Queer Books

Kennington Book Club Pick #1: The Merge Thank you to all of you who have joined the group. For our very first read together, I thought we could dive into The Merge by Grace Walker. This book is set in a near-future world facing overpopulation and climate collapse. To address this society introduces a radical solution: merging two people into a single consciousness. But what begins as a bold fix quickly raises deeper questions about identity, love, and what it really means to be human. Looking forward to hearing everyone’s thoughts - I’m hoping this one should give us a lot to talk about. If it helps you to have something to focus on while you’re reading, you could think about: - Where do you draw the line between sacrifice and loss of self? - Who should have the power to make decisions like this? - Is this a solution… or a warning? Going forward we’ll pick the next read together at the end of each meet up. Happy reading! Rachael

April is the time for recycled reads! This means that books we voted on before but didn't make the cut now can be chosen again! The winning book is: * The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon Get it now!

Hi all, arranging our first book swap of the year! If you’d like to attend, please bring a book that you think highly of (or maybe one you want rid of!) and give a short summary. Once we’ve all shared we’ll then go around and pick the book we’d like to choose. Please be prepared to give your book up in exchange for someone else’s. We’ll draw numbers to see who goes first, second etc. Looking forward to seeing what everyone brings! Christina 🍾

For our second April meeting, we will read Jane Sanderson's 2020 novel, *Mix Tape*. The book is her fifth and was made into a television series in Australia that later aired on BBC2. This '[t]ouching, peppily nostalgic love story' set in Adelaide is a 'lovely novel, delicately drawn, with characters that really linger in the mind and memory.' 'You never forget the one that got away. But what if ‘what could have been’ is still to come?' -Book jacket https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45298339-mix-tape The meeting will be held at Milk Beach Soho. So join us for some Australian fare as we delve into this fun read. 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!

Join us for our weekly LGBT Climbing Social every Wednesday, a welcoming space for the LGBT community to connect, climb, and have fun! Whether you're new to climbing or a seasoned pro, this social is all about building a supportive community and celebrating our shared love for the sport. This is a relaxed, no-pressure environment designed to help you enjoy climbing while meeting like-minded people. Open to all to all members of the LGBT+ community aged 18 and over. Cost: off peak entry when you say you are joining the LGBT climbing club at reception - £12 - nil charge for gear hire Note concessions available for Blue light card holders, students, and over 65s (need to bring with you) Come solo or bring a friend – everyone is welcome! Let’s climb, chat, and share some good vibes. We can’t wait to see you there! For any questions, feel free to contact us in advance.

[Last Argument of Kings](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/944076.Last_Argument_of_Kings) (The First Law #3) by Joe Abercrombie 📖 536 pages Genre: Fantasy • Grimdark • Epic Fantasy Summary: The end is here—and it won’t be clean. Last Argument of Kings brings the First Law trilogy to its explosive conclusion. War consumes the North. The Union trembles under siege. Old debts are called in, long-laid plans come to fruition, and the true cost of ambition is finally revealed. Logen Ninefingers must decide what kind of man he really is. Glokta navigates a crumbling political landscape where survival depends on choosing the right master. Jezal is forced into a role he may not be fit to play. And Bayaz’s grand design—patiently constructed over decades—comes into devastating focus. Abercrombie delivers a finale that refuses easy answers. Power has a price. Justice is rarely fair. And sometimes the last argument of kings is simply who survives to tell the tale. Expect twists, reckonings, and consequences that linger long after the final page. *** Join the Sci-Fi/Fantasy Series Squad! 🗡️📚 We’re wrapping up The First Law trilogy together—one last month to debate loyalties, question motives, and decide whether grimdark fantasy has ruined traditional heroes for good. *** How It Works: 🪐 Series Focus: This month’s read is Last Argument of Kings, Book 3 and the epic conclusion to the trilogy. Threads converge, masks fall, and we finally see what this story has truly been building toward. 🙌 No Pressure Zone: Finished it? Fantastic. Still catching up? Come anyway. We’ll dive into the ending, character payoffs, shocking revelations, and whether the journey was worth the bloodshed. *** 📍 Join us at the Dog in Croydon on the 29th of April 2026 at 7:00 PM Raise a glass to fallen heroes, surviving schemers, and a trilogy that proves sometimes the sharpest weapon is the truth.

