BYOB: Bring Your Own Book. The Reading Hour offers no-pressure socializing.
It could be a movement. A quiet one. Still, we will call it a movement.
There were two recent gatherings — one on a Saturday morning and the other on a Sunday afternoon. About 30 people arrived, found a place to sit and opened a book — novels, memoirs, poetry, short stories, magazines and historical books. Someone was reading a German thriller. Some books were a bit tattered.
The readers found comfort and good lighting at the atrium/lobby of the DoubleTree by Hilton. The Sunday afternoon event was at the Innisfree Bed & Breakfast, West Colfax Avenue.
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There were niceties in hushed tones, but it was mostly quiet. Very quiet. It is named the Reading Hour–South Bend. It was an hour of blissful quiet and reading. At the end of the hour, people talked a bit and left.
The hour started with a Facebook post. People responded that reading time sounds like a good idea.
April Lidinsky, Indiana University South Bend professor of women’s and gender studies, saw a message from well-known writer Rebecca Solnit about reading. Rebecca said she was present at a West Coast hotel for a reading hour. The rules: bring a book, find a seat, order a drink if you want (on a slip of paper. Shhh, no loud orders) and read for an hour. No electronic devices allowed.
The reading time was a way to unplug and support each other.
Rebecca said it was a dream to see this happen. Her plate was full, but others should run with it.
April liked the idea and so did several friends and colleagues. An idea post on Facebook quickly got responses and suggestions for sites such as book stores, libraries and gardens in the summer.
The idea isn’t new. There are references to adult reading gatherings scattered around the internet. Around 2000, the idea popped up in Seattle. It is BYOB (Bring Your Own Book). Afterwards there is time to chat. No pressure to talk about one book or ask questions that no one else wants to talk about.
It is a book club for introverts.
The Silent Book Club was featured on NPR in 2019. It formed in 2012 in San Francisco. Organizers said it was free of pressure to participate and the need to make snacks. No one vacuums or dusting required. Sounds excellent.
The Silent Book Club is an LLC now. The organizers manage the image and business relationships. The Silent group has Facebook followers, a website and 250 chapters on six continents.
All good. Back to the homegrown version.
April was happy with the hotel gathering. “The first had 30 people. It is a perfect gathering for a post-pandemic world. People are still cautious about getting out in public. This fits into the need to socialize.”
There is a distance and wide-open spaces in the lobby.
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April left her phone at home so she wouldn’t be distracted. A few participants used electronic readers rather than books. It was not an issue.
The Innisfree readers scattered throughout the house — the three parlors on the first floor and a few more on the second floor. The floors creaked a bit, the pages turned and people sipped hot tea.
Stephanie and Mahan Mirza, Innisfree’s owners, were excited to welcome the readers.
“It is a great idea," Mahan said. "This is a quiet time of the year. What better way to open the house for an hour. It is a way to use the space. Find a cozy chair and tune out the outside world.”
Terry Mark and Annette Long saw the Facebook post and joined the group at the B&B. “We love to read, and this is a way to find the time to read.”
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Sandy McCarthy said she feels like living again after COVID. This was a good step in socializing. “I love the idea of quiet reading time. I like the energy and the vibe here.”
Aaron Nichols, executive director of South Bend Civic Theatre, suggested the theater for one of the reading events. Nothing scheduled yet. “For me, South Bend Civic is a place that welcomes people all the time. It is a warm, welcoming venue. There are plenty of areas to find a spot.”
Aaron said the theater is always looking for an audience. “The theater has been open for six years, and there are people who haven’t stopped in to see. People drive by and don’t think twice. This is a win-win situation. We would attract readers here. We tell stories (through plays). We are readers here. I see people coming downtown, bringing a book, finding a spot and reading.”
Check the Reading Hour on Facebook for future dates and sites. Or find a few of your own friends and try it. Don’t dust or make snacks.
Contact Kathy at kfborlik@yahoo.com
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: The Reading Hour-South Bend offers a quiet post-pandemic gathering
