Book Club

This meeting will be dedicated to talking about the entirety of "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin Due to recent high popularity of our meetings, we will be having a temporary moratorium new members until a level of member cultivation has occurred. We estimate this will be around July 1st. We will be meeting in the National Portrait Gallery Atrium. To stay up to date with events and discuss meetings or books, you can join our Discord group. Please message me to get added.

In the picturesque town of Eastwick, three dissatisfied women unknowingly summon a charismatic stranger whose seductive charm and supernatural influence awaken their deepest desires — and their darkest impulses. As the mysterious Daryl Van Horne turns lust, jealousy, and emotional vulnerability into a wicked carnival of manipulation, the women slowly realize that the true magic was never his power, but their unity. Beneath the film’s decadent humor, sexual satire, and devilish absurdity lies a sharp moral core: when women stop competing for male approval and stand together instead, even the Devil himself becomes just another man waiting to be shown the door. Director: George Miller Genre: Dark Comedy, Witch Horror, Comedy, Fantasy, Horror

We will meet outside as long as the weather is nice. If not, we will move inside. Look out for a comment the morning of each meeting with our exact location. As we are meeting in person, please remember to bring something to read as we usually spend some time sharing our current reads and/or reading when meeting in person. As a reminder, there is no assigned reading; please bring whatever you are currently working on. This group is super casual, sometimes we read and sometimes we talk the whole time. **** NO SHOW POLICY: Due to the high number of members on the waitlist recently we are having to reinstate our no-show policy. If you sign up and no-show to 2 events you will be removed from the group. Reminders are provided weekly to change your RSVP to allow those on the waitlist a chance to come to the meet-up, no 3rd chances with be given. Please be considerate to your fellow members. Thank you! I look forward to reading you!

This month we’re tackling a classic in the world of modern paganism: The White Goddess, by Robert Graves. For this session we will read approximately the first 200 pages, up through the end of Chapter 11: The Tree Alphabet (2).. As always, everyone is welcome to attend whether you have time to read the book or not! You can see the big list of current Book Club suggestions and past reads here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WjTh24Z988Nvj5WGVimS0xocAJT08sOVz9dWH1AxWB8/edit?usp=sharing \*\*\* This will also be our opportunity to select next month’s book, so be thinking about what you would like to read. I will be bringing a big stack of books I’ve been wanting to get to, and all attendees are welcome to do the same or just make general suggestions. \*\*\* The Firefly House seeks to provide a friendly, safe environment in which all participants can engage in productive dialogue, sharing, and learning with each other in an atmosphere of mutual respect. We are committed to providing a harassment-free environment for all, regardless of gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body type, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), or technology choices. If you have any questions regarding this event, please contact the host.

For May's game of the month we are playing the French RPG "Clair Obscur: Expedition 33." From the devs: *Lead the members of Expedition 33 on their quest to destroy the Paintress so that she can never paint death again. Explore a world of wonders inspired by Belle Époque France and battle unique enemies in this turn-based RPG with real-time mechanics.* It is available for PC, PS5, and Xbox. Play through it and we will discuss it on May 17th! You do not need to play all or even any of the game to attend but please be prepared to be spoiled at the meeting :-) p.s. Here is a link to our discord, pop in to meet folks ahead of the meetup: https://discord.gg/6KqnHxJWsf

📚 Do you love reading, but wish you had a structure and a community to share your insights with? Join our small circle of curious minds (just 4 members per gathering) as we come together for an hour of focused reading—in the calm setting of a library or the cozy atmosphere of a café. Here’s how it works: First part: Quiet reading on your own—bring a book you’re exploring, whether it’s philosophy, history, psychology, literature, or anything meaningful to you. Second part: We regroup and each person shares key takeaways, insights, or questions sparked by their reading. This sparks a structured yet free-flowing conversation around ideas, perspectives, and personal reflections. Why join? Add structure to your reading habit. Discover new books, authors, and ideas through others’ choices. Build real connections by sharing and listening deeply. Socialize around something meaningful instead of small talk.

