Book Club

**It's time to delve back into the world of comics, and this year our pick is the critically acclaimed My Favourite Thing is Monsters. Please make sure you read Volume 1 (if we like it enough we may one day return to Volume 2!).** Here’s the summary from Goodreads: Set against the tumultuous political backdrop of late ’60s Chicago, *My Favorite Thing Is Monsters* is the fictional graphic diary of 10-year-old Karen Reyes, filled with B-movie horror and pulp monster magazines iconography. Karen Reyes tries to solve the murder of her enigmatic upstairs neighbor, Anka Silverberg, a holocaust survivor, while the interconnected stories of those around her unfold. When Karen’s investigation takes us back to Anka’s life in Nazi Germany, the reader discovers how the personal, the political, the past, and the present converge The meeting will start at 7pm and finish between 9.00 and 10pm (BST), with breaks in between. Just a reminder that the pub lets us to use the room at no charge so please do purchase drinks/food from the bar. Bringing in your own food from outside the pub is not allowed!

We're really excited to be organising a brilliant free event with three incredible authors, Katherine Faulkner, Emily Freud and Mel Pennant. Following up from last's year International Women's Day event we have a female led panel where, Katherine Faulkner, Emily Freud and Mel Pennant will delve into the art of crime writing — from building tension and crafting unforgettable characters to reflecting social currents in fiction that keeps us turning pages late into the night. Hear how they approach plot twists, moral ambiguity and the genre’s endless capacity to surprise. Tickets Available from the Alternative Book Fair website but there will be space for walk-ins.

Dive into a meaningful **in-person discussion** at the Literature & Theology Reading Group's next meetup as we explore 'The Journalist and the Murderer' by Janet Malcolm. The great long form journalist and essayist Janet Malcolm here turns her attention to the ethics of writing and journalism itself. She tells the story of Joe McGinniss: a journalist who documents the trial of an army doctor who claimed to have been wrongfully convicted for the murder of his wife. **Each session is accompanied by a lecture** from Dr Aidan Cottrell-Boyce, exploring its spiritual and theological significance. Please make sure you have **[sign up for this session](https://londonjesuitcentre.churchsuite.com/events/5oleyadc)** on our online portal. If you cannot attend in person, you can also [join us online](https://londonjesuitcentre.churchsuite.com/events/rtctcwnn) on 22nd April. All are welcome to be a part of this vibrant community dedicated to exploring the intersection of faith and literature!

#### WEDNESDAY **8/April 6.30pm** ## The Art of Crime Writing #### *with **Katherine Faulkner**, **Emily Freud** and **Mel Pennant*** #### What makes a crime story irresistible? How do writers balance motive, mystery and meaning? Following up from last's year International Women's Day event we have a female led panel where, Katherine Faulkner, Emily Freud and Mel Pennant will delve into the art of crime writing — from building tension and crafting unforgettable characters to reflecting social currents in fiction that keeps us turning pages late into the night. Hear how they approach plot twists, moral ambiguity and the genre’s endless capacity to surprise. This event is funded by the Arts Council and is free to attend

Join to us to talk about Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart" (1958) chronicles the life of Okonkwo, a proud, influential Igbo leader in colonial Nigeria whose life and community are torn apart by British colonialism and Christianity.

Do you want to relax and socialize in a quiet bar while watching some movies or tv series together? Do you dislike loud and smelly places like pubs? Have you been cooped up by yourself for too long and wants a change of pace? This is the event for you. Join us for a laid-back Netflix watch party at XP Tavern— perfect setup with big screens, solid sound, and plenty of space to spread out. The bar has Netflix, Amazon Prime, Now TV, Youtube Prime etc. Expect good vibes, cold drinks, bar food, maybe some discussions during breaks, and zero pressure to stay quiet — react, laugh, scream, all welcome. How many people are attending? The venue has a capacity limit of 50 guests, and due to the popularity of our events and the unique ambiance of the location, we anticipate this event will reach full capacity quickly. On the day of the event, you will experience a relaxing atmosphere with a hospitable and encouraging community. Feel free to come with friends or by yourself. Most people come alone and make new friends at the event. When we arrive in the first hour, we will socialize, get some drinks and talk about what movies/tv series we love. Afterwards we will vote on which show to watch for each group. Then we will settle into the watch booths and enjoy a cinematic experience for the rest of the evening. If you want to socialize and get drinks, the event is free. If you want to participate and watch with the group, you gotta pay £12 per two hours.

