1: Turning Pages Reading Club

One incredible perk of MKH growing (apart from my life’s work being seen and appreciated and all that bs) is I get to discover events like this.

We rushed to the overcrowded and perpetually delayed District line and soon (-ish) arrived at the RSA House (late). Two floors down, we entered a new dimension, filled with people and books.

Turning Pages is a reading club with a very simple premise: you bring a book, read it for an hour, then come together with other readers in the space and talk about books. So simple, yet incredibly effective. We sat down, and I took out a book and just read. So did everyone else. In silence. I noticed my hand reaching for my phone to check the time, a weird habit, as if I was rushing somewhere. I returned to the book, looking up now and then to marvel at a group of people taking the time to sit and read.

I was alone with my book. I disappeared into it completely. The words and sentences tangled up around me, warmly embracing me into a place where the meanings of truth were debated (the book was called The Brief History of Truth). I got to read it at my own pace, connect with it in my own way, and draw my own conclusions.

For an hour, the book and I were the only two entities in the world, our thoughts morphing into each other. Around me, people were living through the exact same experience. They too sat quietly as the words from the pages danced around them.

Soon, the words, the books, the experiences all blended into one big bubble of united independence. The silence was finally broken as the hour had passed. What a lovely experience it was, just to come, sit and read.

We all headed upstairs to grab a few drinks and chat. I met the organisers, Danay and Molly, who told me a bit more about the reading club. It was so pure, they just love to read and wanted to gather other book lovers to all read together. Funny how such a straightforward concept can grow into such a special experience, but maybe that’s the point.

We started by talking about books, but soon began talking about everything. As someone who gets really frustrated by small talk and obscure conversation starters, ‘What did you read?’ was the icebreaker I needed.

Being surrounded by people who came to do the same thing but experienced it so differently made for more fun discussions. Discussing different literature and storytelling styles, sharing favourite types of books, it was cute as fuck.

2: Frame by Frame Film Club

I have talked about Frame by Frame before. The second I saw there was a £5 film club in London, I knew I must write about it. This time was the first time I made it to one of their events.

I grabbed the tastiest spicy margarita and headed inside, meeting Jemma and Rachel, the organisers, on my way in and sat down in the middle of a beautiful gallery space, ready to watch one of my personal favourites, A Portrait of a Lady on Fire.

I had seen the film before, but there, surrounded by painting-covered walls, I felt like I was watching it for the very first time. The difference between watching it alone at home on my iPad and in a room of film lovers was jarring. I love a good yearning story, all the stolen moments and hidden glances. I disappeared immediately.

Once again, I was alone with the art. Just me, transported into a French house by the sea, where two women are falling in love. What a beautiful fucking film, I can write a whole story about it. But I won’t, don’t worry. I must not be distracted.

The shared purpose was as present as ever. People chatted before and after the movie, discussing their favourite scenes and the incredible cinematography. It was intimate, yet public. Very different from going to the movies, it was much more intentional, and honestly, way cheaper.

There were moments where we were all together, experiencing a tender love scene or laughing at a subtle joke. And then there were moments when I was completely on my own, interpreting the film as I wanted and reintroducing myself to it on my own terms.

As the film came to an end, the energy in the room was beautiful. You could approach anyone attending and strike up a conversation. Everyone was smiling; it felt like they were just happy to be present. Present for an incredible film, and present for a wholesome experience.

I’ll end with this…

If you break it down, I have had both of these experiences many times before. I read a book in the library and watched a movie in the cinema. So why am I talking about them like I just came out of a lifelong coma and have never consumed literature or films in public spaces? Well, there are a couple of reasons.

Both of these places combined casual conversation and specific experience. Since the experience was present, conversations were welcomed. Coming up to talk to someone did not feel intimidating or alienating; it felt like a natural part of the night. Yet, you also get a break. A break from the social aspect, where you are left to your own devices. You can form your own relationship with the event.

You also have the freedom of choice; nothing is forced upon you, yet an opportunity is given. You can come and chat, or you can simply watch a movie or read a book.

Another reason these nights took up a special place in my heart is that both clubs were put together by two friends who just want to share what they have always loved doing with others. They did not overcomplicate it. They didn’t create a ten-step program of events you had to follow to the letter; they just wanted people to come and enjoy their night. And that’s exactly what we did. We were not stressed, frustrated and scared to miss a step and get lost in the event’s convoluted game plan. It was not draining; it was replenishing.

I will wrap this up with the word I have used at least ten times today—intention. The intention of it all makes it different from any other night out. You go out to enjoy a work of art and meet like-minded people in the process. You know you’ll meet great people, because that is who will come to the event like that.

It also turns it from ‘I just went out last night’ to ‘I went to a cool event where I consumed something mentally stimulating and did some friend-networking’, which is always a vibe.