Book Drives London

Food and drink social (social networking opportunity for bookworms)

Discuss February's Book

Love is in the air! In February we read romance books. This month's book is: This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone Get it now!

Social Book Club

Hi Fellow readers, This is a book club curated for book lovers alike. Our aim is to explore different cultures through stories/books. Each month we pick a region to read from and discuss our chosen book. Month we have chosen to read from eastern Asia, Japan. the book is 'Out' by Natsuo Kirino. come along and join us and explore a different culture via fiction. the club is face to face, held at the Barbican library. please add 07460163389, and message me.to be added to the WhatsApp group chat. happy reading xx

February Harrow Women’s Book Club: The Rest Of Our Lives, Ben Markovits

CLOSEST TRAIN STATIONS
• Harrow & Wealdstone 4minwalk.
• Harrow on the hill 10 min bus (get off at stop: Harrow and Wealdstone station) and then it’s a 4minwalk.
• There is bus stop for H9 and H10 right outside The Palm House, stop: Palmerston Road.

PARKING
• Palmerston Road car park 2minwalk (quite a small car park)
• Harrow and Wealdstone station car park, about 4min walk
• Some street parking but not loads

Books n’ Chill📚☕️📖🧁

Discuss: Labyrinths by Jorge Luis Borges

Labyrinths by Jorge Luis Borges (288 pages) Amazon Paperback: £9.19 Jorge Luis Borges's Labyrinths is a collection of short stories and essays showcasing one of Latin America's most influential and imaginative writers. This Penguin Modern Classics edition is edited by Donald A. Yates and James E. Irby, with an introduction by James E. Irby and a preface by André Maurois. Jorge Luis Borges was a literary spellbinder whose tales of magic, mystery and murder are shot through with deep philosophical paradoxes. This collection brings together many of his stories, including the celebrated 'Library of Babel', whose infinite shelves contain every book that could ever exist, 'Funes the Memorious' the tale of a man fated never to forget a single detail of his life, and 'Pierre Menard, Author of the Quixote', in which a French poet makes it his life's work to create an identical copy of Don Quixote. In later life, dogged by increasing blindness, Borges used essays and brief tantalising parables to explore the enigma of time, identity and imagination. Playful and disturbing, scholarly and seductive, his is a haunting and utterly distinctive voice. The cost of the meetup is £2 (cash). Looking forward to seeing you there!

Deeper Discussions - Fiction Book Club 📚💬

Join us for a special edition of Deeper Discussions, where we dive into thought-provoking **fiction** that challenges perspectives, sparks imagination, and opens doors to meaningful conversations. Whether you're a lifelong reader or rediscovering the joy of novels, this is a space to explore stories that stay with you long after the final page. 📖💭 **This Month's Book 📖 - *Never Let Me Go* by Kazuo Ishiguro 🌸** A haunting novel following a group of students whose seemingly ordinary upbringing slowly reveals deeper ethical and societal questions. Ishiguro's restrained, carefully controlled narrative explores memory, friendship, and moral responsibility—leaving you questioning what it means to be human long after you turn the final page. **How does it work? 📝** * Brief introductions and reflections on what struck you most 💡 * Moderated discussion exploring plot, themes, and characters 🎭 * Open conversation where different interpretations are welcomed 🗣️ * We wrap up by sharing insights and connections made 🌟 **What to Expect? 🔍** **📖 Close Reading:** We go beyond surface-level plot summary. Expect discussions that examine the author's choices, narrative techniques, and the questions left lingering in the silence between pages. **💬 Thoughtful Dialogue:** This isn't a race to share opinions—it's a space for genuine exploration. We listen, we reflect, we build on each other's insights. **🤝 Meaningful Connections:** Great fiction holds up a mirror to the human experience. Through discussing characters' choices and moral dilemmas, we often discover something about ourselves and each other. **How to get the most out of this event? 🌱** **📚 Finish the Book:** Please attend only if you've completed the book. Spoilers will flow freely, and the richest discussions come from those who've made the full journey. **📝 Ground it in the Text:** Bring your interpretations, but anchor them in what's actually on the page. Quote passages. Reference scenes. Let the author's words guide us. **🙏 Respect & Openness:** Every interpretation matters. Make space for quieter voices. Challenge ideas, not people. Stay curious rather than defensive. **Why a Fiction Book Club? 📚** **🪞 Explore the Human Condition:** Fiction lets us inhabit lives we'll never live, forcing us to confront questions about identity, morality, love, and loss. **🧠 Sharpen Your Thinking:** Close reading develops critical thinking—noticing what the author chose to include, exclude, and how the story is told matters as much as what happens. **💖 Deepen Connections:** Discussing characters' choices and moral dilemmas creates surprisingly intimate conversations with fellow readers. **Who is this event for? 🎯** * You find yourself thinking about books long after you've finished them 📖💭 * You want more from book discussions than "I liked it" or "I didn't" 🤔 * You're curious how others interpret the same story differently 🔄 * You value thoughtful dialogue over debate 🗣️✨ * You're looking for meaningful connections with fellow readers 🤝 **What's in it for you? 💡** * **Fresh Perspectives:** Discover interpretations you'd never have considered alone 🔄 * **Deeper Understanding:** Unpack themes and symbols that enrich your reading 📚 * **Genuine Connection:** Bond with others over shared literary experiences 💖 * **A Space to Think:** Slow down from the noise and engage with ideas that matter 🧘 **Ready to dive deeper into stories that matter? 🌊** Join us for an evening where fiction becomes a gateway to understanding ourselves and each other. 📚💬✨ **We really hope to see you there!** 👋 **About Deeper Connections** We have a mission at Deeper Connections to improve the quality of people's lives through conversation. All our events are centred around the concept of connecting deeply, because we believe we all deserve to be seen, felt and understood for who we really are. To have the 'deeper conversation' approach when relating with others can change our lives and can change the world. **Our Values** * **Respect:** Treat everyone with kindness and consideration. ❤️ * **Open-mindedness:** Be open to different perspectives and ideas. 🧠💡 * **Active Participation:** Share your thoughts and engage in meaningful discussions. 🗣️💬 **Staying in touch** Interested in finding out about all the events sooner than on Meetup or staying in touch beyond the events, you can join our WhatsApp channel and community using 👉🏽 [Deeper Connections WhatsApp Channel](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6CBAdIN9ijrEYdv33z) 👉🏽 [Deeper Connections WhatsApp Community](https://chat.whatsapp.com/EqGsmF3021RKTwBpGcuR80) **Keep This Event Free 💝** If this event brings you something meaningful, you can help others access the same transformational experience. Whether it's £5 or £15, every contribution keeps these events accessible to everyone in our community. You'll find a QR code on your conversation sheet during the event, or you can contribute here #SupportYourCommunity 👉🏽 [Ko-Fi](https://ko-fi.com/deeperconnections) 👉🏽 [Buy Me A Coffee](https://buymeacoffee.com/deeperconnections) 👉🏽 [PayPal](https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/DDSNCCFCYUEB2)

