(blogging article)

Calling all bookworms with a bad case of the “overshelves”!

Do you find yourself surrounded by towering to-be-read piles, yet mysteriously drawn to the allure of cat videos instead? Fear not, fellow bibliophiles, for help is at hand! “Read, Otherwise…” is here to reignite your love affair with the written word.

Founded by Anton Cherevashko, a man who once loved reading more than pizza (a feat in itself!), “Read, Otherwise…” was born from a moment of revelation. Anton, a self-proclaimed bookaholic, found himself experiencing a dreaded affliction — reader’s burnout. The very act of picking up a book, once a source of pure joy, now held the same appeal as flossing a particularly grumpy lion.

Desperate to rediscover the magic of getting lost in a good story, Anton delved into his memory. What, he wondered, was it that first instilled in him a love for reading? Ah yes, the gentle (or not-so-gentle) prodding of his mother, who wouldn’t let him get away with watching cartoons until he finished his assigned chapter.

What if, Anton thought, there was a place where adults could recapture the experience of being “forced” to read — in a totally fun and non-traumatizing way, of course?

And so, “Read, Otherwise…” was born! This innovative concept combines a unique reading club with a bookstore unlike any other. Here’s how it works:

• Reading with Regiment: Forget book clubs where everyone sips chardonnay and politely discusses symbolism. At “Read, Otherwise…”, specially trained “Reading Enforcers” (don’t worry, they’re much nicer than your childhood babysitter) will help you choose a book, track your progress, and even conduct mini-pop quizzes to make sure you’re actually absorbing those delicious plot twists.
• The Bookstore of (Gentle) Coercion: Remember that feeling of sneaking a peek at the next chapter before finishing your homework? We do! That’s why our bookstore features strategically placed comfy chairs nestled amongst the shelves, tempting you to delve into the pages before you’ve even reached the checkout counter.
• Read (Almost) Guilt-Free! Struggling to finish that doorstop fantasy novel? Fret not! “Read, Otherwise…” offers a tiered membership system. Casual readers can choose the “Weekend Warrior” plan, while the more dedicated bibliophobes (we mean bibliophiles!) can opt for the “Book Brigadier” package, with increased accountability and encouragement from our Reading Enforcers.

So, are you ready to dust off your reading glasses and rediscover the joy of getting lost in a good book? At “Read, Otherwise…”, we believe that a little friendly “encouragement” can go a long way. After all, sometimes, the best way to fall back in love with reading is to have someone (lovingly) force you to do it!