Kuala Lumpur Reads: an open-air gathering of bibliophiles

Community initiative approaching its 100th edition, to be held in last week of April 

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (MNTV) — Babra Ruin, 27, a learning and development executive in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, likes being in the company of bibliophiles. And she likes reading outdoors. 

“I actually enjoy reading outdoors, but when I do it alone, I can’t really enjoy myself because of safety concerns,” says Ruin, who regularly attends Kuala Lumpur Reads sessions. “But when I come for a KL Reads session, I know that I’m safe, because I’m surrounded by other readers.

“I feel like I’ve finally found my people among the KL Reads community,” says Ruin, according to The Star.

The community was founded by Victoria Navina, 34, in 2023. KL Reads has built a dedicated following, with readers eagerly gathering on Saturday mornings at the Perdana Botanical Gardens. 

“We used to get 10 to 20 people joining us on a good day, but with word getting around, more and more people started coming,” says Navina. “Some of them talked about KL Reads in social media posts and travelogues. One in particular led to what we now call the ‘boom’, starting from the 89th edition onwards. Since then we’ve always had over 100 readers!” she adds.

“We’re not an organization or a book club. We’re a community-driven initiative aimed at promoting reading, social cohesion, and the active use of green public spaces as a no-cost third place,” says Navina.

Now, KL Reads is quickly approaching its 100th edition, which will be in the last week of April this year.

Getting back into the reading habit has been a challenge for some, but perseverance makes all the difference.

“It’s probably been about seven years since I’ve read a book,” says James Guan, 36, business development and partnership executive.

“But since my wife Lily convinced me to come for KL Reads, I’ve finally gotten around to reading a book my ex-manager gave me as a farewell gift 12 years ago. Reading outdoors among all this greenery has had a good effect on both my physical and mental well-being.”