There’s a reading revolution happening in Aotearoa; a community initiative where people are coming together (albeit by Zoom right now) to read literature aloud and chat about whatever a story or poem evokes.
It’s called Reading Revolution, and it was started in New Zealand in 2015 by former librarian Kate Middleton.
The project springs from an initiative in the UK called The Reader, which cites the benefits of shared reading for people including those with depression, dementia, addictions and pain.
Middleton started the Reading Revolution after travelling to the UK to find out how it all works.
There are now 18 groups across Auckland and more scattered around the country in places like Picton, Nelson and Hokitika.
Homeless people, women in jail, teens, people with anxiety, migrants sharpening up their English, and people in palliative care have all taken part.
Kate is with us to talk about Reading Revolution, and offer her own reading — ‘The Sunflower’ by Chilean poet Gabriela Mistral.
