Commuter Book Clubs Target Screen Time on Public Transit
Two 24-year-old organizers in Oslo are combatting rising digital distractions by hosting silent group reading sessions on the city’s subway system, according to a report by nrk.no published on October 14. Vilde Østerholt Willeke and Tuva Svendsen Hesmyr launched the weekly transit reading initiative, dubbed “Prosjekt På,” to encourage passengers to replace smartphone use with physical books.
The gatherings bring together participants who meet near Grønland subway station before boarding a train to read individually in unison. The movement responds to widespread concerns over attention economies, drawing inspiration from similar grassroots efforts in Denmark and larger European cities.
Silent Activism on the Subway Lines
Willeke and Hesmyr organized the Wednesday evening reading sessions throughout October after hosting smaller test runs earlier in the year. Turnout for the transit events has fluctuated, with initial gatherings drawing as few as one other reader before expanding to a group of nearly 20 participants who boarded a train for a full circuit around the network.
The organizers frame the initiative as a form of silent activism aimed at reclaiming personal time from automated habits like checking smartphones during brief commutes. The concept mirrors international efforts such as “The Offline Club,” which operates in 15 cities across 11 countries by requiring participants to surrender their phones in shared offline spaces.
Participants report that the collective setting creates a supportive environment that reduces the temptation to check devices. Emile Kooyman, a 26-year-old participant, described the transit reading as relaxing, while fellow attendee Peter Tjemsland noted that the shared presence creates a subtle social pressure to keep phones away and focus on literature.
Public Reception and the Return of Print
The sight of a carriage filled with silent readers has drawn noticeable reactions from other passengers and passersby. Organizers recounted instances of older travelers expressing delight at seeing young people reading in a group, alongside remarks from onlookers praising the return of physical books.
This localized effort coincides with broader reported upticks in library loans and bookstore visits observed by retailers over the past year. While some commuters already read independently on public transit, the organizers aim to make the activity more visible to inspire broader adoption across bus routes and light rail lines.