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:
- 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
Featured event
Scam ‼️ Alert
If you are an author and you receive an @gmail.com email supposedly from the Novel Tourist Book Club or anyone saying they’re part of the Novel Tourist Book Club, it’s probably a scam. It’s definitely a scam if it’s coming from a Gmail account. We don’t use a Gmail account address to communicate with authors.
⏰ **We do not **invite authors to join our club to discuss their book and give them two or three days. You would’ve heard from us at least six weeks in advance.
💰 We do not charge authors to participate in our club. Trust me the scammer is not asking you for money right now, but they’re going to.
🍭 We do not ask authors to pay a small donation amount to pay for treats or snack, snacks, or things at our meetings.
If you receive an email from an @gmail.com email address that’s raving about your book and saying we want you to join us - it’s a scammer.
📣 ‼️ Please report the email address to
https://support.google.com/mail/contact/abuse
Upcoming events
8
🖌️Paint, 🍷Sip, ☺️Relax with📘Miss Winter, in the Library with a Knife
Paint-A-Treasure Ceramics, 614 Station Ave, Haddon Heights, NJ, USJoin Carolyn for a relaxing afternoon where creativity meets crime—without the bloodstains. 🖌️🔍 As we paint cozy winter ceramics or a wooden winter sign, we’ll sip, snack, and sleuth our way through Miss Winter, in the Library with a Knife by Martin Edwards. This book functions as an interactive puzzle. Six down on their luck, crime writing professionals are invited to a remote village for a Christmas murder mystery game hosted by the mysterious Midwinter Trust, but the game turns deadly when real murders begin to occur. The book is designed to be a "locked-room" mystery with clues embedded throughout the text, allowing readers to solve the puzzles alongside the characters.
***
🍷 BYOB + BRING A SNACK
This is a BYOB event—bring your favorite drink and a snack to share! Whether you’re inspired by eggnog or mulled wine, you’ll fit right in.
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🎨 ADVENTURE: Paint & Sip Mystery Afternoon (PAINT N TAKE same day!)
📍 Where: Paint a Treasure (Haddon Heights, NJ)
🕒 When: December 14, 2pm
💵 Cost: $31//$36 pp
Pick from one of three painting projects using the link below. Please make your project selection and payment by December 3 so supplies can be ordered in time.
🖼️ Order using this link: Novel Tourist Book Club Paint N Sip
- Ceramic Snowman w/color changing light (8" Tall) - $31
- Ceramic Pippin Penguin Statue (8" Tall) - $31
- 3d Let it Snow Wood Sign (12" Diameter) - $36
Paint a Sip provides all art supplies including a variety of paint colors to match your decor. Their artists teach you fun and easy painting techniques to make the project uniquely yours! No Experience Required!
***
📚 NOVEL: Miss Winter, in the Library with a Knife
Author: Martin Edwards
Genre: Mystery / Interactive Puzzle
Six crime writers. One remote village. A snowed-in manor. A murder mystery game that turns deadly. As readers, we’re invited to play along—piecing together cryptic notes, red herrings, and clues embedded within the novel itself. Perfect for fans of classic whodunits and twisty winter reads!
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🎉Stay connected to other adventurous readers! Join the Novel Tourist online community:
📸Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/thenoveltourist/
🌟Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNovelTourist
➡️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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❓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 Audrey directly with your suggestions so we can improve the club together!
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You can ignore all this part. It’s just for the Meetup algorithm. 🙄 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 their passions and book hobbies dining out at restaurants. We read books. Make new friends. Lots of fun with Book Club. Socializing. Social event. and passions! Urban exploration, bookstores, and 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 together.14 attendees- $6.00
SECOND Jólabókaflóð 🎄Miracle on S 13th St & 🥘Barcelonas
A Novel Idea on Passyunk, 1726 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA, USGood news! So many people wanted to Jolabokaflod that Joanne and Maura offered to host a second night!
Fourth Annual Jólabókaflóð! (Second Night)
What’s a Jólabókaflóð (yo-la-bok-a-flot)? 🤔 Hard to say… but oh-so-fun to do! It’s the Icelandic tradition of gifting books 📚, sipping cocoa ☕, and cozying up to read together by the twinkling lights.
We’ll celebrate Novel Tourist style with:
🎁 A White Elephant book exchange at A Novel Idea
🌟 A magical light show stroll through Miracle on South 13th Street
🍷 Tasty tapas and wine at Barcelona Wine Bar
💵 Fee: $6 — covers your hot cocoa & holds your spot!
📚 Book purchase & dinner are on your own.
HOW TO PAY: Use Friends and Family! Do not use the business option because it charges a fee.
