We spoke to India from the Casual Readers Club in London about their community-based reading group that celebrates diversity and community.
Tell us a bit about your group – who are you and what brought you together?
Casual Readers Club is book community based in London of over 1500 readers. We champion and celebrate the work and writing of Black, Brown, and traditionally underrepresented creators. Community is intrinsic to everything we do. We provide a safe space outside of academia to connect with others and celebrate the art and power of storytelling in all its forms.
We host monthly book clubs in real life and virtually, communal reading sessions entitled Read & Reclaim, community walks, audio-book running sessions entitled Run The Books, book swaps, celebratory socials, film nights, family-style dinners and a whole host of workshops.
What do your members enjoy about being in a reading group?
A passion for books is what brought us together but it has become so much more than that. We love spending time together, celebrating and exploring new books, connecting and sharing our lived experiences and reading together.
“It’s become such a brilliant space to make new friends and collaborate creatively.”
What books would your group recommend that you’ve read and discussed together?
Our top picks would have to be:
- The Dangers of Smoking In Bed by Mariana Enriquez
- I’m A Fan by Sheena Patel
- Wandering Souls by Cecile Pin
- Vagabonds by Eloghosa Osunde
Does your reading group use social media? What benefit have you found to having a public presence?
We do! We’re getting the community interested in reading by celebrating what makes literature, film, art, music special. Recommending reads and having a social presence creates an accessible avenue for people to find solace in our community and wider community.
Do you have any tips for people looking to set up a reading group?
Start small, invite your friends, share what you’re reading on socials and grow from there!
How has being part of a reading group changed your wider reading habits?
I have begun reading books that just simply weren’t on my radar! We share so many different recommendations in the group and being part of it has opened up the world to me.
