Readers and book lovers in Waterloo are experiencing a quieter way to connect at Waterloo’s first Silent Book Club.
The Margins Club’s silent book night, which currently meets twice a month at Midnight Run Cafe, offers an alternative format to the traditional book club for individuals to connect with the community in a low-pressure way.
Nour A.W., founder of The Margins Club, first launched the club as Silent Book Club in July 2023.
She first heard of the concept when she read about similar book clubs in Toronto and other areas.
Her drive to start the silent book club locally, however, came from wanting to create an opportunity for readers in the community to come together in a new way.
“We’re in an epidemic of loneliness,” A.W. said. “I think especially after the pandemic, people want to connect more with other people.”
“I love reading. I’ve always loved connecting with other fellow readers, so I just decided let’s start something here local and support other businesses while we’re at it,” she said.
The first silent book club meeting was held in August 2023—to which 20 people showed up.
Ever since, the club has steadily grown in popularity. Each meeting now averages attendance anywhere from 35 to 60 people on a regular basis, with the biggest turn out being 85 people.
Most recently, A.W. rebranded the Silent Book Club, to The Margins Club to reflect her vision for future growth beyond silent book meetings.
The Margins Club silent book nights begin with one hour of silent reading followed by one hour of optional socializing.
“There’s no pressure in that sense. You can come enjoy your book and if you don’t feel like talking, that’s all you can do. If you do feel like talking … it’s a great way to meet other fellow readers and step away from the phone and just connect with others that have similar interests,” A.W. said.
For many, the ability to read your their own book is the most compelling component of the Silent Book Club, and the piece that differentiates it from other book clubs.
Throughout the years, A.W. said she has seen members read a diverse variety of things—from PhD books, articles or, A.W.’s personal pick, romance books.
“My favourite part about the book club is that I get to read whatever I have on-the-go in a community setting without the pressure of reading a specific book at the same pace as others,” Coleen Schnurr, a participant, said.
“I always look forward to meeting up with friends and other readers in a cozy setting,” Schnurr said.
For A.W., the silent book night meetings are just the beginning. She hopes to expand and grow throughout the next several months, finding new and unique ways for the creative community to connect.
So far, A.W. has added in book swaps to the silent book meetings, allowing members to share their previous reads with others and find a new book to take home.
“I think books are very expensive and they should be very accessible,” A.W. said.
At the same time, A.W. hopes to find new ways to support local writers and creatives, such as inviting local authors to discuss their work with club members.
“I know a few of our members are writers,” she said. “I want to be able to create more of a space where we can support each other.”
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