“I have completed reading three books since January 2025, thanks to Read A Kitaab,” shares Prakhar Sachdeo, an enthusiastic member of this growing literary community. “I’ve always loved books, but I needed motivation to stay consistent. Read A Kitaab has been that push for me.”

Founded by Ekta Bhandari and Anurag Kothari in June 2020, Read A Kitaab is more than just a book club—it’s a thriving community that fosters deeper reading, critical thinking, and meaningful conversations. Concerned about the increasing dominance of short-form digital content, Bhandari and Kothari envisioned a space where people could slow down and engage with books. “Books build empathy and challenge perspectives,” says Bhandari. “We wanted to bring that back.”

Unlike traditional book clubs, Read A Kitaab encourages diverse reading beyond mainstream bestsellers. The core philosophy is simple: read more, read better, read diversely. Despite their demanding corporate careers, the founders have remained dedicated to the community, ensuring that it continues to flourish. Monthly meetups offer members a break from daily life, creating an environment for thought-provoking discussions. “It’s not just about reading,” says Kothari. “It’s about sharing ideas and forming real connections.”

To keep engagement high, Read A Kitaab offers more than just book recommendations. Through WhatsApp discussions, newsletters, social media interactions, and themed reading challenges, the group ensures that members stay connected. One standout initiative was a 35-day guided reading challenge for The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro, featuring daily insights and reflective prompts to enrich the reading experience.

Since its inception, Read A Kitaab has expanded across India and beyond, with active chapters in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Bangalore, Kochi, and Tokyo. Upcoming expansions include Lucknow, Chennai, and Kolkata. “Every city brings its own flavor to discussions,” says Bhandari. 

“But the core values—diverse reading, meaningful conversations, and inclusivity—remain the same", she adds. 

To cater to different reading preferences, the group introduced the ‘Book of the Month’, a selection that allows members across cities to engage in collective discussions. Another innovative initiative is the silent reading room, where members gather in a virtual space to read silently for an hour, helping them rediscover the joy of distraction-free reading.

Beyond regular meetups, Read A Kitaab organizes large-scale literary events. One of its biggest successes was the Read A Kitaab Literature Festival – Mumbai Edition, held in March 2025 in collaboration with R.D. National College. Featuring over 50 authors and literary figures like Devdutt Pattnaik, Bhawana Somayaa, and Salil Tripathi, the festival covered topics ranging from marginalized voices to LGBTQ+ narratives and women in publishing.

The community also emphasises multilingual literature, encouraging discussions in Hindi, Marathi, Urdu, and other regional languages. Looking ahead, Read A Kitaab plans to expand further, collaborate with global literary communities, and amplify underrepresented voices.

Remarkably, the community remains completely free for members. “This is a passion project. We fund everything ourselves because literature should be accessible to everyone", says Bhandari.

For those eager to join this thriving literary movement, Read A Kitaab welcomes readers of all backgrounds. “You don’t need to be an expert. Just love stories and be open to new perspectives", says Kothari.

Readers can connect via Instagram (@readakitaab) or WhatsApp (+91 9082076420).

    Visiting  website: www.readakitaab.com/join-us