Silent Book Club Special - Valentine's

This Silent Book Club Special invites you to explore love, longing, heartbreak—and everything in between—through the quiet pleasure of reading together.

Join us for an atmospheric, after-hours evening in the historic Devon and Exeter Institution, tucked away on Cathedral Close in Exeter. With its Georgian character, towering shelves and softly lit rooms, it’s a space that feels naturally cosy and slightly magical—the sort of place where settling in with a book just feels right.

Membership to the Devon and Exeter Institution is not required to attend this event.

Our last Silent Book Club Special sold out quickly, so early booking is recommended.

Silent Book Club Special - Valentine's Edition

• 6:00pm — Doors open
  Arrive, grab a snack and a (non-alcoholic) drink, and find a spot in one of the beautiful reading rooms.
• 6:30pm–7:30pm — Silent reading hour
  Bring a book you love (or have been meaning to start) and enjoy an uninterrupted hour of quiet reading, surrounded by fellow book lovers.
• After 7:30pm — Optional creative writing + free time
  Take part in an optional creative writing activity with Carla Jenkins (Raw Writing), inspired by the lost art of letter writing. Free-to-use typewriters and historic love letters from the University of Exeter’s archive will also be scattered throughout the library.

From here, the evening is yours: continue reading, enjoy themed snacks and drinks, explore the building, or strike up conversations with other guests. The event ends at 9:00pm.

What’s included

• Themed snacks and drinks
• Creative writing session
• Access to the Devon and Exeter Institution after hours
• A small goody bag to take home, including a Penguin book and special edition Silent Book Club pin

What do we mean by Pay What You Can Afford

At Exeter City of Literature, we know that everyone’s financial situation is different, and we want our events to be open to as many people as possible. By purchasing a higher tier of ticket, you're choosing what the event is worth to you and opening the door for people to experience an evening of culture that they might otherwise be excluded from.

Choosing to give a little extra when you can is a powerful act: it sustains Exeter’s cultural life, ensures wider access, and is that much more meaningful because you helped another person share in this experience.

Exeter City of Literature is a registered charity (1196686).

Where your money goes

Every ticket purchased above the minimum price helps us:

• Keep our events free or Pay What You Can Afford so more people can take part
• Stock our Book Fairies and Book Nooks in Warm Spaces with free books
• Provide National Book Tokens for low-income members of Silent Book Club
• Support new projects that bring literature and culture to all of us, making our communities and neighbourhoods more vibrant, fun, and inclusive

Your choice makes a real difference - not just to you, but to your whole community.

About Silent Book Club

Silent Book Club started in San Francisco in 2012 with a couple of friends - Guinevere de la Mare and Laura Gluhanich - reading in companionable silence at their neighbourhood bar.

At Silent Book Club, there's no assigned reading. All readers are welcome - ebooks, audiobooks, textbooks, comic books... it's bring your own book!

Accessibility Information

The Devon and Exeter Institution is accessible via its main entrance, with level access to the ground floor and a lift to the Blue Room upstairs. There is an accessible lavatory, baby changing facilities, and limited Blue Badge parking available by arrangement. The building is generally quiet with soft lighting, and assistance dogs are welcome.

For more information visit: https://devonandexeterinstitution.org/accessibility-information/

Location: The Devon and Exeter Institution, 7 Cathedral Close, Exeter EX1 1EZ

Age guidance: 18+