We’ve heard of book clubs before, but Thyme to Read is a little bit different. We caught up with Laura from Cotswold Herb Centre to find out more.
What is Thyme to Read?
Thyme to Read is very simple, just turn up and read your book while enjoying a cup of herbal tea. Ambient music makes it a calm but not silent space. It’s sociable doing the same activity together, but doesn’t require socialising. You could think of it as a reading party, a gathering where the main focus is reading your book.
What inspired you to start Thyme to Read?
I’m a market researcher and forecaster so I’m constantly scanning trends and hearing repeatedly about the low-key activities that have found new appeal as a counterpoint to our always-on lives.
The concept of ‘Life in analog’ offers a calm alternative and has led to a boom in ‘traditional’ hobbies like pottery, reading and embroidery – even Taylor Swift does needlepoint!
Who can come to Thyme to Read?
It’s open to all those who have a bedtime post 8pm and are happy to sit reading quietly for an hour.
Is this something that’s happening elsewhere?
Yes, reading nights are growing in popularity. Sometimes they’ll have themes and live musicians. What sets them apart is the calm atmosphere and sense of togetherness. For example, some really trendy events happen in New York with regular ‘Reading Rhythms’ sessions in beautifully curated venues.
Why do people come to these evenings?
They provide an antidote to endless scanning of social media, Zoom meetings and WhatsApp messages, which end up feeling rather impersonal. We’re craving in-person connection as well as connection with nature – gathering together with herbal tea meets both those needs.
Many will recognise the benefits of getting stuck into a good book. A psychological explanation for this is that books take us to a mindful flow state, where the focus is simply on ‘being’, instead of ‘doing’. It benefits our brain and our nervous system, which is why it can be calming.
There is also a sense of comfort and nostalgia evoked by curling up with a good book, perfect as we slow down for autumn, which makes September a good time for these reading evenings to begin.
Can I get those benefits reading a book at home on my own?
You can certainly get the calming mindfulness benefits by reading at home, but the sense of togetherness can only be achieved by being around other people doing the same thing as you.
Joining others to read can provide a great boost and motivation to your own reading – it endorses your choice to read and encourages you to keep doing so. Much as we’re all individuals, we all also want to know we’re like other people, it connects us.
Do I need to bring my own book?
Ideally yes, because you know what you like to read. We’ll have a few books there too that you can borrow if you want to try something new.
You can bring any book you like, any genre or style. Fact or fiction. It’s whatever you want to read.
Kindles and their like are welcome too, however you prefer to read. We can recommend low tech for the timeless satisfaction of a calm, grounding activity.
Will there be a chance to meet new people and talk?
Yes, there will be time to chat, but no obligation to do so. It’s perfectly fine to pop in, pick up a cup of tea and make yourself comfy with your book.
Books are often a good topic of conversation when getting to know people, so you’ve a ready-made starter if you do want to talk. However we’ll keep this to the beginning and end of the session, the middle half hour should be chatter-free so we don’t distract the readers.
You might find that those with similar book interests begin to cluster together, we’ll see.
Remind me of what, where and when?
It’s every Thursday from September onwards. In the Lounge at the Chantry Centre on Long Street, Dursley. We’ll put signs on the door so you know where to come.
Doors open at 7pm, books open by 7.15pm for at least half an hour of quiet reading. Lights out at 8pm.
There’s a small charge of £3 per person to cover the cost of running the event.
Everyone gets a free cup of herbal tea. We’ll change the blend each week as we go through the seasons so our regulars will get to taste lots of different varieties.
Come along and give it a try. Make it a regular weekly thing, or drop in occasionally. If it supports, or kick starts, a life-long reading habit, all the better.
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