Not just the books, But for the Vibes.

I walked into Meluora HUB on Saturday, 20th September 2025, expecting a simple book club meeting by the Quickgist Book Club. What I did not fully expect was to leave with such a renewed sense of hope in community, connection, and growth.

It wasn’t just a gathering of people flipping through pages or quoting authors. It was a room filled with minds that were eager to learn, to share, and to connect. It was more than books; it was about people. And in our world today, especially here in Abakaliki and across the East of Nigeria, moments like this feel like a breath of fresh air.

From the very beginning, there was something different about this hangout. Instead of one broad discussion, the participants divided themselves into smaller groups, almost like “sectors,” based on their interests. Some leaned toward fiction and storytelling, others toward self-help and personal development, and others toward history, politics, or even books that touch on technology and society.

I found myself admiring from group to group, listening, smiling, and sometimes laughing as people passionately dissected the ideas they had encountered in their recent reads. What struck me was not just the content of the conversations, but the energy. Everyone seemed to take ownership of the space. They were not just listeners, they were contributors.

For me, this was powerful. Most times, we consume knowledge quietly, in isolation. But here, people came alive because they were given a chance to speak, to be heard, and to sharpen their thoughts by engaging with others.

Why Such Gatherings Matter

As I sat back and soaked it all in, I kept asking myself: why does this matter so much? Why did this feel bigger than just a casual weekend hangout?

I think it’s because communities like this are rare and they are needed now more than ever. We live in times where people, especially students and young professionals, spend so much of their days online, chasing deadlines, or stuck in routines that don’t allow them to connect meaningfully with others. Spaces like this book club break that cycle.

1. They spark growth. Listening to others interpret the same book differently forces you to expand your perspective. Making you understand people’s thought processes and how they understand things.  It pushes you to grow in ways you wouldn’t on your own.

2. They create networks. In between the pages and the conversations, friendships are born. Connections are made. Someone you met over a book discussion could be the same person who connects you to your next opportunity in tech, business, or school.

3. They strengthen culture. Here in the East, we often talk about community as something tied to tradition and family. But gatherings like this show that community can also be built around shared interests, learning, and growth.

I know that life in Abakaliki and in most student towns across the East can sometimes feel limiting. People often complain that “nothing much is happening.” But events like this prove the opposite. There is something happening. The real question is: are you showing up for it?

Engaging in events like this is not just about books; it’s about showing up for yourself. It’s about investing in your mind, your network, and your sense of belonging.

• For students, it’s a chance to step outside the lecture room and learn from peers in a different, and more refreshing way.

• For young techies and professionals, it’s an opportunity to balance code and computers with culture and creativity. After all, innovation doesn’t just come from skills; it comes from exposure to new ideas.

• For anyone feeling stuck, it’s a reminder that you don’t have to go through life alone. There’s a seat at the table for you. And this is me trying to show you one way to join a community.

How Do We Encourage Events Like This In Abakaliki?

As beautiful as it was to witness this, I also found myself deeply in thought about the things we could do to foster this type of community. Themed book nights? One month for African authors, another for books on technology, another for biographies of great leaders. Imagine if after the discussions, we had mini-projects or collaborations inspired by the books or just a hangout to ease off book stress, lol.

But, on a more serious note, we need more communities like this in Abakaliki. Perhaps, we could get our youths back into picking interests in things that really matter.

And this sense of community is extended beyond the books. It sprouts into mentorships, peer learning, or even collaborative projects. Because when people gather and connect deeply, the possibilities are endless.

What Does This Say About Meluora HUB?

This meeting reminded me why I love Meluora HUB. Yes, it’s a physical space, but it’s so much more than that. It’s a home for ideas, for growth, and for people who want to do more with their lives.

With events like this, Meluora HUB is showing that we are not just about tech, not just about co-working, not just about events. We are about people. We are about giving people a place where they can belong, learn, and build together.

For me, that’s the biggest win. It’s not just the books that were discussed,  but the sense of family that was built in the process. That’s the kind of impact that stays with you long after the event is over.

As I left the hub, I felt lighter, happier, and more hopeful. It wasn’t because of the books themselves, but because of what they represented: connection, growth, and community.

Quickgist Book Club has scheduled their next hangout to hold on Saturday, 18th October 2025. If you are around, I’d really love for you to join them just so you can fully understand this feeling I have and experience the immense satisfaction in community.

In a world where it’s easy to feel isolated, even when surrounded by people, Saturday was a gentle reminder that we are stronger together. And here in Abakaliki, at Meluora HUB, we are building something that matters.