Three friends have launched a distinctive public reading initiative with Silent Book Club JB, creating a space where book lovers can gather and engage in literary activities at local cafes and recreational parks. This initiative blends the intimacy of personal reading with the communal joy of shared literary experiences.
The club, founded by Yee Xiang Yun, 34, Rhema Seng, 24, and Lee Wern Yiing, 28, in October last year, operates under the slogan "Baca Jap" (Read for a While), allowing book lovers to read silently for an hour without any communication.
The slogan "Baca Jap" serves as a reminder for people to always "steal time" to read books wherever they are.
"Even though the time spent reading is short, it is very valuable, especially for those who are busy working or those who want to have company while reading,” said Yee.
She added that the public is not charged any fees to participate in the reading activities.
"If someone prefers the atmosphere of a park, they can join the reading activities there. The same goes for cafes, which also helps support local businesses,” she said.
Since its introduction, the club has successfully attracted book lovers of various races, young and old, with the youngest being only four.
"We have received positive feedback so far, as it fulfills its purpose. For instance, busy people who are always on their phones can steal some time to focus on reading books.
"They can bring any type of book, from comics to anything else, as long as it helps boost their enthusiasm for reading,” she said.
Yee mentioned that the Silent Book Club was originally founded in the United States in 2012, which inspired her and her two friends to establish it in Johor Baru.
She added that there were over 1,000 Silent Book Clubs in 50 countries, with only two recognised branches in Malaysia, located in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, and Johor Baru.
Yee also invited the public to join a reading activity in conjunction with the National Day celebration, which will be held at the lake area of the Adda Heights recreational park in Johor Baru, starting at 4.30 pm this Sunday.
"People are also encouraged to bring books by local authors or those related to history in conjunction with this special month,” she said.
At the same time, she hopes that the club will continue to receive support and play a role in promoting the reading culture among the public. - Bernama
