Read carefully

Mona

Ten-year-old Lakshya Chandra loves the life and adventures of Geronimo Stilton. He, along with his friends, has accompanied the famous ‘mouse journalist’ on thrilling adventures around the world. And, this boy isn’t the only one who loves to read in company.

No two persons ever read the same book, said Edmund Wilson, and going by the experiences that the members of the reading clubs in Chandigarh, it looks like these clubs are not only offering the joy of reading but are also a platform for budding performers and writers.

Prerit Rajput loved to write poems but only no body in his circle was into verses to encourage him. A chance meeting with Gursaya Grewal, led this UIET B Tech student to found a group called Kavitactic about a year back and not only now he recites his poetry but shares with some 70 other city poets. “I never imagined the kind of response we got to our initiation. Our events are jam-packed and on first come first serve basis. Anyone can share their writings.

Founder of Panjab University Reading Club Shire, Himanshu Goel, was surprised to find innumerable bibliophiles within his reach. The Whatsapp group they share has 100 plus members and finding someone who shares similar interests in books isn’t difficult anymore. “I love to read and write. But unless you share your works with someone how do you know that you are on the right path?” asks this founder, who has since risen to be the editor of a literary collection called The Machinery and is penning his first fiction.

However, not necessarily all those who read harbour a dream to be a writer. For Simrit, a chartered accountant, founder member Wordsworth, an all women reading club, has learnt beyond words in her monthly meetings. “Wordsworth was a venture with two friends who loved to read. And what fun it is to listen to others who have a very different impression of the same book.”

With an aim to limit the number of club members to 20, soon this trio had to start another called Just Books, again a girly gang! No men? “We have been reading together for over an year now and so used to each other that there is hardly any scope for more members, men or women,” shares the woman who not only revived the hobby that she had left after school days but also has transformed herself from an introvert to someone who can freely express. “The biggest learning has come from listening to others who can put forward their ideas.”

For kids at Catch Them Young, a learning group aimed at the age of 7-14, the reading club is the much favoured part. “I love reading thrillers and the fun is doubled as you decode a mystery with peers,” shares Lakshya. We agree...