The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny Novel by Kiran Desai. Suggested by Naomi

Friendly book group Please remember to change your RSVP if you can't make it so someone on the waitlist can take your slot. New books chosen by popular vote and read 2 months later. We look forward to seeing you there!

Deeper Discussions - Non-fiction Book Club 📚💬

⚠️ **Please read any of the books voted below** 🙏🏽, and avoid last minute AI summaries. This is a **book club** after all! 😊 14 votes - Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me) - Carol Tavris & Elliot Aronson 14 votes - The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down - Haemin Sunim Join us for Deeper Discussions, where we dive into thought-provoking non-fiction books that challenge perspectives, inspire growth, and spark meaningful conversations. Whether you're an avid reader or just curious about exploring new ideas, this is a space to reflect, share, and gain new insights into the world around us. 🌍💡 **How does it work?** * The above books have already been voted on for reading * We will split into groups based on the book you've read 💬 * Everyone shares summary / thoughts 🧠 * Focused Discussion on a specific chapter or topic / theme from the book for 30 minutes 📚 * Open Q&A regarding the book and any related topics ❓ **What to Expect?** 🔍 **Deep Discussions**: We’ll explore key themes, insights, and arguments from this month’s two books 💬📚 💡 **Critical Thinking & Reflection**: Engage in conversations that go beyond surface-level takeaways. Challenge perspectives, question assumptions, and discover new ways of thinking. 🤔✨ 🌿 **Personal & Collective Growth**: Non-fiction books have the power to transform our understanding of society, relationships, and ourselves 🧠🚀 **How to get the most out of this event?** 📝 **Read the Book:** While reading the full book is ideal, even if complete significant amount can help you engage in the discussion. 📖✨ 🗣 **Respect & Openness:** Every perspective matters. This is a space for discussion, not debate. Stay curious, listen actively, and engage with an open mind. 🙏🌱 🤝 **Be Ready to Share & Learn:** What resonated with you? What challenged you? Personal reflections make the discussion richer and more meaningful. 💡🌍 📌 **Why a Non-Fiction Book Club?** 📖 **Expand Your Perspective:** Learn from diverse ideas, and real-world experiences. 🌏✨ 🧠 **Foster Growth:** Engage in stimulating conversations that challenge and refine your thinking. 💭🔄 💬 **Deepen Connections:** Connect with like-minded individuals who value insightful discussions and continuous learning. 🤝📚 **Who is this event for?** * You love exploring ideas that shape the world. 🌎 * You enjoy thought-provoking discussions. 🗣 * You want to engage in meaningful conversations beyond small talk. 💡 * You’re open to challenging your assumptions and learning from others. 🔄 **What's in it for you?** * 💡 **A Space for Reflection:** Step back and think critically about important ideas. * 📚 **New Perspectives:** Gain insights from both the book and fellow participants. * 🤝 **Deep Connections:** Meet others who share a love for learning and growth. **Ready to dive into big ideas?** 🌊 Join us for an evening of engaging, insightful discussions on a book that **challenges**, **inspires**, and **expands** the way we think. 🌟 We really hope to see you there! 👋 **About Deeper Connections** We have a mission at Deeper Connections to improve the quality of people's lives through conversation. All our events are centred around the concept of connecting deeply, because we believe we all deserve to be seen, felt and understood for who we really are. To have the 'deeper conversation' approach when relating with others can change our lives and can change the world. **Our Values** * **Respect:** Treat everyone with kindness and consideration. ❤️ * **Open-mindedness:** Be open to different perspectives and ideas. 🧠💡 * **Active Participation:** Share your thoughts and engage in meaningful discussions. 🗣️💬 **Staying in touch** Interested in finding out about all the events sooner than on Meetup or staying in touch beyond the events, you can join our WhatsApp channel and community using 👉🏽 [Deeper Connections WhatsApp Channel](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6CBAdIN9ijrEYdv33z) 👉🏽 [Deeper Connections WhatsApp Community](https://chat.whatsapp.com/EqGsmF3021RKTwBpGcuR80) **Keep This Event Free 💝** If this event brings you something meaningful, you can help others access the same transformational experience. Whether it's £5 or £15, every contribution keeps these events accessible to everyone in our community. You'll find a QR code on your conversation sheet during the event, or you can contribute here #SupportYourCommunity 👉🏽 [Ko-Fi](https://ko-fi.com/deeperconnections) 👉🏽 [Buy Me A Coffee](https://buymeacoffee.com/deeperconnections) 👉🏽 [PayPal](https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/DDSNCCFCYUEB2)

