Novel Tourist Book Club: Adventures in Reading and Real Life

4.9•1713 ratings

Philadelphia, PA, US

1,914 members · Public group

What we’re about

Join us for adventures in reading & real life! We are a community of readers who discuss books over paired outings. Like to explore? Like to read? You’ve found your people! Join us here in-person and for online discussions wherever you are on the socials! FB, Insta, TikTok, Website

Newsletter/FB group: Meetup isn’t great at sending out notifications, so to stay up to date with the latest book and activity pairings, sign up for the newsletter at https://mailchi.mp/fc5e0725650d/thenoveltourist and join the community on our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ I also post regularly on books and book pairings on Instagram via @thenoveltourist

What the Club Will Do for You

The purpose of all NTBC events is to give you the opportunity to socialize with likeminded readers who are life long learners and love to try new experiences. If your goal is read more books, do more stuff and meet more friends, being part of NTBC can be a life-changing experience!

What You Can Do for the Club

Bring your fun-loving, healthy attitude. Be committed to reading, showing up when promised, and being respectful of other members. We require that your profile includes a clear picture of yourself so others can identify you at our events.

Terms and Conditions
By joining the Novel Tourist Book Club or signing up for or attending any event offered by the Novel Tourist Book Club, you agree to the following terms and conditions:

Readers please: NTBC is, first and foremost, a book club. We do a lot of amazing activities tied to the books. There are lots of Meetup groups that also do these fun activities. So, if you don’t like to read or don’t plan to read, we are sure there is another group out there that is more suited to your interests. Now, that said, it doesn’t mean you have to read the book or finish the book every time. Sometimes, you try and the book just doesn’t resonate with you. That’s okay! Come and tell us how much you didn’t like it! All we ask is that you try.
No Guests: Sadness, we know! We are all about the more the merrier, but there must be a limit to the number of attendees at any one event. Events fill up really fast and so unless the event allows you to add a guest (which will be very rare) your guest must create a Meetup account and rsvp for themselves as a member. Yay new members!
Liability Waiver: By signing up for an event, all members take full responsibility for their own actions and agree to adhere to the following terms and conditions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ZE-yUJEcHUnXF_A8MUsfxWhEmrKxZEcojrHh8FjQzc/edit; and further agree to hold harmless the Novel Tourists Book Club organizers and members of this Meetup book club from any and all claims and liability in case of possible injuries as stated in Paragraph 6 of the Meetup Terms of Service Agreement ( https://help.meetup.com/hc/en-us/articles/360027447252-Terms-of-Service#h_9e385395-a405-4361-8afc-854a4f586c82 ). When attending an event, you acknowledge that you are doing this at your own risk.
Event Payments:
1. Name: If your name on your Meetup profile is different than your name on your payment profile (PayPal, Venmo), please provide your meetup name when you make your payment;
2. Include Date or Event Title: Please include the date of the event or an indication of the event title (e.g. if we are going to a restaurant put the name of the restaurant not just “restaurant” or “book club.”)
Be Open-minded, Kind and Courteous: We can’t imagine anyone who loves to read being anything but open-minded, kind and courteous. However, I also know we bibliophiles can have some pretty strong opinions about books! Whether you agree with someone or not, no doubt you came here for a welcoming environment. Healthy debates are natural, but kindness is required.
No bullies: Personal attacks of any kind are not allowed. Period. I have zero tolerance for any bullying, degrading comments about another member’s race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, gender or identity. We are an open and inclusive community and to keep it that way a$$holes will be removed from the group.
Photos/Videos: Joining the group and attending an event means you’re a-okay with being photographed/video recorded during events. We always takes pics: for the memories and for promotion of future events and NTBC.
Communication settings: This is just helpful guidance. Events fill up really fast. Make sure your settings are set to maximize communication: Click on your profile pic in Meetup, click Settings, under General select Email Updates, scroll down and find The Novel Tourists Book Club under “Updates about your Group”, click Edit next to The Novel Tourists Book Club and then make your choices. I suggest checking “New Event Announcements,” “Changes to Event Time or Locations,” “My RSVP is confirmed,” and, most importantly: "Announcements to Members About the Group" and “Event updates from Organizer.” Also, you may want to download the Meetup app.
Carpooling: It’s great for the planet! However, any arrangements are between you and the person driving. The Novel Tourists Book Club organizers and hosts do not provide, endorse, sponsor or take responsibility for any carpool arrangements pertaining to any event. Please use your good judgment when deciding whether or not to carpool with other participants of the book club event you are attending.
Refund Policy:
1. Events with a fee of less than $5: No refunds, even if someone takes your spot. The events fill fast and the only way to really try to make sure that those who are truly interested and able to come get a seat, is a nominal fee. This fee is offered to the event host to pay for their entrance/meal/etc as a way of saying thank you for your time and for putting this together for us.
2. Events with a fee greater than $5: The general policy is if the Organizer/Host can get their money back, you’ll get your money back - if you timely cancelled. Once an event location has been paid, however, many times they won’t issue a refund. If they don’t refund us, we can’t refund you regardless of how far in advance you cancelled. That said, sometimes a refund can be issued IF you cancel at least a week in advance AND someone takes your spot. If you want to request a refund, message Audrey via Meetup to discuss. Please note, if you cancel the day before or the day of an event, there are refunds - regardless of the reason and regardless if someone takes your spot.
If you do not agree to the above terms and conditions, do not sign up for the club. There is probably a different club out there that will better meet your needs.

