Mystery

In June, we will be discussing the book, **Taiwan Travelogue**(Original Title: 臺灣漫遊錄) by Yang Shuang-zi(楊双子). The book tells a bittersweet story of love between two women, nested within an artful exploration of language, history, and power. Set in 1930s Taiwan, a Japanese author develops complex feelings for her local interpreter. With clever metafictional twists, this work is both a delicious romance and an incisive postcolonial novel. 🏆 **Accolades:** * Winner of the 2021 Golden Tripod Award * Winner of the 2024 US National Book Award for Translated Literature * Shortlisted for the 2026 International Booker Prize. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **The Story** May 1938. The young novelist Aoyama Chizuko has sailed from her home in Nagasaki, Japan, and arrived in Taiwan. She’s been invited there by the Japanese government ruling the island, though she has no interest in their official banquets or imperialist agenda. Instead, Chizuko longs to experience real island life and to taste as much of its authentic cuisine as her famously monstrous appetite can bear. Soon a Taiwanese woman – who is younger even than she is, and who shares the characters of her name – is hired as her interpreter and makes her dreams come true. The charming, erudite, meticulous Chizuru arranges Chizuko’s travels all over the Land of the South and also proves to be an exceptional cook. Over scenic train rides and braised pork rice, lively banter and winter melon tea, Chizuko grows infatuated with her companion and intent on drawing her closer. But something causes Chizuru to keep her distance. It’s only after a heartbreaking separation that Chizuko begins to grasp what the ‘something’ is... *Taiwan Travelogue* unearths lost colonial histories and deftly reveals how power dynamics inflect our most intimate relationships. \*\*\* “A witty, rapturous hymn to Taiwanese food and a stinging critique of Japanese colonialism" ―Fuchsia Dunlop “Nesting-doll narrative about colonial power in its many forms." ―The New York Times Book Review \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **📆Event Details** * **Date & Time:** Sunday, June 7th, 3:00 PM * **Venue:** Las Palmas rooftop bar * **Note:** Please support the venue by ordering at least one drink. 📚**Club Guidelines** * **Discussion:** Please review the discussion questions before joining! You can find them via the link below. [https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1NKVL1HZbPKNKc5BQE-HUcbiCtPqIkCu3N4csKreh5DU/edit?usp=sharing](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1NKVL1HZbPKNKc5BQE-HUcbiCtPqIkCu3N4csKreh5DU/edit?usp=sharing) * **Next Month's Pick**: Following the discussion, our next book will be chosen by group poll—come prepared to champion your pick. Each month, we explore a different genre; for July, please bring at least one **non-fiction** recommendation. If your suggestion wins the vote, your book takes center stage! Even if not, you’ll get to explore beyond your reading comfort zone. **❓FAQ** * 1)"Do I have to finish reading the book to join the event?" **YES.** We’re here to discuss the book! To ensure a rich and meaningful conversation for everyone, all participants are expected to read the book in full before attending. * 2)"Can I just listen and not join the discussion?" **NO.** We gather in person to **share** ideas. Your voice matters! Whether you agree, disagree, or interpret things differently, every perspective helps deepen our understanding of the book. There’s no right or wrong answer, and every opinion is equally cherished. \*\*\* Feel free to send me a message if you have any other questions. See you in June, bookflies🦋!

**Overview** Walk Out Calmer Than You Arrived \| Free Guided Reset Feeling tired, tense, or mentally overloaded? Step away from the rush and join us for a **gentle guided wellness session in the park** designed to help you reset your body and mind — naturally. This is not a fitness bootcamp and not a meditation class where you have to sit still. It’s a simple, guided experience that combines **movement, awareness, and voice** to help you feel calmer, clearer, and more energized. **✨ What We’ll Do** During this session, you’ll be guided through: 🚶‍♀️ **Interval Walking** A science-backed walking method that alternates easy and slightly brisk paces to improve circulation, lift mood, and boost energy. 🧠 **Mindfulness Body Scan** A short guided practice to help you reconnect with your body, release tension, and quiet a busy mind. 🎶 **Gentle Voice Soothing** Using your own voice in a soft, comfortable way to create calming vibrations that help settle the nervous system and ground your energy. No experience needed — you’ll be guided every step of the way. **🌼 How You May Feel After** Participants often report feeling: ✔ Calmer but more energized ✔ Mentally clearer ✔ Less tense in the body ✔ More grounded and balanced ✔ Better prepared for the week ahead **👟 Who This Is For** This session is perfect if you: * Feel stressed, tired, or mentally drained * Spend a lot of time sitting or on screens * Want a gentle way to reset on the weekend * Prefer something practical and science-based * Are coming alone (many people do!) You do **not** need to be fit, flexible, or “good at meditation.” **What to bring:** Wear shoes comfortable for walking at faster pace Water for hydration **Most importantly:** Come as you are, breathe deeply and walk to discharge, and let your body remember how to feel balanced again 🌿 Spots are limited to keep the group comfortable — reserve your place and join us!

