Do you often do a comma here? These pop-up book parties have become not only New York City's brightest social clubs, but hot spots for singles looking for love.
Jaycee Adler, 26, was about to give up on finding a partner in the Big Apple until she found the man of her dreams at Leading Rhythms.
And she's not alone.
reading rhythm This is not a “book club,'' but rather a “book club,'' where about 60 to 80 bookworms from all over the city gather to read books quietly and have conversations at regular intervals to the sound of piano music. In a welcoming environment, both extroverted and introverted literature lovers can relax, socialize, and even date.
When Adler saw an Instagram post about the event, she thought sparks would fly and instantly knew she had to book her spot at this intimate little gathering.
“As I was getting ready, I remember thinking, 'This feels like a meet-your-husband type of event.' Then I went to the event, and I met Ben that night and I was like, 'Oh my God. ’,” she told the Post.
During a small group discussion, Adler met Ben Bradbury and they quickly hit it off while chatting about the book. They ended up breaking off the party talking about everything and anything, including the event Bradbury co-founded.
After seeing all the untouched books on her bookshelf, Bradbury began a reading cadence over the summer with three of her best friends: Tom Wooster, Charlotte Jackson, and John Lihueri. This group never imagined the connections they would create.
“If you had told me seven months ago that starting a book club would represent the perfect girlfriend, I would have done it yesterday,” Bradbury told the Post.
The first book club was held in June on the rooftop of a friend's house with about 10 friends. However, the group soon realized that they were trying to achieve something to the best of their abilities.
“Attendees were very excited about the opportunity to read, connect, and walk away feeling recharged,” Wooster told the Post. The team quickly switched their focus from reading to ending the loneliness epidemic.
“Books are probably the best icebreaker in the world for living through truly mindful conversations,” he claimed.
So four friends, originally connected through entrepreneurship, decided to expand the event.
Reading Rhythms currently hosts two to three $2 to $3 events per week in Manhattan and Brooklyn, and is currently sold out through March.
Stefano Giovannini
Stefano Giovannini
While reading is typically a solitary act, this event quickly became a way for bibliophiles to make new connections while reading books on their Goodreads list.
“The kinds of discussions we foster here and the kinds of people who come are what make this place special and unique,” Bradbury asserted.
And after attending the event for the first time on Monday, Amanda Moore agreed. The 38-year-old forced himself to attend the rally alone and left with his new friend and date.
Stefano Giovannini
The Brooklyn resident walked into Four Five Six early in the week around 7 p.m. and ordered a glass of wine at the bar.
At the same time, a man sat down next to her and they quickly became involved.
The two immediately started talking about what they were going to read the night before the event started.
As the night wore on, Moore exchanged phone numbers with a new friend, with whom he ended up exchanging text messages throughout Tuesday. I also exchanged phone numbers with a guy at the bar with whom I had a coffee date scheduled for Sunday.
“It was a really fun time,” Moore told the Post. “I left feeling very fulfilled.”
