In a world allergic to silence, there’s something faintly radical about sitting down with a book and doing... absolutely nothing else. The Reading Party offers a different kind of gathering – one where the connection is quiet, pages turn instead of conversations, and nobody minds if you don’t make eye contact for two hours.
Here, solitude becomes its own kind of community. The event, hosted at The Commons Thonglor, unfolds every third Sunday with gentle regularity. People bring books, settle into pockets of sunlight or shade, and read side by side. You might not remember anyone’s name, but you’ll remember the hush, the quiet flick of someone’s page, the way time feels different when everyone’s facing inwards.
Born from the idea of being ‘alone but not lonely’, the Reading Party answers a small ache in many people’s weeks: the desire for peace without isolation. Organised by BKK Lit Fest, Biblio, Roots and The Commons – and inspired by theWHOLESOME Book Club – the event is less about discussion and more about presence. There are no assigned titles, no icebreakers. Just you, your book, and the strange, affirming comfort of strangers doing the same thing.
Here’s how it works:
- Book ahead or simply show up.
- On arrival, check in at the booth near the main entrance.
- Grab a discount card for a drink from Roots.
- Choose a spot – a cushion, a bench, a corner.
- Read for 90 uninterrupted minutes.
- Meet on the Top Yard (F/3) after for a short chat.
It’s reading as ritual, not responsibility. You can bring your own novel, or borrow one from the Biblio Book Basket – titles passed around like offerings. No one will ask what you’re reading. They might ask where you got your bookmark.
Dates for 2025:
- Sunday, August 17
- Sunday, September 21
- Sunday, October 19
- Sunday, November 16
Held from 2pm-4pm at The Commons Thonglor (third floor, Common Ground), the event welcomes all with tickets at B150 online via Ticketmelon right here, or B200 at the door. No prep required. Just a book, and a willingness to sit still.
