Silent Book Club: London organiser on why it’s so popular

In the heart of London, a group of people are reading with drinks in their hands amid general silence. The ambience resembles that of an old wine bar or an exclusive club with plush leather sofas and green velvet walls, except no one is talking to each other. Instead, they concentrate on their e-books, listen to audiobooks through headphones, or even sit with a cookbook and magazine. This is the Silent Book Club, where the focus is on reading without rules. The group’s London chapter co-organiser sat down with How To Be Books to talk about its significance over the years.

How does a Silent Book Club work?

Friends and strangers come together at a designated time and place, order food or drinks, discuss their current reads, and then immerse themselves in an hour of quiet, uninterrupted reading.

After the hour, participants have the option to socialise—or simply enjoy their solitude. Silent Book Club was founded because its organisers, Guinevere de la Mare and Laura Gluhanich, believed that reading alongside friends enhances our lives and brings us joy.

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The concept was so popular that “Quiet” author Susan Cain said: “It’s just the most amazing thing to see the introvert revolution literally remaking the way we organize society — this time, the world of book clubs.”

The growth and appeal of a global movement

SBCs are not a new concept. In fact, it has officially been around since 2012, but more and more people have recently become aware of this way of reading as they grow tired of sticking to schedules and discovering books they don’t actually enjoy. The group is billed as “a global community of readers and introverts,” with more than 800 chapters led by local volunteers.

The club, which originated in San Francisco, US, offers a unique twist on traditional book clubs by eliminating assigned reading and allowing members to bring their own books, be they e-books, audiobooks, or comics. Gatherings occur in public spaces such as bars, cafes, and bookstores, as well as online, supporting local businesses and creating a quiet space for communal reading.

So why is it so popular? Data professional Si Ning Yeoh recalled joining the club in 2017 after it was founded by a local organiser and cloud computing company manager Murali Veeraiyan. Veeraiyan had set up the chapter in Bangalore, India, before introducing it to the capital. “I joined that first session, I liked it enough that I volunteered to be a co-organiser. And after that, I think he dropped off after a while, but I just kept on going with it,” Yeoh explained.

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According to Yeoh, the appeal of the Silent Book Club lies in its low-commitment nature. “You don’t have to finish a whole book in one go. There are no deadlines. And if you don’t like something, you can just drop it off. You can get recommendations from other people and other book lovers,” she said. The club’s format is particularly appealing to introverts who enjoy the quiet camaraderie without the pressure of social interaction. “If you feel awkward with talking, you can just keep on reading. Or the other way around, you could just meet up with other fellow introverts,” Yeoh added.

“Going to meetup groups where the main aim is socialising is sometimes a little bit draining because I’m an introvert. But having something that I can do with my hands to read, and take breaks in between is really quite nice. So that’s where this is coming from,” Yeoh continued.

The flexibility of the club’s location and timing also contributes to its popularity. Yeoh mentioned various sessions, including silent creative sessions, silent writing sessions, and even day trips outside of London. “This is actually just carving out some time so that everyone gets together and creates an atmosphere of, ‘Right, let’s all read together,’” she noted.

Yeoh also touched on the difference between Silent Book Clubs and more traditional or celebrity book clubs. “It’s got a time and space, I think. It wouldn’t work for everyone. It wouldn’t work for myself because I tend to prefer going to a charity shop and browsing the secondhand books over there and picking out whatever looks good, which is usually not the most popular book of the day,” she expressed.

The practicalities of participating in or starting a Silent Book Club

For those interested in joining or starting their own chapter, the Silent Book Club offers resources and support through their main website. “It should be fairly straightforward to set up. I think my advice for any organiser is to try to make it fun for yourself because this should not feel like work,” Yeoh advised, showcasing the ease and enjoyment found in the club’s gatherings.

Yeoh also gave a special shout-out to the London Night Cafe in Aldgate as an ideal spot for tranquil nighttime activities. Whether you’re with a companion, on a date, carrying some work, or just a book you’re engrossed in, it’s a perfect place to cozy up for the evening. The cafe typically welcomes guests until 3 am on most days, and extends its hours until 5 am on Fridays. The entrance fee is £7. Other venues include The Kings Place in King’s Cross.

The Silent Book Club remains a unique and growing community that caters to the needs of readers who seek a quiet, communal reading experience without the obligations typical of traditional book clubs. If you want to join or start a club where you are, check out the resources on the SBC site.