Book Lovers Day: Are Book Clubs Bringing Reading Back?

In a world dominated by buzzing notifications, endless scrolling, and short-form content, the idea of sitting with a book in hand feels quite surreal. The feeling of words on paper, running your fingers through the spine of the book or the edges of your Kindle, and soaking in all that it has to offer is a feeling only a bibliophile will understand.

And, today, one can see a quiet revolution happening in the reading community world over – the steady and slow comeback of book clubs and silent reading communities, turning reading from a solitary hobby into a shared experience. From cosy cafés and bookstores hosting reading hours (some involve discussions, some are silent) to social media exchanges of weekly/monthly book picks, these communities are creating calm in an otherwise hyper-distracted world.

So, what better day than Book Lovers Day (August 9) to honour these communities and see if these book clubs are bringing back the joy of reading.

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Why book clubs are thriving again

Today, we are living in a hyper-connected world where we are living most of our lives online – be it social media or consuming entertainment. It would be an understatement to say that our lives have undergone drastic transformations since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The reading culture post-COVID has increased because we realised there is also a saturation with the online content we consume. People sort of wanted that old school feeling of going back to a bookstore, turning the pages of a book and returning to simpler times! I feel that with the technology growing and with AI taking over as well, we just want a silent space to take our books and read. That’s where book clubs and silent reading communities step in to bring together readers and create a solitary space for them,” says Rahul Saini, actor, host, and founder of Paperbacktalks book club in Mumbai.

Book clubs offer more than just a reason to read. For many, these interactions turn reading into a social ritual, breaking the monotony of scrolling through feeds.

“The rise of book clubs both online and offline is, in my opinion, in large part due to the conversion of the reading experience from solitary to collective. Reading along with others and connecting with like-minded people is like killing two birds with one stone. Especially for those who move to new cities, search out book clubs and similar interest-based communities to find their tribe,” shares Amie Fazulbhoy, lawyer, founder and co-curator of Bandra Reads, a silent reading community in Mumbai.

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Echoing similar thoughts is Pune-based Mohini Kshirsagar, brand communications and admin lead, Virkar Developers LLP, and a bibliophile at heart. She says, “It’s a peaceful stand against the noise of non-stop digital content. Book clubs create space for slowing down and embracing a more immersive reading experience, especially when you are surrounded by other book lovers who bring their own insights and passion to the table. There’s something grounding about taking time with a physical book and coming back to discuss it with others. Books are often conversation starters, sparking dialogue that goes beyond the usual.”

Fostering a culture of reading

The quiet rise of these communities is doing more than creating spaces for bibliophiles—it’s cultivating a culture of reading. By blending solitude with community, they inspire more people to pick up books, discover new genres, and stay consistent in their reading habits.

“I’ve always loved reading, but I found myself slipping into the habit of reading sporadically—mostly short articles or summaries online. Joining a book club was a refreshing change that helped me reconnect with my love for reading. At the same time, learning different perspectives has broadened my view towards reading—it made the experience feel more thoughtful and layered,” Mohini shares. “I naturally gravitate toward certain genres when left to choose on my own. But the club has introduced me to self-help, non-fiction, regional reads, and even translated works I wouldn’t have picked up on my own. To my delight, I’ve genuinely enjoyed many of them. It’s broadened my reading palate.”

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And, it’s not just reading, book clubs are also opening reading horizons by picking up translated and literary works not just from Indian but also from countries like Korea, Japan, Africa, Ireland, and Turkey. Rachna Chopra, digital marketing & events head at Kitab Khana, picks up diverse books “to provide readers with a unique experience, and ensuring that readers go back home with a fun experience”. Adding further, she says, “Participation has increased because of accessibility to book clubs and communities, which were few before. I’ll also give credit to bookstores, as they realise the importance of community.” Apart from managing Kitab Khana’s book club, she also runs her own book club called RachnaInks.

We are also online

Apart from the rise in book clubs and silent reading communities that require physical attendance, there are certain book clubs that happen online and with an occasional offline meet-up. These online book clubs on platforms like Instagram, Goodreads, and even WhatsApp and Telegram are connecting readers across geographies. The rise of such book clubs has also made participation easier for those who are not able to attend them in person.

Take the case of Mumbai-based Isha Jagawat, for instance, who started a book club on WhatsApp. “I have been reading since school, and I know several readers as well. One day, I randomly decided to put a story about starting a community on WhatsApp where people can share what they are reading, share reviews and love for reading. And, that’s how Readers Nook took off,” shares Isha, who is currently doing marketing for a SaaS startup.

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Paperbacktalks started as an online book club during the pandemic, and today they are offline with activities that include author interactions, literature festivals, apart from ‘read-alongs’. Paperbacktalks is also making its presence felt in cities like Ahmedabad. Several online book clubs by celebrities like Sonali Bendre, Reese Witherspoon, Oprah Winfrey, and Twinkle Khanna with Tweak India are inspiring people to get into reading again.

Epilogue

As attention spans shrink in the digital era, the success of book clubs and silent reading meetups is a gentle reminder that the love for books is far from fading. In their own unassuming way, they are proving that reading doesn’t just have to be a solitary escape—it can be a shared journey, one silent page at a time.