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Summer Silent Reading Party
The following description was submitted by the event organizer.
Join Topaz Farm in August and kindle your favorite summer pastime. Treat yourself to a couple of hours of uninterrupted reading under the glorious skies at this private, after-hours event. Shaded by the generous limbs of the magnificent Grandmother Tree, a 500-year-old Oregon White Oak, you’ll read in community with fellow book lovers and anyone who wants to experience a special night.
This evening makes a perfect outing for singletons, date nights, groups of friends, and families (minors are welcome as long as they can happily read quietly for two hours).
Hosted by Portland writer and editor Audrey Van Buskirk, the reading portion of the event will begin at 6:15 p.m. after a few remarks about Portland's book culture. As you read, you’ll listen to live background strumming by ukulele master Chris Lydgate and friends. And the birds. And the wind.
The Topaz Farm Summer Silent Reading Picnics are offshoots of Seattle’s Silent Reading parties, which have been ongoing since 2009 and were recently featured on Good Morning America.
Bring whatever you like to read and enjoy the picnic tables for seating, or bring your own blanket or chair. Your ticket price includes one drink; additional food and drinks will be available for purchase. Outside food and drink are not permitted.
If you need book suggestions, send a description of what you’re looking for to askaudreypdx@gmail.com.
July's sold-out Summer Silent Reading Party was a delight — take a look at this quick reel.
"I don't ask for much. Maybe some blissful, uninterrupted reading time. And maybe that reading time is spent beneath the blue skies of a scenic Sauvie Island farm. And maybe I'm shaded by the dense limbs of a 500-year-old Oregon white oak. And perhaps, as I read, I'm listening to live background strumming by ukulele master Chris Lydgate. Maybe there's a gentle breeze. Maybe birds are flitting between the white oak's wide branches. Maybe farm-fresh food and drinks are available. Is that so much to ask?! Apparently not, because Topaz Farm has it all covered."
– Lindsay Costello, Portland Mercury Top Picks