MEN R&D (Read and Discuss, as we Eat!)

· May 4th, 2026 – 5-7pm: MEN R&D (Read and Discuss, as we Eat!) Book meeting, Lonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry – CHAPTERS: 33-45 – Black Sheep, 1400 South S Foothill Dr #166, Salt Lake City, UT 84108 – Foothill Village

PLEASE OPEN AND READ THE FULL DESCRIPTION

An ongoing book circle applying emotional intelligence and authentic relating skills as we read Larry McMurtry’s - Lonesome Dove. We’ll practice confidentiality, honest dialogue, and practical tools you can use between sessions. Please read the assigned chapters before attending.

How we’ll work with this book

1. We’ll bring the knowledge and skills we’ve developed in our past MEN R&D books and practice—presence, self‑reflection, curiosity, boundary setting, and repair—to this classic work of fiction. As we track the story, characters, and relationships, we’ll pause to examine what feels **healthy** or **unhealthy** in how people relate, make choices, handle conflict, and care for themselves and others. We’ll translate those observations into real‑life skills we can apply in our families, friendships, and workplaces.

Themes we’ll explore together

• Healthy vs. unhealthy relationship dynamics: power, trust, consent, boundaries, ruptures & repairs, and the stories we tell ourselves.

• Healthy masculinity: courage without domination, strength with compassion, accountability, humility, camaraderie, service, and emotional literacy.

• Emotion regulation in action: noticing triggers, naming feelings, choosing responses, and practicing co‑regulation in the moment.

• Values in practice: integrity, responsibility, and purpose—how they show up (or don’t) for the characters, and what that teaches us.
  What to expect
  - Brief check‑ins, a shared frame for the chapter(s), and guided prompts.
  - Structured discussion that connects the fictional storyline, to your/our lived experiences.
  Our agreements
  - Confidentiality: what is shared here stays here.
  - Speak from your experience; listen to understand.
  - Curiosity over certainty; impact over intent.
  - No advice‑giving unless requested, no recording.
  - We start on time; please arrive a few minutes early.

• Bring
  - Your copy of Lonesome Dove (print or Kindle).
  - A pen/notebook (optional) for prompts.
  - At restaurant sessions, plan to cover your own food/drink.
  Sample prompts we’ll use
  - “What felt healthy or unhealthy about that choice/interaction—and how do I see versions of this in my life?”
  - “If I were in this character’s boots, what value would I want to act from—and what would that look like in practice?”
  - “Where do I default to toughness instead of honesty/connection, and what would ‘healthy masculinity’ invite me to do differently?”
  - “What boundary or repair conversation is this chapter inspiring me to have this week?”
  We’re here to practice, not to be perfect. Show up as you are—curious, respectful, and ready to read, relate, and grow.

• Schedule Below:

· April 13th, 2026 - 4-6pm: MEN R&D (And We Eat Too!) social dinner before book meeting at the library - Burger Fusion, 490 S 700 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84102 - Trolley Square

· April 13th, 2026 – 6:30-8:30pm: MEN R&D (Read and Discuss) Book meeting, Lonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry – CHAPTERS: 1-8 – Salt Lake City Main Library, 210 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 – Downtown

· April 20th, 2026 – 5-7pm: MEN R&D (Read and Discuss, as we Eat!) Book meeting, Lonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry – CHAPTERS: 9-17 – Handle Bar, 751 N 300 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84103 – Marmalade/Downtown

· April 27th, 2026 - 4-6pm: MEN R&D (And We Eat Too!) social dinner before book meeting at the library – Desert Edge Brewery, 273 Trolley Sq, Salt Lake City, UT 84102 - Trolley Square

· April 27th, 2026 – 6:30-8:30pm: MEN R&D (Read and Discuss) Book meeting, Lonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry – CHAPTERS: 18-32 – Salt Lake City Main Library, 210 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 – Downtown

· May 4th, 2026 – 5-7pm: MEN R&D (Read and Discuss, as we Eat!) Book meeting, Lonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry – CHAPTERS: 33-45 – Black Sheep, 1400 South S Foothill Dr #166, Salt Lake City, UT 84108 – Foothill Village

· May 11th, 2026 - 4-6pm: MEN R&D (And We Eat Too!) social dinner before book meeting at the library – Chili's, 668 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84102 – Near: Trolley Square

· May 11th, 2026 – 6:30-8:30pm: MEN R&D (Read and Discuss) Book meeting, Lonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry – CHAPTERS: 46-55 – Salt Lake City Main Library, 210 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 – Downtown

· May 18th, 2026 – 5-7pm: MEN R&D (Read and Discuss, as we Eat!) Book meeting, Lonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry – CHAPTERS: 56-67 – Ice Haus, 7 E 4800 S, Murray, UT 84107 – Murray

· May 25th, 2026 – 5-7pm: MEN R&D (And We Eat Too!) -NO Book meeting, Memorial Day Social Dinner Only – Handle Bar, 751 N 300 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84103 – Marmalade/Downtown

· June 1st, 2026 - 4-6pm: MEN R&D (And We Eat Too!) social dinner before book meeting at the library - Burger Fusion, 490 S 700 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84102 - Trolley Square

· June 1st, 2026 – 6:30-8:30pm: MEN R&D (Read and Discuss) Book meeting, Lonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry – CHAPTERS: 68-75 – Salt Lake City Main Library, 210 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 – Downtown

· June 8th, 2026 - 4-6pm: MEN R&D (And We Eat Too!) social dinner before book meeting at the library – Desert Edge Brewery, 273 Trolley Sq, Salt Lake City, UT 84102 - Trolley Square

· June 8th, 2026 – 6:30-8:30pm: MEN R&D (Read and Discuss) Book meeting, Lonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry – CHAPTERS: 76-87 – Salt Lake City Main Library, 210 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 – Downtown

· June 15th, 2026 – 5-7pm: MEN R&D (Read and Discuss, as we Eat!) Book meeting, Lonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry – CHAPTERS: 88-94 – Black Sheep, 1400 South S Foothill Dr #166, Salt Lake City, UT 84108 – Foothill Village

· June 22nd, 2026 - 4-6pm: MEN R&D (And We Eat Too!) social dinner before book meeting at the library – Chili's, 668 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84102 – Near: Trolley Square

· June 22nd, 2026 – 6:30-8:30pm: MEN R&D (Read and Discuss) Book meeting, Lonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry – CHAPTERS: 76-87 – Salt Lake City Main Library, 210 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 – Downtown

· June 29th, 2026 – 5-7pm: MEN R&D (And We Eat Too!) -NO Book meeting, End of Book Celebration Social Dinner – Ice Haus, 7 E 4800 S, Murray, UT 84107 – Murray

Past Books:
• Dealing with Feeling - Marc Brackett
• The Unspoken Grief of Men – S.L. Hans
• Iron John – Robert Bly
• Getting to Zero - By: Jayson Gaddis
• Dopamine Nation – Dr. Anna Lembke
• The Big Stick - Dr. Robert Glover, Tony Endelman
• Never Spilt the Difference - Chris Voss
• Men’s Work - Connor Beaton
• The Way of Men - Jack Donovan
• King, Warrior, Magician, Lover - Robert Moore, Doug Gillette