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😁) We will start from Tottenham Court Road, pass Russell Square and finish at King's Cross. We will do 10 bookshops📚📚📚! (So do get your comfy walking boots ready.) Don't worry, it's not a marathon, don't feel under any obligation to finish all the bookshops. 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 Tottenham Court Road, outside the Dominion Theatre. Don't worry if you are late, join us in along the walks. Then the tour shall begin! 1: Bookmarks Address: 1 Bloomsbury St, London WC1B 3QE Comment: A niche socialist bookshop for books on politics, cultural & history. 2: Oxfam Bookshop Address: 12 Bloomsbury St, London WC1B 3QA Comment: One of my favour bookshops, books are so cheap at the charity shop. (Some books are even brand new!) 3: London Review Bookshop Address: 14-16 Bury Pl, London WC1A 2JL Comment: A literary magazine-owned book store. (A 12mins walk towards Russal Square Station) 4: Skoob Books Address: 66 The Brunswick off, Marchmont St, London WC1N 1AE Comment: Another of my favourite, one of the biggest second-hand bookshop in London 5: Gay's The Word Address: 66 Marchmont St, London WC1N 1AB Comment: A bookshop for books on LGBTQ topics, both fiction and non-fictions. 6: Judd Books Address: 82 Marchmont St, London WC1N 1AG Comment: Book in the shelf filled to the ceiling. A lot of hardback books as well with great price. Generally we finish here, then for people who want to stay we usually find somewhere to have food and further discussions in the afternoon. *** Optional: (A 10mins walk towards King's Cross St. Pancras Station) (Feel free to leave here for public transport) 9: Hatchards St Pancras Address: Unit 7, St Pancras International Station, Euston Rd, London N1C 4QP Comment: Claims to be the oldest bookshop in the United Kingdom (Piccadilly store), though owned by Waterstone now. 10: Housmans Bookshop Address: 5 Caledonian Rd, London N1 9DY Comment: A bookshop for new and second-hand publications on progressive politics. (A 10mins walk from King's Cross) 11: Word On the Water - The London Bookbarge Address: Regent's Canal Towpath, London N1C 4LW Comment: A quirky bookstore on a canal barge, good place for a picture. (Off Angel Station ) 12: Oxfam Bookshop Address: 48 Upper St, London N1 0PN Comment: Quite a bit distance for walking, though pretty close by public transport. If you like another lucky dip into charity bookshop, why not? *** 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/3kENnrMv9tSoZ4xB9

In this event, we will discuss about a science or philosophy book chosen by London Science and Philosophy Book Club. The attendees will be divided into groups and each of them will focus on a chapter in the book. This month we will discuss about a fascinating book called Heartwarming by Hans Rocha Ijzerman. If you haven't read the book, it's no problem. I will bring you up to speed with the discussion materials. We will meet in a nice lounge area at 6 p.m for introductions. Please come on time so you will not miss out on valuable discussion midway. If you end up in the waitlist, feel free to show up. Book Description: A hot cup of tea, coffee, or cocoa is calming and comforting but how can holding a warm mug affect our emotions? In Heartwarming, social psychologist Hans Rocha IJzerman explores temperature through the long lens of evolution. Besides breathing, regulating body temperature is one of the most fundamental tasks for any animal. Like huddling penguins, we humans have long relied on one another to maintain our temperatures; over millennia, this instinct for thermoregulation has shaped our lives and culture. Temperature contributed to our evolution our upright walking, our loss of fur, and our big brains and now continues to affect our lives in unexpected ways, and the link from a warm mug to our emotions is anything but straightforward. Studies have shown, for example, that a chilly deliberation room can predispose a jury to convict and that a cold day can make us more likely to buy a house. Our mind-body connection works the other way, too: thinking about friendly or caring people can make us feel warmer. Understanding how we subconsciously strive to keep our temperature in an optimal range can help us in our relationships, jobs, and even in the world of social media. As IJzerman illuminates how temperature affects human sociality, he examines fascinating new questions: How will climate change impact society? Why are some people chronically cold, and others overheated? Can thermoregulation keep relationships closer, even across a distance? The answers offer new insights for all of us who want to better understand our bodies, our minds, and each other. Heartwarming takes readers on an engaging journey through the world, seen from the perspectives of coldness and warmth. Agenda: 6 p.m to 6:30 p.m: Introduction and Socializing 6:30 p.m to 9:30 p.m: Book Discussion 9:30 p.m to late night: Drinks, Dinner or Feel free to go home.

