Book Swap

**It's time to delve back into the world of comics, and this year our pick is the critically acclaimed My Favourite Thing is Monsters. Please make sure you read Volume 1 (if we like it enough we may one day return to Volume 2!).** Here’s the summary from Goodreads: Set against the tumultuous political backdrop of late ’60s Chicago, *My Favorite Thing Is Monsters* is the fictional graphic diary of 10-year-old Karen Reyes, filled with B-movie horror and pulp monster magazines iconography. Karen Reyes tries to solve the murder of her enigmatic upstairs neighbor, Anka Silverberg, a holocaust survivor, while the interconnected stories of those around her unfold. When Karen’s investigation takes us back to Anka’s life in Nazi Germany, the reader discovers how the personal, the political, the past, and the present converge The meeting will start at 7pm and finish between 9.00 and 10pm (BST), with breaks in between. Just a reminder that the pub lets us to use the room at no charge so please do purchase drinks/food from the bar. Bringing in your own food from outside the pub is not allowed!

Join to us to talk about Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart" (1958) chronicles the life of Okonkwo, a proud, influential Igbo leader in colonial Nigeria whose life and community are torn apart by British colonialism and Christianity.

Let's read Modern Standard Arabic together and help each other. This get-together continues weekly. Please disregard attendee numbers, as most members come without registering here. There is no charge for this time together.

We will be at the Alternative Book Fair on Thursday 9th April to see the brilliant Natasha Brown speak on Creative Marketing for Books. Tickets are free and bookable from the Alternative Book Fair website, but there will be walk-in availability too. We'll then be going to the The Lamb pub next door for a social. Everyone is welcome! Here's what Natasha will be speaking on: In this special session for the Alternative Book Fair, Booker Prize-longlisted and Granta Best of British Young Novelists author Natasha Brown speaks about the creative marketing strategies behind her novel Universality. Moving beyond traditional publicity, Natasha developed a suite of unconventional, in-world promotional materials — including a fictional magazine, an investigation board, and bespoke social media and podcast assets — all created on a shoestring budget and without the use of AI!

**One quick note on how the community works** **L Community is member-funded.** The standard contribution is **£13 per month** to cover the platform, events, moderation, and safeguarding. If £13 isn’t workable for you right now, you can opt out for now. Support can be changed or cancelled at any time. Support the platform: [www.thelcommunity.com/back-us-now](http://www.thelcommunity.com/back-us-now) **What this is** A relaxed Sunday afternoon book club for lesbian and bisexual women, meeting in person. This is our first event and we will discuss which book we plan to read. It’s low-pressure, calm, and easy to settle into the event. Women usually range from their 20s through to their 60s. Most sessions are a genuine mix of new faces and returning women, so you won’t be the only person coming for the first time. Most people come on their own. That’s normal here, and we make sure you don’t feel it. Hosts introduce people, keep things flowing, and make the space feel easy rather than awkward. If you’re feeling nervous, you won’t be the only one. Many women feel that way before their first book club and end up staying longer than they expected. **Important** This is a female-only lesbian space. That boundary is clear and upheld at events. If that doesn’t work for you, this won’t be the right event. **How to attend** You must register in advance to attend. Register here: [www.thelcommunity.com/book-club/](https://thelcommunity.com/book-club/) **Arriving and support** The table booking is under the name Jenny. If you’re nervous, arriving alone, can’t find us, or have any difficulty at all, you can message at any point – days before, on the day, or during the event. If it helps, we can have someone come outside to meet you. **WhatsApp Jenny** WhatsApp only (calls or messages): **+44 7591 386019** Normal calls or texts will not go through on this number. **Staying connected** Registering for an event is separate from joining the wider community. If you’d like to stay connected between events, access the private WhatsApp group, and join the wider network, you can register here: [www.thelcommunity.com/register](http://www.thelcommunity.com/register)

This month, we're reading The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry — a timeless classic first published in 1943 that continues to captivate readers of all ages. At first glance, it's a simple tale: a stranded pilot in the desert meets a mysterious young prince who has traveled from a tiny asteroid. But as the Little Prince recounts his journeys to ditterent planets, the story unfolds into a profound meditation on love, loss, loneliness, friendship, and what truly matters in life. We are meeting on the 11th of April at 2 p.m. to discuss it. English pdf : https://blogs.ubc.ca/edcp508/files/2016/02/TheLittlePrince.pdf English hard copy : https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChsSEwjYrKCA0eaSAxXtlFAGHYqoIRYYACICCAEQFRoCZGc&co=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAhtvMBhDBARIsAL26pjHG-Ux-ABSpcSWUAnzF0CEZzD1x5aip-AASlorEmxGd9pPosXLBeaEaAoj5EALw_wcB&sph=&cid=CAASJeRo1RfljFGkVMfgeduMBtdNSysXyN5iHxeiNf0sdNchxZCWzAU&cce=1&sig=AOD64_0Pe-mKdp7EB3PMMUhSSt48WmAcDA&ctype=70&q=&ved=2ahUKEwiw9pqA0eaSAxXWQUEAHdVOC4YQwg8oAHoECA0QEw&nis=8&ch=1&adurl= Arabic hard copy :https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChsSEwiOnejs0eaSAxVyl1AGHXB2MPYYACICCAEQBBoCZGc&co=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAhtvMBhDBARIsAL26pjH4x2tN3JSWiLgOKxmiiXjSkGHNdau50i5CZ3grkl-JFfQj1-KhhxIaAhhcEALw_wcB&cce=1&sig=AOD64_1IKvySfya2iAdKQ3syeYpcOr1tgg&cty Arabic Pdf : https://www.bookleaks.com/files/ketab/ketab2/924.pdf Interesting podcast about the book and its author: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3csyx46?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

