Book Clubs London

The Human Zoo by Desmond Morris

In this event, we will discuss about a science or philosophy book chosen by London Science and Philosophy Book Club. The attendees will be divided into groups and each of them will focus on a chapter in the book. This month we will discuss about a fascinating book called The Human Zoo: A Zoologist's Study of the Urban Animal. If you haven't read the book, it's no problem. I will bring you up to speed with the discussion materials. We will meet in a nice lounge area at 6 p.m for introductions. Please come on time so you will not miss out on valuable discussion midway. If you end up in the waitlist, feel free to show up. Book Description: The Human Zoo (1969) by British zoologist Desmond Morris is a follow-up to his bestseller The Naked Ape. It analyzes modern urban life through an ethological (animal-behavior) lens, arguing that city dwellers resemble captive zoo animals more than wild ones. Basic survival needs (food, shelter) are met and free time is abundant, yet people live in an unnatural, crowded, confined environment that clashes with humanity’s evolutionary roots as small tribal groups. This mismatch, Morris contends, produces stress, isolation, boredom, disrupted social relationships, heightened aggression, sexual and parental abnormalities, and other “zoo-like” pathologies—alongside the creative achievements of civilization. The book explores themes such as status struggles, sex, in-groups/out-groups, and stimulus-seeking in what he calls the “super-tribe” of the modern city. Agenda: 6 p.m to 7 p.m: Introduction and Socializing 7 p.m to 9:30 p.m: Book Discussion 9:30 p.m to late night: Drinks, Dinner or Feel free to go home

