to raise funds for charitable organizations, such as Parkdale Project Read, as demonstrated by these clubs.
- Amanda Gauthier, a category manager at Indigo, discusses the growing trend of book clubs, highlighting their role as 'third spaces' that cater to a human need for authentic connections beyond home or work.
- Alberto Manguel's "A History of Reading" suggests that reading was once performed aloud in the first libraries, implying a more social aspect to literature in the past.
- The Melanin Silent Reading Club, initiated by Monique Finlayter in February 2024, provides a sanctuary for Black women to read, connect deeply, and foster friendships in a safe and supportive environment.
- Book clubs serve as a means to acknowledge shared passions and create meaningful friendships, offering a respite from the digital world and its superficial connections.
- Christina Sold, a local Toronto resident, finds solace in joining book clubs, appreciating the sense of belonging and genuine connections she forms with fellow literature enthusiasts.
- The Findlayterter blog often brings attention to inspiring book clubs like the Curious Company, Actual Book Club, and Melanin Silent Reading Club, promoting the importance of literary connectivity in Toronto's community.
- Lifestyle and media outlets are increasingly featuring stories on Toronto's blossoming book club scene, reflecting the burgeoning interest in these communal learning experiences.
- Popular culture and entertainment now embrace this literary revival, with travel adventures, books, shopping, food, fashion, home, relationships, and social media venues all taking on a book club theme, exemplifying the widespread evolution of reading as a group activity.
