Book and film lovers can exchange stories at this Mumbai restaurant

It is almost a tragedy to finish a stirring novel or a moving film and have no one to discuss it with. In our fast-paced lives such discussions are now few and book friends often drift apart living in different parts of the world.

Tasting Room at Lower Parel

To bring those living with this vacuum together, to talk about characters and moments, Wow Tables, a restaurant reservation portal, has started the Story Club, where people can gather to discuss books and cinema over tea and snacks. In the first chapter of this event this weekend, two popular books Harry Potter and To Kill a Mockingbird will be discussed.

From the Harry Potter series

Samira Major, the host and the organiser, says that the idea is to encourage reading and bring readers and movie buffs together. "We want people to bring their favourite books and join us for a sparkling discussion forming a relationship that will hopefully continue," she says.

To Kill a Mockingbird

The choice of books was, Major says, to involve both book and film lovers. "The event opens with discussion of two chosen books that have also been made into films. We will be discussing plot holes, comparisons to their cinematic counterparts, character strengths, flaws and more," she says.

Samira Major

In the second session, participants will recommend books for others to read. For this, they will bring along a book and discuss it briefly. "Chits of all participant's names will be put into a bowl and who gets which book will be decided by drawing of chits. A record will be kept of the same," she says. The exchanged book will have to be returned at the next meeting.

"We have ensured that the food and ambiencematches up to the standards of international book clubs and hope that it will be a lively session," she signs off.