About us
We’re a non-fiction readers group based in NYC. We meet monthly and dive into politics, philosophy, history, economics, memoirs, biographies - you name it.
We meet once a month so everyone has enough time to finish the book. At each meetup, the host brings a list of questions for the group to think about and chat through. We also ask everyone to pitch in book suggestions for the group to consider.
Our Approach
Everyone belongs here
Whatever your background or reading level, your perspective adds something real to the conversation. We're here to learn from each other, not to impress each other.
Reading encouraged, not required
Life happens — if you haven't finished (or started) the book, you're still welcome. Just be upfront about where you are so the discussion can account for that.
Different views make us sharper
We read non-fiction because we want to understand the world better, and that means engaging seriously with ideas we might disagree with. Respectful disagreement isn't just allowed here — it's part of the point.
Debate ideas, not each other
Challenge the argument, the evidence, the author's reasoning — but keep it about the ideas. Personal criticism shuts down conversation; intellectual challenge opens it up.
Facts and interpretations are different things
With non-fiction we'll sometimes hit genuine factual disputes. It's fine to push back on a claim or question a source — just do it with curiosity rather than certainty, and be open to being wrong.
Changing your mind is a good thing
If the discussion shifts how you see something, say so. Changing your mind is a sign the conversation is working, not a weakness.
No assumptions about where people stand
Agreeing with one point in a book doesn't mean agreeing with all of it. Engage with what people actually say, not what you'd expect them to say.
Moderation
My Role as Moderator
I participate in discussions as a full member of the group, sharing my own reactions and opinions just like everyone else. At the same time, I keep an eye on the flow of conversation: making sure quieter voices get space, gently redirecting if things get unproductive, and helping us stay curious when topics get heated.
With a group our size, I may occasionally invite someone who hasn't spoken in a while to share their thoughts, but participation is always voluntary, and it's completely fine to pass.
If I ever feel I need to step back from the discussion to focus on moderating, I'll say so in the moment.
Upcoming events
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"A Brief History of Equality" by Thomas Piketty
The Local NY, 13-02 44th Ave, Queens, NY, USIt’s easy to be pessimistic these days. We know that inequality has increased dramatically over the past two generations. Its ravages are increasingly impossible to ignore. But the grand sweep of history gives us reasons for hope. In this short and surprisingly optimistic history of human progress, the world’s leading economist of inequality shows that over the centuries we have been moving, fitfully and inconsistently but inexorably, toward greater equality.
Thomas Piketty guides us through the seismic movements that have made the modern world: the birth of capitalism, the age of revolution, imperialism, slavery, two world wars, and the building of the welfare state. He shows that through it all, societies have moved toward a more just distribution of income and assets, reducing racial and gender inequalities and offering greater access to health care, education, and the rights of citizenship. To keep moving, he argues, we need to commit to legal, social, fiscal, and educational systems that can make equality a lasting reality, while resisting the temptations of cultural separatism. At stake is the quality of life for billions of people. We know we can do better. But do we dare?
Support your local bookstore in Queens:
Astoria Bookshop (Astoria)
Topos Bookstore (Ridgewood)
The World's Borough Bookstore (Jackson Heights)
Kew & Willow Books (Kew Gardens)
Book Culture (Long Island City)14 attendees
Past events
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