Wisteria and hydrangeas are blooming! We'll do as much reading as we feel up to! ;) Bring Your Own Ticket: we'll meet at 4.30pm outside the Flower Dome. Do leave your Telegram handle during RSVP so we can contact you. Apologies that we may not be able to reach you by other apps. We'll stroll through the Flower Dome, enjoy the flowers and see if we can find a spot to read a little. I'm hoping there is some space at the California Garden (up the stairs on the left). This is a small group event, so do try to update your RSVP early if your plans change! Thanks in advance Nearest MRT: Bayfront / Gardens By The Bay

Ready for a solid game on Sunday? ⚽🔥 LEVEL UP: Your Core Team, Club Friendlies & Overseas Tours ⚽️✈️ Join us in building a team that grows together. We are forming a consistent, intermediate-level male team for those who want to compete, grow as a team, and enjoy exchanges locally and abroad. Why Join Us? **Build a Consistent Team**: We are building a core squad that trains and plays together every week to develop real team chemistry. **Club Friendlies**: Level up through organised matches against other local teams and clubs. **Overseas Exchange Opportunities**: Regional friendlies (e.g., Taiwan, Malaysia) for fun games that connect across borders through a shared passion for the game. Looking For: Level: Intermediate male players (age 18-35) Commitment: Weekly attendance Session Details: 📅 When: Every Sunday ⏰ Time: 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM 📍 Where: Central ⚠️ HOW TO JOIN: To secure a trial spot, RSVP via our Google Form: [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1HSlELN_F76Q1N58ILNhFyi_l5AidjvlSku0b7DlLhVk/viewform?edit_requested=true](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1HSlELN_F76Q1N58ILNhFyi_l5AidjvlSku0b7DlLhVk/viewform?edit_requested=true) Once you've submitted the form, our organisers will reach out to confirm your slot. Sign up Now!

***As we often have a Waitlist, please be considerate and amend your RSVP status if you have registered but subsequently cannot attend. We will be using Meetup* Organizer *app to track attendance and flag no-shows.*** ***Thank you for your cooperation!*** Games Sunday! is organised by Game On! @Toa.Payoh.Central PLAY GAMES! MAKE FRIENDS! Date: 7 June 2026 Time: 3:30pm — 7:30pm Venue: Seminar Room #05-05, Toa Payoh CENTRAL Community Club (opposite the road from Toa Payoh Public Library) Fee: **$2.00** per person (**CASH only**, or use your unexpired FREE GS!R Pass if available) Free for kids below 16 years old, and seniors 60 years and above. This fee goes to our Toa Payoh Central Community Club's Youth Network fund which we use to purchase / maintain our games and support our other social service projects. Objective: Play Games! Make Friends! Players achieve these two to win! Strategy: Go around smiling at people. Introduce yourself and ask for names, shake hands and laugh loudly. Be friendly, helpful, cheerful and a fun person to play with! Games: Our Games Closet has a collection of board and card games which you can view the list here — [Game On! Games Collection](https://boardgamegeek.com/collection/user/gamestour2010). Of course you can bring your own games as well and everyone will be spoilt for choices! IMPORTANT: Please help to set up when you come and help to pack up before you leave, including folding up all the tables, stacking the chairs and clearing the rubbish. Also, adhere to our Games Closet etiquette: — Return browsed game to its respective shelf--if you are unsure of shelf location, check Shelf Code on Game On! sticker (see sample sticker below) found on every game box. — File or stack game box properly within the shelf. — Don't bring more than one game to your table. — Return borrowed game that has been played to the Games Return Table. Before returning, check table surroundings for any fallen game component, report missing component so that replacement can be found, and pack components back in ziplock plastic bags accordingly, if provided. ***Thank you everyone! Be a good gamer!*** **About Game Sunday!...** Games Sunday! is organised by Game On!, a sub-club of the Youth Network (YN) at Toa Payoh Central Community Club. Games Sunday! is a regular calendar event happening on the first Sunday of every month. With a spacious venue, a newcomer-friendly atmosphere, and an ever-expanding library of board and card games, the meet-up is always well-attended and receives much love from first-timers and loyal regulars alike. Visit and join our Facebook Group [Game On! (Toa Payoh Central Community Club)](https://www.facebook.com/groups/154963871278307/). Game On! is one of two sub-clubs of Toa Payoh Central Community Club's Youth Network. The two sub-clubs are: — Game On! — Guitar Club #ToaPayohCentralYouthNetwork #GameOn #GamesSunday

