By Simon Savidge
Why start The Riverside Readers group?
In May 2009 I decided I wanted to join a new book group because the previous one I had co-started (not Rogue Book Group) all went to pot (got very, very regulated, expensive and taken over by one voice). In fact, I had been saying to a non-blogging friend that we should set one up and I would do some research. I looked around and contacted a few people and nothing really seemed to be happening. I emailed fellow London book blogger Kimbofo and discussions started between us of the idea of forming a book group in London. Now if you are thinking ‘there must be lots of book groups in London’ that isn’t actually the case. There are some but not any actually in central London — and so we decided to start one.
Is it one of those book groups where you have lots of rules?
No not at all. The idea behind the book group is that it’s a relaxing environment where we can all have a good natter about a particular book chosen every month amongst people who also have an unhealthy obsession (joke) with all things bookish, make new friends and have fun. The only guidelines are…
- The book group is the first Tuesday of every month.
- The venue will be in Central London.
- Everyone gets a chance to choose a book in the group and that person’s choice is final.
- It won’t be pricey, we are in a credit crunch.
- If you have read it before that’s great, you might get even more from it the second time.
- Everyone is given a chance to speak; there are no right or wrong answers.
- No moaning, its fun hahahaha!
What if I don’t live in London?
You can live it vicariously through this blog, which will be updated the day after each book group has met.
When is the next one and what’s the book?
The Riverside Readers meet on the first Tuesday of every month and you can see the next read on the front page of this site.
Greetings from Ohio!
I’m writing from Kent, Ohio (USA), which sits on the banks of the infamous Cuyahoga River (the “crooked river”).
In association with my family’s bookstore (est. 1936) and Kent State University (est. 1910), I have recently established a group of adult lifelong learners called “Ingensia”. Our pilot project will be a community reading of “Hamlet”, written awhile back by some English guy. The project will begin officially on February 2 with a reader’s theatre event at Riverside Wine & Imports by a group I got the idea of calling “The Riverside Readers”. One quick googling of the name, and here I am!
Could we “join” your group in a loose bond of like-minded pursuit? I have initiated a blog profile here as well, and would be thrilled if some or all members of your group could participate virtually when all our readers get together on April 13 to share perspectives, an event we will call “Cafe Elsinore”. (KSU will be mounting their production beginning April 15.)
All the best,
Hal