Who would have thought that reading under the humid all-year-summer sun of Malaysia could be surprisingly pleasant? I’ll admit it, I had my doubts of whether an outdoor reading session was even possible in a tropical country like Malaysia—but Kuala Lumpur Reads proved that it absolutely is.
Inspired by Bangalore’s Cubbon Reads, founder Victoria Navina emphasised that Kuala Lumpur Reads is not an organisation nor a book club, but rather an intention — a small community across KL city who meet and read quietly at accessible green spaces since May 2023.
Not being an early bird by nature, I was dragged to Perdana Botanical Garden at 8:30 a.m. on a fine Saturday morning, only to be welcomed by an ocean of bookworms.
Needless to say, it is truly a paradise for academic introverts.
A quiet reading community breathing in silence, everyone huddled together in a shared public space. I was amazed to see groups of complete strangers comfortably reading within their own bubbles, fully embracing the space given, coexisting peacefully with the surrounding elements of nature.
Settling myself down with a picnic mat on the dampened grass, I opened my copy of Dostoevsky’s White Nights and immersed myself with the collective stillness.
True to the spirit of ‘By community, for community’, even with such a relaxed crowd, KL Reads guarantees a non-intrusive safe space for their fellow readers. With their growing popularity, our lovely organisers have remained actively protective of our readers’ privacy, standing firmly by the Media Engagement Guidelines they recently introduced in response to the rising concerns of respecting readers’ boundaries. Consent is important, and KL Reads always make sure that we have a choice, especially with being photographed.
Their guiding principle remains clear: We put the community first — ensuring every single reader enjoys an uninterrupted experience.
We read silently for a couple of hours and ended with a little get together. I love how they describe their past customary book-stacking session as a class photo, as the books are a reflection of their readers. It’s such a simple but meaningful gesture — a tapestry of shared memories with a group of people you unknowingly connected with. It’s a shame they don’t do that anymore!
It truly warms my heart to know that a growing community is relentlessly nurturing the quiet joy of reading in public parks. What began with just two to ten readers has blossomed into a crowd so big it felt like one giant hug. Without meaning to, Navina has sparked a beautiful snowball effect – turning Kuala Lumpur’s oldest and largest public park into a peaceful reading sanctuary. Interestingly, while Cubbon Reads has inspired chapters around the world, it was shared that the KL chapter has quietly remained the most steadfast with a charm of its own.
KL Reads isn’t just about books, it’s a soft nudge for Malaysians to appreciate the local greenery, not to mention rediscovering the value of a third space! I can’t remember when was the last time a space made me feel time. While on the surface, it might seem like a simple gathering of people quietly flipping through the pages, what it really offers is something far more nuanced: the courage to be unhurried. This little piece of green in Perdana Botanical Garden created a threshold for us to pause — a luxury we could definitely afford in this fast paced life.
There’s something quite powerful about this shared solitary ritual. For me, KL Reads is more than just a celebration of books and space, it’s about finding my own people – the kind who find comfort in silence, pages, and the gentle company of others doing the same. Now, KL Reads has turned two, which was in the last week of May this year.
Starting this Saturday, soften the start of your weekend with Kuala Lumpur Reads. Treat yourself with a bookish date at Perdana Botanical Garden from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m., but come whenever you like and leave whenever you’re ready. No registration required, no pressure, just you, your book, and a peaceful corner of the park.
For more information on Kuala Lumpur Reads and upcoming events, visit their Instagram page @kualalumpurreads.
Sharmaine Wee is a Psychology graduate fascinated by the local arts and culture scene, and aspires to cultivate an expressive voice through poetry.
Image Credit: @kualalumpurreads
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