About us
Don't get us wrong: who doesn't love a good beach read? But you don't need nearly as much motivation for that as you do to finish (or start) something like James Joyce's Ulysses. That's the point of this group--to give you accountability, and company, to tackle more challenging literature.
We’re here for novels, nonfiction, and essays that spark deep thought and great conversation--in a chill and unpretentious way (despite how pretentious our title might sound!)
We’ll focus on prize-winners, longlisted titles, modern and classic literature, translated works, and books that critics and serious readers can’t stop talking about. Meetings will be relaxed but substantive: expect thoughtful discussion, differing opinions, and space to disagree respectfully.
Whether you’re trying to read more “serious” books, finally get to those intimidating titles on your shelf, or just meet other readers who enjoy a challenge, you’re welcome here.
Featured event
"Gilead" by Marilynne Robinson
CANCELLATION POLICY: If you can no longer attend, you must "cancel" your RSVP on MeetUp by no later than Friday, July 17 or you will be removed from the group--this is extremely important as I am putting money down to reserve the venue for the exact number of people.
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Join us for a discussion of Gilead (2004) by Marilynne Robinson, winner of the Pulitzer Prize. It’s a quiet but powerful novel written as a long letter from an aging pastor to his young son, reflecting on faith, doubt, history, and the ordinary moments that end up defining a life.
The meeting will take place over brunch & drinks at Ox Bar & Hearth. You can find the menu here.
We've chosen the time so not as to interfere with the world cup final at 3 pm.
And if you need a copy of the book, DM the host, Vaidehi--she can send you a digital copy.
Upcoming events
3
"Gilead" by Marilynne Robinson
1500 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL, USCANCELLATION POLICY: If you can no longer attend, you must "cancel" your RSVP on MeetUp by no later than Friday, July 17 or you will be removed from the group--this is extremely important as I am putting money down to reserve the venue for the exact number of people.
------------Join us for a discussion of Gilead (2004) by Marilynne Robinson, winner of the Pulitzer Prize. It’s a quiet but powerful novel written as a long letter from an aging pastor to his young son, reflecting on faith, doubt, history, and the ordinary moments that end up defining a life.
The meeting will take place over brunch & drinks at Ox Bar & Hearth. You can find the menu here.
We've chosen the time so not as to interfere with the world cup final at 3 pm.And if you need a copy of the book, DM the host, Vaidehi--she can send you a digital copy.
8 attendees
There Is No Antimemetics Division
Pilot project Brewing, 2140 n Milwaukee ave, Chicago, IL, USSome stories stick with you. This one refuses to. Join us as we dive into There Is No Antimemetics Division, a mind-bending thriller about ideas that erase themselves—and the agents fighting to remember what the world is trying to forget. Come ready for paranoia, puzzles, and the unsettling question: what if the most dangerous threat is the one you can’t even think about?
- Genre: Science fiction / horror (cosmic horror, conceptual sci-fi)
- Author: qntm (pen name of Sam Hughes)
- Pages: ~220
- Year of publication: originally serialized 2015–2016, self-published as a novel in 2020; revised traditional edition published November 11, 2025
Here is a link to a PDF of the book. It's also available in hard copy, Kindle, or audiobook.
9 attendees- $1.00
Potluck Discussion: "The Idiot" (not Dostoevsky!)
home of host, Vaidehi, in Ukranian Village, Chicago Avenue & Washtenaw Avenue, Chicago, IL, USJoin us for a potluck book club discussion of The Idiot by Elif Batuman (2017) -- a finalist for the Pulitzer! This will be lead by various alumni of the University of Chicago, so it will be a good intellectual discussion! The book was a recommendation of an alumna and one of our members.
We’ll talk about its sharp, funny take on first‑year student life at Harvard in the mid‑1990s—language, love, the early days of email, and what it means to come of age in a world that doesn’t quite make sense.
This is a potluck and BYOB. Please bring a dish, snack, or beverage to share, and sign up for that on this Google sheet.
9 attendees
Past events
2