Islington Coffee Chats: Consciousness, Sprituality & Universe

Time is precious. Here we cherish non-boring big picture chats and interactions that are fully engaging, soulfully enriching, inspiring, and leave you a bit wiser than when you arrived. In that spirit (mind the pun!), today’s fully hosted laid back social coffee chat will offer a perfect haven for the inquisitive and curious **independent big picture thinkers** drawn to the mysteries of life, the universe and unknown. An adrenaline caffeine infused fun afternoon of thought-provoking causal chats exploring spirituality/consciousness and related interconnected topics spanning **philosophy,** **neuroscience**, **parapsychology,** **paranormal.** **cosmology** and **noetic sciences** over a mug of sweet coffee (or amazin value Chardonnay!) Chaired by me - a former empirical evidence driven Reuters journalist & published researcher exploring spirituality topics in pursuant of the "truth" since a teenager, there'll be no strict structure - a relaxed friendly space to openly chat, exchange ideas & experiences without judgement, but I'll preside to promote inclusivity and zone in on specifics to avoid people digressing onto unrelated tangents to ensure like all of our events - particpants derive maximum utlity and engagement from attending. We’ll touch on everything from the limits of scientific understanding to exploring the unexplained using practical fun exploratory divination practices drawing on elements of **psychology, metaphysics, epistemology** and **statistical** **probability** of rare events as we do so. Whether you're a practicing "spiritualist", a curious skeptic, or just someone who loves deep conversation on **life’s big questions**, you’ll hopefully walk away more enlightened with some practical tips you can start applying and inspired to explore more! As well as illuminating chats to guide self-reflection, obviously no sprituality event woul be complete without practical tools so there'll be FREE Tarot & I-Ching readings, demonstrations of meditation method to activate super powerful gamma brain waves, and pyschic tests for a bit of fun, laughter & intrigue! **Sample of conversational threads** might include: Are we mere organisms pursuing biological survival or does consciousness exist beyond neurons firing in our brains? What explains peoples' paranormal experiences? What would reality look like If our brains were limitless? Declassified CIA files show that as as well as mind control experiments, the US govt employed mediums and remote viewers. If all mumbo jumbo then why? Is Nirvana just a fantasy of deluded people? Does everything happen for a reason? To clarify - we define spirituality here as an exploration of consciousness, Donald Rumsfeld's unknown unknowns and undiscovered aspects of reality, NOT religion. After all, as my philosophy professor once rightly postulated to me: "If God created Adam, who created God Lucas?" Yep - that inconvenient flaw **debunks every fairytale religion** out there including the oldest religion of them all - paganism - so why is witchcraft still practised outside of **Hogwarts** today? I may also share the latest peer reviewed empirical evidence surrounding **paranormal** and **consciousness** phenomena. **=== POTENTIAL CONVERSATION STARTERS ===** 1. Does consciousness survive death or is Cambridge Astrophysics Professor Brian Cox right in asserting if **ghosts** existed then particle accelerators at CERN would have already detected ghost molecules making Ouija boards kids play? Are Poltergiests 100% hoax? Brain scans indicate thalamocortical circuits in our brain (pathways in the parietal cortex & central lateral thalamus) drive **consciousness -** so how can spirit/mind live on after **brain death**? 2. Is **synchronicity/coincidence** simply randomness disguised in the eye of the beholder or can what Einstein called “spooky action at a distance" (quantum entanglement) explain it? Molecular Biologists have shown that just like plants - our cells give off resonant frequencies between 10 & 180 kilohertz - could this be a source of non-verbal communication like telepathy? 3. Given **neuroscience**'s infancy with much yet undiscovered - could mediation help access functions outside of our BAU alpha & beta brain wave states? Can **Kundalini yoga** boost **DMT** (dimethyltryptamine) naturally vs drugs like ayahuasca, mushrooms, LSDand if so by what mechanism? Do the artifically created neural signatures using magnetic stimulation observed during mystical experiences debunk them? Is the Maharishi Effect real? 4. Are clairvoyants and mediums just good people readers or are they really able to access time and space in non-linear ways? Is Tyler Henry the real deal or just faking it? Was **Abraham Lincolm** precognizant when he dreamt his own fatal assignation? 5. The laws of statistical probability, Drake Equation & common sense tells us there is other non-microbial life out there. So what explains the Fermi Paradox? Was that 1976 WOW signal aliens? How about the recent strange bahaviour of Boyajian's star or Oumuamua/Atlas interstella object that has just entered our solar system? 6. Could metaverse explain deja vu & reincarnation vs theories from the **psychology** literature (Mandela Effect?) or do we just live in a **simulation** as **Elon Musk** proposes? 7. **Stephen Hawking** once said: "The past, like the future, is indefinite and exists only as a spectrum of possibilities" If matter only manifests when observed as the double slit experiments shows, does that mean everything is consciousness? Does the discovery of *quantum superposition /* disappearing neutrons imply **parallel universes**? 8. Do NDEs suggest something beyond physicality? Were Steve Jobs final words "Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow" before he died (New York Times) visions of an afterlife or just neurochemical changes / drugs playing tricks? 9. Can photons omitted by our bodies explain auras that people see? 10. Given the irrefutable scientific evidence for evolution at both micro and macro scale, denying it is basically delusional as thinking the earth is flat. But could panspermia explain the origin of life 11. Could limits in our understanding of quantum physics, space and time explain paranormal experiences? 12. What existed before the **big bang** \- how do you get something from "nothing"? I believe our reality is the product of a black hole\. What you reckon? ***So how do we get to the "truth"?*** Both in my journalism days and applying advanced empirical research techniques (while recognising that statistical causality and significance don't make something true) in my client consulting work - it becomes clear the truth is often elusive. No matter how much we triangulate evidence - we can only provide part answers. "All models are wrong, but some are useful" George Box Both in my journalism days and when applying advanced empirical research techniques—while recognizing that statistical causality and significance don't make something true—in my client consulting work, it becomes clear that the truth is often elusive. What we think we know and reality diverge leading to that great **paradox of knowledge.** And as the boundary between knowns and unknown converge, we end up with cognitive dissonance and more questions. In that spirit - every credible philosopher & scientist acknowledges - we'll never get to the complete truth but could **experimental methods** get us closer to it? A balanced approach guided by Immanuel Kant's pragmatism and Aristotle's deductive reasoning seems the most rationale framework here but are there any other methodologies? How about the **"spirituality"** toolkit? **=== RENDEZVOUS POINT ===** We will meet in the outside back garden of this lovely posh Islington pub. 10 mins walk from Highbury & Islington station. Ask for me by name or I will post in commrents exactly what table we are at. I'll be wearing a **Starwars identifier** and will share mobile hotline just before event start and table number/location. Lucas - The Unenlightened Desperately Seeking Answers

