What we’re about
A book club in SE London, everyone welcome. We aim to meet once a month on a Monday 7pm to discuss a book chosen by those who attended the previous one.
There isn't a particular theme to this book club but we'll read more or less equal numbers of books by female and male authors.
Upcoming events (2)
See all- Older book choice - The Inimitable Jeeves (1923) by P. G. WodehouseThe Shirker's Rest, London
As this humorous classic is apparently out-of-US-copyright, you can read or download the whole thing from Project Gutenberg:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/59254
...or enjoy various volunteer-read chapters here (or via the Librivox app):
https://librivox.org/the-inimitable-jeeves-by-p-g-wodehouse/Although this collection of mostly self-contained stories is an accessible, plot-driven introduction to Wodehouse (eg the opening episode Jeeves Exerts the Old Cerebellum), you can skip ahead to the ingenious ending (Bingo and the Little Woman) if you find the middle chapters repetitive, though Comrade Bingo is another highlight.
"It matters not one whit that [Wodehouse] writes endless variations on a theme of pig kidnappings, lofty butlers, and ludicrous impostures. He is the greatest musician of the English language..."
- Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhikers' Guide to the GalaxyGeneral plan: by 7pm some of us should be in the upstairs room at the pub but we usually start by discussing books to read in future in case anyone arrives late. Typically we'll talk about the topic until after 8pm, when there's a short break to go to the bar, then any further discussion till after 9, though of course you can leave at any point.
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/ - they don't have a kitchen but encourage you to order from https://yardsalepizza.com/menu/ ..!
- Newer book choice - Hot Milk (2016) by Deborah LevyThe Shirker's Rest, London
Apologies that the "Newer book" events fill up so fast - see our Upcoming Events list for details of more meetings during the month:
https://www.meetup.com/new-cross-book-club/events/
"Two women arrive in a village on the Spanish coast... Through the opposing figures of mother and daughter, Deborah Levy explores the strange and monstrous nature of womanhood. Dreamlike and utterly compulsive, Hot Milk is a delirious fairy tale of feminine potency, a story both modern and timeless..."
General plan: by 7pm some of us should be in the upstairs room at the pub but we usually start by discussing books to read in future in case anyone arrives late. Typically we'll talk about the book until after 8pm, when there's a short break to go to the bar, 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 "about £1" 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/ - they don't have a kitchen but encourage you to order from https://yardsalepizza.com/menu/ ..!
