What we’re about
A book club for lesbian, gay, bi, trans, and queer people in Silver Spring and surrounding areas in MD and DC. We read a variety of genres, not limited to LGBTQ-themes, and meet once a month to discuss a book and socialize.
Started in May 2018, our book club is way to meet other LGBTQ people in the area for socializing and friendship, and of course to read and discuss books. As a group we read one book a month and then get together to talk about it. Members suggest books to read and we select upcoming books as a group. We read a variety of genres, primarily fiction — novels and short story collections — with the occasional non-fiction book or memoir. We're not limited to LGBTQ authors or themes, although we read those too. See this page for how our members have rated our recent books.
We hold the book discussions at members' homes, on a rotating but voluntary basis, and the host provides light snacks and drinks. We generally meet on the third Thursday of the month, and our locations are usually not within walking distance to the metro.
We're looking for members who want to actively attend discussions so please don't join if you're not interested in participating.
Upcoming events
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The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
Location not specified yetWe'll be discussing The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden. We meet in person at a member's home -- the address will be sent to those attending a week before the event.
Find the book on Bookshop.org, Montgomery County Libraries, and PG County Libraries.
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2025 Lambda Literary winner for Lesbian fiction
* SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2024 BOOKER PRIZE *
* WINNER OF THE NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARD FOR DEBUT FICTION *
* WINNER OF THE 2025 WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR FICTION *
Shortlisted for the 2025 Dylan Thomas Prize and Aspen Words Literary Prize • A Best Book of 2024: The New York Times, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Time, The Economist, The Globe and Mail (Toronto), Kirkus Reviews, The Independent, BookPage, The Sunday Times (London)
“Remarkable…Compelling…Fine and taut…Indelible.” —The New York Times “Moving, unnerving, and deeply sexy.” —Tracy Chevalier, author of Girl with the Pearl Earring • “A brilliant debut, as multi-faceted as a gem.” —Kirkus Reviews
A “razor-sharp, perfectly plotted” (The Sunday Times, London) tale of desire, suspicion, and obsession between two women staying in the same house in the Dutch countryside during the summer of 1961—a powerful exploration of the legacy of WWII and the darker parts of our collective past.
A house is a precious thing...
It is 1961 and the rural Dutch province of Overijssel is quiet. Bomb craters have been filled, buildings reconstructed, and the war is truly over. Living alone in her late mother’s country home, Isabel knows her life is as it should be—led by routine and discipline. But all is upended when her brother Louis brings his graceless new girlfriend Eva, leaving her at Isabel’s doorstep as a guest, to stay for the season.
Eva is Isabel’s antithesis: she sleeps late, walks loudly through the house, and touches things she shouldn’t. In response, Isabel develops a fury-fueled obsession, and when things start disappearing around the house—a spoon, a knife, a bowl—Isabel’s suspicions begin to spiral. In the sweltering peak of summer, Isabel’s paranoia gives way to infatuation, leading to a discovery that unravels all Isabel has ever known. The war might not be well and truly over after all, and neither Eva—nor the house in which they live—are what they seem.
Mysterious, sophisticated, sensual, and infused with intrigue, atmosphere, and sex, The Safekeep is “a brave and thrilling debut about facing up to the truth of history, and to one’s own desires” (The Guardian).3 attendees
Past events
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