How the Silent Book Club is growing reading culture in South Africa

THE Cape Town Silent Book Club has taken the quote, “we read to know that we are not alone”, to a new level by having people gather to read silently together.

- THEOLIN TEMBO

That quote, often misattributed to author CS Lewis, is by screenwriter William Nicholson.

The organiser behind the Cape Town chapter of the Silent Book Club, which recently celebrated its first anniversary, is Shawn Buck, who came across the phenomenon after a visit home to the US in April.

Buck, who is from Atlanta, has been living in Cape Town for 11 years since his work in the non-profit sector brought him to the city.

Since the first gathering in May last year, the Silent Book Club has continued to grow, drawing in many bibliophiles.