One of the recent communities encouraging in-person reading connections is Reading Rhythms. According to their events, Reading Rhythms defines itself as: “Reading Rhythms is a series of welcoming reading parties designed to make it easy for people to gather and read socially. We invite you to bring any book you want and facilitate silent reading periods, as well as 1-on-1 breakouts, and group discussions to pull on the threads of the books that everyone is engaging with.”
The organizers started throwing the parties in May 2023 in New York City. In a New York Times article about their events, the original organizers (Ben Bradbury, Charlotte Jackson, John Lifrieri, and Tom Worcester) explained that they were concerned that they were losing interest in reading and getting too addicted to their screens.
The parties encourage reading in all forms. You’re not required to read or discuss the same book. You bring your favorite book, read for a little while, and then discuss the book you’re reading with the other party attendees.
The organizers found a general structure that worked for them: “As the founders continued to host parties, they settled upon a structure. Attendees are given a name tag and half an hour to find a seat and settle in. A host then gets up before the crowd and explains the night’s schedule: 30 minutes of reading, a break, 30 more minutes of reading, and then a set of discussions organized around loose prompts. Parties are held early in the week to capture gentle, non-weekend energy.”
Though some mocked them for reinventing the library with a 10-dollar entrance fee for the party, it’s been a popular and continued offering. People are clearly looking for community, especially readers. What may look like an introverted hobby is actually quite a social one. Whenever you read a really good book or a really bad one, it’s fun to discuss the reason you liked or disliked it with another book lover.
After the wildfires in Los Angeles, Reading Rhythms also started a book drive to replace the books that people lost in the fire.
Throw Your Own Reading Party
Reading Rhythms is growing in popularity—you can even apply to bring it to where you live. But you also don’t have to wait for RR to come to your town. Planning your own reading party isn’t too difficult.
If you have the space and time, you can have a reading party in your own home. Even if you’re low on chairs, you can use pillows and blankets to make a comfortable space for your guests. Everyone can bring their own books, or you can let everyone draw from your own book collection.
Another fun option for a reading party is to do genre-specific ones. It’s a great way to be introduced to new books in the genre, or discuss your favorite tropes and themes.
A reading party is for you and your bookish friends to get together. You can do it with your existing book club, or invite other people so everyone can kick off a reading habit. You can also try new themes for your book club, host a book birthday for your favorite books or authors, or maybe throw another kind of book party.