Book Drives London

Epping Book Club - Normal People by Sally Rooney

Welcome to our Epping book club — a welcoming space for people who love reading, meaningful conversation, and meeting like-minded book lovers. We’ll explore a mix of thought-provoking fiction, contemporary favourites, and empowering reads, creating engaging discussions in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Our meet-ups will take place at The George and Dragon on Epping High Street, the perfect cosy venue to unwind, connect, and share perspectives. There’ll be plenty of options to enjoy during the evenings too, including tea, coffee, alcoholic drinks, and non-alcoholic options, so everyone feels comfortable and included. Whether you’re an avid reader or just getting back into books, everyone is welcome! This is not a paid event, though we do ask that you purchase a copy of the book we will be reading.

🤐Books & Brews🤫☕️📖🧁

Book shop exploring (Camden Town → Turnell Park)

In the digital age💻📡📱, do you still like getting a physical book to read? Where do you buy them? Amazon? Waterstone? Blackstone? How about join us for a bookshop crawl, let's try to find some hidden gems of independent bookshops. (Or just tag along for a chat😁) Find out more book shops to try, this time we will be going to further north in London than usual. We will meet at Camden Town tube station, then walk along mostly along the main road to Tufnell Park station. There will be 7 book shops in total, never been to most of them, so it will be some new experience for me as well. Upon finishing, we can find somewhere to sit and chat about books. The two hour time is just a guidance, some shops take longer and some are less. If you ever want to stay in one shop for longer (I know, been there, done that😂) feel free to do so, you can join us at other shops. (See itinerary below) Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the shops, so you are not obliged to buy any books, just get whatever you like. *** 📚💃🏼 📖💃🏿☕️ ITINERARY ☕️💃🏾🍷💃🏻🍴📚 We will all meet up at Camden Town Station. Don't worry if you are late, join us in along the walks. Then the tour shall begin! 1: Mega City Comics Address: 18 Inverness St, London NW1 7HJ 2: Camden Town Bookshop Address: 22 Chalk Farm Rd, Chalk Farm, London NW1 8AG 3: Walden Books Address: Walden Books, 38 Harmood St, London NW1 8DP 4: Oxfam Books & Music Address: 166 Kentish Town Rd, London NW5 2AG 5: Owl Bookshop Address: 207-209, Kentish Town Rd, London NW5 2JU 6: Amnesty International Bookshop Address: 308 Kentish Town Road, London NW5 2TH 7: Hellenic Bookservice Address: 89 Fortess Rd, London NW5 1AG *** Wow, you made it, hopefully you have found some books that will make you happy🎈🎉✨. For people who likes to have more socials or talk more about books (or just to show off your purchases😆), we can find some place for a cup of coffee or a late lunch. *** Google map link for the bookshops: https://goo.gl/maps/B2DsoZCrGqKjHSRE6 There is a WhatsApp group for contact: TBA

Brain Worms 121 / The Word for World is Forest by Ursula K. Le Guin

When the inhabitants of a peaceful world are conquered by the bloodthirsty yumens, their existence is irrevocably altered. Forced into servitude, the Athsheans find themselves at the mercy of their brutal masters. Desperation causes the Athsheans, led by Selver, to retaliate against their captors, abandoning their strictures against violence. But in defending their lives, they have endangered the very foundations of their society. For every blow against the invaders is a blow to the humanity of the Athsheans. And once the killing starts, there is no turning back. Available from all good libraries and book shops. You don't have to have read it to join us - but it'll probably help. 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)

July Meeting 1 - Foster (Claire Keegan)

The first meeting of July will see us reading a shorter book after our longer endeavour in late June: Claire Keegan's captivating novella, *Foster*. Set in Ireland in the early 1980s, it revolves around a young girl and her family. Since publication in 2010, the book has been very well received and was adapted into a film in in 2022 called *The Quiet Girl.* 'An evocative and stunningly wrought meditation on affection, family and lost innocence, this mesmerising novella from the acclaimed author of *Small Things Like These* follows a young girl sent to live with foster parents on an Irish farm.' -Waterstones https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8143909-foster The meeting will take place at Riding House Bloomsbury in their outdoor area in the middle of Brunswick Square. So come along for some delicious pub/brunch food as we dive into this lovely novella. N.B. We will be charging an event fee of £3, non-refundable, to discourage no-shows and contribute to the running costs of the group. Please only sign up if you intend to come along as space is limited to make for an effective discussion!

