Ahmedabad’s bibliophiles recharge and de-stress at booking clubs

Written By: Ancela JamindarEnthused readers exploring their favourite books together and exchanging recommendations on weekends is now a common sight in Ahmedabad. For introverts, it’s the perfect blend of me time and community; for others, it’s a refreshing way to de-stress and recharge their minds.

The idea of these meetups at parks, cafes and other spots, often called “silent reading sessions,” is inspired by global communities like the Silent Book Club. Psychologists say such community reading helps improve intrapersonal awareness by allowing time for self-reflection, while gently building interpersonal bonds through shared space and subtle social interaction.‘We ensure that reading is not an isolated activity’People are choosing relaxed, public spaces where anyone can join.

At places like Parimal Garden, Sabarmati Riverfront and niche cafes, a reading community gathers on weekend mornings for peaceful, communal reading sessions. These have become informal hubs for book lovers. Priya Sogani, founder, Pocket Diary Book Club (PDBC), says, “While searching for a book club, I realised there are no reader-centric book clubs in Ahmedabad, as the existing ones were focused on authors and book launches.

We started this club three years ago and within the first month, we got 80+ applications, which was a pleasant surprise. We added unique elements like going for post-reading chai gupshup.”Priya adds, “We have some exciting upcoming annual winter events coming up, including Christmas Eve events, visits to Thol Bird Sanctuary, treasure hunts in the old city, and initiatives in association with Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and Ahmedabad World Heritage City Trust.

We ensure that reading is not an isolated activity; we have read books while river rafting, during safaris, etc.”‘Our purpose is to read together and build community’Talking about the popularity of these initiatives, Priyanshi Gawarvala, founder, Reading Room, says, “I have been an avid reader since childhood. While studying abroad, I would visit cafes to read and enjoy the peaceful ambience. After coming back, I wanted to promote and celebrate reading here.

I didn’t want to create a book club where everyone was forced to read one book. I wanted to celebrate it together and build a reading community.

We started the Reading Room—on Sunday for one hour and people socialised for the next hour or took part in activities.”Priyanshi adds, “Our purpose is to come together, read and build community. Introverts can choose to interact with other readers or just read while enjoying the peaceful and lively ambience. Thanks to online communities like BookTok and Bookstagram, there is a lot of hype about reading nowadays, which is pushing people to read. This has been helpful for those who want to read but have given up due to their busy lives.

Reading in a lively and peaceful ambience has helped many readers to unwind and get back to reading at least once a week.”Popular reading spots