The Reading Hour is growing a community of readers gathering once a month in a calm and quiet space. For one hour there will be no phones, no computers, no talking, and no shopping. Just reading.

The Reading Hour will be from 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm, then the bookshop will stay open until 8 pm to give some time afterwards to chat, browse, even buy books.  You don't have to stay for the full hour, come and go as you please (as long as you're quiet!).  There will be chairs around the shop and there's space for wheelchairs at street level.

If you'd like to join us please come along with your own reading material - a book or magazine or paper, even an e-reader, but no reading on phones, tablets or laptops, to avoid the temptation of emails and the internet.  Children and young people are very welcome if they like the idea of quiet reading time as long as they're accompanied by an adult.  Feel free to bring drinks - coffee or tea or you could even buy a glass of wine or a pint at the cafe two doors down - but no food please.  Dogs are also welcome to lounge.  

Please note that the shop doesn't have a customer toilet.

If you can't make it to the bookshop you can still join in The Reading Hour. We invite you to find your own time and place to read, even start your own group, and we'd love to hear about it.  Follow us on Twitter @hourtoread and share your experiences with us.

We want The Reading Hour to spread far and wide so that every hour is The Reading Hour somewhere in the world.  

To be kept up to date with our future events or if you have any questions please email us at hourtoread@gmail.com