Hi All, There is a free art late event in Soho today till 10pm, so thought to create this chilled out event (ore details to follow) Lets meet at a pub for a pre-social in Soho (location for attendees) - see the nearby art and then go to see the late late jazz (£12) at Ronnie Scotts I will be dressed in long black coat, Light blue trousers trousers and green beanie hat. but will write in the comments There is a whatsapp group in the comments once you rsvp into the event Cheers

[Follow this link to get your ticket ASAP](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/exhibition-viewing-and-curators-tours-saturday-opening-repeat-tickets-1976713996776) Join us for an in depth look at the exhibition Guildhall Library 600 where the curator will share the stories of the objects in the exhibition including their oldest book, medieval manuscripts, early printed books as well as Victorian and modern publications and why they were chosen for this exhibition. Followed by social at a nearby cafe. See comments below for updates.

**We will be at The Mitre pub in central Greenwich.** This meetup is free and casual. We just sit around for a few hours and write together. Bring a laptop, or use a pen and paper or clay tablet and stylus if that's what works for you. The structure of the session is roughly: 2pm: chat 2:20–3:25: writing time 3:25: chat/coffee break 3:40–4:45 writing time 4:45: chat But our Saturdays are very casual, so feel free to drop in and out. **This is usually in the meeting room at the Mitre. If you arrive a bit later, you may need to ask the bar staff to show you through to the room.**

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**Our April novel is: *The Hong Kong Widow* by Kristen Loesch** **This month’s novel blends gothic atmosphere with historical fiction and chilling horror, set against the haunting backdrop of China. The book is 368 pages in print and 10 hours and 42 minutes on audiobook.** In 1950s Hong Kong, Mei is a young refugee of the Chinese Communist revolution struggling to put her past in Shanghai behind her. When she receives a shocking invitation—to take part in a competition in one of the city's most notorious haunted houses, pitting six spirit mediums against one another in a series of six séances over six nights, until a single winner emerges—she has every reason to refuse. Except that the hostess, a former Shanghainese silent film star, is none other than the wife of the man who once destroyed Mei’s entire life. It is promised the winner will receive a fortune, but there is only one prize Mei wants: revenge. Decades later, the final night of that competition has become an infamous urban legend: The police were called to the scene of a brutal massacre but found no evidence, dismissing it as a collective hallucination. Mei knows what she saw, but now someone else is convinced they know what she did. She must uncover the truth about the last night she ever spent in that house—even if the ghosts of her past are waiting for her there. . . .

Welcome, readers! Our April read is **_Martyr!_ by Kaveh Akbar.** The story follows a young Iranian American poet grappling with grief, addiction, and the aching question of what makes a life meaningful. Drawn into an unexpected friendship with a terminally ill artist, he begins to confront faith, love, and the seduction of self-destruction. Lyrical, darkly funny, and emotionally piercing, the novel wrestles with beauty and despair in equal measure. It’s a story about longing—to be seen, to be forgiven, and to matter. Looking forward to discussing with everyone! We will meet at Zaftig Brewing Co in their event room in the back. We are welcome to bring in our own food, but **drinks must be purchased at the bar.** Happy reading! 📖

If you enjoy knitting, crocheting, working with yarn, this is the group for you. Meet new friends, bring your projects, learn from others.
We normally meet a few times a month during the week from 6-8pm. We will occasionally meet on weekends during daytime hours.