English Books & Literature

Let’s head over to the end of the year at with a special language exchangee on Xmas day! Last entry 8:30pm!

**🙋‍♀️**Welcome to our THURSDAY Social + language ​exchange meetup. Meet people from many countries and make new friends. 👉We always have between 250 - 350 people attending our THURSDAY event since this event is listed in 3 different meetup groups. 👉This is a great opportunity to learn to speak English with native and non-native speakers. Many English speakers, Europeans, Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, and other Asians attend our fun and friendly party. 👉It is suitable for international students, working holiday people, professional ex-pats, and local Australians. 🍺: Discounted 15% house beers and wines 🍸: Extra cost for cocktails and spirit 🍲: Food available is to purchase at the bar with 15% discount on menu. 👉**Fee** of **$4.50** to be paid at the entrance OR you can buy anything from the bar. No Limited numbers but RSVP is a must. 🆔 Please carry a Photo ID as you may be asked at the entrance. 👉**Location**: Diesel bar & Eatery. we book the whole Second floor, Capacity of 500 people. and the welcoming table is at the door entrance. No entry from Melbourne Central. only from 202 Little Lonsdale St.

最終入場 午後8時30分. 今年のクリスマスは一人きりにならないでください。ワーキングホリデー中の他の日本人と新しい友達を作ったり、オーストラリアや世界中から来た新しい友達を作ったりしましょう。

Due to the weather we have changed the location to Transport Public Bar Ground Floor. Melbourne. It has great views of the Yarra River and is central for all. Food and drink are available to purchase if you wish. Come and Join me for Chritmas. see you there Come and celebrate Christmas together at the Catani Gardens The heritage listed Catani Gardens sit next to the world famous St Kilda foreshore. The gardens are named after their designer, Carlo Catani. Christmas can be a difficult and lonely time for many people, especially amongst the divorced group. You are invited to come along for a picnic in Catani Gardens St Kilda. We will be on the grass between the Rotunda and The Skyline Ferris Wheel. Bring a blanket, drink and something to eat. Come along for a chat and to meet others. if it rains alternative arrangements will be made closer to the event date. it is easy to get there via Tram and there is ticketed all day car parking close by. Catch tram number 3a, 16 or 96 along Fitzroy street and The Esplanade. See you there.

**\*\*\*This is a pre-booking event. Please visit [artmasterclass.com.au](https://www.artmasterclass.com.au/) choose your lamp, use the MEETAMC10 coupon code, and make a reservation.\*\*\*** Join us for a hands-on workshop where families can learn the art of creating beautiful Turkish lamps together. This unique and engaging class will guide parents and kids through crafting intricate and colorful lamps. No prior experience is required, as our expert instructors will provide step-by-step instructions on design, assembly, and decorating techniques. This workshop is perfect for families and friends to bond, unleash their creativity, and take home a stunning handmade craft that can brighten any room. Come discover Turkish lamp-making's magic with your little ones in a fun and supportive environment. In this 2.5-hour workshop, you'll lose track of time and end up with a beautiful lamp to take home!

Join me on Christmas Day for a family friendly picnic get-together in the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens. Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, let’s make it a celebration of getting together, sharing, making new friends and connections. Bring along a plate, maybe something from your traditions that you would like to share. I will bring some paper plates and forks, and games such as bocce balls, quoits, card games, and picnic blankets, feel free to bring any games you would like to share also! You are also welcome to bring along your friends, family, kids and pets :) I will meet you at 1pm at the black and silver circular sculpture near the Visitors/Observation Centre, and we will head off by 1.15pm to find a spot on the lawns. We will spend a few hours together and finish up by 4pm, and you’re welcome to leave earlier as needed. When you RSVP **please click Attend** on the event page and I will be in touch about the details via direct message, I will also be available in the Event Comments on the day. I look forward to seeing you there!

IMPORTANT NEW INFORMATION - LOCATION CHANGE TO MELBOUNE CITY. Due to cool weather forecast for Christmas Day, we've decided to skip the beach and opt for something a little more cozy. Plan A (good weather): If the weather’s good enough, we’ll meet at 5pm in FITZROY GARDENS for a casual drink/snack (feel free to bring something to sip), then head to the DUKE OF WELLINGTON around 6. Plan B (shit weather): If the weather sucks, we’ll skip the park and meet directly at the DUKE OF WELLINGTON at 5pm. Get ready for a Christmas miracle, mates! ✨ Localish is stoked to host our inaugural Orphans Christmas – no actual orphans required (but seriously, all are welcome!) 🎄 If Christmas feels a bit lonely without the fam or mates, we've got you! Join us for a day of company, connection, and top-notch snacks. Bring a plate to share and BYO bevs for the picnic part of the event. Join our Localish Facebook group to stay up-to-date with all our events: https://www.facebook.com/groups/localishconnections/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT

