By Sheldon

I like to think that I know a good idea when I see one. The problem is that I usually don’t encounter good ideas when they’re brand spanking new. Just recently I heard about something called the Silent Reading Party, which started in Seattle around 2009.

What is a Silent Reading Party?

The idea is quite simple: you get a bunch of people together in one place where they sit quietly for a couple of hours reading books. Usually real books, although Kindles and the like do make an appearance. Usually there are light snacks, beverages, some nice mood music, and quiet. It’s tailor-made for introverts; conversation happens, but is not obligatory. No one is required to engage in the tedious social posturing and witty repartee called for in typical parties.

How It Started

Silent Reading Parties are the brainchild of Christopher Frizzelle, who used to repair to a friend’s apartment with some other co-workers after work and just sit and read quietly for a bit. When the group broke up due to relocation, Christopher found he missed this quiet communion and decided to see if there was a way to replicate the idea on a larger, public scale. He approached the Sorrento Hotel in Seattle, one thing led to another as they say and, starting in 2009 the hotel opened its Fireside Room on the first Wednesday evening of the month for people to just show up and read. Servers circulated with light snacks, with beverages for sale at the bar. A pianist provided background music.

This events proved to be so popular that people would be lined up out the door well before the start of the evening, and readers would spill out of the Fireside Room into the foyer. However, COVID put an end to the in-person version of the event.

Reading Parties in the Time of Covid

Since April of 2020, the silent reading parties have continued on Zoom, where they are more popular than ever. In fact, silent reading parties have sprung up in cities all over the world and have become quite the phenomenon. In an atomized society, one where isolation was the watchword even before the pandemic made hermits of us all, the opportunity to just sit in the company of others and hang out can be a beautiful thing.

Naturally, I never heard about any of this until a couple of weeks ago.

But, when I did, and got over what a fantastic idea it was, I thought, “why not set up my own?” And so, I have. The first will take place on Wednesday, 27 January 2021. If all goes well, I’ll try to make it a regular thing. Contact me if you are interested in joining us.

Stay tuned for details.