Book Swaps Los Angeles

Book Discussion: Stoner by John Edward Williams

Read as much as you can and then let's meet up to discuss our thoughts on the book Stoner. "Plot Points: Stoner's life includes an ill-fated marriage to a cold woman, a tender affair with a colleague, strained relationships with his family, and a quiet, impactful career. Themes: The novel delves into loneliness, disappointment, existential meaning, the power of literature, and finding integrity and quiet dignity in a difficult world. Style: Written with simple, precise language, it captures the depth and beauty of a seemingly uneventful life, making the mundane feel profound."

September Book Club - The Calamity Club: A Novel by Kathryn Stockett

Oxford, Mississippi, 1933. Abandoned by her mother one Christmas Eve, eleven-year-old Meg Lefleur has learned the hard way to rely on no one. Now one of the unadoptable "big girls" at the Lafayette County Orphan Asylum, she fights each day to keep her spirit unbowed. Birdie Calhoun, unmarried and outspoken, has come to Oxford to ask her socialite sister to help the struggling family she’s left behind. But as the Depression tightens its grip, Birdie discovers her sister’s seemingly charmed life is a tapestry of lies. Then, Birdie encounters Charlie, a woman running low on luck with little left to lose. When their fates—and Meg’s—converge, Charlie comes up with an audacious plan for them to take control of their lives. But in a place and time where hypocrisy is rife and women’s freedom is fragile, even the smallest act of defiance can have dangerous consequences.

September Bookclub: The Correspondent — Virginia Evans

**📚 Our September Book Has Been Chosen!** Thanks to everyone who voted! Our next **Books & Brew** read is: ***The Correspondent — Virginia Evans*** Grab a copy, start reading, and join us for a great conversation! **About the Book** Sybil Van Antwerp has spent much of her life putting pen to paper. Through letters exchanged with family, friends, authors, and strangers, she shares her thoughts, frustrations, memories, and the pieces of herself that can sometimes be easier to express in writing than face-to-face. Told entirely through correspondence, *The Correspondent* gradually reveals the story of a complicated, sharp-witted woman confronting the relationships, regrets, and losses that have shaped her life. Warm, reflective, and deeply human, the novel explores connection, forgiveness, grief, and the ways we continue to grow and understand ourselves—even when we think we already know our own story.

Blood Relations by Jonathan Moore

A modern detective novel featuring PI Lee Crowe, who investigates the mysterious death of Claire Gravesend, found in a cocktail dress atop a Rolls Royce in a dangerous San Francisco neighborhood. The story unfolds as Crowe navigates family secrets and unexpected twists while Claire's wealthy mother insists her daughter did not commit suicide

Queer Book Club- "We Burned So Bright" by T.J. Klune

"Witchcraft for Wayward Girls" by Grady Hendrix

Meet for a discussion of "Witchcraft for Wayward Girls" by Grady Hendrix. Summary: They call them wayward girls. Loose girls. And they’re sent to the Wellwood House in St. Augustine, Florida, where unwed mothers are hidden by their families to have their babies in secret, to give them up for adoption, and most important of all, to forget any of it ever happened. Fifteen-year-old Fern arrives at the home in the sweltering summer of 1970, pregnant, frightened, and alone. Everything the girls eat, every moment of their waking day, and everything they’re allowed to talk about is strictly controlled by the adults who claim they know what’s best for them. Then Fern meets a librarian who gives her an occult book about witchcraft, and power is in the hands of the girls for the first time in their lives. But power can destroy as easily as it creates, and it’s never given freely. There’s always a price to be paid . . . and it’s usually paid in blood.

Chef's Kiss - Author conversation with Akanksha Aurora (Desi Buchanan)

We have the wonderful opportunity to sit down and talk with local author and friend of the book club Akanksha Aurora (pen name Desi Buchanan). We will be talking with her about her spicy novella Chef's Kiss. Newly laid off from her writing job in Los Angeles, Aasha has no choice but to return to Bombay, leaving her apartment, Pilates membership and polyamorous boyfriend behind. Enter Chef Aditya, a Bombay boy who knows how to throw it down in the kitchen and the bedroom. As sparks fly in their Diwali romance, Aasha can’t help but is Chef Aditya the missing ingredient she’s been looking for, or is this whole thing a recipe for disaster? You can follow and support Akanksha and her many adventures by following her on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bombay_satire

[Book + Movie] HORROR BOOK CLUB (September): “American Psycho”

Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash

[Book Only] HORROR BOOK CLUB (September): “Mexican Gothic”

Literary Open Mic

Bring a five-minute (maximum) original reading to share with a community of writers. Or just come drink beer and soak in the poetry, short stories, songs, monologues, and more! It's free to attend and free to read. Check out our [merch](https://noholitmic.threadless.com/)! **Please note that the only way to reserve a spot to read is to follow this link to our [sign-up form](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sYc12KZ9c_P_6jbylgF1R1ER03S35XghUYgCR52Irf8/edit?tab=t.0) (or copy and paste the link below).** RSVPing on MeetUp doesn't guarantee you a spot! If you'd like to come listen without reading, you are very welcome to, and you do not need to sign up or RSVP. [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sYc12KZ9c_P_6jbylgF1R1ER03S35XghUYgCR52Irf8/edit?tab=t.0](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sYc12KZ9c_P_6jbylgF1R1ER03S35XghUYgCR52Irf8/edit?tab=t.0)

Korean-English Language Exchange