(From left) Moushumi Kandali, Kula Saikia and Dutta Baruah releasing Book Update, an in-house publication of Lawyers’ Book Club, on Sunday. Picture by Eastern Projections

Jan. 7: What do you need to escape from the humdrum of everyday life and the turmoil at home or office?

Just join the Lawyer’s Book Club, the first of its kind in the city, where book lovers can gather and spend a few tranquil moments away from the madding crowd, surrounded by their favourite titles and like-minded people.

The Assam capital has got its first book club, a brainchild of Bhaskar Dutta Baruah of LBS Publications, the oldest publishing house in the city. The renowned Lawyer’s Book Stall is behind this venture.

The Lawyers’ Book Club was unveiled today at Baker’s Treat, a coffee house on Zoo-Narengi Road, by veteran author Kula Saikia, along with Dutta Baruah. Popular award winning short story writer Moushumi Kandali, author and painter Rupanjali Baruah, critic Pankaj Thakur and a host of book lovers were also present.

Saikia also released a quarterly journal, Book Update, an in-house publication of the book club. Selected titles from across the globe have been listed in this journal. Members of the club can purchase these books at subsidised rates.

“Our publication house, since its inception in 1942, has always tried to introduce innovative concepts. The Lawyers’ Book Club is a part of our efforts to reach out to the book lovers in every nook and corner of the region and make reading a movement among the people,” said Dutta Baruah. “Although book clubs are a popular concept across the globe, the city, despite its large number of book lovers, did not have one till now. Our efforts are aimed at floating an interactive platform for them through the club.”

Dutta Baruah, in association with a group of dedicated bibliophiles, has chalked out several plans. He said the club would also appreciate valuable suggestions from book lovers to make it as dynamic as possible.

Saikia, who also confessed to be a bookworm, welcomed the formation of the club. “Book clubs are intellectual hubs, where the best titles are available at discounted rates. Small villages and towns should also open such clubs to foster the habit of reading in the entire region,” Saikia said.

“Enjoying good books, including poetry collections, can never go out of fashion. Nothing can replace interactive forums where book lovers can share their interests over a cup of coffee,” Saikia added.

The inauguration of the club also provided an occasion for book lovers and authors discussed the growth and development of Assamese literature vis-à-vis international trends.

“I am not a regular writer. Unless and until a subject attracts me emotionally, I do not write. But when I write, the ink flows steadily,” said Kandali.

Both Saikia and Kandali also discussed their latest releases — Hostelor Alarm Ghari and Tritiyattar Galpo — on the occasion.