Join us for a friendly and relaxed English meetup in South Melbourne! This gathering is perfect for anyone who wants to practise English, meet new friends, and feel part of a welcoming community. Whether you’re an international student, new to Melbourne, or simply looking to connect with others, you’ll find a supportive space to learn and grow. Each week, we run **two simple sessions**: **Daily English**, where you learn useful everyday vocabulary, and **Learning English from the Bible**, where we explore short passages in clear, beginner-friendly English. You’ll also meet people from different cultures and enjoy meaningful conversations in a warm, inclusive environment. Come along, make new friends, and enjoy learning English in a place where everyone is welcome. We’d love to meet you!

This is a relaxed, social meetup for anyone interested in practicing Korean or English — no teachers, no lessons, no pressure! We’ll just hang out, chat, and get to know each other while switching between Korean and English as much (or as little) as you like. Whether you’re a fluent speaker or just learning “안녕,” you’re welcome here. Bring good vibes, maybe a drink or snack, and let’s have some fun conversations together! Last attendees must arrive by 8:30pm!

“Orwell 2+2=5 is arguably the most important documentary of the year. Director Raoul Peck brings George Orwell’s life & legacy to the screen through the writer’s own words all told through archival footage. But, more crucially, he highlights the chilling relevance of Orwell’s warnings for today’s world. Haunting and filled with powerful imagery, it displays global rise of totalitarianism, yet it leaves room for a faint glimmer of hope: that we still have time to resist. This is essential, urgent viewing that serves as both a wake-up call & a call to action.” We will meet at the Nova Bar from 3:45 p.m. onwards. Please book your tickets early, Stefan - 0437777522

Hi all Fortnightly dinner and movie at Pentridge Palace cinema in Coburg. Generally get dinner at Jacky Jones then see a fick around 7-7.30pm screening slot. Hope you can make it

Fed Square is doing another FREE outdoor cinema! This time it’s one of my favourite film series Lord Of The Rings 🧝‍♀️ I absolutely love these films and they have inspired many of my artworks 🎨✨ This is more of a social hangout event but bring your art supplies along if you feel like sketching, i’ll be bringing my sketchbook ✏️ Invite your friends along too, everyone is welcome to join this event! 🍿For food and drinks in the area there will be a food truck called Bilbo Snaggins and ACMI will have a snack bar open around the upper square entrance serving choc tops, popcorn and other treats🥤 It will be the full extended versions of the films and they will be showing over the course of 3 days 🎥✨ Saturday 27th 6pm - The Fellowship Of The Ring Sunday 28th 6pm - The Two Towers Monday 29th 6pm - The Return Of The King Here’s the link to the event on Fed Squares website to see more info https://fedsquare.com/events/outdoor-cinema-lord-of-the-rings-trilogy

Season's greetings y'all, Coming all the way from Norway to Nova this week, along with the weather it seems, is the family drama, Sentimental Value. It will be screening in cinema 3 at 6:40pm and rates quite highly on IMDB which is re-assuring. We'll be in the meeting place [read on for details] from 6:30pm. If you miss us there, then catch us in the cinema or the Nova Bar afterwards. If you're out of town, or otherwise unable to attend, then I look forward to seeing you in 2026. Otherwise, wishing you a safe and happy holiday season. Dan **--=>+ Meeting Spot +<=--** Outside the clothing store Black Orange. It is inside Lygon Court next to Brunettis. Join the group at the meeting spot 10 mins before the start time or see us in the movie. **--=>+ The Film +<=--** Joachim Trier (The Worst Person in the World) returns with SENTIMENTAL VALUE, winner of the Cannes Grand Prix and starring returning muse Renate Reinsve (A Different Man) alongside Stellan Skarsgård (Chernobyl) and Elle Fanning (A Complete Unknown). Sisters Nora (Reinsve) and Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas) reunite with their estranged father Gustav (Skarsgård), a charismatic, once renowned director. When he offers stage-actress Nora a role in his new film, a deeply personal story that he hopes will launch a comeback, she turns it down. Nora soon discovers her part has been given to a young and eager Hollywood star, Rachel Kemp (Fanning), who begins to work on the film immediately. Suddenly, both sisters are forced to navigate their complicated relationship to Gustav alongside dealing with an American star nosing around their complex family dynamics. Some Norwegian language, English subtitles **--=>+ Tickets +<=--** Everyone will need to buy their own ticket online and in advance. If you want to sit with other group members, there's a tendency for us to pick seats in the back two rows. Those who feel comfortable can catch up in Nova's bar afterward. **--=>+ Afterwards+<=--** We meet in Nova's bar after the movie. Look for us in the area to the left as you go down the steps. Share your thoughts about the film with the group over a drink of your choice. If the bar is closed we typically head across the road to the Wolf's Lair which is out the back of Jimmy Watson's