Join us for our May Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss *[Cantoras](https://caroderobertis.com/books/cantoras/)*[ ](https://caroderobertis.com/books/cantoras/)by [Caro de Robertis](https://caroderobertis.com/bio/) in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.

**We are expanding our creative programming opportunities with Queer Quills, a quiet writing and sharing space. Queer Quills features some prompts, supplies and friendly faces to help get some inspiration or feedback for your writing. Hope to see you there!**

Welcome, readers! Our April read is **_Martyr!_ by Kaveh Akbar.** The story follows a young Iranian American poet grappling with grief, addiction, and the aching question of what makes a life meaningful. Drawn into an unexpected friendship with a terminally ill artist, he begins to confront faith, love, and the seduction of self-destruction. Lyrical, darkly funny, and emotionally piercing, the novel wrestles with beauty and despair in equal measure. It’s a story about longing—to be seen, to be forgiven, and to matter. Looking forward to discussing with everyone! We will meet at Zaftig Brewing Co in their event room in the back. We are welcome to bring in our own food, but **drinks must be purchased at the bar.** Happy reading! 📖

**Our May novel is: *The Quiet Librarian* by Allen Eskens** **This month’s book is set in the 20th century and mixes historical fiction with suspense and thriller elements. It also centers on women’s stories and relationships. The novel is 368 pages in print or 8 hours and 12 minutes on audiobook.** Hana Babic is a quiet, middle-aged librarian in Minnesota who wants nothing more than to be left alone. But when a detective arrives with the news that her best friend has been murdered, Hana knows that something evil has come for her, a dark remnant of the past she and her friend had shared. Thirty years before, Hana was someone else: Nura Divjak, a teenager growing up in the mountains of war-torn Bosnia—until Serbian soldiers arrived to slaughter her entire family before her eyes. The events of that day thrust Nura into the war, leading her to join a band of militia fighters, where she became not only a fierce warrior but a legend—the deadly Night Mora. But a shattering final act forced Nura to flee to the United States with a bounty on her head\*\*.\*\*

It's official, submissions for "Resistance, Resilience, Utopia" are are on their way from being independent pieces to becoming the second volume of gINKgo. This year we are going to have a launch party at Birdie Books on May 15th from 6-8pm open to the whole community! Come on over and help us support the creators with food, drinks, art, writing, open mic, music, community activities and more.

Posting this early because seemingly all Sundays in May are holidays or busy! I picked a shorter thriller that's hopefully a fast read/listen. [Columbus library link to book](https://cml.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S105C3458940) Location: Grandview Cafe, *1455 W. 3rd Ave*, Columbus, OH 43212 [Menu](https://www.grandviewcafe.com/menu) Book summary: Daniel leads a rich life in the university town of Athens, Georgia. He's got a couple close friends, a steady paycheck working for a regional airline, and of course, for a few glorious days each Fall, college football tailgates. He considers himself to be a mostly lucky guy -- despite the fact that he's suffered from a debilitating disease since he was a small child, one that has left him unable to speak or to move without a wheelchair. Largely confined to his home, Daniel spends the hours he's not online communicating with irate air travelers observing his neighborhood from his front porch. One young woman passes by so frequently that spotting her out the window has almost become part of his daily routine. Until the day he's almost sure he sees her being kidnapped.