# Silent reading parties offer quiet socialising in Punjab cities 2026-08-09T03:56:13+00:00 | India | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet In Chandigarh and Ludhiana, book lovers are turning solitary reading into a social ritual through silent reading parties and book clubs. Chandigarh Reads, founded in 2023, follows an anti-gatekeeping policy with free, open sessions in gardens or cafés, now approaching its 98th session on August 9, Hindustan Times reports. Kaaraj Collective in Ludhiana, launched in July 2025 by Gurvir Singh and Ekjot Kaur, draws from the Cubbon Reads format. It holds distraction-free Sunday sessions, has over 1,000 members, and promotes Punjabi literature alongside English. Another group, Mehak’s Book Club, started on Instagram and now meets offline every Tuesday. ## Coverage - hindustantimes.com Tags: book clubs, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, reading culture, silent reading parties, social trends Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/silent-reading-parties-offer-quiet-socialising-in-punjab-cities/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/silent-reading-parties-offer-quiet-socialising-in-punjab-cities/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.