Are you tired of finding a book lover who matches your freak? Someone with whom you can discuss your favourite book, its plot and alternative endings. Are you struggling to pick a book, or do you lack the motivation to read these days? Well, whoever you are, book clubs have your back. Being a part of a book club is finding a home in a community that fosters book lovers and their crazy binge-reading habits. You’ll be surprised by the number of interesting book clubs in Delhi. So, are you ready to read?
Here are seven book clubs in Delhi to keep the reader inside you alive and happy.
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1. Delhi Reads
Delhi Reads is building a sustainable reading movement in the city. It is all about building a community and culture and engaging in conversations. Started by Molina Singh and Paridhi Puri, Delhi Reads organises monthly offline sessions on weekends. As a non-profit organisation, the book club is free for everyone. Recently, they hosted Kanan Gill to introduce his book, Acts Of God. The book club does fun challenges and giveaways as well.
They release the book of the month at the start of each month and give the readers time to complete the book for offline discussions. All such details are notified through their WhatsApp channel. You can join the club by sending a DM to their Instagram/Twitter page or the admins who will send you the form. The sessions follow registration-based entry. Once the monthly book is revealed, the club rolls out a form on the WhatsApp group where you can confirm your presence on the scheduled date.
2. Babelfish Book Club
This is one of the best book clubs in Delhi for people who share a knack for reading translated fiction. Curated by Avdyushka and Shivani Kaul, the book club is a Westland Books initiative. They hold monthly, either offline or online, meet-ups on weekdays (usually Thursdays). They also invite translators and authors for some books. The club introduces exciting sessions for the readers through book swaps and author book-signing activities.
The book of the month is declared at the start of each month so you can join the discussions. The sessions begin with an introduction from each member and then proceed to their views about the selected book. You can be a part of the book club by filling out their form. For more queries, you can contact the admins of the club or send an email through their Instagram page.
3. Lodhi Reads
Inspired by the Cubbon Reads format in Bangalore, the community runs a silent book club where people can read their favourite books. Lodhi Reads is the Delhi Chapter of Cubbon Reads that hosts reading sessions every Saturday of the week. You can simply arrive at the place and start reading. There is no obligation to interact with anyone during or after the reading hours.
There is no registration to join the club, just a simple walk-in. The duration of each session is three hours, starting from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The club meets every Saturday at Lodhi Garden, New Delhi. All you have to do is bring your book, a mat and a water bottle or snacks. Post-reading hours, you can stay for book stacking, photographs and conversations if you like. You can refer to their Instagram page for updates regarding sessions and other activities like book sales.
4. Kitaab Club
Founded by Sneha and Navya Misran, Kitaab Club is a one-stop destination for readers, writers, poets and allies. They hold monthly offline sessions to discuss the book of the month. Additionally, they host online interactions with authors. You get ample time to read the book before participating in the discussion. The books for each month are selected based on research and suggestions by book club members, followed by voting. Book selections include Hindi books, regional language books, international selections, award-winning titles, and more.
Their WhatsApp group notifies people about all upcoming literature events to enjoy in Delhi and elsewhere. Their meet-up spot for book discussion is usually a quiet place in the city. You can join the club’s WhatsApp group by filling out their online form. Details regarding the book, date, and timing of the sessions are shared through their WhatsApp group.
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5. Tangerine Circle
As Vesmir, the club’s founder, puts it, “Tangerine is a community-centric book and poetry circle”. This book club in Delhi is unique from the rest as it is more than just a book-reading community. As long as you are fascinated by words, history, literature, art, cinema, poetry, etc, you’re a Tangerine. The meet-ups take place once every month offline. The circle also organises author meet-ups, heritage walks, poetry strolls, community readings, and other exciting events.
For membership to the club, you need to fill out a form including a one-time contribution of ₹150 to become a lifetime Tangerine member. They release the book of the month at the beginning of each month. The details about the upcoming sessions, book formats and everything else are circulated in their WhatsApp group. As a Tangerine member, only book discussion meetings are free. The rest of the events take place separately.
6. The Silent Book Club
Are you someone who likes to sit and read quietly with your nose only in the book and no one else’s business? The Silent Book Club is just the place for you. The sessions start with a short introduction of each member and their current read. There’s no pressure to interact with someone or indulge in small talk during the reading hours. The book club hosts monthly offline sessions in Delhi and Gurgaon. All you have to do is bring a physical book or e-book of your choice.
To find out more about the venue, date and timings, you need to fill out their form. Once you register your name and email ID, they’ll add you to the mailing list. Moreover, you can follow them on Facebook or Instagram for further updates.
7. Bring Your Own Book Club
As the name suggests, bring your own book to be a part of the BYOB club. The reading community fosters silent reading and lively discussions. The book club organises monthly offline and online meet-ups as per your preference. BYOB follows an invite-only policy where you register for each month’s session. Additionally, the club arranges giveaways and other fun activities.
You need to fill out their form to show interest in the book club so they can add you to their newsletter. The registration form for the session will roll out through the newsletter. Once you’ve registered for the session, you’ll receive all the relevant details. The club also has a WhatsApp group, which will only be shared once you have attended an offline meet to prove that you’re not an imposter.
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