Featured image and photography: Megan Levick

To celebrate their new literature-meets-late-night book club concept, The Read Room founders Kya Buller and Sophia Wild hosted a special launch event at SOUP in Manchester.

The Read Room aims to cultivate a space where nightlife and literature intersect, a vision which came to life at the launch event last week. The space, adorned with fairy lights, candles and red heart-shaped balloons – and, most importantly, free books! – embodied the warm, inclusive spirit of The Read Room, and set the tone for a lively evening filled with happy hour cocktails alongside exclusive author readings and DJ sets.

The event kicked off with an introduction to the brand-new book club concept, as Buller and Wild shared with the audience what they would be bringing to Manchester’s literary scene: “At The Read Room, our main mission is to turn the existing book club format on its head. As two best friends who met here in Manchester and were quickly swept up by the rush of city life, we know that everybody’s lives are extremely fast-paced.

“A normal book club would encourage you to read a novel and meet up with fellow attendees and discuss the book – and don’t get us wrong, we think that’s a great concept – but our book club is a little bit different.

“We will share excerpts of books with you, some of which have not yet been released, and others which are already on the shelves. We will be able to directly connect you with the author, as well as offer you a free copy of the book in most cases.

“We will have time dedicated to discussing the work and a space to have your questions answered, whether on the night of afterwards on our brand new Read Room newsletter.”

The audience was treated to a series of readings from authors, including journalist Lucas Oakeley, who read an excerpt from his debut novel Nearly Departed, Jessie Elland, who gave a beautifully elaborate reading of her debut novel The Ladie Upstairs, and Manchester icon DJ Paulette, who performed a reading of her book Welcome to the Club, which is part-personal account and part-call to arms.

Bringing the event to a close, Buller and Wild addressed the audience and expressed their gratitude for the support they received leading up to and on the night of the event.

Wild said: “We just want to thank everyone for coming down here today. Wednesday isn’t always everyone’s first choice for an event night, but you’ve truly made it an evening to remember.”

Buller added: “When we first started talking about making this happen, we knew that it mattered to us and there’d be a very small amount of people that it would resonate with but we never could’ve imagined that it would be this well received and we are really overwhelmed and so grateful that you are all here.”

Speaking to aAh! after the event, Wild said: “It’s been a whirlwind! It’s been so exciting and the vision has definitely come to life tonight.”

Acknowledging the common perception of reading as an individual hobby, Buller emphasised their desire to build a sense of community around it: “Reading is a very solitary act; you usually do it on your own, but the idea of reading around other people and it being a community-driven thing is really quite special.

“There were quite a few people who turned up tonight on their own. That is something that we really encourage, as well as coming with your friends, because everyone that came alone is now sat sitting with someone they’ve never met before.”

Buller also added that the success of the event was “a really good indicator of what’s to come.”

Guest author Jessie Elland said: “It’s been a brilliant event, I’ve had such a great time! There’s been a really nice crowd and atmosphere, and it’s a great way of getting more people into reading that doesn’t feel really exclusive. It’s exciting for the future of book clubs.”

Grab your tickets for The Read Room’s next event on April 22nd here.