In a generation dominated by digital screens and fast-paced content, the simple act of picking up a book is losing its essence. Reading offers a different kind of stillness as it invites you to slow down, immerse yourself in new ideas, and explore uncharted worlds from the comfort of your mind.

“Reading has always been my escape,” says Heet Doshi, a 20-year-old BCom Honours student from GLS University. Om Thakkar, 19, pursuing a BBA at Gujarat University, shares a similar passion, “For me, books have always been windows to new worlds. Each book offers a fresh perspective, shaping how we think and view the world. I want to inspire more people to read, so they too can experience the influence of literature and broaden their horizons.”

Back in 2023, the college students found themselves in a dilemma. While both shared a passion for reading, they struggled to find like-minded people beyond their immediate circle to sit and talk about the best books or authors. This gap sparked an idea in the duo’s minds to create a platform where anyone, regardless of background, could come together and share their love for books.

“We were disappointed by the lack of opportunities to discuss books with others,” recalls Heet. “That’s when we decided to build a space where people could connect, share ideas, and form bonds over their love for books,” he tells The Better India.

Establishing Your Reading Circle: A space for readers in Ahmedabad

Thus, ‘Your Reading Circle’ was born in September 2023, a space for avid readers in Ahmedabad to gather and share books and stories. They conducted events in public places and created a WhatsApp group for all interested readers to create awareness about the importance of reading. As their community grew, another source of inspiration struck the duo, leading to a new idea they were eager to bring to life.

In early 2024, the co-founders came across the concept of mini-libraries in Perumkulam, a village in Kerala, where three public libraries were set up every few hundred metres to make reading accessible. Inspired by this, they thought of replicating the model in Ahmedabad to encourage the city’s reading culture further.

The road to installing their first public mini-library was not smooth, as the young duo was tackling challenges on their own without any guidance or prior experience. “Initially, we didn’t even know where to begin. We had no idea how to get permission to set up libraries in public parks or where to find the right........

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