A free book club with a difference is being set up in Manchester. Led by local poet, Peter Kalu, and supported by local writer, Clare Ramsaran, Manchester’s Reading Round will be one of a network of only sixteen in the country funded by the Royal Literary Fund in 2024/25, and, unlike other reading groups, there is no homework needed.

‘Each week I will read the group a new poem and a short story aloud, and then we’ll discuss them together,’ said Peter. ‘‘Research shows how good it is for us to be read aloud to but how many of us actually make the time to do this? This is ninety minutes when people can just stop and listen to something new to them.’

The Reading Round scheme was set up to create a space where readers can discover original writing and also rediscover the joys of hearing stories and poems in a friendly group. Other Reading Round groups have run across the country and the feedback has always been very positive.

The Reading Round will take place in the bookshop, Alexandria Library, Wilmslow Rd (Curry Mile), Manchester on Thursdays, from 6.30pm-8pm starting 19 September and is open to all.

Although it’s completely free to join, numbers are restricted and pre-booking is essential. Contact Peter Kalu on peter.kalu@rlfeducation.org.uk to find out more, of find it on Eventbrite.