No Beach Reads: A Book Club

Name: "Flesh" by David Szalay
Start: 2026-06-28T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2026-06-28T23:00:00.000Z
Location: Midwest Coast Brewing Company

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

"Flesh" by David Szalay

Sun, Jun 28 · 4:00 PM CDT

Midwest Coast Brewing Company, 2137 W Walnut St, Chicago, IL, US

Join us for our first-ever meeting: a discussion of last year's Flesh by David Szalay, winner of the Booker Prize. It’s a slim but intense novel that follows a withdrawn man through fragments of his life, obsessed with the body—its appetites, vulnerabilities, and awkward presence in the world. The prose is cool and precise, the mood is bleakly funny and unsettling, and it’s the kind of book that leaves you asking, “Wait, what exactly did I just read?” in the best way.

We’ll meet at Midwest Coast Brewing, where there’ll be a food pop-up on site and BYO food is allowed, so think of this as meal-optional: come for an early dinner, a snack, or just a beer and a book.

We’ll do quick introductions, then a spoiler-friendly discussion focused on Szalay’s style, structure, and themes—body vs. self, masculinity, desire, shame, memory, and what it means to look at a life mostly from the outside. If you don't finish the book, don't let that stop you from joining us!

And if you need a copy of the book, DM the host, Vaidehi--she can send you a digital copy.