💿LOVE MUSIC? Dance Anthems To Make Floor Burn Till 5AM: @Iconic Club🎧🎼

**Love dancing to hedonistic, high‑energy dance tunes?** Then join me on a proper dance floor for our 3rd edition of an euphoric, high‑octane dance music night with one of the finest French Swiss **dance‑music DJs and Producers** out there dropin phenomenal uplifting spiritual, hypnotic melodic grooves for us to lose ourselves to in one of the most iconic venues in London’s clubland — **KOKO** Camden, in the home of music. Collectively - their music has amassed over 18 million streams. Expect a proper dance music club‑night experience with inspiring immersive lightshows / lasers for our bodies to sync in harmony to as with gyrate to the **rhythms** of the night. Obvs there will be no boring mainstream "touristy" pop rubbish but proper dance music - think - ecstasy inducing tunes you'd dance to at other music clubs like Lightbox, Egg, Bagleys, Ministry, Moondance, Fabric, Paradise, Studio 54 (Brooklyn) spun by global DJs renowed in these genres. We'll join up to 1,500 other fellow cool young trendy music lovers for a night of blissful musical tranquility, Average age range will be 18 to 35ish heavily skewed toward 20s men. **Free Tickets limited.** Sorry but if you don't love both uplifting loud music and dancing to it - please don't rsvp and deprive genuine musical dancers an extremely rare free place! And honestly, if you're only gonna stay for less than a couple of hours there's probably no point in coming. You don't need to stay till 5am like last time but as per most proper clubs - the real revellers don't usually arrive untill 1ish and the main DJ / music sets don't even kick off till 12 so it's would be waste of a free ticket that you'd normally pay up to £70 quid for! Oh & please don't ask me about 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine - I'm not a biochemist - try your local Boots! **=== Time To Make The Floor Burn But Early ===** The only downside is we have to get in there before 11pm else regular door charge tickets will be about £45-80 quid. If you wanna pay for full price on door/ pre-buy and meet us in there later that's cool too as 11pm is understandably way too early to go a club - we can sort out the details later. DM me for the free ticket link. We'll meet beforehand somewhere quieter for pre-drinks, intros, banter and obviously music chats about our previous rave escapades, our fav tunes, and non-music related banter. As Koko gets packed by 2am (1500 standing dancing cap) and we have restricted free tickets - to avoid losing people - a small group size will be optimal for dancing and socialising so limiting RSVPs. Obviously you can dance with the other random ravellers as pour in after the pubs shut. Will update with nearby super cheap pre-drinks Camden venue in the location and comments so keep an ear out Lucas The Raver

Deeper Discussion: Should people in the West have more children?

Should people in the West have more children? Fertility rates across Europe, North America, Japan, South Korea and other developed societies have fallen well below replacement level. Aging populations, shrinking workforces, strained welfare systems, and shifting cultural attitudes toward family, work, and meaning are no longer distant projections—they are present realities. There are also controversial concerns such as native people in the west are being replaced by foreign immigrant population who have higher birth rate than the natives. Natalism, once a fringe or purely religious concern, has re-entered mainstream discussion as both a demographic and a civilizational question. There is a unique meaningful joy in raising one's own children which is largely been ignored in the current culture while being in favour of building one's own career. This Deeper Discussion gathering invites a serious, open, and unhurried examination of the topic. We will move past slogans and surface talking points to explore the harder terrain. The atmosphere we will encourage is one of curiosity, logic, critical thinking and less ideological emotional outbursts. This is not a debate with predetermined sides or a lecture. It is a facilitated conversation designed for people willing to sit with complexity, hear opposing perspectives, and think carefully about what kind of future is possible—and desirable—for Western societies. Expect thoughtful exchange, rigorous questioning, and space for disagreement without virtuous performance. Agenda: 6 p.m to 7 p.m: Introduction and Socializing 7 p.m to 9:30 p.m: Topic Discussion 9:30 p.m to late night: Drinks, Dinner or Feel free to go home