July Book Club: Unruly by David Mitchell

Hi everyone, in July our theme was biographies and we had lots of great contenders! Unruly was the winner; synopsis below: THE NO. 1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER A funny book about a serious subject, Unruly is for anyone who has ever wondered how we got here - and who is to blame. 'Clever, amusing, gloriously bizarre and razor sharp. Mitchell – a funny man and skilled historian – tells stories that are interesting and fun. Here is Horrible Histories for grownups’ GERARD DEGROOT, THE TIMES 'Just fantastic. Delightfully contrary and hilariously cantankerous. Very, very funny’ JESSE ARMSTRONG, CREATOR OF SUCCESSION AND PEEP SHOW 'Clever, funny. Makes you think quite differently about history’ DAN SNOW, HISTORIAN AND BROADCASTER ---- Think you know your kings and queens? Think again. Taking us right back to King Arthur (spoiler: he didn't exist), Unruly tells the founding story of post-Roman England up to the reign of Elizabeth I (spoiler: she dies). It's a tale of narcissists, inadequate self-control, excessive beheadings, middle-management insurrection, uncivil wars, and at least one total Cnut. How this happened, who it happened to and why it matters in modern Britain are all questions David Mitchell answers with brilliance, wit and the full erudition of a man who once studied history – and won't let it off the hook for the mess it's made. *The Times Number One Bestseller October 2023* See you there 🍻 Steph & Christina

BOOKCLUB: Hotel Du Lac - Anita Brookner

This month we will be reading/discussing [Hotel Du Lac - Anita Brookne](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/251665.Hotel_du_Lac)r. If you have not read the book, you are more than welcome to join. Be aware, there will be spoilers! 18:30 - 18:45 - Meet, get drinks, get settled (at the back and upstairs) 18:45 - 19:45 - Discuss the book 19:45 onwards - pick book for next meet and socialize **The Venue: [Shinner and Sudtone](https://shinnerandsudtone.co.uk/)**[ ](https://shinnerandsudtone.co.uk/) A lovely little pub with a variety of craft beer. Usually quiet on a Monday and we get the upstairs area. They serve food and dogs are most welcome. **The Book:** [Hotel Du Lac - Anita Brookne](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/251665.Hotel_du_Lac)r It tells the story of Edith Hope, who writes romance novels under a pseudonym. When her life begins to resemble the plots of her own novels, however, Edith flees to Switzerland, where the quiet luxury of the Hotel du Lac promises to resore her to her senses. But instead of peace and rest, Edith finds herself sequestered at the hotel with an assortment of love's casualties and exiles. She also attracts the attention of a worldly man determined to release her unused capacity for mischief and pleasure. Beautifully observed, witheringly funny, *Hotel du Lac* is Brookner at her most stylish and potently subversive.

Deeper Discussions - Monthly Fiction Book Club (July) 📚💬

Join us for a special edition of Deeper Discussions, 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 - The Stranger by Albert Camus (a.k.a The Outsider)** it follows an emotionally detached man whose ordinary life is disrupted by a series of events that force him into conflict with society's expectations. Through its spare, direct prose, the novel explores themes of meaning, alienation, and the tension between the individual and the world around them without offering easy answers 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. **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)

Make New Friends At A Bookshop

Do you want to meet new people in a relaxing chill atmosphere surrounded by new books? Do you dislike loud and smelly places like pubs and clubs? This is the event for you. Science and Philosophy Book Club is creating a new kind of meetup where people who love books and knowledge can meet new friends in a big book shop. We will explore around different sections of the book shop together as a group while making interesting conversations with each other. We will go to both fiction and non-fiction areas. If you feel shy and feel nervous to come alone, I will make sure you will feel comfortable and accomodate to your needs. I will help introduce you to others so you can go over the barrier of anxiety when approaching a new person. We will meet on the ground floor lounge area of Doubletree Hilton Hotel at 6 p.m. It is an amazing cosy bar with classy vibes. We will wait for everyone to show up while getting some drinks and socializing. At 7 p.m we will head to the Waterstones book store near Russel Square and UCL. After we explore the book store, we will come back to the hotel bar and stay there for the rest of the night. This event requires £5 donation to cover the venue fees. You can pay via cash or card. Thank you for helping the book club!

"Flesh" by David Szalay

Join us to discuss "Flesh" by David Szalay. We will be in the function room (please ask at the bar if you can’t find us) Please arrive from 6.30pm and order any food or drink for a 7pm start. Your first meet up is free and then it is £1.50 to cover Meet Up's costs. You are welcome to bring suggestions for September (we vote 2 months in advance) 😊

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke suggested by Sheila and Susan

Friendly book group Please remember to change your RSVP if you can't make it so someone on the waitlist can take your slot. New books chosen by popular vote and read 2 months later. We look forward to seeing you there!

Bookaneers

**The husband by Holly Gramazio** it’s an intriguing concept….Lauren discovers her attic mysteriously produces different husbands for her, leading to a comical exploration of what makes the perfect match. Last month’s book was a bit Marmity….some loved it, some (me included) found it slow and tedious. We’re still looking for something that we agree on. Perhaps this is the one.