English Books & Literature

Spring is the perfect time to usher in some Romantasy reading so for the month of April we’re reading Olivia Atwater’s Half a Soul 💜🧚 You can find us at Foyles Charing Cross’s 5th floor cafe. This month’s book will be on the table for easy identification.

**MONTY ENGLISH CONVERSATION GROUP** [https://montyenglish.co.uk/english-conversation-group-classes-in-london](https://montyenglish.co.uk/english-conversation-group-classes-in-london) **How to find us** When you arrive at the Royal George we go down into the basement and you will find us there. Just ask a staff member if you cannot find us! Here is the location of the Royal George on google maps: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/HpkySsu2rEqUUub1A](https://maps.app.goo.gl/HpkySsu2rEqUUub1A) * Food or drink at the pub is not included (please make at least one purchase - they have a good range of drinks and great food if you feel hungry) **How are the lessons?** The lesson is a General English lesson focused on speaking and error correction - every lesson we usually cover 3 different topics. This will encourage you to use new vocabulary and practise grammatical structures. The group has a limit of 25 people but I usually accept people if you are on the waiting list. You will be divided into groups of 3-6 with others of a similar speaking level so you'll have plenty of opportunity to talk and ask questions to your qualified, native teacher Jon. The lesson takes place in the relaxed environment of the Royal George basement which is a pleasant pub, a two-minute walk from Tottenham Court Road tube station. The lesson is ideal for pre-intermediate, intermediate and upper-intermediate students wishing to get to the next level. If you have any questions about the English lesson then please call me or send me a message. **Payment** Payments can be made in cash or by card (free of charge) when you come to the class. If it is your first time it is only £2! After your first time it is £6 for a single class or you can buy a ticket that makes each class cheaper; 5 classes for £20, 10 classes for £25 (you can use these tickets whenever you like and do not need to come in a set period of time) or 20 classes for £40 which has a limited use to within a six-month period. You can also pay via our website: [https://montyenglish.co.uk/english-conversation-group-classes-in-london](https://montyenglish.co.uk/english-conversation-group-classes-in-london) I hope to see you soon - if you have any questions please message me (via WhatsApp) on 07771 561 576 All the best, Jon (event organiser)

Come and join us every week day from 12.45pm - 2.45pm. Classes for levels elementary to upper-intermediate (A1+ - B2+) Improve your fluency, listening and reading comprehension, grammar and vocabulary with our friendly classes. No payment needed - the classes are **completely free** because the teachers are training with a University of Cambridge accredited program. Join us at 24 Great Chapel St, London, W1F 8FS Take the level test in advance for more information about classes for your level (link to the level test: https://forms.gle/mn3hqUgo3BRLyAUi7) and wait for up to one business day for more information. OR Come 15 minutes early on your first day to do a quick speaking test and find your classroom. See you soon!

**ROSE OF NEVADA!** **Director:** Mark Jenkin **Cast:** George MacKay, Callum Turner, Rosalind Eleazar A mysterious boat returns to a village 30 years after vanishing. Two men join its crew hoping for better fortune. After one voyage, they find themselves transported back in time, mistaken for the original crew. Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bw371ui9cTk Cinema: Crouch End Picturehouse. Schedule: We meet at 7:00 pm at the Queens pub for drinks. I'll book a table under the name Jason! After the film we'll head back to the pub to discuss the film. Address for the The Queens pub: 26 Broadway Parade, London N8 9DE If you have any questions, use the event chat in the meetup app. Or join our Whatsapp group: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/CqLyvsscZ8QCCtHAy9LrwI](https://chat.whatsapp.com/CqLyvsscZ8QCCtHAy9LrwI) The link will take you to a waiting room where you write your Meetup username. Once verified, you’ll receive the link to the main WhatsApp group. Book tickets: https://web.picturehouses.com/order/showtimes/024-77349/seats?_gl=1\*1dl371z\*_gcl_au\*MTY3NTEyNTYyNC4xNzc2NzEyMjQzLjE5MTUwNjkzNjQuMTc3NjcxMzExMS4xNzc2NzEzMTIx

For many years there has been a campaign to get a stretch of the South Bank designated as an official 'Sculpture Park'. It's no wonder. The stroll between St Thomas's Hospital and the National Theatre alone has some 17 notable sculptures/artworks. From the 1682 stone statue of King Edward VI to the imposing 2016 figure of Mary Seacole (pictured), striding off in front of a huge disc hewn from Crimean rock. Some of the sights might be familiar (Nelson Mandela at the Royal Festival Hall) but many are off the beaten track and deserve more attention. So I hope you can join me on this fascinating stroll through London's public art history. The cost as usual is £10.00 CASH payable on the day. Any enquiries to me, David N, on 07990 593 365 Walk will start on the County Hall side of Westminster Bridge. Nearest tube is Westminster.

