Discover how Denver’s Silent Pages Society invites introverts to enjoy books in calm, cozy spaces—no required reading, just quiet moments shared together.
Ever wanted to read in silence, but with friends? Or read in new, interesting places while exploring your city with a group of people so you don’t feel alone? Well, in Denver, for many people, that dream is a reality.
Inspired by the Silent Book Club
Denver’s Silent Pages Society didn’t appear out of thin air — it was inspired by the globally popular Silent Book Club (SBC). The SBC, as it is commonly called, is a movement that has set out to reimagine traditional book clubs by removing the pressure of assigned reading and mandatory debate and discussion.
Founded in 2012 in San Francisco by friends Guinevere de la Mare and Laura Gluhanich, the Silent Book Club was the result of a conversation around books, reading, and book clubs. The two friends, who loved reading together even if they weren’t reading the same thing, asked each other: “Wouldn’t it be great to have a book club where you could just enjoy books, friends, and drinks, without any homework?”
From there, the movement has steadily. Now, it spans 1,500 chapters across 54 countries, each one embracing the idea of reading in quiet companionship. The events hosted by the groups are designed to be inclusive, free, and welcoming to every type of reader. People can attend with books, e-readers, magazines, audiobooks, graphic novels — whatever they fancy.
Not only that, but each chapter tries their best to support local businesses too, by hosting the events in as many as possible across their cities. Usually, a meet-up of the Silent Book Club involves an hour of socializing, followed by an hour of silent reading, and then another hour of socializing afterwards. This aims to provide space for both connection and personal reflection.
What is the Initiative?
Denver Public Library has launched a citywide event called the Silent Pages Society Gathering. These events invite readers to enjoy the pleasure of quiet, communal reading, bringing people together in serene public places like local museums, gardens, opera houses, and even on trains, to immerse themselves in stories.
Unlike most reading groups or book clubs, there are no assigned books and no required chapters. Instead, the gatherings celebrate the act of reading itself. They offer people a tranquil, laissez-faire version of the traditional book club, encouraging members to bring any book they want and enjoy it in the company of others, without any pressure to converse or debate anything.
Of course, there are still plenty of events for those who enjoy debating and discussing the latest chapter. But for those readers who prefer to read at their own pace, or who simply enjoy quiet company, the Silent Pages Gatherings offer just that. A fresh new alternative.
To add to the novelty, Denver Public Library has created Silent Pages Society passports for participants to document their reading adventures in. Not only that, but people who go to multiple Silent Pages Gatherings will receive a Silent Pages Society pin as a token to remember the experience by.
When and Where Are the Silent Pages Society Gatherings?
This year, in 2025, the Denver Public Library plans to host six Silent Pages Society Gatherings across the city. These events could be held anywhere, from museums, cafes, parks, and trains.
The first of these events took place on the 18th of April 2025, and was held on a train! The participants received tickets to the Regional Transportation District’s N-Line to Eastlake and W-Line to Golden, and took their seats. While the train rattled along, the Silent Pages members read quietly in one another’s company.
The next five events have yet to be announced, but when the library has planned them, details will be available on their website. In the meantime, readers in Denver have plenty of other options. Why not explore the Denver library while you wait or set up your silent read-a-thon? For those outside of Denver, the same goes for you! Just because the initiative isn’t local doesn’t mean you can’t set up something similar in your area.
Denver’s Growing Chapter and Beyond
The Denver chapter of the book club has become exceedingly popular, hence inspiring the library. As it stands, the group has over 6,000 followers on Meetup, who love to meet in cozy spots like bookstores, wine bars, and, of course, cafes. There, they can enjoy low-pressure reading sessions and the chance to make connections and form friendships with others. This also makes sure that members can participate as much or as little as they want, which keeps everything relaxed!
Readers can set up their own chapter of the Silent Book Club for free, too. So if there isn’t a book club near you, no need to fret, just get organizing!
And, of course, it isn’t just the Social Book Club that runs these sorts of events. Readers can find all sorts of bookish events and reader-based activities at their local library and independent bookstores. Sometimes it just takes a little exploration to find the right reading event for you!
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Millie Ramm
Millie has been writing since she was a child, and has spent more time with her nose in books than anywhere else. She has been ghostwriting novels and editing for the past few years, and when not working she is curled up with her cats, looking for her next read.
