About us
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:
- 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;
- 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:
- 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.
- 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
6
- $20.00
Guided Tour of Rosenbach Museum and Library
Rosenbach Museum & Library, 2008 Delancey Place, Philadelphia, PA, USJoin Brenda and Audrey for a Novel Tourist members-only adventure inside one of Philadelphia’s literary treasures! We’ll enjoy a guided tour of the Rosenbach Museum & Library, home to an incredible collection of nearly 400,000 rare books, manuscripts, and fascinating historical objects—including some of the most famous literary artifacts in the world. After soaking up all that bookish fabulousness, we'll wander to a nearby cafe (TBD) for a snack to socialize and enjoy a relaxed chat about our favorite discoveries from the tour.
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FEE: $20 First pay goes. Limited to 25 attendees. Payment information below.
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THE TOUR: Rosenbach Museum and Library
We’re taking a guided tour of the Rosenbach brothers’ 19th-century townhouse to explore the founders’ collection of rare books, manuscripts, decorative arts, and more. Highlights of the collection include holdings from James Joyce, Bram Stoker, Lewis Carroll, Phillis Wheatley, Joseph Conrad, Charles Dickens, Cervantes, George Washington, and countless others.The tour includes admission to the new permanent collection galleries Treasures from the Rosenbach’s Collection: Literature of Great Britain & Ireland and Treasures from the Rosenbach’s Collection: History of the Material Text
💵 FEE: $20 ($15 for the admission/tour, $5 goes to support the Book Club)
Spots are filled first pay, first goes. There are only 25 spots.HOW TO PAY: Use Friends and Family! Do not use the business option because it charges me a fee. Please note the event name or date on your payment.
Venmo - @audrey-Heller1 (phone ends in 4478)
PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/AudreyBug🚗Parking: Garage
🚆Some Nearby Public Transportation:- PATCO (16/Locust)
- Regional Rail (Suburban Station)
📸 Photos & Video Notice:
This event will be photographed or recorded for The Novel Tourist website and social media, including but not limited to YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. By registering and attending, you are consenting to being photographed or filmed and your image, likeness and voice being used for those purposes. Say cheese!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!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟📝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.—------------------------------------------------------------------
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 and plays and theater dining out at restaurants. We read books. 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 we love food and fiction!25 attendees - $25.00
🎭STAGE and 📕STORY: “Carrie: The Musical"
Old Academy Players Theatre, 3540-3544 Indian Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA, USJoin Audrey at Old Academy Players in East Falls to watch the live production of Carrie: The Musical 🎶 based on the book. I'm a big 'ole chicken when it comes to anything Stephen King and wasn't going to put this together, but Kat talked me into it and I love Old Academy Theater. So...someone's gonna have to save me if I run screaming 😱 from the theater! After the musical, we'll meet for an early dinner at LeBus (walk down the hill) for social time and discussion.
🎟️ Tickets are $25. Limit 25. First pay, first go. (Pay Audrey, details below)
💵 HOW TO PAY: Use Friends and Family! Do not use the business option because it charges a fee. Please note your Meetup name and the event name or date on your payment.
Venmo - @audrey-Heller1 (phone ends in 4478)
PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/AudreyBug🎭 THE STAGE: Carrie: The Musical
Theater: Old Academy Players (East Falls, Philadelphia)
Show Time: 2:00pm
Director: Josh Tull
Carrie White is a teenage outcast who longs to fit in. At school, she’s bullied by the popular crowd, and virtually invisible to everyone else. At home, she’s ridiculed by her cruelly controlling mother. What none of them know is that Carrie has unique abilities and, if pushed too far, it could spell disaster for all of those around her. Based on the best-selling novel by Stephen King, Carrie: The Musical takes you through a coming of age journey like no other.🚗 PARKING: Parking is free in the theater's lot. If you're going to dinner afterwards, you can leave your car there as we just need to walk down the hill.