**My number is 07815009191.** MEET: 10.45 for tea at Pret a Manger 12 Parkfield Street N1 0PS (INSIDE THE ANGEL CENTRAL SHOPPING CENTRE). **or 11.15 just outside for the start of the walk.** A circular walk around the Angel that takes in the name itself, the legendary coaching inn, the man whose act had to be stopped due to fainting ladies, the school that had its origins in a stray arrow and how Mr Sadler found his well and a legendary block of flats. The cost of the walk is £12, please pay this to my account number 75471878 sort code 090128 or cash on the day. If you see unpaid by your name, just ignore it. That's Meet up!!

📚 **Foyles Bookshop @ charing cross** Forget the mindless scrolling. We’ve been "reading" people since we were born, but the art of getting lost in a book is becoming a lost skill. Since I started reading more, I’ve become a sharper listener and a better communicator. It’s time to reignite that focus. We’re heading to **Foyles** on Charing Cross Road—five floors of pure inspiration—to hang out, browse, and actually talk about things that matter. This isn't just a social; it's about building a better self and a stronger community. **The Game Plan:** We’ll grab a coffee (or snack) and dive into one of these four topics: 1. **Smart Money:** Not a "who earns what" brag-fest. Just real tips and tricks on how to save and stay ahead in the expensive UK. 2. **Class vs. Trends:** How do you stay timeless and "classy" when everyone else is just chasing the latest 24-hour trend? 3. **The Good Stuff:** What are you reading? Bring a fiction or non-fiction recommendation that actually made an impact on you. 4. **Hidden UK:** Where are the best places to travel in the UK when you need to get out of the London bubble? **Vibe:** Productive, intentional, and relaxed. We will meet up at Soho Square Garden, Sutton Row entrance. Have quick introductions. And then walk(3 mins) to Foyles. **Location:** Foyles Bookshop, 107 Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0DT

📚 Reading of Colour – Book Club Meetup Join us for this month’s Reading of Colour, a book club dedicated to exploring stories from different cultures and celebrating the diversity of voices in literature. Each month we read a book by an author from a different background and come together to share perspectives, insights, and thoughtful discussion. This month we will be reading The Enlightenment of the Greengage tree by Shokoofeh Azar is a magical realist novel about a family fleeing persecution after the Iranian Revolution and trying to rebuild their lives in a remote Iranian village, narrated by the ghost of a young girl. Whether you’ve finished the book or are still making your way through it, everyone is welcome to join the conversation. Come along to share your thoughts, hear new perspectives, and enjoy a friendly discussion with fellow readers. 📖 All are welcome—bring your curiosity and love of books!📕 We will be having drinks afterwards at a near by pub, come along 🌸

Der verzweifelte Kampf um Integration Aus der Rückschau des Jahres 1959 erzählt Pilenz vom bewunderten und verachteten Klassenkameraden Mahlke im Danzig der Kriegszeit, den sein übergroßer Adamsapfel zum Außenseiter macht. Mahlke führt einen verzweifelten Kampf um seine Integration, um die Schließung des existentiellen Risses zwischen »Katz« und »Maus«, und wird doch im Sieg endgültig scheitern. Auch das Ritterkreuz, von dem er sich - Perversion der Zeit gemäß - Erlösung durch Bedeckung seiner Blöße erhofft, verhilft ihm nicht zum Frieden mit der Welt. »Die große Danzig-Saga, als deren zweites, aber gewiß nicht letztes Stück ›Katz und Maus‹ sich darstellt, ist eine Suche nach dem verlorenen Raum. Unerreichbar und unerschöpflich, doch deutlich wie Vineta in der Flut, liegt Danzig auf dem Grund dieser Prosa da.« Hans Magnus Enzensberger

**"But indeed, I would rather have nothing but tea."** *'Mansfield Park', Jane Austen* We will post a theme for this event closer to the meeting date. RSVP for this event is available for members of our WhatsApp group chat or by invitation. If there are spots still available two weeks before the start of the event we will open up the RSVP to all members. **The party is held at a beautiful venue so please be well dressed.**

An open participation philosophical discussion. No previous philosophical experience necessary Please follow the stated guidelines This is a Philosophical Discussion hosted by Joel Janiurek. We shall be discussing The Paradox of Fiction. This event is open to all. No previous philosophical experience necessary. The aim is to have fun, meet new people, generate interesting and thought-provoking conversations, have your horizons expanded, challenge your preconceptions and who knows - you might even learn something? Philosophy is about conceptual analysis. It's thinking about thinking. It's not about empiricism or the real world. It's about abstractions, concepts and ideas. In order to make the conversations as fun, interesting and productive for everyone as possible please follow these simple guidelines: 1. Keep it Philosophical (No Science, no History, no Sociology, no Evolutionary Psychology, no contestable facts, no personal anecdotes). 2. Think for Yourself (No phones, no looking up definitions, no name dropping Philosophers / books you've read). 3. Tangents are Cool (Don't worry too much if the subject drifts and you don't answer the question). 4. Keep it Succinct (Like this). 5. Be Excellent to Each Other (But of course). We hope to see you there

