A Book Club Reading Hour
Designed by BearmoreWhen reading the cheat notes keeps replacing reading the book.
Read the way the book club members read. This hour is all about reading the book that’s been chosen for the month, taking time to absorb it, some moments to write about it, and writing a kind note to share with another person.
The runsheet
One chapter of this month's book
Reading (mindful)Twenty-five minutes with the current month's pick. This version is reading just one chapter rather than reading the discourse about the chapter. One book, one chair, no distractions.
25 min activityBearmore’s thoughts on doing reading (mindful) before visualisation
This works really well because reading often surfaces images or scenarios that visualisation can develop more fully.
Visualise the scene
VisualisationFive minutes forming a clear mental picture of what you just read: the scene, a character, the place it happens. Eyes closed, hold the image and let it fill in. Not analysis, just imagery, the bridge from reading into how you'll write about it.
5 min activityBearmore’s thoughts on doing visualisation before journaling
This is a strong combination because visualisation produces vivid scenes and aims that writing can then capture and further develop on the page.
Journal what you made of it
JournalingFifteen minutes writing your own response down. This is not a review, and it’s not a public post, it’s just what you noticed and what you felt. Witherspoon (who this Burst was inspired by) encourages readers to form their own opinions before they come into the group.
15 min activityBearmore’s thoughts on doing journaling before acts of kindness
There's a useful connection here because reflection can settle the mind and allow for greater compassion, which can make a kind act feel more genuine.
One kind note to another reader
Acts of kindnessTen minutes sending one warm note to another reader you know. A friend who is also on this month's rotation, a sister who finished it last week, a colleague you have lent the book to.
10 min activityTime well spent.
1h 7m spent doing something good for yourself.
The breakdown
Burst evaluation
Wellbeing focus
About this Burst
This Burst transposes reading-with-care into a routine: a time to read properly with the book-club pick, a short visualisation to picture the scene you just read, a journaling window to process your own thoughts about it, and one kind note sent to someone else in the community.