🌮 Early Dinner: Le Bus
4201 Ridge Ave (just down the hill from the theater)
Menu: American Homestyle
The morning air was noticeably chilly when David Braverman parked a school bus dubbed “Max” on the University of Pennsylvania’s campus. He had no culinary training other than tidbits passed down from his father’s deli and snippets gleaned from the cookbooks he’d paged through, but he had an idea and three guiding principles — make everything from scratch, use only the best ingredients, and try everything. And so it was that on a fateful morning in March of 1978, armed with a few home-roasted meats, some fresh-baked blueberry muffins, and a pot of hot coffee, David slid open the window of trusty old Max, and greeted the first LeBus customer. Read more...📕THE STORY: Carrie by Stephen King
Genre: Fiction, Horror
Unpopular at school and subjected to her mother's religious fanaticism at home, Carrie White does not have it easy. But while she may be picked on by her classmates, she has a gift she's kept secret since she was a little girl: she can move things with her mind. Doors lock. Candles fall. Her ability has been both a power and a problem. And when she finds herself the recipient of a sudden act of kindness, Carrie feels like she's finally been given a chance to be normal. She hopes that the nightmare of her classmates' vicious taunts is over . . . but an unexpected and cruel prank turns her gift into a weapon of horror so destructive that the town may never recover.📸 Photos & Video Notice:
This event may be photographed or recorded for The Novel Tourist.com website and social media, including our new YouTube channel! 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.Let’s be social!:
🎉Follow for more bookish adventures:
🎥 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenoveltourist
📸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!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟📝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.
—------------------------------------------------------------------
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 and plays and theater dining out at restaurants. We read books. 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 we love theater!30 attendees 
FDR Park Asian Market and "Family Style" - Member Hosted Foodie Fiction
Southeast Asian Market, 1500 Pattison Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19145, Philadelphia, PA, USJoin Elisa to celebrate Asian-American & Pacific Island Heritage Month in May and try out sizzling skewers, steaming satay, or sweetly spiced sauces swirled through the sultry, smoky streets of a stunning Southeast Asian open-air market in South Philly’s FDR Park (💰bring cash!). We will discuss the paired book, Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam, a “moving young adult graphic novel memoir about a Vietnamese immigrant boy's search for belonging.” It's our first graphic novel!
📚 THE BOOK: Family Style by Thien Pham
Genre: Graphic Novel Memoir (YA)
Thien's first memory isn't a sight or a sound. It's the sweetness of
watermelon and the saltiness of fish. It's the taste of the foods he ate while
adrift at sea as his family fled Vietnam.After the Pham family arrives at a refugee camp in Thailand, they struggle to survive. Things don't get much easier once they resettle in California. And through each chapter of their lives, food takes on a new meaning. Strawberries come to signify struggle as Thien's mom and dad look for work. Potato chips are an indulgence that bring Thien so much joy that they become a necessity.
🥢 FOODIE: Just for Fun Scavenger Hunt and Lunch at Asian Market
📍FDR Park
The adventure begins (11am) at the picnic tables at the entrance of the market where you will be given your mission. You will join a small group of Novel Tourists to seek out key items (specific food, cultural items, national items, etc.) throughout the market in a fun-filled Scavenger Hunt to help familiarize yourself with the various stalls. Once you finish, then grab lunch from one or more vendors and meet us back at the picnic tables to share your success in locating each item on the scavenger hunt and to discuss the book.Please visit the FDR Park website for information about the market:
https://www.fdrseamarket.com🚗 PARKING 1500 Pattison Ave & S.Broad St. The market is located at the back of the park loop in FDR Park next to the stadium complex in South Philadelphia. There is parking all along the park drive and under the overpass inside of the park. Do not park on the left side of the drive, it’s a bike lane. ♿Handicapped Parking spots are located at the driveway at the mouth of the market behind security. Just show them your placard or your plate.
🚆PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: Broad Street/Orange Line train to NRG Station which lets out at Broad and Pattinson is the closest stop. By bus you can take the southbound 45 Bus which lets out at Packer Avenue and Broad Street with an additional 11 minute walk. The Navy Yard Express Shuttle lets off at League Island Boulevard & Crescent Drive with an additional 6 minute walk. The Park is accessible by foot along both the Broad Street and Pattison Avenue perimeters.➡️ RULES: Please read the Novel Tourist Basic Rules and Liability Release. By signing up for this event you agree to them.
