As Singapore’s adult literacy levels decline, book clubs offer a solution

SINGAPORE – Mr Cliff Chew, a 41-year-old data analyst, starts his mornings not by replying to text messages or e-mails, but with a book in hand, a habit as natural to him as brushing his teeth.

But it was not always this way – he picked up reading seriously only in university, and for years, it remained a solitary habit, he said. That changed when he joined The Saturday Book Club.

“When I read now, I know that there’s an opportunity for me to share interesting points, which I do not get when I read alone,” said Mr Chew, who goes for the book club’s sessions at the Central Public Library, which are held on every third Saturday of the month.

Such book clubs – at least seven have emerged in Singapore in the past two years – offer busy working adults a space to actively read and have deeper discussions with peers, amid a decline in adult literacy.

The latest study of adult skills by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development showed that literacy in adults in Singapore declines sharply after the age of 35, and the downward trend continues as adults age.

The study, which released its findings on Dec 10, defined literacy as the ability to access, understand, evaluate and reflect on written texts to achieve one’s goals, develop knowledge and participate in society.

Addressing questions in Parliament about the results, Education Minister Chan Chun Sing said in January that promoting reading and sustaining literacy skills for adults is essential for processing and managing information.

“We will have to keep up our effort to continue our encouragement to our people to keep learning, to keep reading, even as they are working, and they have gone beyond the school years,” he said.

But it is not always easy to find the time to read, said book club member Mr Chew, as people in his age group have many things that demand their time – work, children, elderly parents.

“Being able to sit down and enjoy a book is a luxury that a lot of people cannot afford,” he said.

Reading has also become a largely functional activity, said NTU’s Associate Professor Julien Cayla, which is why after a certain age, once-avid readers stop reading.

From a young age, children read to do well for their exams, and this persists into university life and beyond, he said.

The rise of screens, from the smartphone to television, has further weakened attention spans, making it “impossible to focus”, said Prof Cayla. Without practice, sustaining focus on a book for two hours becomes increasingly difficult.

The decline of book stores – once hubs for personalised recommendations and literary discovery – further exacerbates the issue, he said.

Reading, like going to the gym, is easier with company, he said. “If you’re reading, and you have no one to talk about your book with, or you don’t see anyone with books, it becomes difficult.”

The power of reading in a community

Founders and members of book clubs said the regular sessions help to foster a sense of community and sustain interest in reading through peer influence.

Through The Saturday Book Club, Mr Chew discovered books he never thought he would be interested in, such as The Millionaire Fastlane, a book about building wealth, and Empty Your Cup, one about self-esteem and mindfulness.

Attendees of the book club – which is free of charge to join – break into groups to discuss their latest non-fiction read. On some Saturdays, the book club organises sessions with authors.

Ms Nurliyana Rahmat, 32, a library officer and member of the Quiet Readers Club, said the group deepened her love for reading and encouraged her to explore new genres. “The exchange of ideas and recommendations makes every session a rewarding experience.”

Quiet Readers Club is a monthly book club run by Ms Hew Chin Yi, 31, an operations assistant, and Ms Irma Niza Jamal, 42, a bookstore assistant. The club meets on the third Sunday of each month, except for March and November, and it costs $18 per person for each session.

Reading in community – through book clubs, online discussions or simply with friends who love books – helps to cultivate good reading habits, Ms Hew said. “We naturally tend to pick up the habits of the people around us.”

Ms Kimberly Wong, 29, a library outreach lead at an international school, recalled her first session at Bookworm Banter where everyone was reading different books across different genres. By the end of the session, they had exchanged Instagram handles and formed friendships.

“Reading is often a solitary activity, so it’s nice to come together and build a community of readers,” she said.

Held monthly at Book Bar in Duxton, Bookworm Banter gathers up to 30 attendees for two hours – one spent reading, the other discussing. It costs $20 per person, which includes one drink and $5 credit for a purchase from the store.

Book Bar owner Alexander Chua, 38, added that some members join for enjoyment, others for connection, and some to “force themselves” back into reading.

When asked how reading improves comprehension and critical thinking – key components of literacy, according to Prof Cayla – Mr Chua said book club discussions help people learn from the way others process information.

For example, hearing someone else’s analysis of particular characters, or opinions, helps refine your thinking, he added.

Book clubs can help people improve their literacy skills by acting as “communities of practice”, said Prof Cayla, referencing a concept proposed by anthropologist Jean Lave and educational theorist Etienne Wenger in 1991.

“In communities of practice, learning happens through social interaction – members share knowledge, participate in activities together, and learn from one another,” he said.

“When learning and reading is social, it is so much more powerful… especially in book clubs and reading clubs where you have people with diverse backgrounds; they bring different interpretations to the table, so people’s understanding improves manifold.”

Reading for life and pleasure

According to the 2021 National Reading Habits Study, the top platforms that adults in Singapore use for reading are social media, video streaming platforms, newspapers/online news and websites. 

And most adults read to keep up with current events, with most saying that reading broadens their world view and improves critical-thinking skills.

Seven in 10 adults surveyed for the study said they enjoy discussing what they read with others, and that reading provides more topics for conversation.

Aside from interest, adult reading habits are also influenced by factors such as time, book selection and purpose, said NTU’s Associate Professor Loh Chin Ee.

Apart from access to a range of print and digital forms of reading, other activities such as reading events and book clubs can cultivate a stronger reading culture, she said.

Ms Usha Chandradas, co-founder of Plural Art Mag and a Nominated MP, added that such events, especially held over food and drink, can also provide respite for working adults.

“We must be realistic about getting adults to read – when busy, stressed and worn down by life and responsibilities, nobody is going to want to read a book because it will educate them or improve their literary proficiency according to an abstract international standard,” she said.

“But if reading a book leads to something fun and stress-relieving, or new friendships, it then becomes a different proposition altogether.”

Fostering lifelong reading habits requires an environment where literature is desirable, accessible and rewarding, Ms Chandradas said.

Owners of book clubs said they are working on making sessions more inclusive and accessible – one example is by holding the Quiet Readers Club at different locations so more people can attend.

Ms Hew said: “As book lovers, our goal is to create an inviting space where anyone interested can come together and enjoy reading. We truly believe that it’s never too late to start.”

Another example is that members are not obliged to finish the book they intend to talk about, said Mr Ian Ang, 30, one of the organisers of The Saturday Book Club, but read enough to share and discuss it with their friends.

Bookworm Banter follows a similar policy. Mr Chua said this removes the pressure of “homework” before attending a session. He added that members are also free to read according to their preferences, such as reading on a Kindle, switching books halfway, or picking any genre they like.

“The bar to join is kept low because we want to make sure anybody who wants to can just join,” he added.

• Gabrielle Chan is a journalist at The Straits Times, and covers everything related to education in Singapore.

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