**£10 CASH FOR YOGA / £10 CASH FOR BOOK CLUB - payable on the door** **Bitcoin discount [HERE](https://btcpay.btc.aw/apps/rvvVwGSSSiJ7UgtzjmBdxy1Uq6a/pos "https://btcpay.btc.aw/apps/rvvVwGSSSiJ7UgtzjmBdxy1Uq6a/pos")** Join Storm and Annie V for another mind/body session at Cyphermunk House. Yoga starts at 11am - please bring your own mat. Munk Brunch follows at Ana's Deli from 12pm. Book club starts at 1:30pm. Promotional activities related to altcoins not permitted. No unsolicited photograhy. Peace and love.

**Our April novel is: *The Hong Kong Widow* by Kristen Loesch** **This month’s novel blends gothic atmosphere with historical fiction and chilling horror, set against the haunting backdrop of China. The book is 368 pages in print and 10 hours and 42 minutes on audiobook.** In 1950s Hong Kong, Mei is a young refugee of the Chinese Communist revolution struggling to put her past in Shanghai behind her. When she receives a shocking invitation—to take part in a competition in one of the city's most notorious haunted houses, pitting six spirit mediums against one another in a series of six séances over six nights, until a single winner emerges—she has every reason to refuse. Except that the hostess, a former Shanghainese silent film star, is none other than the wife of the man who once destroyed Mei’s entire life. It is promised the winner will receive a fortune, but there is only one prize Mei wants: revenge. Decades later, the final night of that competition has become an infamous urban legend: The police were called to the scene of a brutal massacre but found no evidence, dismissing it as a collective hallucination. Mei knows what she saw, but now someone else is convinced they know what she did. She must uncover the truth about the last night she ever spent in that house—even if the ghosts of her past are waiting for her there. . . .

Let's bedazzle some books while we discuss our April pick: Bloodguard by Cecy Robson! Book description: One hundred years. Tens of thousands of gladiators. And today, only one will rise… Everything in the Kingdom of Arrow is a lie. Leith of Grey thought coming to this new land and volunteering to fight in the gladiator arena—vicious, bloodthirsty tournaments where only the strongest survive—would earn him enough gold to save his dying sister. He thought there was nothing left to lose. He was wrong—and they took everything. His hope. His freedom. His very humanity. All Leith has left is his battle-scarred body, fueled by rage and hardened from years of fighting for the right to live another day. Then Leith meets Maeve, an elven royal who is everything he despises. Everything he should hate. Until the alluring princess offers him the one thing he needs most: a chance to win the coveted title of Bloodguard—and his freedom. But in a kingdom built on secrets and lies, hope doesn’t come cheap. Nor will his ultimate revenge… Event: Please bring your own book, journal, bookmarks, etc to bedazzle. If you have bedazzling supplies, please bring them as well. I will supply gems, glue, and picker tools, but if you have certain colors in mind, you may want to bring your own.

* Second ever book club! April meet up. All are welcome. * The book will be Play Nice by Rachel Harrison (determined by votes from March Book Club. Let me know if you’d like a free digital copy of the book) * This event will be at the main library, meeting room 1B, the location will not be changed for this event due to the number of people attending, we will just add more chairs if needed! * Feel free to come whether or not you’ve started or finished the book ◡̈ * Small snacks will be provided. You’re welcome to bring your own snacks & drinks too! Starting in June I will try to keep future book clubs at the Dublin Library. Now that I understand their reservation system, I will be on top of it with booking that location as soon as the date is released for the month. Thanks for your understanding with the varying locations in the meantime.

Join us for our April Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss *[Stop Me if You've Heard This One](https://www.kristenarnettwriter.com/stopmeifyouveheardthisone)* by [Kristen Arnett](https://www.kristenarnettwriter.com/about) in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.

This month we’ll be reading Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb. Feel free to come even if you don’t finish the book!

We’ll be having a game night! Bring a game, snack, drink or just yourself!

Pay attention! We’re delaying a week for those of you who may be on Spring break and/or celebrating the holiday. Ok, no pancakes, but waffles-a-plenty. Join the local UX and Digital Design community for a casual monthly breakfast. Look for us upstairs!