Our Approach
Our in-person reading groups are thoughtfully designed to help us slow down, cultivate careful reading practices, and discover new ways to engage with literature. Together, we develop the tools to approach complex texts and connect their themes to our daily lives.
These aren't lectures—they're guided explorations where you'll develop your own unique reading practice. Through carefully selected texts, structured discussions, and close reading exercises, you'll learn to uncover layers of meaning and connect deeply with what you read. Each session provides a foundation of supplementary materials and historical context, but the real insight comes from your personal discoveries.
Whether you're looking to tackle more challenging books, find more meaning in your reading, or connect with other thoughtful readers, you'll find a supportive community here. We focus on creating an environment where everyone can contribute and grow, moving beyond surface-level analysis to explore how literature can enrich our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
Can't join us in person?
Our detailed Reading Guides offer a self-directed alternative to our live sessions, with carefully curated close reading exercises, discussion questions, and supplementary materials to help you develop critical reading skills and insights on your own schedule.
Beyond the book
Close Reading thrives as both a practice and a community. Beyond our regular courses, we foster a vibrant literary ecosystem through events, workshops, and shared experiences that deepen your reading practice while connecting you with fellow passionate readers. As a course participant, you automatically become part of this literary community where conversations continue, friendships form, and new perspectives emerge.
What to expect:
Seasonal literary gatherings and reading parties, guest lectures, and one-day workshops
Social events in welcoming spaces
A network of readers who share your appreciation for literary depth
the sessions
Our method combines several elements that together create a unique reading experience:
Two-hour weekly evening sessions (in person)
Guided close reading exercises and group discussions
Supplementary materials to enhance understanding
A welcoming community of thoughtful readers
Two Levels of Literary Immersion
Foundational Reading Groups
Foundational Reading Groups welcome enthusiastic readers who want to develop concrete skills to deepen their engagement with literature. In these courses, you'll experience:
An introduction to close reading techniques that unlock deeper meaning in texts
Guided discussion questions to help identify literary elements like symbolism, metaphor, and narrative structure
Practical exercises that teach you to articulate interpretations with textual evidence
A supportive environment that makes literary analysis accessible to everyone
Ideal for: Readers seeking more structure, readers wanting analytical tools to enhance their experience, or anyone who wishes they could get more out of they books read.
Deep Dive Reading Groups
Deep Dive Reading Groups build upon the skills in our foundational courses, allowing readers to explore more complex and challenging literary works. These courses feature:
Engagement with longer, more formally complex texts from significant literary traditions
Greater emphasis on formal analysis and the specific literary techniques employed by the author
A deliberate pace that allows for full immersion in multifaceted works
Ideal for: Experienced readers comfortable with challenging texts, past Foundational Reading Group participants, or anyone ready to take their close reading practice to the next level.
Pricing Structure
Flexible Pricing
Pricing is calculated per session but paid upfront for the full reading series, with total cost depending on the number of sessions (typically 4-8).
We believe in making literary discussions accessible while fostering a sustainable community. While we offer suggested tiers, you're welcome to choose any amount between the $25-65 per session range. Total course pricing will be listed in each reading series description.
Many of our past readers have received reimbursement through their employers' continuing education benefits—we encourage you to look into whether this is available to you, and we're happy to provide detailed receipts and documentation to support these claims.
Suggested Tiers
Essential Rate: $25 per session
Helps cover our basic costs while ensuring these discussions remain accessible to our community
Community Rate: $45 per session
Our standard rate that helps sustain and nurture our reading program
Patron Rate: $65 per session
Supports Close Reading's growth and makes our Essential Rate possible for fellow readers
Our Partners
-
Fractal University
FractalU offers in-person classes at low cost, to anyone in New York City. It is a community aspiring to learn, conduct research, and do great work together.
-
Neighbor NYC
Neighbor is a space in Chelsea for neighbors to meet and connect, for their own well-being and the flourishing of the neighborhood.
testimonials
“I’d highly recommend doing a Close Reading with Elena! I haven’t had an experience like this since college, and the vibes were really good! I really appreciate how thoughtful she’s been in setting everything up, and soliciting feedback for continuously improving the course.”
“This was such a lovely course — I loved the course material and the way Elena structured and led the class. She was a really great guiding figure without being overbearing and I found myself learning so much from both the text and the secondary pieces she accompanied each chapter with. She is clearly so knowledgeable and thoughtful in her reading and that showed in how she created and led the class — I loved it!!”
“This course really helped me deeply engage with the text in ways I wouldn’t have if I had read it alone. The course felt like an “expert book club” guided by specific instruction and goals. Elena was such a great instructor - she was very organized, caring, and created a fun & chill atmosphere for us all to learn together. I would highly recommend taking her course!”