Venmo - @audrey-Heller1 (phone ends in 4478)
PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/AudreyBug
📝 Note the event name or date with your payment.
📚 Jólabókaflóð Book Exchange (White Elephant style)
Huge thanks to A Novel Idea for hosting us!
Here's the details for the book purchase:
1️⃣ Call A Novel Idea at ☎️ 267-764-1202 by Wednesday Dec. 3.
2️⃣ Tell them you’re with The Novel Tourist Book Club DEC 14 Party!
3️⃣ Purchase a book (choose one or let them surprise you!).
4️⃣ Pay for the book plus $4 to have it wrapped + labeled with the genre and a short tease about what’s inside.
5️⃣ They'll have your wrapped mystery book ready for our White Elephant Jólabókaflóð game!
✨ Bonus: We’ll have fun prizes and mini-games, too!
🎄 Miracle on South 13th Street
After the book swap, we’ll stroll one block over to walk through Philly’s most festive street — a beloved neighborhood light display that’s been dazzling visitors for 20+ years! 🌟
Dress warmly!
🍷 Dinner at Barcelona Wine Bar
📍 Just a few doors down from the lights!
🥘 Menu: Rustic Spanish-style tapas & 400+ wines
🍫📖About the Tradition
Jólabókaflóð (“the Christmas Book Flood”) began in Iceland in 1944 during WWII, when paper was one of the few gifts available. Books became the ultimate present — and the tradition stuck! Today, Icelanders still gift and unwrap books on Christmas Eve, then curl up to read with chocolate or cocoa.
❤️ About A Novel Idea
Run by locals Christina & Alexander Rosso-Schneider, this indie shop is a community gem in East Passyunk. With their lovable rescue pup, Atticus Finch 🐾, they’ve built a haven for readers and writers — promoting diversity, creativity, and Philly’s vibrant literary scene.
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’sBasic Rules and Liability Release. You should read them because by signing up for an event you agree to them.24 attendees 
Mini Fashion Show 💃and Sale and Discuss Book 📗“Revenge Wears Prada”
Berlin, NJ, Berlin, Ne, USJoin Joanne and Maura for a fun-filled afternoon being treated to a mini-fashion show and discussion of Revenge Wears Prada. Remember that gorgeous shirt Joanne was wearing on our sailing event? Several of you asked where it came from so Joanne and Maura put together this great opportunity to see the latest in unusual fashions curated by Diane Siberman of Clothes to You in her in-home shop. We’ll enjoy some tasty snacks while discussing the paired book about a fictional fashion world - and hearing from Diane about what the real world of fashion is like behind-the-scenes!
ACTIVITY: Mini Fashion Show and Sale
West Berlin, NJ (Diane’s home)
(Address to be provided directly to attendees closer to event date)
In addition to the mini-fashion show, Diane will provide pop-up discount coupons and a personal shopping experience, if you’re interested in buying any of the clothes. No purchase necessary!
Beverages and a charcuterie board of snacks by Faye Takata of Picky Bits
NOVEL: Revenge Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
Genre: Fiction, ChickLit
Almost a decade has passed since Andy Sachs quit the job “a million girls would die for” working for Miranda Priestly at Runway magazine—a dream that turned out to be a nightmare. Andy and Emily, her former nemesis and co-assistant, have since joined forces to start a high end bridal magazine, The Plunge, which has quickly become required reading for the young and stylish. Now they get to call all the shots: Andy writes and travels to her heart’s content; Emily plans parties and secures advertising like a seasoned pro.
Even better, Andy has met the love of her life. Max Harrison, scion of a storied media family, is confident, successful, and drop-dead gorgeous. Their wedding will be splashed across all the society pages as their friends and family gather to toast the glowing couple. Andy Sachs is on top of the world. But karma’s a bitch.
The morning of her wedding, Andy can’t shake the past. And when she discovers a secret letter with crushing implications, her wedding-day jitters turn to cold dread. Andy realizes that nothing—not her husband, nor her beloved career—is as it seems. She never suspected that her efforts to build a bright new life would lead her back to the darkness she barely escaped ten years ago—and directly into the path of the devil herself...
Note: If you haven’t read The Devil Wears Prada, since Revenge Wears Prada is a sequel, you may want to read a synopsis of the first book or watch the movie.
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.
—------------------------------------------------------------------
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. 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.25 attendees
🙏Volunteer Opportunity: 📘Sorting Stories at BookSmiles 😁
BookSmiles, 7300 N Crescent Blvd #10, Pennsauken, PA, USJoin 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
-------------------------------------------------------
❓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.
I love putting together fun literary adventures and your positive 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.
Happy Reading!
Audrey
—------------------------------------------------------------------
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!27 attendees
Past events
388
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