What we’re about
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is this for me?
• This group is here for anyone who enjoys reading, chatting, and making friends. We welcome people of all ages and walks of life. :)
What events typically look like...
• It's relaxed conversation, usually with guided prompts and questions to facilitate the conversation and to help people get to know one another. We meet for about 1-2 hours at a time at a designated location in Hamilton (as of 2025, Williams on the Pier 8, every last Thursday from 7 to 8:30 pm) or via video chat.
May I come even if I didn't finish the book?
• While the conversation is guided around the book, this is equally a social space so please don't let not having been able to finish a book stop you from coming out!
Location
• Details & a map for the venue (in Hamilton, ON or surrounding area) can be found on the event page, or a link will be provided there if it is an online meetup.
Event Updates
• Please keep an eye on events as things shift. Some events may change locations (e.g., moving outside), be deferred, or moved online.
Cost:
• TBD.
Limit of people.
• The limit of people per event is listed on each event page.
What if I forget to update my RSVP?
• Please RSVP appropriately. We will start marking no-shows, so that we can accurately predict how many to expect at each book club - especially due to venue limitations.
I'd like to facilitate a meeting. Where do I begin?
• If any of you who have previously attended a meetup wish to facilitate a meetup please shoot me a message on here. If you're interested but are nervous/overwhelmed/not sure how or where to start, I'm happy to help along the way.
Community Rules/Guidelines
By attending any of our meetups, you agree to abide by our following community rules/guidelines:
• Respect and tolerance of others and their perspectives (no harassment of any persons; no hate speech);
• Adherence to local legislation and by-laws, including COVID-19 rules/guidelines.
Release of Liability
Lastly, in consideration for being allowed to participate in any of this group's activities, you release from liability and waive your right to sue Hamilton Book Club, its associates and volunteers and agents (collectively “HBC”) from any and all claims, including claims of HBC's negligence, resulting in any injury, illness (including death) or economic loss you may suffer or which may result from your participation in HBC events, travel to and from HBC events (including air travel), or any events incidental to this HBC events.
Upcoming events
3
•OnlineSPECIAL EVENT- December Book Club Social
OnlineHello Everyone!
So we have a special event for you! We are going to do a bit of a social event, with food, and a bookish white elephant (the white elephant is optional).
The details:
The when: Thursday December 18th at 6:30 (Don't worry if you are running late, we can make this a rolling start)
The where: Please check comments for full location of venue in Westdale after RSVPing(read full description as to why that is). There is parking at this venue.
The food: We are looking for volunteers to bring pizza, hopefully if we get a few people to agree they can each bring 1 pizza to spread out the cost. If people can bring dessert, fruit, veggies etc that would be amazing. We will have a spreadsheet (in the comments) of what everyone will be bringing, to ensure that we will not be getting duplicates. We will notify you if we would like you to bring something else. Please put down any dietary restrictions and/or allergies for those choosing to bake dessert. If you are baking, please bring a list of ingredients so that those with allergies can avoid them.
The fun: A bookish white elephant (optional). Bring a book that you have enjoyed, or is special to you. Wrap it, and put a few bullet points about the book (genre, and any information you would like to include on it) and we will do the exchange (for a fuller description on white elephant rules, see here: white elephant rules). Feel free to put a post-it note on the inside explaining why you chose the book or why it is special to you.
Haley's sustainable challenge to the group- Try and thrift or buy the book second hand! If you would like to partake, please put your name in the spreadsheet (again, in the comments).
In general, we can accept more people for this event, up to ~25. We will have our own space, so it will be more private and quiet than our usual Williams space. If you would like to bring a guest, please have them create a meetup profile and RSVP to the event, we need to make sure we can keep track of numbers accurately. Due to some unknown crashers last year, anyone who does not RSVP on meetup will be kindly asked to leave when they try to enter to keep the event safe and running smoothly. There will be security on site, so they can be notified at any point if needed.
Carpooling: We understand it is difficult to bus across the city, so if you are able to provide a ride OR need a ride, feel free to either post on this event page or message Haley/Basma and we can help arrange rides. We also have a sheet in the spreadsheet for carpoolers and those requesting one. Please be sure to confirm your ride!
Hosts: Basma and Haley will be hosts for this event, if you have venue related questions please message Haley as she is procuring the venue. The venue does have a few stairs going into it but has an accessible entrance. If you require the accessible entrance (elevator) please let Haley know ahead of time as she needs to notify the venue.
We look forward to seeing you there. Thank you for your participation in Hamilton Book Club. We couldn't have done it without you, and look forward to many more literary adventures in 2026!15 attendees
Past events
51
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