Join us in the rebellious act of reading! For the third year, we are joining forces with The Book Hive to deliver an international edition of Page Against the Machine, with reading events taking place across the world.
Page Against the Machine is a weekly reading event founded and hosted by independent bookshop The Book Hive which encourages participants to set aside an hour of time for quiet reading in the shop. On Saturday 24 May, a special edition of the event will take place in St Peter Hungate as part of the City of Literature strand of Norfolk & Norwich Festival – a weekend programme of words and ideas presented by Norfolk & Norwich Festival and NCW.
On Saturday 24 May, we invite readers from across the globe to relax, turn off their screens, and join us for a well-deserved detox read. If you’re in need of a good book recommendation, why not dive into a book by a writer appearing at this year’s festival? You can find our City of Literature TBR list here.
Considering the pace of modern life, taking a moment to slow down and focus on one thing isn’t just good for our wellbeing – it’s actually quite a rebellious act!
Featured cities include:
Norwich City of Literature, UK
2.30–3.30pm, St Peter Hungate
We have a new venue! The Book Hive will be presenting Page Against the Machine in St Peter Hungate, a beautiful church with a garden overlooking the rooftops of Elm Hill. The perfect place to relax, put away screens, and page through a good book.
Melbourne City of Literature, Australia
10–11am, Myli Library Phillip Island
3–4pm, Camberwell Library
Two reading events are better than one! Start your day for a morning read in Melbourne, or wind down with them in the afternoon.
Exeter City of Literature, UK
2–3pm, Devon and Exeter Institution
If you’d like to read something new, Exeter City of Literature has you covered. Join them at the Devon and Exeter Institution and borrow a read from their unique historical book collection, virtually unchanged since 1813.
Manchester City of Literature, UK
12–1pm, Castlefield Viaduct
A sky garden in the heart of Manchester? Yes, please. Head over to the Castlefield Viaduct and enjoy a good page-turner with a view.
Kozhikode City of Literature, India
5.30pm, Kozhikode Beach
Kozhikode City of Literature are serving up the perfect beach day: sun, sand, and a chance to finally get started with your TBR list.
Okayama City of Literature, Japan
2–3.30pm, Shimoishii Park
Spring blossoms, sunshine, and a nearby library make Shimoishii Park a prime location to take some time for yourself and get lost in a good book.
Tukums City of Literature, Latvia
Wrocław City of Literature, Poland
12pm, Odra Centrum
Wrocław is a City of Literature, a World Book Capital and a European Capital of Culture, making it a top pick for book lovers. Join them at Odra Centrum to celebrate the city’s rich literary history.
About Page Against the Machine
Page Against the Machine was created in 2017 by bookseller Joe Hedinger in response to research from the UK charity The Reading Agency, which found that 67% of UK adults would like to read more. He said:
‘The research found that reading wasn’t just for entertainment. Nearly two thirds of people said they’d like to turn to a book in times of stress, anxiety or illness. However, people struggle to find time to read, because the demands and distractions of hectic lifestyles get in the way.
‘Our idea was to think about reading as a practice. Rather than snatching a few lines before bed or on your commute, what if reading was something you committed regular time to — just like putting an hour aside for the gym, yoga or meditation?
‘Considering the pace of modern life, taking a moment to slow down and focus on one thing isn’t just good for our wellbeing – it’s actually quite a rebellious act!’
Presented in partnership with The Book Hive
City of Literature is a Norfolk & Norwich Festival and National Centre for Writing presentation, programmed by the National Centre for Writing.
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