Dear Bookish

Dear Bookish,

Writing this cover letter fills me with a sense of nervous excitement, reminding me of the days before The Supper Book-Cult ever existed.

I remember it vividly—it was a rainy evening in late December 2023. I was sitting in a cozy café along Jalan Bangka, the warmth of the space in stark contrast to the downpour outside. As I scrolled through Instagram, I came across a post from The New York Times Reading Party, which depicted a group of people gathered in a jazz bar, quietly immersed in their books, with the soft hum of jazz music in the background. The image sparked something in me.

I felt an intense desire to create a space like that—an intimate gathering, a close-knit group of around 20 to 25 people, where we could simply sit in silence, absorbed in our reading. Afterward, we would have the opportunity to share our thoughts, discuss the books we had read, or perhaps even exchange stories about our lives.

I envisioned a warm, welcoming environment—a place where, like old friends who haven't met yet, we could connect in a fleeting moment of respite amidst the hustle and bustle of Jakarta. A space to pause, relax, and find comfort in each other's presence.

Thus, The Supper Book-Cult was born, alongside my friends Shayna and Uwi, who joined me in this shared ritual. I didn't want TSBC to be just another book club; I envisioned it more like a cult devoted to worshipping books—playfully, of course! My hope for our gatherings is simple: for us book enthusiasts to come together and rant about what we love and what we're currently reading.

I am deeply grateful to have all of you, the members of this little cult, as well as the contributors to The Supper Book-Cult 2024 booklet. Without all of you, none of this would have become a reality—it would have remained just a mere dream of mine. Thank you for taking the time to read this. I look forward to seeing what we can build together in this special little corner of the literary world.

Yours sincerely, Sazkalia "Slo"