Classics, Coffee & Conversations: A Christian Book Club

Welcome! Classics, Coffee & Conversations is a monthly gathering for anyone interested in discovering and exploring the deep, rich, and transformative writings of the Christian tradition.

About Our Group

From early church fathers to modern witnesses, we read classic works that have shaped church history, theological thought, and personal faith—and have meaningful, thought-provoking conversations over a warm cup of coffee or tea in a relaxed, cozy, face-to-face setting.

Whether you are a seasoned reader or just curious about spiritual classics, you are welcome here. Introverts are also most welcome. There is zero pressure to speak or share your thoughts during small group time; if you prefer to simply listen, observe, and enjoy the reading, you are fully encouraged to do so.

What We Read

We aim to explore a diverse range of classic Christian literature across church history, such as those featured below. For longer or denser works, accessible abridgments or curated selections will be used instead.

Early church writings from the Patristic Era

• On the Incarnation (Athanasius of Alexandria)
• On the Holy Spirit (Basil of Caesarea)
• On God and Christ (Gregory of Nazianzus)
• Confessions (Augustine of Hippo)

Spiritual classics from the Early Modern Period

• Institutes of Christian Religion (John Calvin)
• The Mortification of Sin (John Owen)
• The Practice of the Presence of God (Brother Lawrence)
• Religious Affections (Jonathan Edwards)
• Fear and Trembling (Søren Kierkegaard)
• Holiness (J.C. Ryle)
• All of Grace (Charles Haddon Spurgeon)

Modern Christian classics

• Who Moved the Stone? (Frank Morison)
• The Cost of Discipleship (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)
• The Pursuit of God (A.W. Tozer)
• Spiritual Depression (Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
• True Spirituality (Francis Schaeffer)
• Knowing God (J.I. Packer)
• The Universe Next Door (James W. Sire)
• The Holiness of God (R.C. Sproul)
• Desiring God (John Piper)
• Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life (Donald S. Whitney)
• The Difficult Doctrine of the Love of God (D. A. Carson)
• Thirty Years That Changed the World (Michael Green)
• The Radical Disciple (John Stott)

Biographies, memoirs & faith in action

• Through Gates of Splendor (Elisabeth Elliot)
• The Cross and the Switchblade (David Wilkerson)
• God's Smuggler (Brother Andrew)
• Tortured for Christ (Richard Wurmbrand)
• Run Baby Run (Nicky Cruz)
• The Hiding Place (Corrie ten Boom)
• Chasing the Dragon (Jackie Pullinger)

Allegories & classic literature

• The Pilgrim's Progress (John Bunyan)
• Jane Eyre (Charlotte Brontë)
• Uncle Tom's Cabin (Harriet Beecher Stowe)
• The Screwtape Letters (C.S. Lewis)
• Cry, the Beloved Country (Alan Paton)

What We Do

We slow down to read thoughtfully and contemplatively. Readings are paced according to length and depth—denser, longer writings are divided into multi-month sessions, while lighter narrative works or shorter classics move at a faster pace. Exact book choices and chapter assignments are announced roughly one month in advance on the Meetup event page.

Participants may use physical books, e-readers, library copies, or free public-domain downloads (available online for some older classics).

We meet once a month on a Saturday afternoon (2:30 PM – 4:30 PM). Each session is capped at 12 participants to ensure meaningful connection without overwhelming anyone:

2:30 PM – 2:45 PM | Order & Mingle: Grab a drink or bite at the cafe, and chat casually as everyone arrives.

2:45 PM – 2:50 PM | Context & Brief Recap: A quick introduction to the day’s reading, including a recap of previous chapters for anyone joining mid-way through a book.

2:50 PM – 3:30 PM | Silent Reading: Spend 40 quiet minutes reading key excerpts together. Didn't finish the assigned chapters at home? No problem! Guided reading notes and questions will be provided to help you focus on key sections.

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM | Small Group Sharing: Break into small interaction groups of no more than 4 people. Use the guided reading notes as conversation starters, or let the conversation flow naturally.

4:30 PM | Wrap-Up & Optional Stay: Official meeting ends. Feel free to stay back and chat!

Cafe Etiquette

We meet in accessible, comfortable cafes around the central area. To support our host venues for welcoming our group, all participants are kindly asked to purchase at least one drink or food item upon arrival.

RSVP Integrity

Because seats are capped at 12 to keep conversations intimate, please keep your RSVP updated so those on the waitlist can join if your plans change.