Welcome, readers! ❄️ Our December read is **_A Quiet Life by Ethan Joella._** A Quiet Life by Ethan Joella is a tender, character-driven novel that follows three people in a small Pennsylvania town as they each cope with loss and seek connection. Chuck, a widower, struggles to find meaning after his wife’s death; Ella, a young woman, faces the heartbreak of her missing daughter; and Kirsten, a veterinary technician, grieves her father while contemplating her future. Their stories intertwine gently, revealing how grief and hope coexist—and how even small acts of kindness can help people rediscover purpose and peace in the aftermath of tragedy. Looking forward to discussing with everyone! At this meeting, our third annual White Elephant book exchange will take place! If you'd like to participate, bring a gift-wrapped book that you already own. On the gift wrap, write the genre of the book. 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! 📖

I don't usually pick romance but I really wanted to do a Hanukkah book. It's a bit on the longer side but hopefully a quick read. The library only has 5 audiobooks so please try to remember to "release it" when you're done. Columbus libraries: [https://cml.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S105C3503238](https://cml.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S105C3503238) Location: The Goat Riversouth [219 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215](https://www.google.com/maps?q=219%20South%20High%20Street%2C%20Columbus%2C%20Ohio%2043215%2C%20United%20States) [Menu](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/686d3ed16745133042482c5f/t/68ff654dbb03b96875430bde/1761568077220/all_brunch-20250311.pdf) Book summary: Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt is a nice Jewish girl with a shameful secret: she loves Christmas. For a decade she’s hidden her career as a Christmas romance novelist from her family. Her talent has made her a bestseller even as her chronic illness has always kept the kind of love she writes about out of reach. But when her diversity-conscious publisher insists she write a Hanukkah romance, her well of inspiration suddenly runs dry. Hanukkah’s not magical. It’s not merry. It’s not *Christmas*. Desperate not to lose her contract, Rachel’s determined to find her muse at the Matzah Ball, a Jewish music celebration on the last night of Hanukkah, even if it means working with her summer camp archenemy—Jacob Greenberg. Though Rachel and Jacob haven’t seen each other since they were kids, their grudge still glows brighter than a menorah. But as they spend more time together, Rachel finds herself drawn to Hanukkah—and Jacob—in a way she never expected. Maybe this holiday of lights will be the spark she needed to set her heart ablaze.

We will be having an open discussion of the book "the Soul of an Octopus" by Sy Montgomery. [this is the amazon link for this book](https://a.co/d/1bRn8h4)

**Our January novel is: Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan** **This month's featured novel is a 20th-century biographical fiction, coming-of-age, historical romance, women’s fiction, world literature, student biography, heartfelt, magic, and feel-good novel. The book is 311 pages in print and 7 hours and 8 minutes on audiobook.** 1950: Margaret Devonshire (Megs) is a seventeen-year-old student of mathematics and physics at Oxford University. When her beloved eight-year-old brother asks Megs if Narnia is real, logical Megs tells him it's just a book for children, and certainly not true. Homebound due to his illness, and remaining fixated on his favorite books, George presses her to ask the author of the recently released novel The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe a question: "Where did Narnia come from?" Despite her fear about approaching the famous author, who is a professor at her school, Megs soon finds herself taking tea with C. S. Lewis and his own brother Warnie, begging them for answers. Rather than directly telling her where Narnia came from, Lewis encourages Megs to form her own conclusion as he shares the little-known stories from his own life that led to his inspiration. As she takes these stories home to George, the little boy travels farther in his imagination than he ever could in real life. After holding so tightly to logic and reason, her brother's request leads Megs to absorb a more profound truth: "The way stories change us can't be explained. It can only be felt. Like love."

We’ll be reading Brigands and Breadknives by Travis Baldtree this month! We recommend readingading “Bookshops and Bonedust” and “Legends and Lattes” before reading Brigands and Breadknives.