Book Drives Near Me

Bad Girls Book Club November 2026

**Our November novel is Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth!** **This month’s pick blends women’s fiction with a domestic thriller and a murder mystery. Expect suspense, crime, dark humor, witty moments, and a heartfelt story. It’s an exciting read with plenty for us to discuss! The book is 352 pages, and the audiobook runs 9 hours and 20 minutes.** Meet Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick: eighty-one years old, gloriously grumpy, fiercely independent, and never without a hot cup of tea―or a cutting remark. She minds her own business in her quiet Melbourne suburb, until a neighbor turns up dead and the whispers start flying. Because Elsie hasn’t always been Elsie. Once upon a headline, she was Mad Mabel Waller―Australia’s youngest convicted murderer. But was she really mad, or just misunderstood? Either way, she’s kept her secret buried for decades. Enter seven-year-old Persephone, a relentless little chatterbox who has just moved in across the road (armed with stickers, questions, and no sense of personal boundaries); Joan, who appears to have it in for Elsie; and a healthy dose of public interest―the cops are sniffing around, and the media is circling like seagulls at a picnic. So Mabel does what she’s always done best―she takes matters into her own hands. Is she a cantankerous old lady with a shady past? A cold-blooded killer with arthritis? Or just someone who’s finally ready to tell her side of the story? Sharp, surprising, and wickedly funny, this is the unforgettable story of a woman who’s spent a lifetime being underestimated―and is about to prove everyone wrong. Again.

LGBT Reads: November Book Discussion

Join us for our November book club gathering where we will come together to discuss [John of John](https://thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-library/books/john-of-john) by [Douglas Stuart](https://www.douglasdstuart.com/about) in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts. Library link: [John of John at Columbus Metro Library](https://cml.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S105C4292543)

📚 Quietly Thriving – Our Take on Silent Book Club 🌿

Maame by Jessica George

[Columbus library link to book](https://cml.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S105C3730872) Location: The Goat River South 219 S High St, Columbus, OH 43215 Street parking is free on Sundays [Menu](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/686d3ed16745133042482c5f/t/68ff654dbb03b96875430bde/1761568077220/all_brunch-20250311.pdf) Book summary: Maame (ma-meh) has many meanings in Twi but in my case, it means woman. It's fair to say that Maddie's life in London is far from rewarding. With a mother who spends most of her time in Ghana (yet still somehow manages to be overbearing), Maddie is the primary caretaker for her father, who suffers from advanced stage Parkinson's. At work, her boss is a nightmare and Maddie is tired of always being the only Black person in every meeting. When her mum returns from her latest trip to Ghana, Maddie leaps at the chance to get out of the family home and finally start living. A self-acknowledged late bloomer, she's ready to experience some important "firsts": She finds a flat share, says yes to after-work drinks, pushes for more recognition in her career, and throws herself into the bewildering world of internet dating. But it's not long before tragedy strikes, forcing Maddie to face the true nature of her unconventional family, and the perils--and rewards--of putting her heart on the line.

topic to be announced

topic to be announced **THANK YOU** *Franklin University* for hosting our meetup! To learn more about *Franklin University*, please visit their website: [https://www.franklin.edu/](https://www.franklin.edu/) **DIRECTIONS** Franklin University Fisher Hall 300 E. Main St, Columbus, OH 43215 Map: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/jxjBA2hUmS5qrvhq8](https://maps.app.goo.gl/jxjBA2hUmS5qrvhq8) Parking is FREE! Please park in Lot C in front of Fisher Hall. See attached map. NOTE: Map the address only. When mapping with Google Maps it may use the Fisher Hall at OSU, which is NOT correct. **Want to sponsor the pizza and/or bar tab?** Please contact me if you would like to sponsor this meetup's pizza and/or bar tab: angelo@mandato.com

I Will Kill Your Imaginary Friend for $200 - Robert Brockway

Join us for I Will Kill Your Imaginary Friend for $200 by Robert Brockway! To bright and anxious eight-year-old Kay Washington, the worst thing in the world is being alone with the quiet. That's why Eddie Video makes the perfect imaginary friend: He's smart, he's loud, he loves pulling pranks, and he's always there to chase away the silence. To mid-forties, down-on-his-luck Ivan, the worst thing in the world happened when he lost his imaginary friend. Now cursed with the ability to see everyone else's, Ivan makes a living by killing the imaginary friends of adults who couldn't let go. His only rule: No kids. But when one of Eddie Video's "pranks" goes too far, Ivan agrees to make an exception and help Kay. Only Ivan will soon learn that Eddie Video is nothing like the talking ostriches, star bears, and goblin princesses he's encountered in the past, and it's going to take a lot more than clumsy haymakers and steak knives to bring him down. A balance of comedy and catharsis, this dual-narrative tackles both the fear of growing up and the scars our childhood leaves behind.

Permission Granted

Somewhere along the way, a lot of us started waiting. Waiting to feel ready. Waiting for it to make sense. Waiting for someone else to say it’s okay to want what we want. Last time, we noticed what we’re curious about. This session asks the next question: who, exactly, do you believe is holding the permission? You’ll look honestly at one thing you’ve been waiting to do, and who or what you think has to say yes. You’ll see what a coaching conversation looks like on that very question. Then you’ll say your own permission out loud, with no “but” and no explaining. You’ll also take a close look at one “too old for” story with some real curiosity instead of simply accepting it. You don’t need to have read anything, and taking part is always your choice. Whether this is your first time with us or you’ve been with us since the beginning, you’re exactly on time. There’s nothing to catch up on.

Book BINGO!

**Book Bingo** is your monthly excuse to get competitive about reading. Play FREE bingo for the chance to win books and bookish goodies. Seats fill up fast, so come early, claim your spot, and get ready to yell BINGO! The **[Whispering Page Bookstore](https://whisperingpagebookstore.com/)** is a new concept bookshop in Old Worthington (in the historic Worthington Hardware Bldg). It features cozy nooks and social gathering spaces serving coffee, wine, beer and bakery (sweet and savory). **PARKING**: street parking and a large public parking lot behind the store.

Badass Book Club

Book Discussion

IxDA Chat ‘n Pancakes

Join the local UX and Design community for our casual monthly breakfast meetup. Ahead of Mozart's goodbye at the end of December, we're making a long-awaited return visit. Thanks to the team at Nationwide for supporting the community.

Game Day & Potluck Friendsgiving 🦃♟️

**B.B. Bookclub will be having a Friendsgiving Game Day!** This will be a potluck where we play games, eat, and yap. The games will be a mix of everything from board games, to card games, to Jackbox and more. Feel free to bring your favorite game, but not required, there will be plenty! **For the potluck if **everyone who attends could bring a dish of some kind**, it can be a main, side dish, desert or etc. Homemade or store bought is totally fine (**please message me an idea of what you plan to bring** so we don’t end up with like 10 pumpkin pies 🥧 😂 I’ll update here as people register)** This is not the regular monthly book club, no book is required to be read to attend. If you haven’t attended a book club or event before you are more than welcome to come, it’s the perfect time to join in & get to know everyone. Message me with any questions!