Aewon Wolf's silent reading revolution: uniting Durban through community and stories

Aewon Wolf wants people to slow down and read together.

“I just wanted to create time to read and share space with others who love stories as we do,” he said.

Born Arnold Phillips, Wolf has founded a Durban chapter of the global Silent Book Club movement, offering a space where people gather, put on headsets and read in silence, together.

Wolf is known to many through music, but he said that storytelling has always been the real thread running through his work.

“I am a huge fan of storytelling in any form, whether it is writing, film or music,” he explained.

“I just happened to get known through the music side. I actually received my first proper paycheck as a songwriter for other artists, but I didn't really want to be known for the music. I just enjoyed the stories.”

For him, starting a book club felt like a natural extension of that interest.

“The book club was just an extension of that,” he said, adding, “I might start a film club next, who knows?”

The idea for the Silent Book Club came together early last year, during a period of collaboration and chance encounters. Wolf was working with the Gallery at Ballito Lifestyle when he met Sbusiso Mnguni, who runs Streetlit Books next door.

“We got along,” Wolf said, “so I shared with him the idea of doing a silent book club with headsets, since I owned a system.”

He had seen the Silent Book Club concept online and felt it could be adapted to work locally with a small twist.

“It was really about providing space for those of us who want to be social but still be able to be our introverted selves,” he said. “Which most book lovers are.”

Unlike many book clubs that focus on discussion, the Durban Silent Book Club leans fully into quiet.

“Our Silent Book Club is actually fully silent because we use headsets,” Wolf explained.

Participants are free to bring any book they choose. There is time to talk before and after the reading session, and sometimes during breaks when longer sessions are scheduled.

“There is calming music that plays in the headsets,” he said, “and a time check towards the end to let you know to start wrapping up.”

Each session runs for about 45 minutes, with the option to stay longer.

The group that gathers is as varied as the books they bring along. “It is all types of people, really,” Wolf said. “All races, genders and ages.”

He has seen mothers attend with their daughters, groups of friends arrive together, couples reading side by side and solo readers who simply want company without pressure. New members usually discover the club online.

“We share updates in our WhatsApp group,” he said, “but most first find out from our Instagram pages where I let people know about the club.”

For Wolf, the most rewarding moments come from watching connections form across generations. “Seeing kids connect with their parents at the book club really makes me grateful,” he said.

“That we can create a space for that.”

Those quiet moments, shared without distraction, have become central to the club’s appeal.

There is no rigid roadmap for the future. “There are no real plans,” Wolf admitted. “Just vibes for now.”

As long as the sessions continue to bring joy, he is happy to keep going. The club has already started hosting outdoor editions, which have been well received.

“People like that,” he said, “so maybe more of that this year.”

Wolf’s reading habits reflect his wide interests. He is currently reading “Awareness: The Key to Living in Balance" by Osho and “AFROSURF” by Mami Wata and Selema Masekela.

“I love the stories,” he said. “The better the stories are told, the more I learn and expand my perspective.” For him, books are a way of seeing beyond oneself.

“That is the beauty of books,” he added. “They force you to engage your imagination in seeing other perspectives.”

Asked what he hopes members take away from the Silent Book Club, his answer is simple.

“I hope they take joy.” And for anyone thinking of starting a book club or joining one, his advice is direct. “Just do it,” Wolf said. “If you enjoy it, do it. Do not wait. Just make it happen and start where you are.”