Around the World

The British Council has set up reading groups in a number of countries overseas, some managed and hosted in Council offices, and others linked to local universities or schools. For a full list of the reading groups take a look at enCompassCulture.

We already have Council reading groups in Italy, Poland, Finland, Czech Republic and Venezuela. Very soon we will have groups in Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Russia. In Spring 2004 we will be setting up groups in Malaysia and during 2004 throughout South Asia.

Readers can access the site anywhere with an internet connection and if they have difficulty doing so can use the British Council Knowledge Learning Centres with their large computer suites. We would like to link the real to the virtual with readers meeting in the Knowledge Learning Centres to discuss books that they have selected using enCompassCulture and then adding their reviews to the site and comments to the web board. Using enCompassCulture you will be able to establish links to other overseas reading groups as well.

In the UK

Using enCompassCulture gives you a good opportunity to link up reading groups in the UK with reading groups around the world to read the same books, to post your reviews on the site, discuss themes on the web board and join in chats. Webboard threads can be set up by topic, such as your favourite book, by book or by reading group. If your reading group wants to read a book at the same time as another reading group elewhere in the world you can post up your comments on the wbboard and the meet for a virtual reading group chat online - just arrange the time with us and we can open up the chatline for you. The Online reader in residence will facilitate your webboard and chat presence and advise you on how to make the best use of your time online.

To find out about Reading Groups in your area of the UK contact your local library.