February Classic: Cosmicomics - Italo Calvino

**Note:** we are only going to be reading the 12 stories in the original 1965 edition of Cosmicomics, not the later stories which may be included in some editions under the title 'The Complete Cosmicomics'. See end of description for the list of 12 stories. **Description:** Italo Calvino's enchanting stories about the evolution of the universe, with characters that are fashioned from mathematical formulae and cellular structures. **'Naturally, we were all there, - dld Qfwfq said, - where else could we have been? Nobody knew then that there could be space. Or time either: what use did we have for time, packed in there like sardines?'** The Cosmicomics tell the story of the history of the universe, from the big bang, through millennia and across galaxies. It is witnessed through the eyes of 'cosmic know-it-all' Qfwfq, an exuberant, chameleon-like figure, who takes the shape of a dinosaur, a mollusc, a steamer captain and a moon milk gatherer, among others. Italo Calvino's funny, whimsical and delightful stories blend scientific fact, flights of fancy, parody and wordplay to show the strangeness and the wonders of the world. **List of stories:** 1.) The Distance of the Moon 2.) At Daybreak 3.) A Sign in Space 4.) All at One Point 5.) Without Colours 6.) Games Without End 7.) The Aquatic Uncle 8.) How Much Shall We Bet? 9.) The Dinosaurs 10.) The Form of Space 11.) The Light-Years 12.) The Spiral

Book Swap Social Event - Make New Friends Who Love Books

Do you have spare books lying around your home? Do you want to read new interesting books for free while socializing with interesting people? This is the event for you. We will enjoy nice drinks and snacks together at a beautiful lounge bar in London. You can bring your books and exchange them with whoever has the books you want to read. Since this is a Science and Philosophy book club, it would be great for you to bring non-fiction books that are insightful and thought-provoking. If you want to bring fiction books that are scientifically or philosophically insightful, feel free to bring those as well. Since it is a social event, I encourage everyone to make deep meaningful conversations and make new friends. You can come alone or bring your friends with you. If you come alone, there is no need to be shy or scared. I will welcome you and introduce you to cool interesting people to speak with. Also feel free to come even if you forget to bring any books.

February's Bingo Book Club pick📚: This Is How You Lose the Time War

**This Is How You Lose the Time War** (288 pages) **Genre:** Science Fiction, Romance, Epistolary, Time Travel **Summary:** In a war fought across centuries, timelines, and realities, two rival agents—Red and Blue—begin leaving taunting notes for each other in the ruins and wonders of worlds they’ve shaped. What starts as playful antagonism grows into something dangerous, intimate, and universe-shaking. Told through razor-sharp prose and coded letters scattered across the multiverse, *This Is How You Lose the Time War* is poetic, haunting, and unexpectedly tender—a story about connection, rebellion, and finding love in the unlikeliest corners of time. *** **Join Our Book Club Bingo! ⏳📚** For our February pick, we’re diving into something lyrical, romantic, and time-bending. Expect paradoxes, emotions, and possibly several gentle existential crises. And of course… Book Club Bingo! **How It Works:** ⏳ **Grab Your Bingo Card:** Filled with quotes, time-travel oddities, and iconic Red vs. Blue moments. ✅ **Mark Your Cards:** Check off squares as we discuss the twists, timelines, and letters. 🎉 **Shout “Bingo!”** Be the first to complete **two rows, columns, or diagonals**. 📚 **Win a Book:** Two readers will leave with a fresh new title for their TBR pile! Prepare for love, war, tangled timelines, and overly dramatic notes hidden in impossible places. 📍 **Dog & Bull (Surrey street) in Croydon** 📅 **18th of February 2026 (Wednesday) at 7:00 PM**