23 July,2023 07:51 AM IST | Mumbai | Gautam S Mengle
The Swap Book club meets at Bombay Coffee House in Ballard Estate to exchange books, opinions and ideas. Pic courtesy/Swap Book
Author-poet Karuna Ezara Parikh had been sharing book recommendations online for years, before she decided to start her own book club on Instagram this year. "I simply thought it might be fun to formalise it, so that many readers could discover a book together," says Parikh, "I have also been concerned by the drop in fiction reading, and decided to push that [at my club]." Books are announced on the first day of each month, chosen by a small team of readers, including Parikh. On the last weekend, the club has an online session with the author. "We also have a Discord server where we have lively book chats all month long. We have a Writing Retreat planned for September in Goa. We're currently sold out of spaces, but it promises to be fun!" says Parikh.
@karunaskitaabclub, Instagram
Karuna Ezara Parikh
Started in 2011 through a few meet-ups at events such as stand up comedy gigs, Swap Book is now a full-fledged and thriving offline book club. You come with a few books - it's okay if you don't, but preferable if you do - and meet fellow readers from the city. You exchange ideas, opinions and books. "Things really took off when we started ticketed events," says founder Pravin Subramanian. "Today, every meet up sees an attendance of at least 25 bibliophiles or more in the loft of the Bombay Coffee House at Ballard Estate." Swap Book also has a WhatsApp group, but they prefer to include members who have attended at least two or three meetings.
@swapbookofficial, Instagram
A book club that meets online as well as offline, BYOB has monthly meet-ups in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Jamnagar. It started in 2015 and now boasts a 3,500-plus follower count on Instagram, which includes known publishing houses and authors. At their meet-ups, every attendee brings a book of their choice, depending on the theme of the month, and gives those present a brief review. BYOB also has a newsletter that you can subscribe to. It comes via email and also promotes new releases by authors, although right now, there is no provision for individual book promotions.
@byobindia, Instagram
Broke Bibliophiles is a non-profit venture meant only to bring book lovers together. Today, it has chapters in Chennai, Bengaluru and Delhi, and apart from free-wheeling meet-ups to discuss books, also hosts author-centric events and literature festivals. The club is always on its toes, keeping an eye out for new books that hit the stands, so that authors can be invited, venues finalised and invites sent out.
@brokebombay, Instagram
