General book club: Recent Recommendations & (optional) Paperback Swap

An exciting new format due to the first Monday of the month falling on the preceding bank holiday - on Mon May 12 you can come along and discuss books in general, including (but not restricted to) possible choices for what we'd like to discuss on Mon Jul 7.

Feel free to bring (a small number of) any spare paperbacks you think may be of interest to other members - we have a growing collection of novels you're very welcome to take home instead.

We'll probably go around the room soon after 7pm and ask people to introduce themselves, what sort of authors they like and (optionally) a book they've fairly recently enjoyed. After this, we may re-organise into smaller groups to explore the kinds of books we typically select - short well-known contemporary fiction, exceptional non-fiction, exceptional older/genre fiction? - with the usual break to go to the bar at 8pm, then any further discussion till after 9, though of course you can leave at any point.

If you've been before and would like to help pay for the Meetup group, you can contribute "£1-2" per meeting (now collected around Dec & Jun). This optional payment does not apply to your first meeting and no-one is turned away for lack of funds.

The Shirker's Rest takes cards, not cash, and serves a range of soft drinks, wine and spirits in addition to their beer and cider selection [https://theshirkersrest.co.uk/drinks/ ](https://theshirkersrest.co.uk/drinks/)- they don't have a kitchen but encourage you to order from https://yardsalepizza.com/menu/ ..!

COVID-19 safety measures
This is indoors though we should be able to open at least one window. Please do not attend if you feel unwell, or have a positive Covid test/symptoms - you are encouraged to a) be as vaccinated as you can, b) wear a mask if you prefer, c) follow current Covid precautions, especially if you're at risk of passing on or catching the virus.