A SHARED reading group that launched last year in the borough was so successful that a second group was needed.
Shared Reading, facilitated by Wokingham Borough poet Fiona Dignan is available to people in both Wokingham and Finchampstead.
“Our first group at Wokingham Library has been running for a year now and has been so successful, we had to branch out to Finchampstead library,” said Fiona.
“We read aloud from poetry, short stories and novel extracts.
“Everyone is welcome to share how the words make them feel, as well as any thoughts, ideas and memories.”
But Fiona says there is no pressure at all to talk or read aloud.
“Everyone experiences what’s read in their own way, but the shared language found in literature can help us to understand ourselves – and others – better,” she said.
“In the past year we’ve read Shakespeare, Dickens, Steinbeck, ancient Persian poetry, Russian, Nigerian, Japanese literature as well as contemporary British works.”
Fiona runs the groups on behalf of The Reader, a charity that uses the power of literature and reading aloud to transform lives across the UK.
Volunteers and staff bring people together to read great stories and poems, creating powerful moments of connection through shared reading.
Sessions can help to improve wellbeing, and help people find new meaning.
“We firmly believe great literature is for everyone and we’re a diverse group,” Fiona said.
“It is definitely not an English literature group, it’s simply people enjoying listening and discussing what emotions and ideas different pieces bring to mind.”
Shared Reading sessions take place at Wokingham Library on Tuesdays, from 12.15pm until 1.45pm, and on Mondays at Finchampstead Library, from 2pm until 3pm.
Sessions are free to join, and people can just drop in.
For more information, email: libraries@wokingham.gov.uk