Happy reading and adventuring!
- Audrey

Upcoming events

See all

Suggest Book 📚💪 for March’s Theme: Women on the Move (Use the Online Form)
Sun, Jan 25 · 10:00 AM EST
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Online
Online
💪📚 BOOK THEME: WOMEN ON THE MOVE 📚💪

We’re looking for your suggestions for books about women stepping beyond traditional roles — especially in the mid-20th century or earlier, when expectations were tighter and choices felt bolder.

Suggest book HERE

⭐️Traveling, creating, working, leading

⭐️Breaking rules or expectations

⭐️Living boldly in changing times

⭐️ Historical or mid-century vibes welcome!

We’ll narrow it to 4 finalists, then you’ll vote for the winner!

⏳ Suggestion window closes January 25 — don’t wait!

Drop your book suggestions HERE!

After we get your ideas, we’ll pick 4 for everyone to select the winner!

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Each month we put out a call for ideas for one book that will have both an online discussion event as well as an inperson event. After you share your ideas, we'll pick four to put out for vote as the Member Choice Book for the month. After the book is chosen…well that’s when the fun begins! Stay tuned for the exciting paired online discussion and in person event!

This is not an "event" it is just a post to share the link to suggest the Member Choice Book for this month's theme. But feel free to click "attend" because then Meetup will show this to more people and we'll get lots of great book club book ideas!

🎉Stay connected to other adventurous readers! Join the Novel Tourist online community:
📸Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/thenoveltourist/
🌟Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNovelTourist

Thanks for participating! Reading books and doing stuff together as a book club brings us all so much joy. 🤩
4 attendees
🙏Volunteer Opportunity: 📘Sorting Stories at BookSmiles 😁
Sun, Feb 1 · 10:00 AM EST
BookSmiles, 7300 N Crescent Blvd #10, Pennsauken, PA, US
Join Audrey for a feel-good volunteer opportunity to advance literacy for children by sorting children's books at BookSmiles. We'll help give stories a second life in the hands of kids who need them! BookSmiles is a nonprofit that collects, culls, and redistributes gently used children’s books to educators and families across our region. 💛

WHAT WE’LL DO
Where: BookSmiles
Address: 7300 North Crescent Blvd. #10, Pennsauken, NJ 08110
Time: 10:00am-12:00pm

We’ll roll up our sleeves and:
- 🧽 Sort & quality-check donated books
- 🏷️ Organize by reading level/genre
No experience needed—BookSmiles staff will train us on the spot.

🚗Parking: Free lot parking.

What to bring/wear:
- 👟 Closed-toe shoes
- 👕 Comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting a little dusty
- 💧 Water bottle (there’s a refill spot)
🍔Lunch: TBD
We’ll head to a nearby lunch spot to nom nom and engage in bookish chatter over our shared volunteer experience.

🎉Follow for more bookish adventures:
📸Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/thenoveltourist/
🌟Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNovelTourist
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📸 Photos & Video Notice:
This event may be photographed or recorded for The Novel Tourist.com website and social media, including YouTube. By registering and attending, you consent to being photographed or filmed. If you prefer not to appear on camera, just let me (Audrey) know—I’m happy to accommodate you.

❓Event Review Guidance:
Meetup reviews are now public. Did you love the event? Tell the world with a 5-star rating AND a comment!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Please remember, you’re reviewing the club experience, not the location.

Rules: Here are the Club’s Basic Rules and Liability Release. You should read them because by signing up for an event you agree to them.

