Bring your own book to Norwich Cathedral on May 23 for a shared hour of reading, as part of Norfolk & Norwich Festival.
A public reading event will take over Norwich Cathedral’s cloister this weekend, inviting people to put aside phones and spend an hour with a book.
Page Against the Machine runs from 2.30pm on Saturday, May 23. Readers can bring any material – from novels and magazines to graphic novels – and are encouraged to focus on uninterrupted reading.
The free event is organised by The Book Hive and the National Centre for Writing, as part of the Norfolk & Norwich Festival.
The Revd Dr Peter Doll, Norwich Cathedral’s canon librarian and vice-dean, said: “The dean and chapter of Norwich Cathedral are delighted to welcome all readers to the cloister for the Page Against the Machine event on May 23.
“In the Middle Ages, the cloister was at the heart of the cathedral’s book life. The cupboards in its walls were for the storage of books, and in good weather the monks read and even wrote books here – a perfect place to celebrate books in our lives today!”
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Similar sessions will take place across the city and in UNESCO Cities of Literature around the globe.
Those unable to attend in person can still join in remotely by sharing their reading online using the hashtag #pageagainstthemachine.
Here, Joe Hedinger, bookseller at The Book Hive, sets out why reading time matters:
The rebellious act of reading
“For the first five minutes, I’m fidgety. Thinking about emails. Planning what’s for dinner. Plus, there’s that horrible headline I saw earlier. My mind is pulled from the page, into the past and future, with niggles, worries, to-dos.
“But gradually, words sink in. Each sentence moves me from a state of settling to something more like seeping (in the sense of brewing tea). By minute 10, I’m under.
“This happens most weeks at Page Against the Machine – our quiet reading hour at the Book Hive. Every Wednesday, we invite people travelling home from work to stop in and read for 60 minutes. Phones off, glass of wine, quiet music. Just people and books.
“As I read, my mind quietens. I can feel it realigning to a different timeframe – a secret one that isn’t governed by calendars or meetings, that isn’t interrupted by notifications, news and the latest products, that doesn’t feature bombardment and multitasking as default.
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“My brain lets go of that, attunes to a pace more like the local tide timetable, the sunspot moving gently across the carpet, my own breath.
“It’s not romantic or calm (and it definitely isn’t cosy). It’s exhilarating, rebellious.
“In an economy of attention, defining your own timeframe is taboo. Refusing to be distracted and duped – and instead to read and think – is powerful.
“Sometimes, I look up from my book and observe other readers. Most are glued to the page, others stare into space. Smiling. Or frowning. Or wearing an expression I can’t pin down.
“Modern life would like to label this ‘passive’ or ‘wasting time’. But I know all of them are mulling, reflecting, speculating, really reading – a state that’s actively, positively challenging and enriching them.
“We created Page Against the Machine in 2017 in response to research which found that 67pc of UK adults would like to read more – particularly in times of anxiety or illness. But the demands and distractions of hectic lifestyles get in the way.
“The reason people want to read (respite from busy, stressful lives) is the reason they can’t (their lives are too busy and stressful).
“The event encourages us to think about reading as a practice. Instead of snatching a few lines before bed or on your commute, reading can be something you commit regular time to – like putting an hour aside for the gym, yoga or meditation.
“Almost a decade on, Page Against the Machine is stronger than ever. The event has been replicated nationwide and around the globe. During the National Year of Reading 2026, we’re running an outdoor version as part of the City of Literature Weekend at Norwich & Norfolk Festival, in the beautiful cathedral cloister. Everyone is invited.
“Ready to experience time on your own terms? You don’t need a hack, magic or another app – just pick up a book.
“Viva la reading revolution!”
For more information, visit nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk
This article has been published as part of Born & Read in Norfolk – a year-long initiative highlighting the importance of reading and writing, delivered in partnership with the National Centre for Writing, headline sponsor RWE and sponsor YouGarden.
Follow the campaign throughout the year in our coverage and on social media using #BornAndRead2026 or get in touch at readingmatters@newsquest.co.uk
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