Monthly Fiction Book Club (September)- Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Join us for our monthly book club, where we dive into thought-provoking **fiction** that challenges perspectives, sparks imagination, and opens doors to meaningful conversations. Whether you're a lifelong reader or rediscovering the joy of novels, this is a space to explore stories that stay with you long after the final page. **This Month's Book - Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky** It follows a troubled young man living in poverty in 19th-century St. Petersburg as he wrestles with morality, ambition, isolation, and his own increasingly dangerous ideas. It’s a dark psychological novel exploring guilt, conscience, suffering, and what people owe to one another. IMPORTANT - Please only RSVP if you are planning to FINISH the book. If you have RSVP'd but think you won't be able to finish the book please change your RSVP to No to make space for others in advance and not on the last day. Regulars get moved from waitlist to confirmed on priority. If you are not on the confirmed RSVP list on the day of the event, you will not be let into the event. No show policy: If you RSVP but don't plan to attend, please make sure to cancel your spot at least 24 hours in advance, so someone else can take it. Two no shows without cancelling or cancelling last minute will result in a ban from future book club events. This ensures we communicate the correct numbers to the venue. **How does it work?** *Brief introductions and reflections on what struck you most - Moderated discussion exploring plot, themes, and characters *Open conversation where different interpretations are welcomed ️ - We wrap up by sharing insights and connections made **What to Expect?** **Close Reading:** We go beyond surface-level plot summary. Expect discussions that examine the author's choices, narrative techniques, and the questions left lingering in the silence between pages. **Thoughtful Dialogue:** This isn't a race to share opinions—it's a space for genuine exploration. We listen, we reflect, we build on each other's insights. **Meaningful Connections:** Great fiction holds up a mirror to the human experience. Through discussing characters' choices and moral dilemmas, we often discover something about ourselves and each other. **How to get the most out of this event?** **Finish the Book:** Please attend only if you've completed the book. Spoilers will flow freely, and the richest discussions come from those who've made the full journey. **Ground it in the Text:** Bring your interpretations, but anchor them in what's actually on the page. Quote passages. Reference scenes. Let the author's words guide us. **Respect & Openness:** Every interpretation matters. Make space for quieter voices. Challenge ideas, not people. Stay curious rather than defensive. **Why a Fiction Book Club?** **Explore the Human Condition:** Fiction lets us inhabit lives we'll never live, forcing us to confront questions about identity, morality, love, and loss. **Sharpen Your Thinking:** Close reading develops critical thinking—noticing what the author chose to include, exclude, and how the story is told matters as much as what happens. **Deepen Connections:** Discussing characters' choices and moral dilemmas creates surprisingly intimate conversations with fellow readers. **Who is this event for?** *You find yourself thinking about books long after you've finished them - You want more from book discussions than "I liked it" or "I didn't" *You're curious how others interpret the same story differently - You value thoughtful dialogue over debate ️✨ *You're looking for meaningful connections with fellow readers **What's in it for you?** - **Fresh Perspectives:** Discover interpretations you'd never have considered alone ***Deeper Understanding:** Unpack themes and symbols that enrich your reading ***Genuine Connection: **Bond with others over shared literary experiences *** A Space to Think: **Slow down from the noise and engage with ideas that matter **Ready to dive deeper into stories that matter?** Join us for an evening where fiction becomes a gateway to understanding ourselves and each other. ✨ **We really hope to see you there!** **About Deeper Connections** We have a mission at Deeper Connections to improve the quality of people's lives through conversation. All our events are centred around the concept of connecting deeply, because we believe we all deserve to be seen, felt and understood for who we really are. To have the 'deeper conversation' approach when relating with others can change our lives and can change the world. **Our Values** *** Respect: **Treat everyone with kindness and consideration. ❤️ *** Open-mindedness: **Be open to different perspectives and ideas. *** Active Participation: **Share your thoughts and engage in meaningful discussions. ️ **Staying in touch** Interested in finding out about all the events sooner than on Meetup or staying in touch beyond the events, you can join our WhatsApp channel and community using [Deeper Connections WhatsApp Channel](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6CBAdIN9ijrEYdv33z) [Deeper Connections WhatsApp Community](https://chat.whatsapp.com/EqGsmF3021RKTwBpGcuR80) **Keep This Event Free** If this event brings you something meaningful, you can help others access the same transformational experience. Whether it's £5 or £15, every contribution keeps these events accessible to everyone in our community. You'll find a QR code on your conversation sheet during the event, or you can contribute here #SupportYourCommunity [Ko-Fi](https://ko-fi.com/deeperconnections) [Buy Me A Coffee](https://buymeacoffee.com/deeperconnections) [PayPal](https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/DDSNCCFCYUEB2)