Happy Reading!
Audrey
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You can ignore all this part. It’s just for the Meetup algorithm. To make sure our Book Club events get seen. The Novel Tourist Book Club is a fantastic book club where people social can get to know each other meet new friends have fun, exploring hobbies dining out at restaurants. We read books and volunteer. Make new friends. Lots of fun with Book Club. Socializing. Social event. Rodeos and westerns Lots of hobbies dining out is great fun. We read a lot of fun books. we visit libraries and eat food at restaurants. love to explore and meet new people to try out hobby. socializing is great and we love to read books and explore our hobbies we meet new friends and socialize and volunteer with books!
34 attendees
January’s Member Choice Online 📚Book Discussion: “Mona’s Eyes”
Mon, Feb 2 · 7:00 PM EST
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Online
Online
The votes are in and you all knew exactly which book you wanted for January!! Join us for our online discussion of Mona’s Eyes - our “2025 debut” Member Choice pick to ring in 2026! Online discussion as always on the last Monday of the month at 7pm- except this month! 😆 Audrey is unavailable on Jan. 26 so we’re moving the discussion to Feb. 2.

‼️Stay tuned for the paired in-person adventure! It's definitely going to be very artsy...

Online Meets link will be posted on the day of the event.

🎉Want more ideas for bookish fun? Join the Novel Tourist online community:

📸Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/thenoveltourist/
🌟Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNovelTourist

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📚NOVEL: Mona’s Eyes by Thomas Schlesser
Genre: Fiction

Ten-year-old Mona and her beloved grandfather have only fifty-two Wednesdays to visit fifty-two works of art and commit to memory “all that is beautiful in the world” before Mona loses her sight forever.

While the doctors can find no explanation for Mona’s brief episode of blindness, they agree that the threat of permanent vision loss cannot be ruled out. The girl’s grandfather, Henry, may not be able to stop his granddaughter from losing her sight, but he can fill the encroaching darkness with beauty. Every Wednesday for a year, the pair abscond together and visit a single masterpiece in one of Paris’s renowned museums. From Botticelli to Basquiat, Mona learns how each artist’s work shaped the world around them. In turn, the young girl’s world is changed forever by the power of their art. Under the kind and careful tutelage of her grandfather, Mona learns the true meaning of generosity, melancholy, love, loss, and revolution. Her perspective will never be the same—nor will the reader’s.

Happy Reading!
Audrey

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-------------------The below is silly babble just for the algorithm - no need for book club members to read this!-------------------------------
Reading books everywhere including in Philadelphia and New Jersey and thecworkd’s neighborhoods is such a fun way to make new friends and be social with book loving book club members who like to read and explore urban areas and try new activities such as hiking, reading, craft, hobbies, museums and more! It's especially fun for a book club to go on outdoor and indoor adventures with all the book club friends who like to explore and try new hobbies and discuss books and be always
26 attendees
$15.00
SOUP SWAP* and discuss the short story "Pozole" by Andrew Porter
Sun, Feb 22 · 2:00 PM EST
Wayne, PA 19087, Wayne, PA, US
The depths of winter seems like the perfect time to gather at my home for a tasting-meal of homemade soups and a soup swap! We'll discuss the short story Pozole from Andrew Porter’s collection The Disappeared while we sample -- and then exchange containers of -- each other’s soups! At the end you'll have a full belly and a bag full of several varieties of soup from the kitchens of your fellow Novel Tourists. Yay, no cooking for days 🙃

The Book:
I've provided a Youtube link if you would like to listen to the author recite the short story (6 minutes long). If you would like to experience the short story within its collection, the book link is also included.

Note: Because it is taking place at a private home, this event is only for members who have attended at least one prior Novel Tourists event. If you haven’t, we encourage you to sign up for a different event so we can be great soup friends next time!

EVENT: Soup Swap!

*A soup swap is much like a cookie -- or a book -- swap, but with soup instead. Everyone brings some homemade soup, you taste and trade at the party, and then get to take some soup home!

Bring 6 pints of homemade soup packed in 6 separate new, leakproof containers (like these, for example ). At least 2 of the pints should be unfrozen.

Recipe: Either the one you used or if you make up your own, please write it down. I’ll ask you to share it a few days in advance of the party.

FEE: $15.00. The fee covers the party supplies like napkins, bowls, etc and helps support the group! BYOB - Bring your own wine/beer. Non-alcoholic beverages will be provided, as will appetizers, soup-tasting sides, and dessert.

HOW TO PAY (Joanne Miller): Use Friends and Family! Do not use the business option because it charges a fee. Please note the event name or date on your payment.

Venmo - @jmcenteemiller (phone ends in 4655)

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Let’s be social!:**
🎉Follow for more bookish adventures:
📸Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/thenoveltourist/
🌟Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNovelTourist

❓Event Review Guidance:
Meetup reviews are now public. Did you love the event? Tell the world with a 5-star rating AND a comment!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I love putting together fun literary adventures and your comments feed my soul. But, if you didn't like something, please don’t submit a negative review — instead, message me (Audrey) directly with your suggestions so we can improve the club together!

Rules:
Here are the Club’s Basic Rules and Liability Release. You should read them because by signing up for an event you agree to them.
12 attendees