Read your own book: Inside Manila’s silent reading community
RYOB offers a relaxed take on the traditional book club, bringing readers together through a simple idea: Everyone reads what they want.
THE club brings readers together for relaxed gatherings where everyone can enjoy their chosen books in the company of fellow book lovers.
Photographs courtesy of Read Your Own Book Club
In a world of constant notifications and crowded schedules, finding time to sit down with a book can feel like a luxury. But for members of Read Your Own Book Club (RYOB), reading does not have to be a solitary pursuit. They can bring their own books to a cafe, settle beside fellow readers and enjoy a shared activity without the pressure of assigned titles or formal discussions.
Founded by Sofia Tan, RYOB offers a relaxed take on the traditional book club, bringing readers together through a simple idea: Everyone reads what they want.
Book club without homework
Tan said the idea came from seeing silent reading gatherings abroad. However, many book clubs she encountered still involved a monthly selection, a theme or scheduled discussions.
When she announced her plans on social media, interested readers asked whether they needed to bring a specific book or participate in discussions. Their concerns helped shape the club’s format.
“Talking to these interested members solidified my decision to be a discussion-optional, bring your own book silent book club,” Tan told DAILY TRIBUNE. That approach also inspired the name Read Your Own Book Club.
Instead of requiring long-term commitments, members can sign up for individual gatherings. Tan has hosted about 300 participants since launching RYOB, while around 3,000 people across its platforms have expressed interest.
Shared silence
The gatherings are not necessarily silent from beginning to end. Some readers chat with their seatmates, while others prefer to focus on their books and save conversations for later.
Tan describes the atmosphere as a way to socialize without the pressure of having to make conversation.
READ Your Own Book Club founder Sofia Tan.
“It’s not actually that ‘silent’ as you may think!” she said.
For newcomers, the idea of spending two hours reading alongside strangers may initially seem unusual. But Tan said the experience often makes sense once people attend. Being surrounded by readers can make it easier to ask about a book or simply enjoy the company of others without talking.
Members bring all kinds of books, although fiction across different genres and formats is common. Some have reported finishing 20 percent to 30 percent of a book during a session, while others have made friends after discovering shared reading interests.
Building community
RYOB initially began as an occasional gathering, but growing interest has led Tan to organize two or three events each month at cafes around Metro Manila.
Previous meetups have taken place in Makati, Mandaluyong and San Juan, with future gatherings planned in Parañaque, Quezon City and Antipolo.
The events also provide support for participating cafes, whose owners have expressed appreciation for the turnout. For Tan, the gatherings demonstrate that reading can benefit both individuals and the wider community.
“Reading is not a lonely activity,” she said. “It can be an activity that brings people together and allows for discourse that is engaging and exciting.”
Tan believes the popularity of hobby-based gatherings reflects a broader shift in how people socialize. Activities such as journaling, pottery, coloring and pickleball offer opportunities to meet others through shared interests rather than conventional networking.
As someone who describes herself as an introvert for most of her life, Tan welcomes the emergence of spaces where people can connect at their own pace.
She also sees reading as a way to step outside one’s immediate circumstances. Books can offer an escape, introduce different perspectives and leave lasting emotional impressions.
“Throughout all the books I’ve read, I feel like each book I’ve finished has taught me lessons or made me feel emotions that will carry on with me even after I have finished the book,” she said. “I may not always remember what exactly I read but I will always remember how I felt.”
For Tan, that is part of what makes reading worth sharing. A book may be read alone, but the experience can still create common ground.
When asked to describe RYOB in three words, she chose “Insightful, calm, introspective.”
The club’s appeal lies in that balance: a space where people can enjoy their own stories while finding a sense of belonging among others who love to read.