📸 Photos & Video Notice:
This event may be photographed or recorded for The Novel Tourist website and social media, including but not limited to YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. By registering and attending, you are consenting to being photographed or filmed and your image, likeness and voice being used for those purposes. Say cheese!❓Event Review Guidance:
Meetup reviews are now public. Did you love the event? Tell the world with a 5-star rating AND a comment!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🎉 STAY CONNECTED: 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thenoveltourist 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/TheNovelTourist ▶️ YouTube: youtube.com/@thenoveltourist—------------------------------------------------------------------
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 and plays and theater dining out at restaurants. We read books. 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 we love food and fiction!28 attendees- $5.00
Kayaking in the Pine Barrens and discuss book The Barrens
Lucille's Country Cooking, 1496 Main St, Barnegat Township, NJ, USJoin Audrey in the New Jersey Pine Barrens for our 5th annual Kayaking adventure! We’ll pair our paddle with a discussion of The Barrens, a riveting debut that is “at once a white-water adventure, coming-of-age novel, and tale of tragic love—and an extraordinary father-daughter collaboration” set in the barrens in Canada.
Breakfast and the fee for kayak rental (pay that day at Mick's) are your responsibility. If you skip breakfast and are late to Mick's we may have to leave without you. Sorry. We have no choice.
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THE ADVENTURE:
1. 8:30 am Breakfast in the Pine Barrens and book discussion at Lucille's Country Cooking Cash only, but they accept Venmo and have an ATM.
Address: Rt 539, Barnegat, NJ 08005
We go every year and it’s delicious!!!2. 10:15 am Kayaking in the Pine Barrens
Micks Canoe Rental
Address: 3107 County Rd 563
3107 County Rd 563 · Chatsworth, NJ
The rivers have gentle waters and the forest has a natural beauty everyone in our group can enjoy. Be sure to have a camera ready as you drift by remnants of Colonial settlers, towering Pitch Pines and beaver dams. At some point along the way we will stop for a BYO picnic lunch.***********************
PLEASE READ ***********
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This is not a guided tour nor is anyone available to give you lessons on how to kayak. You are responsible for your own safety and decision making about your skills. The river is not a deep or fast river. It’s great for beginners and advanced paddlers alike!***********************
FEES: $5 to hold your spot. (No refund if you cancel) First pay goes.HOW TO PAY: Use friends and family option/non-business option please.
- Venmo - @audrey-Heller1 (Last four digits of my phone # are 4478)
- PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/AudreyBug
Kayaking cost: Pay at Micks-
Rates available on line but as of right now:
SINGLE KAYAK - $55 + Tax
CANOES AND DOUBLE KAYAKS - $80 + Tax
Rental Includes Canoe or Kayak, Life Vests, Paddles and Transportation To and From the River.LUNCH: Bring plenty of water/beverage and your own lunch.
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THE NOVEL: The Barrens by
Kurt Johnson and Ellie Johnson
Genre: Adventure fiction; LGBTQTwo young women attending college decide to have a summer adventure canoeing the rapids-strewn Thelon River that runs 450 miles through the uninhabited Barren Lands of subarctic Canada. Holly made the trip once before with a group of skilled paddlers she trained with at camp, and she wants to share that experience with her friend and lover, Lee, believing it will draw them closer. But a week in, Holly, the risk-taker, falls while…[read more]
Housekeeping!
📸 Photos & Video Notice:
This event may be photographed or recorded for The Novel Tourist website and social media, including but not limited to YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. By registering and attending, you are consenting to being photographed or filmed and your image, likeness and voice being used for those purposes. Say cheese!❓Event Review Guidance:
Meetup reviews are now public. Did you love the event? Tell the world with a 5-star rating AND a comment!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🎉 STAY CONNECTED:
📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thenoveltourist
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/TheNovelTourist
▶️ YouTube: youtube.com/@thenoveltourist- 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! 🙂
- Some links above are affiliate links which means when you use them to buy your book they help support the club at no cost to you!
-------------------The below is silly babble just for the algorithm - no need for book club members to read this!-------------------------------
Kayaking on a river with book lovers and books through Philadelphia pine barrens is such a fun way to make new friends and be social with book loving book club members who like to read and explore outdoor adventures areas and try new activities such as hiking, biating, reading, craft, hobbies, museums and more! It's especially fun for a book club to go in nature on outdoor adventures with all the book club friends who like to explore and try new hobbies and be social with new friendsHappy Reading!
Audrey
21 attendees
Past events
406
Group links
Members
1,957
