A free book club with a difference is being set up in Liverpool.
Led by local poet, Pauline Rowe, Liverpool’s Reading Round will be one of a network of only sixteen in the country funded by the Royal Literary Fund in 2024/25, and, unlike other reading groups, there is no homework needed.
“Each week I will read a new poem and a short story or other work of prose aloud to the group, and then we’ll discuss them together,” said Pauline. ‘‘Research shows how good it is for us to be read aloud to but how many of us make the time to do this? This is ninety minutes when people can just stop and listen to something new to them.”
The Reading Round scheme was set up to create a space where readers can discover original writing and rediscover the joys of hearing stories and poems in a friendly group. Other Reading Round groups have run across the country and the feedback has always been very positive.
‘People call it ‘the highlight of their week’ and even ‘life-enhancing’! It’s a lovely thing to be able to bring to Liverpool’ commented Katharine McMahon, novelist and Head of Outreach with the Royal Literary Fund. ‘The discussions get very lively too, and the fact that each group is guided by a writer means there’s always new insights and discoveries.’
The Reading Round will take place at Open Eye Gallery, Mann Island, on Mondays from
11 am to 12.30 pm and is open to all. It starts on Monday 16 September, but places must be booked in advance.
Although it’s completely free to join, numbers are restricted and pre-booking is essential. Contact Pauline Rowe by email: pauline.rowe@rlfeducation.org.uk