Book Drives Los Angeles

Evening Book Club: The Stranger

Book for **October**: The Stranger by Albert Camus. Club is for the girls (and the gays!) to get together and chat about the book we read this month. Age range early/mid twenties ✨ Please RSVP to join the event! Since we only have 10 spots no cancellations please. We will discuss over tea or wine at historic Cafe Mak in ktown. If you cannot finish the book on time, feel free to still come and hang out :)

September Bookclub: The Correspondent — Virginia Evans

**📚 Our September Book Has Been Chosen!** Thanks to everyone who voted! Our next **Books & Brew** read is: ***The Correspondent — Virginia Evans*** Grab a copy, start reading, and join us for a great conversation! **About the Book** Sybil Van Antwerp has spent much of her life putting pen to paper. Through letters exchanged with family, friends, authors, and strangers, she shares her thoughts, frustrations, memories, and the pieces of herself that can sometimes be easier to express in writing than face-to-face. Told entirely through correspondence, *The Correspondent* gradually reveals the story of a complicated, sharp-witted woman confronting the relationships, regrets, and losses that have shaped her life. Warm, reflective, and deeply human, the novel explores connection, forgiveness, grief, and the ways we continue to grow and understand ourselves—even when we think we already know our own story.

Book Club: Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Put the kettle on, there’s a mystery brewing… Tea-shop owner. Matchmaker. Detective? Sixty-year-old self-proclaimed tea expert Vera Wong enjoys nothing more than sipping a good cup of Wulong and doing some healthy ‘detective’ work on the internet (AKA checking up on her son to see if he’s dating anybody yet). But when Vera wakes up one morning to find a dead man in the middle of her tea shop, it’s going to take more than a strong Longjing to fix things. Knowing she’ll do a better job than the police possibly could – because nobody sniffs out a wrongdoing quite like a suspicious Chinese mother with time on her hands – Vera decides it’s down to her to catch the killer. Nobody spills the tea like this amateur sleuth. Looking forward to enjoying tea during our discussion at Steep in Chinatown. The menu can be found here: https://steepla.com/ The event fee will secure your reservation and be applied to membership dues, which covers the cost of the website. The event fee is nonrefundable unless the event is canceled by the organizer. To join the waitlist comment on the event page. If you have RSVPed and can no longer attend, please contact me directly and I will contact the people on the waiting list and then move you to "not going" when I find a replacement. Thank you and happy reading!

Blood Relations by Jonathan Moore

A modern detective novel featuring PI Lee Crowe, who investigates the mysterious death of Claire Gravesend, found in a cocktail dress atop a Rolls Royce in a dangerous San Francisco neighborhood. The story unfolds as Crowe navigates family secrets and unexpected twists while Claire's wealthy mother insists her daughter did not commit suicide

Chef's Kiss - Author conversation with Akanksha Aurora (Desi Buchanan)

We have the wonderful opportunity to sit down and talk with local author and friend of the book club Akanksha Aurora (pen name Desi Buchanan). We will be talking with her about her spicy novella Chef's Kiss. Newly laid off from her writing job in Los Angeles, Aasha has no choice but to return to Bombay, leaving her apartment, Pilates membership and polyamorous boyfriend behind. Enter Chef Aditya, a Bombay boy who knows how to throw it down in the kitchen and the bedroom. As sparks fly in their Diwali romance, Aasha can’t help but is Chef Aditya the missing ingredient she’s been looking for, or is this whole thing a recipe for disaster? You can follow and support Akanksha and her many adventures by following her on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bombay_satire

"I See You've Called In Dead" by John Kenney: Book TBD

**\*\*\*NOTE: We have changed the date for this event, to October 17th\*\*\*** **LOCATION:** Marla's House! Address will be emailed and posted the Friday before! (South Redondo Beach) **WHAT WE'RE READING:** *The Office meets Six Feet Under meets About a Boy in this coming-of-middle-age tale about having a second chance to write your life’s story.* Bud Stanley is an obituary writer who is afraid to live. Yes, his wife recently left him for a “far more interesting” man. Yes, he goes on a particularly awful blind date with a woman who brings her ex. And yes, he has too many glasses of Scotch one night and proceeds to pen and publish his own obituary. The newspaper wants to fire him. But now the company’s system has him listed as dead. And the company can’t fire a dead person. The ensuing fallout forces him to realize that life may be actually worth living. As Bud awaits his fate at work, his life hangs in the balance. Given another shot by his boss and encouraged by his best friend, Tim, a worldly and wise former art dealer, Bud starts to attend the wakes and funerals of strangers to learn how to live. Thurber Prize-winner and *New York Times* bestselling author John Kenney tells a funny, touching story about life and death, about the search for meaning, about finding and never letting go of the preciousness of life. **NO SHOW POLICY:** In April 2019, a new NO SHOW POLICY was put into place to help ensure people on the waitlist can get into each meeting with enough time to read the book while also weeding out flakey flakers who reserve a seat but don't use it. The new NO SHOW POLICY is in two parts: (1) If you RSVP 'Going' and cancel your RSVP within seven days of book club WITHOUT EXPLANATION, you'll be immediately removed from the group. (2) If you RSVP 'Going' and cancel your RSVP within seven days of book club with explanation, but for any reason, you'll be marked a 'No Show.' If you rack up three 'No Shows," you'll be removed from the group.

A Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhirst

A Marriage at Sea: A True Story of Love, Obsession, and a Shipwreck. Written by Sophie Elmhirst, Marriage at Sea is a nonfiction story about a British couple who spent 118 days stranded on a tiny raft in the Pacific Ocean after a whale sank their boat. It is said to be gripping and a page turner. Please join us at 10:30am for Discussion and Brunch at The Farmhouse at Descanso Gardens. Any questions, please reach out to the organizer, Alison.

Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash

Walk up Barnsdell to see the International Space Station go over

We will wait approximately 10- 15 minutes and then head up the park to hopefully see the ISS go over at 7:21 PM. It will be visible for 5 minutes! It will be 10° above NNW. Bring binoculars--not necessary. I've seen it without them before. We will walk to the grassy area next to the Hollyhock house. Link: [https://www.nasa.gov/spot-the-station/#Sightings](https://www.nasa.gov/spot-the-station/#Sightings) You'll have great views of the city up here too and get to see cool architecture like Frank Lloyd Wright Hollyhock House. [https://www.barnsdall.org/](https://www.barnsdall.org/) No one in bad health since we are walking up some stairs. Bring warm clothes. **Cloudy or rain cancels.**

A South Pas/Garfield Park & Beyond, 10K-Step Challenge #30 [TCP MOAI Adventure]

**SNIFF - EXPLORE - EXERCISE** **Welcome to [The Canis Pack IKIGAI 10K Adventure] + Purpose, Friendship, Togetherness & Support!** **We Will Not Wait Until Life Is Not Hard To WELCOME Strength, Beauty & Joy Into Our Lives!** [**THIS IS A WALK FOR PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE DOGS - AND FOR THOSE WHO DO**] **AGENDA;** **\- Gathering at 5:45 \- 1000 Park Ave\ Garfield Park** **\- Leaving at 6:00 pm Promptly** **\- Bathroom Break as we head out** **\- Continue with the Inner and Outer Loop walk** **\- After the Loops\, then exploring the surrounding South Pasadena neighborhood\.** **\- This will be a 10K Walk – About 6\.2\-5 miles** **\- 2 Hours or so Walk** **\- 8:00 pm \- Returning to Garfield Park** **WHAT TO BRING;** **\- Water** **\- A Warm Jacket for Chilly Nights** **\- Flash Lite** **\- Bug Spray** **\- Snacks if needed** **\- Good walking shoes** **\- Comfortable walking clothes** **\- A bright Jacket for the Dark days** **LISTEN, THERE'S MORE** **Goal: A STRONG LIKE-MINDED TOGETHERNESS!** \* We will Establish Togetherness \* We will Bring about a Strong Awareness \* We will Establish a Strong National Presence \* We will Be Active and Responsible \* We will Always Think as a Like-Minded Group \* We will Put our Health and Wellbeing First \* We are a Pack-Family \* We will Gather and Walk with Harmony **THE IMPORTANT POINTS ARE THESE;** ONLY (10) TEN DOGS FOR THIS WALK, SO SIGN UP QUICK AND BE ACTIVE AND SHOW UP. CALLING UP TO (60) HUMANS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN GETTING SOME STRONG, INVIGORATING, FRESH AIR! **[ALSO, PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE BRINGING YOUR DOG!]** We will be walking around. No running involved. Just a casual, social walk. Bring water if you need it. Around the center loop of GP and around the outer loop of GP. Then we will venture through the neighborhood and back to the Park. At the end of the walk, the humans with the dogs may stay for 15 to 20 minutes to ask questions or get tips on dog behavior. 🙏🏾Space is limited, so **Please (RSVP) only if you’re 100% sure you will attend.** If you (**RSVP)** and don’t show, it is a **🚩Red Flag🚩** for future events—we all appreciate strong reliability and respecting others’ being able to have a spot.🙏🏾 We’ll be **walking until** **around 8:00 PM.** Expect to hit somewhere between **10,000–12,000 steps (approximately 7.5-9 miles),** depending on the pace and group. This is going to go really well, and I will be hosting more **midweek walking events** **every other week** so we can **stay active together** and **make exercise a routine in our day-to-day lives.** **NOW IS THE TIME, LET'S GET TO IT – GENERAL INFO;** This meetup group is for Dog owners and Humans who enjoy exploring, exercising, and socializing with their furry friends. Whether you're into agility training, dog training, or simply love visiting the great outdoors and fun places with your pup, or just yourself, this group is for you. All sizes and breeds of dogs are welcome to join us for group walks, or meetups, and social gatherings. Let's make new friends, strengthen the bond with our dogs, neighboring humans, and have a Pawsitively good time together! Join us and become part of the pack today. Garfield Park allows dogs. But they must be on a leash, and it will be your own responsibility. **Free street parking is available in the surrounding areas** **Garfield Park is located at 1000 Park Ave. South Pasadena, CA 91030**

[Meeting #16] Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch is a science fiction thriller about a physics professor, Jason Dessen, who is abducted and wakes up in an alternate reality where he is a celebrated scientist who chose his career over his family. The novel follows his desperate journey across infinite parallel universes to return to his original life, exploring themes of choice, identity, and the multiverse, and has been adapted into a major Apple TV+ series. Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27833670-dark-matter

Literary Open Mic

Bring a five-minute (maximum) original reading to share with a community of writers. Or just come drink beer and soak in the poetry, short stories, songs, monologues, and more! It's free to attend and free to read. Check out our [merch](https://noholitmic.threadless.com/)! **Please note that the only way to reserve a spot to read is to follow this link to our [sign-up form](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sYc12KZ9c_P_6jbylgF1R1ER03S35XghUYgCR52Irf8/edit?tab=t.0) (or copy and paste the link below).** RSVPing on MeetUp doesn't guarantee you a spot! If you'd like to come listen without reading, you are very welcome to, and you do not need to sign up or RSVP. [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sYc12KZ9c_P_6jbylgF1R1ER03S35XghUYgCR52Irf8/edit?tab=t.0](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sYc12KZ9c_P_6jbylgF1R1ER03S35XghUYgCR52Irf8/edit?tab=t.0)