On your mark. Get set. Read: Waterbury’s silent reading parties catch on
September 13, 2025 | By Claire Pomer | Correspondent Sept. 17 Update: Details for October’s Silent Reading Party were added to the bottom of this post.
The August Silent Reading Party hosted by Bridgeside Books and the Waterbury Public Library meets atop the Waterbury dam. Photo by Gordon Miller
The Waterbury dam has long served as a tourist attraction. It’s not uncommon to see people walking the path atop the dam and savoring the views of the reservoir.
However, on a recent Wednesday evening, the dam attracted a small crowd of people scattered about in folding chairs, all silently reading as the sun set behind the mountains.
The cohort of roughly 15 people was participating in August’s Silent Reading Party, a monthly collaboration between Bridgeside Books, the Waterbury Public Library, and often local businesses.
The idea is simple: “Bring a book. Read a book. That’s it.” That’s how the library describes it on its events calendar.
When the weather is nice, organizers seek out quiet, scenic spots. Photo by Gordon Miller
The parties started in May 2024, and have been hosted by several local businesses, including Stagecoach Inn, Cask & Cork (formerly known as the Wine Vault and Vermont Beer Collective), and Paprika Catering Company.
“We had seen these types of events happening in other places,” said Bridgeside Books owner Katya d’Angelo. “We want to try and highlight places that people have never been or have never heard about before… Some place that has chairs or a place to put chairs. There are lots of places to sit and read in town.”
The events are an opportunity for free advertising for participating businesses, and, if they sell refreshments, a crowd of customers. Beyond that, the parties have a certain atmosphere that Bridgeside staffer Jenna Danyew described as: “It’s a wholesome Waterbury feeling.”
Reading in the meadow at Trapp’s. Photo courtesy of Bridgeside Books
“When it’s nice out, we try and do outside things,” d’Angelo said. June’s Silent Reading Party was held in the Trapp Family Lodge’s concert meadow nearby in Stowe, and July’s set up in the Waterbury Library’s gardens.
The party at Trapp’s attracted about 60 readers and lots of online attention for a video posted to Bridgeside’s Instagram account, garnering over 117,000 views. The scenes of people scattered about in the sunshine with their books amidst green grass and wildflowers with grazing cows nearby (mooing sounds included) captured the imagination of viewers, many of whom were not even in Vermont.
“Books, bird songs and beautiful nature is an awesome combination of magic!” one commentor wrote. “It was pure magic! When the cows appeared, I thought I went through a portal,” another said. Many remarks resembled, “This is my kind of party!”
At the August reading party at the dam, participants showed up and sat along the path. It was just before sunset on a late summer day, and the sunshine was warm but quickly disappearing. Waterbury Library Director Rachel Muse started with a countdown, saying, “Relax, enjoy the view, enjoy the sun, and read!” The event lasts one hour, and 50 minutes are dedicated to reading silently. The last 10 minutes are for highlighting some of the books brought to the event; participants can choose if they want to briefly summarize their book for the group.
More readers join the party in progress. Photo by Gordon Miller
“It’s such a great idea,” said Penny, a participant. “You’re in this beautiful outdoor environment and it’s nicer than sitting at home and reading in bed. It’s easy to meet people and share the joy of reading.”
The next Silent Reading Party happens this morning at 10 a.m. at Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea along Vermont Route 100 in Waterbury Center. The event is free. Attendees just need to show up with a book in any format. The October date is Sunday, Oct. 5, at 11 a.m. back at the Waterbury Dam. Check the Waterbury Public Library and Bridgeside Books websites for future Silent Reading Party dates.
Claire Pomer is a senior from Waterbury at Harwood Union High School.