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre: 'Love's Labour's Lost'

Come along on Sunday 30th August to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre to see an afternoon production of one of William Shakespeare's early comedies: 'Love's Labour's Lost'. **About the play** *‘If you deny to dance, let’s hold more chat’* – Act V, scene 2 Passion, power, and poetry collide as four women arrive in Navarre on a diplomatic mission, testing the devotion of the King and his lords whose vows are undone by love, desire, and wit. Step into a world of rhythm and fiery romantic tension, where joy and revelry mingle with longing, grief, and melancholy. The play was written in around 1594/1595. You can read the summary [here.](https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/explore-shakespeare/shakespedia/shakespeares-plays/loves-labours-lost/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=640007005&gclid=CjwKCAjwmozTBhAeEiwAkEGZzktqF6Rodax16Y7inA_Ks2OQ3vyO8bfGynwERwLR8ozm9mGhGiERxBoCjk4QAvD_BwE) **Tickets** Tickets are £5-£10 each for standing and from £25 upwards for seating. If you buy a seating ticket, its advisable to either bring a cushion or hire one at the Globe, as the seats are quite hard. Book your own ticket [here...](https://basket.shakespearesglobe.com/54279/54302?_gl=1*14ka8l8*_gcl_au*MTMyMDAyMTIxOC4xNzg0ODk4ODE0*_ga*MTQyMjQ3MjcuMTc4NDg5ODgwOQ..*_ga_D35TZ7P21G*czE3ODQ4OTg4MDgkbzEkZzEkdDE3ODQ4OTkwNDgkajYwJGwwJGgxNzYwNzA1Mjk.&queueittoken=e_generalnew2~q_94e42dcc-127d-4324-94c0-6cd43908feeb~ts_1784900229~ce_true~rt_safetynet~h_ddfdea0cf970bd046414d415e8d77d31d57128f64f36c40e219ab6256562112f) Then: \- Scroll down and on the left hand side\, chose either your seat or standing option \- Click 'Add to Basket' and pay If tickets sell out online, you can get one on the day by queuing outside the main entrance for returns at 12noon. **About the Globe** The Globe has no roof to protect the standing tickets in the yard, if it rains you will get wet. The play starts at 1:00pm and lasts 2 hours and 20 mins with an interval. **Become a Full Member** To become a Full Member (£14 a year), either: \- Pay cash at an event \- Pay via Bank Transfer \(TSB Bank plc\, Sort code: 77\-66\-65\, Account no: 00030809\, Account name: Cultureseekers\) \- Pay via credit card on the day or in advance \([https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/QLAX8AUI](https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/QLAX8AUI)) \- go to PayPal \- [https://www.paypal.com/uk/](https://www.paypal.com/uk/), then click on 'Pay & Get Paid‘, then click on 'Send Money’, put in the email address: [general@cultureseekers.org](mailto:general@cultureseekers.org) in the 'Send Money' box, then 'Next' and then enter the amount to pay. Click 'Next', then 'Goods & Services', then 'For Friends & Family', then 'Continue' Lookout for 'Cultureseekers' signs in the coffee shop, if you can't see us, send me a text. We will walk over to the Globe at about 12:45pm. Hope to see you there! Robert 07905 901 834 (prefer text) ***On the day, if you can’t make the trip, just change your RSVP to No or text me to say you can’t make it.*** ***Please don’t post any messages in the comments that you can’t make it, as this generates spam for everyone else.*** *Please make sure you are aware of the group rules here -* ***[https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/photos/22974682/523578875/Group_Rules/](https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/photos/22974682/523578875/Group_Rules/)***

