In a digital age defined by scrolls and swipes, something quietly analog is making a comeback. Across London, small groups of readers are gathering again in cafés, libraries, and living rooms to talk about books — not for grades or accolades, but for connection. Reading circles, once thought to belong to an earlier, slower era, are flourishing in surprising new ways.
These modern gatherings differ from the formal book clubs of the past. There’s no assigned syllabus, no strict hierarchy, and rarely a single leader. Some groups choose a monthly theme — migration, identity, climate — and each member brings a book that fits. Others simply meet to exchange favourites over coffee, letting the conversation wander where curiosity leads.
“It’s about finding space to think out loud,” says Nora Patel, who co-founded the Open Page Collective in Dalston. Her group meets twice a month in a café that keeps the lights low and the tea strong. “We all read differently, but when we talk about the same story, something clicks. It’s like seeing through someone else’s eyes.”
Public libraries have embraced the movement too. In Islington and Camden, librarians now host open reading sessions, welcoming anyone who wants to listen or share. “Some of our visitors hadn’t finished a book in years,” says community librarian Ben Fraser. “Now they come every week. It’s not about being an expert; it’s about feeling part of something.”
The pandemic years played their part in this revival. Virtual meetings and isolation made many realise how much they missed face-to-face conversation. As restrictions lifted, reading circles became a bridge — a way to rebuild social confidence through stories. Bookshops like Ink & Thread in Clapham even dedicate space for free community discussions, often drawing diverse crowds who might never otherwise meet.
Beyond the love of literature, these circles satisfy a deeper need for belonging. In a city as vast and transient as London, shared reading provides rare continuity. People show up, week after week, not just to analyse prose but to be heard. The books become anchors — excuses for conversation, empathy, and laughter.
Perhaps that’s why the movement feels both nostalgic and new. The idea of gathering around stories is as old as humanity itself, yet it resonates freshly in 2025. In an era of fractured attention, the reading circle offers something revolutionary: time. Time to read, to reflect, and to remember that the best stories aren’t just written — they’re shared.