A book club for women to bond over books

How do you combine reading, networking and build relationships in daily life? Ask Tessy Koshy, Dubai resident and independent journalist and editor of Middle East Masala, an online art magazine, who has found the perfect answer by starting the Power of Pages Book Club. Founded in 2022, the club has weekly meetups for women, to bond over motivational and self-help books. With over 100 members in its Facebook page and WhatsApp group, the club regularly meets on Wednesday mornings in Burjuman Mall, Dubai.

“I’ve always been a bookworm and an avid reader of fiction,” says Tessy. “But over the years, as I navigated through certain life challenges, I found solace in self-help books that gave me hope, inspiration and many new perspectives on life.” The club is designed in a way that encourages both readers and non-readers, who benefit from each other’s company in the ‘meet and read aloud’ sessions. Most members are either stay-at-home moms, women on career breaks, entrepreneurs or remote workers.

Dubai residents Ritu Sisodia, an entrepreneur, and Poonam Soni, an Arabic tutor and make-up artist, are some of the first members of the club. Both confess to being not typical readers. “Mirror Work by Louise Hay was the first book I read in the book club and the whole concept of self-love was so new to me, I was completely hooked to the idea and the club,” says Ritu. Book club members are currently soaking in the wisdom of The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Han. In the past, they have read several popular self-help titles, including The Power of Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy, Magic by Rhonda Byrne, Ikigai, The Alchemist and Who Moved My Cheese.

Tessy Koshy, Founder of Power of Pages Book Club.

While reading a book, the women not only discuss concepts they learned, but also share their life challenges, lending a patient ear to each other. “The book club has today evolved into a safe, non-judgmental space for women to interact and find support,” says Tessy. Meeting on a regular basis has fostered a sense of community spirit among members. They interact, learn from each other and inspire each other as well, learning valuable life lessons along the way.

Priyanka Bhatnagar, an artist and stay at home mom, says she experienced a profound change after joining the Power of Pages Book Club. One of the most important lessons she learnt, she says, was to begin prioritising her well-being. “Initially, it was tough for me to attend the book club, since I had a busy schedule at home,” she says. “But gradually I started completing all my tasks to be able to make it to the book club. Today, Wednesday meetups bring me so much joy! Reading motivational books have taught me to love myself the way I am. They’ve also made me calm and contented - a far cry from the anxious person I was, with a lot of self-doubt.”

Amee Shah, a corporate employee who works from her home in Dubai, has been part of the Power of Pages Book Club for nearly a year. “The book club has had such a positive impact on my life,” she says. “It has pushed me to explore books I would not have picked up otherwise. And in the last one year, I’ve really widened my perspectives on many aspects of life. Plus, it’s a great place to meet new people, hear different viewpoints and share some good laughs together.”

To celebrate the successful completion of a book, the club also organises fun meetups with workshops and expert talks. “From art workshops to author meetups and wellness sessions, Power Talk series is an additional way for members to hear and interact with eminent personalities based in the UAE. Empowering each other through books and shared knowledge, is at the core of the Power of Pages book club,” concludes Tessy. Sometimes, book club members showcase their own talents by imparting their knowledge to others, at such events. As UAE celebrates 2025 as the Year of Community, the Power of Pages Book Club is an example of how a community initiative can bring people closer through shared experiences, individual resourcefulness, and practical wisdom.