Monthly Fiction Book Club (October) - The Bell by Iris Murdoch

Join us for our monthly book club, where we read thought provoking ficti**on and** get together to share our thoughts, different interpretations, and whatever the book left us thinking about. Whether you read all the time or are just trying to read more, everyone is welcome. This Month's Book: The Bell by Iris Murdoch Set around a small religious community in the English countryside, The Bell follows a group of people trying to make sense of their relationships, beliefs, desires and the choices they make. First published in 1958, it gives us plenty to talk about around love, morality, freedom, faith and how well we really understand ourselves and other people. IMPORTANT: Please only RSVP if you are planning to finish the book. If you've RSVP'd but don't think you'll be able to finish it, please change your RSVP to No in advance rather than on the last day, so someone else can take your place. Regulars get priority when moving from the waitlist to confirmed. **No show policy**: If you can no longer attend, please cancel your spot at least 24 hours in advance so someone else can take it. Two no shows without cancelling, or two last minute cancellations, will result in a ban from future book club events. This also helps us give the venue accurate numbers. **How does it work?** *Brief introductions and reflections on what struck you most. *Moderated discussion exploring plot, themes, and characters *Open conversation where different interpretations are welcome. *We wrap up by sharing insights and connections made **What to Expect?** **Close Reading:** We go beyond surface-level plot summary. Expect discussions that examine the author's choices, narrative techniques, and the questions left lingering in the silence between pages. **Thoughtful Dialogue:** This isn't a race to share opinions—it's a space for genuine exploration. We listen, we reflect, we build on each other's insights. **Meaningful Connections:** Great fiction holds up a mirror to the human experience. Through discussing characters' choices and moral dilemmas, we often discover something about ourselves and each other. **How to get the most out of this event?** **Finish the Book:** Please attend only if you've completed the book. Spoilers will flow freely, and the richest discussions come from those who've made the full journey. **Ground it in the Text:** Bring your interpretations, but anchor them in what's actually on the page. Quote passages. Reference scenes. Let the author's words guide us. **Respect & Openness:** Every interpretation matters. Make space for quieter voices. Challenge ideas, not people. Stay curious rather than defensive. **Why a Fiction Book Club?** **Explore the Human Condition:** Fiction lets us inhabit lives we'll never live, forcing us to confront questions about identity, morality, love, and loss. **Sharpen Your Thinking:** Close reading develops critical thinking—noticing what the author chose to include, exclude, and how the story is told matters as much as what happens. **Deepen Connections:** Discussing characters' choices and moral dilemmas creates surprisingly intimate conversations with fellow readers. **Who is this event for?** *You find yourself thinking about books long after you've finished them *You want more from book discussions than "I liked it" or "I didn't" *You're curious how others interpret the same story differently *You value thoughtful dialogue over debate *You're looking for meaningful connections with fellow readers **What's in it for you?** - **Fresh Perspectives:** Discover interpretations you'd never have considered alone - **Deeper Understanding:** Unpack themes and symbols that enrich your reading - **Genuine Connection**: Bond with others over shared literary experiences. - **A Space to Think**: Slow down from the noise and engage with ideas that matter **Ready to dive deeper into stories that matter?** Join us for an evening where fiction becomes a gateway to understanding ourselves and each other. ✨ **We really hope to see you there!** **About Deeper Connections** We have a mission at Deeper Connections to improve the quality of people's lives through conversation. All our events are centred around the concept of connecting deeply, because we believe we all deserve to be seen, felt and understood for who we really are. To have the 'deeper conversation' approach when relating with others can change our lives and can change the world. **Our Values** *** Respect:** Treat everyone with kindness and consideration. ❤️ *** Open-mindedness: **Be open to different perspectives and ideas. *** Active Participation: **Share your thoughts and engage in meaningful discussions. ️ **Staying in touch** Interested in finding out about all the events sooner than on Meetup or staying in touch beyond the events, you can join our WhatsApp channel and community using [Deeper Connections WhatsApp Channel](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6CBAdIN9ijrEYdv33z) [Deeper Connections WhatsApp Community](https://chat.whatsapp.com/EqGsmF3021RKTwBpGcuR80) **Keep This Event Free** If this event brings you something meaningful, you can help others access the same transformational experience. Whether it's £5 or £15, every contribution keeps these events accessible to everyone in our community. You'll find a QR code on your conversation sheet during the event, or you can contribute here #SupportYourCommunity [Ko-Fi](https://ko-fi.com/deeperconnections) [Buy Me A Coffee](https://buymeacoffee.com/deeperconnections) [PayPal](https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/DDSNCCFCYUEB2)

