Silent Reading

Six weeks ago, I started a Silent Reading Chapter, in addition to our Book Club meetings, and our Creative Writing Chapter. Let me tell you a little about it. I suspect you have found this website, because you love to read. Often, it can be a solitary, sometimes lonely past time. This suits a lot of people, as books take you into so many other worlds, and the characters and the books become friends in themselves. But we all know that when you are at home, there are distractions, the family, the laundry, the ironing, cooking, gardening, your phone and so many more distractions. This is why, I created a Silent Reading Chapter. If you only get to read for an hour a week (maybe expanding to a longer time, soon) why not read in a lovely setting, with like-minded people ?

When I first started it, I will admit, I felt rather strange. At 12.00 p.m. I announced the time,

everyone stopped talking and settled with their books. We had been chatting away before this, about what we were reading, what sort of weeks people had, had, and so much more. So, when all of a sudden we were quiet, I felt like we had had an argument and were giving each other the silent treatment, reflective of my past life !! maybe. That then made me smile thinking about it, and I then had an urge to start laughing, but 5 minutes in after watching the joy of everyone reading. I settled down with my book and the hour flew by and it was thoroughly enjoyable. We all discussed how much we had enjoyed it, so we changed it to fortnightly, and now it is every week. I have attended every one of them so far, and will be attending the others, unless I am on holiday.

I am working hard on The Bookstown Book Festival, coming in 2027, developing The Book Place, keeping a home, entertaining my little dog, Tink, (The Book Place & The Book Club mascot), and many more distractions. So, the Silent Reading Chapter, not only gets me out of my flat, it gives me the opportunity to take time out to read, with like minded book loving friends. I highly recommend it. Happy reading