Turning the Page: Why Reading Deserves a Place in Your Apartment

Life in Johannesburg and Pretoria moves fast. Between work, traffic and the constant scroll of a phone screen, reading often falls to the bottom of the list. But research consistently shows that regular reading lowers stress, improves focus and even helps you sleep better — all useful things when you’re renting in a busy city.

The good news? You don’t need a home library to become a reader again. A single well-lit corner with a comfortable chair is enough to turn any City Property apartment into a reading nook. If space is tight, a wall-mounted shelf or a stylish basket of books tucked beside the couch works just as well.

Here are a few easy ways to mark National Book Week wherever you live or work:

• Start a mini book swap with neighbours in your building — everyone brings one book, everyone leaves with something new.
• Visit one of Johannesburg or Pretoria’s excellent public libraries; many host free reading events during Book Week.
• Turn commute or lunch-break time into reading time instead of scrolling.
• If you rent commercial space, consider a small “take a book, leave a book” shelf in your reception area — a lovely, low-cost way to connect with clients and staff.

Whether you’re curling up with a novel in a City Property apartment or setting up a reading corner in your office, National Book Week is the perfect nudge to put the phone down and pick a book up.