The Vice-Rectorate of Culture at the University of Jaén, in collaboration with the Secretariat of Communication and Scientific Dissemination and CRAI.lab Library, organized a new session of its Reading Gathering. This event, internationally known as the Silent Book Club, is part of the institution's Literature Classroom initiatives for the current academic year. On this occasion, the gathering focused on the historical novel, a highly appreciated literary subgenre in contemporary narrative.
The methodology of the Silent Book Club is simple yet effective: participants gather to read in silence, but in company, and then share their impressions and discoveries with the rest of the group. This proposal aims to overcome the solitary experience of reading without sacrificing the intimate pleasure of immersing oneself in a book, while also offering a platform to explore genres and authors that might not otherwise reach the attendees.
The director of the International Historical Novel Contest Ciudad de Úbeda was the main guest of this edition. During his presentation, he discussed both classic reissued works and recent successful titles within the genre. Among the classics highlighted were The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo, The Prince of Thieves by Alexandre Dumas, Flashman by George MacDonald Fraser, and The Four Feathers by Alfred E. W. Mason.
Regarding new releases, reference was made to Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier, Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman, described as historical gothic horror, and the popular saga by British author Bernard Cornwell, which inspired the Netflix series The Last Kingdom, establishing itself as one of the best-selling historical novel collections in recent years.
The UJA Reading Gathering has become a literary meeting point that allows participants to read, share, and enjoy literature in a communal setting. This initiative introduces the university community to various genres and authors, enriching their reading landscape beyond academic texts and demonstrating that reading can be a powerful social bond.