Nonfiction Bookclub: Free by Lea Ypi

**Let's meet to discuss Free: Coming of Age at the End of History by Lea Ypi over a pint (or several...). New members of all ages always welcome!** Lea Ypi grew up in one of the most isolated countries on earth, a place where communist ideals had officially replaced religion. Albania, the last Stalinist outpost in Europe, was almost impossible to visit, almost impossible to leave. It was a place of queuing and scarcity, of political executions and secret police. To Lea, it was home. People were equal, neighbours helped each other, and children were expected to build a better world. There was community and hope. Then, in December 1990, everything changed. The statues of Stalin and Hoxha were toppled. Almost overnight, people could vote freely, wear what they liked and worship as they wished. There was no longer anything to fear from prying ears. But factories shut, jobs disappeared and thousands fled to Italy on crowded ships, only to be sent back. Predatory pyramid schemes eventually bankrupted the country, leading to violent conflict. As one generation's aspirations became another's disillusionment, and as her own family's secrets were revealed, Lea found herself questioning what freedom really meant. Free is an engrossing memoir of coming of age amid political upheaval. With acute insight and wit, Lea Ypi traces the limits of progress and the burden of the past, illuminating the spaces between ideals and reality, and the hopes and fears of people pulled up by the sweep of history.

September Book Club Meetup: The Vivisectors by Missouri Williams

London's Friendly Book Club's pick for September is **The Vivisectors** by **Missouri Williams**. In a famed but crumbling university city overrun by vegetation, where power is held in a fragile balance between the academics and a contingent of rogue gardeners, Agathe spends her days listlessly propping up the career of her fraudulent professor boss. One day, a campus scandal erupts: Adam, a contrarian and the pet student of her boss, comes into heated conflict with a rising young professor, with both men claiming discrimination. As the crisis consumes the university, Agathe’s boss instructs her to gather information by befriending Adam. Agathe soon finds herself both caught up in the events tearing the city apart and increasingly drawn towards the alluring student at the heart of it all. But can anyone be taken at their word in a struggle over the truth? Coursing with icy suspense and rendered with violent precision, The Vivisectors is a new kind of love story for a broken era. Missouri Williams holds up a mirror to humanity’s most intimate contradictions in a novel of blazing spiritual reckoning. Please only RSVP if you think you'll be able to make this event. **We host three sessions per book, you only need to attend one.** Everyone is welcome! Grab your copy and join us for a relaxed and engaging discussion.

Brain Worms 124 / The 7th Function of Language by Laurent Binet

Paris, 1980. The literary critic Roland Barthes dies—struck by a laundry van. The world of letters mourns a tragic accident. But what if it wasn’t an accident at all? A brilliantly erudite comedy, The Seventh Function of Language takes us from the cafés of Saint-Germain to the corridors of Cornell University, and into the duels and orgies of the Logos Club, a secret philosophical society that dates all the way back to the Roman Empire. Binet has written both a send-up and a wildly exuberant celebration of the French intellectual tradition. Who can you trust when the idea of truth itself is at stake? You don't have to have read it to join us - but it'll probably help. **We've teamed up with Burley Fisher Book Shop to offer you 10% off The 7th Function of Language by Laurent Binet. Simply click on the link below and use the code "RIO" to claim your copy of the book:** **[https://burleyfisherbooks.com/products/the-7th-function-of-language](https://burleyfisherbooks.com/products/the-7th-function-of-language)** We will be meeting in The Ludski Bar in the Rio Cinema. [https://www.riocinema.org.uk/your-visit/](https://www.riocinema.org.uk/your-visit/) You are welcome to bring outside food in with you but please buy your drinks from inside the cinema. Thank you. We hope to see you there. ... To join the Brain Worms WhatsApp Group please click here: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/EvFibn1d6AsEwdVGmwkhko](https://chat.whatsapp.com/EvFibn1d6AsEwdVGmwkhko) (in order to stop spam bots this will take you to a Waiting Room. Once in please write your name and we will join you to the main chat). Meetup charges subscription fees. If you would like to make a donation please click here: [https://paypal.me/philosophycollective](https://paypal.me/philosophycollective) You can also find the Brain Worms Book Club here: [https://www.meetup.com/brain-worms-book-club/](https://www.meetup.com/brain-worms-book-club/)

London Feminist Books Group 118th Meet: Goddesses, Whores, Wives & Slaves

London Queer Books Group 192nd Meetup - Skin Lane by Neil Bartlett