Let's the latest chapter in the Star Wars series

Come join us for in-depth discussions on topics relating to moral and political philosophy. This is a group for members who are comfortable discussing topics that are often anxiety producing and controversial. *"Aristotle was a realist who believed that reality and knowledge are found in the physical world, accessible through sensory experience and logic. This led to contrasting views on ethics, politics, and the nature of reality itself. Plato emphasized abstract, ideal concepts, while Aristotle prioritized empirical observation and the study of the natural world."* \- Google Gemini Following Aristotle's lead, this group will lean heavily on empirical data to make arguments. The Socratic method is still the preferred way to engage in conversation, and Platonic Idealism is still relevant to the conversation as points of reference.

We'll check out Cortado Café Alexandria. If weather allows and everyone is interested, we may go and walk around Holmes Run Trail around 11:30 AM. Please have a picture profile so we can recognize you in the meetup. Please only sign up if you're sure about attending this meetup, and please update your RSVP as soon as possible if you need to cancel, thank you!

Hey Chapter Twoers, come join us this Sunday during Memorial Day weekend for Sichuanese and regional Chinese Cuisine by Peter *Chang* with modern cocktails and dessert. If you haven't been there, it's one of the best Chinese restaurants in DC.

⚠️ **IMPORTANT: You must sign up and buy a ticket here to attend:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) **This is a curated, small-group meetup make new friends in Washington.** Each meetup brings together 4–6 like-minded people for casual conversations over brunch. We use the Groupvibe platform to organize and ensure everyone’s a good fit. 👉 **To attend, you’ll need to complete registration via this link:** [https://groupvibe.com](https://groupvibe.com) Once you register, and **buy a ticket or become a Groupvibe member**, we’ll share the exact location and match you with your group. **Why this works:** \* Smaller groups make real conversations easier \* Matching helps avoid awkward dynamics **Note:** RSVPs here on Meetup don’t reflect total attendance. Many attendees register directly via our website. This meetup is organized by **Groupvibe**, a small team passionate about helping people form meaningful friendships offline.

**💗 Vancouver Online Speed Dating on Zoom** Meet Vancouver singles from home in short, hosted one-on-one rounds on Zoom. We match by age and personality. **Choose your age range to sign up:** - **Ages 18-32** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=537.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Vancouver&groupurlname=build-real-connections-at-day-trips&ar=18-32&face_v=9.0) - **Ages 30-46** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=537.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Vancouver&groupurlname=build-real-connections-at-day-trips&ar=30-46&face_v=9.0) - **Ages 40-58** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=537.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Vancouver&groupurlname=build-real-connections-at-day-trips&ar=40-58&face_v=9.0) - **Ages 55+** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=537.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Vancouver&groupurlname=build-real-connections-at-day-trips&ar=55+&face_v=9.0) **⚠️ Important: RSVP ≠ registration.** To join, pick your age group below and complete the quiz. Capacity is limited. --- **How It Works** 1. **Register** – Pick your age group above and sign up. 2. **Take the quiz** – Short personality quiz so we can match you well. 3. **Join on Zoom** – Your host will guide you through every round. 4. **Get matches** – Mutual matches sent after the event. --- ✨ Speed dating from home — easy, matched, and fun. 🫶 ✨

Welcome, readers! Our May read is **_Kindred_ by Octavia E. Butler.** The story follows Dana, a Black woman living in 1976 California, who is suddenly pulled back to a Maryland plantation before the Civil War. She learns her survival is tied to a white slaveholder’s son. Forced to move between centuries, she must endure the brutal realities of slavery while fighting to hold on to her identity. Tense, intimate, and unforgettable, Kindred explores how the past refuses to stay buried. 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! 📖

Let’s meet and share discussion of the James Baldwin short story collection, Going to Meet The Man.

Welcome, readers! Our June read is ***Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible*** ***Voyage*** **by Alfred Lansing.** A work of nonfiction, and one of the most astonishing survival stories in history, we follow Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew after their ship is crushed by Antarctic ice. Stranded in one of the harshest environments on Earth, the men endure months of isolation, freezing temperatures, and near starvation—yet refuse to give up hope. Lansing brings their ordeal to life through vivid detail and firsthand accounts, capturing both the brutality of nature and the resilience of the human spirit. At its core, the story is a powerful testament to leadership, perseverance, and the unbreakable will to survive against impossible odds. 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 **all** **drinks must be purchased at the bar.** Happy reading! 📖