## You may also book directly at our site here: https://www.writeandpint.com/events/collage-creative-writing-food-drinks-a-free-book-a-pub-quiz ... ## Hello there! Whoever you are, you're very welcome to join us for this fun, creative, and inspirational day of "Collage & Creative Writing". This Write & Pint workshop invites you into **an aesthetic realm, where verbal and pictorial expression collide!** Together, we’ll be: * Reading an excerpt from a piece of fiction * Reading a poem * Creating a character + character journey * Creating a collage (\*think felt tip pens, magazines, newspapers, scissors, A3 paper, moodboard-type thing) * Using our visual designs to expand our characters and character journey in writing thereafter! * A short pub quiz at the end of the day to round it all off! This is, of course, a **creative writing day**, for creative writers or anybody willing to give it a go, but it will also make use of **collage** to show you how visual media can help inform and inspire deeper connections to **charact and narrative arc.** ## What you'll need \*No experience necessary. \*No pressure to pitch or share your work in front of the group. Just bring yourself, a pen and pad (or laptop - depending how you'd like to write), and leave the rest to us. ## Schedule **11am** Arrive, order your tea or coffee, settle in, meet some friendly faces. **11am–1pm** Introductory poems, excerpts, and exercises, to help you develop your (we'll guide you through it) **1pm** Lunch break: a Finch’s pub brunch (\*included in the ticket price - as are the drinks). **2–3pm** Guided collage creation! **3pm–4pm** More writing, using your collage as inspiration. You’ll leave with new material to take home, edit, and keep. **4:00–5:00pm** 🎉 **The Write & Pint Pub Quiz** A fun, light-hearted general knowledge quiz covering culture, films, literature, history, and society, a playful way to end the day together. ... If you have any question at all, about this full day workshop or any of our other events, you're very welcome to text or WhatsApp me on +44 (0) 7534 981 636. Cheers! Sean (A Write & a Pint).

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! 📖

Posting this early because seemingly all Sundays in May are holidays or busy! I picked a shorter thriller that's hopefully a fast read/listen. [Columbus library link to book](https://cml.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S105C3458940) Location: Grandview Cafe, *1455 W. 3rd Ave*, Columbus, OH 43212 [Menu](https://www.grandviewcafe.com/menu) Book summary: Daniel leads a rich life in the university town of Athens, Georgia. He's got a couple close friends, a steady paycheck working for a regional airline, and of course, for a few glorious days each Fall, college football tailgates. He considers himself to be a mostly lucky guy -- despite the fact that he's suffered from a debilitating disease since he was a small child, one that has left him unable to speak or to move without a wheelchair. Largely confined to his home, Daniel spends the hours he's not online communicating with irate air travelers observing his neighborhood from his front porch. One young woman passes by so frequently that spotting her out the window has almost become part of his daily routine. Until the day he's almost sure he sees her being kidnapped.

Let’s meet and share our thoughts about Carson McCullers’ novella, The Ballad of The Sad Café.

Join us for a cozy evening of books and conversation. 🗓 Tuesday\, May 12 \| 6:30 p\.m\. Hilliard Branch \| 4500 Hickory Chase Way Schedule 6:00 p.m. – Book sale opens 6:30 p.m. – Author talk 7:15 p.m. – Audience Q&A 7:30 p.m. – Book signing It’s a great chance to pick up a new book, hear an author’s perspective, and share the experience with a community of readers.

This month we’ll be reading Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb. Feel free to come even if you don’t finish the book!

Love getting lost in a good book? [The Book Loft](https://www.bookloft.com/) of German Village is an iconic independent bookstore packed with hard-to-find literary treasures! This isn’t your run-of-the-mill bookstore; it’s a 32-room literary wonderland that would make even the most seasoned bibliophile’s head spin (one of the largest in the country)! **MEET**: We'll gather outside the storefront and then start browsing... **DESSERT**: We'll grab some famous macaroons to start our foodie tour. [Pistacia Vera](https://www.pistaciavera.com/) is a delicious bakery and cafe in the German Village. This charming shop is especially known for its classic macarons. **LATE LUNCH:** *After we browse the bookstore maze, let's gather for the best traditional Jewish deli in town, [Katzingers!](katzingers.com) Choices include stacked Reubens, hot pastromi on rye, chicken salad, macaroni salad, knish, chicken soup, NY cheesecake, and dozens of other sandwiches and sides!* **PARKING**: Street parking all around here. Check the parking time limit. The bookstore and the foodie stops are all on 3rd Street within 4 blocks on the same side of the street.