Come for a quiet block of 2 hours in a beautiful Japanese-inspired café in Tanjong Pagar. ​If you have a book gathering dust on the shelf, a story you've been hoping to dive into but "life" keeps getting in the way, please bring it along. No distractions, no deadlines, just you, a comfy chair, and 60 minutes of deep, uninterrupted reading. **Schedule (approx.)** * 10 mins: arrivals + grab a drink (min. 1) * 60 mins: deep reading * 40 mins: cozy chatting **Intro style (keep it easy):** We’ll keep introductions simple - name + what brought you here today. No need to introduce yourself through work. **House note:** This is not a networking or sales event. Please no pitching, recruiting, or unsolicited DMs. Priority to ladies who have attended a session previously. Please update RSVP if you can't make it so we can reserve the right table size. **What to bring:** Laptop / book / anything you want to work on **Good for:** People who like Japanese cafés, cozy spaces, and great company.

Welcome! Gist below! :-) a) Café has a 75min dine-in limit. We may or may not do sharing at the end. Thus, come slightly early or on time to maximize your reading time and ensure that you can join the sharing session at the start. b) We may or may not be able to sit everyone together so we may split into 2 groups of 4 with a host for each group. 1. Bring a book to the meet! 2. Buy a drink (and a bite if you're hungry). 3. Say hi to the folks. 4. Read! 5. We'll do a short round of intros and a short sharing at the end too. :) Come in and find us (we're probably the only reading group)! In the event that the place is full, we'll find a back up nearby. :-) This is a limited seats, small group event, so do try to update your RSVP early if your plans change! Thanks in advance! Nearest MRT: Outram Park (EW16/NE3/TE17)

Please buy tickets at [https://filmhouse.sg/film/50/amoeba/](https://filmhouse.sg/film/50/amoeba/) before Let's meet at the sitting area at 630pm, for 7pm show \-\-\- "Amoeba" 2025 \| 98mins \| \(R21\) \| Drama Directed by Tan Siyou \| Starring Ranice Tay\, Nicole Lee Wen\, Lim Shi\-An\, Genevieve Tan At an authoritarian all-girls school, four misfit teens form a secret gang. Their fumbling rebellion unearths buried desires and the quiet violence of growing up in contemporary Singapore. In English with English and Mandarin dual subtitles. Rated R21 for Mature Content.

*[https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/316287/quest](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/316287/quest)* ***Quest***, all will show their true colors as Good and Evil struggle for the future of civilization. Hidden amongst King Arthur’s loyal servants are Mordred’s unscrupulous minions. These forces of Evil are few in number, but if they go unknown, they can sabotage Arthur’s great quests. Players are secretly dealt roles that determine if their allegiance is to Good or to Evil. Then, players debate, reason, and lie as they decide who to send on Quests—knowing that if just one minion of Mordred joins, the Quest could fail. Quest includes 25 different characters and many different ways to play the base game. *Quest* also includes the **Director's Cut**, a personal recommendation from the designer about the preferred way to play Quest. *[https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/316287/quest](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/316287/quest)* Join us for an exclusive, intimate evening dedicated to the art of the analog. To celebrate **International Tabletop Day**, we are hosting a curated session for a small group of enthusiasts to connect, play, and explore. This session highlights the strength of our local community, featuring titles from **homegrown Singaporean tabletop designers**. Whether you are a seasoned strategist or new to the hobby, this is an opportunity to experience high-quality gameplay and engage with the minds behind the mechanics. All games are free to play. **Bring your friends or grab a seat and make new ones!** **🤔 WHAT IS THIS AH? 🤔** * **A tabletop initiative that #laiplayleow will be supporting!** * This tabletop initiative is held at in an office space in the Alexandra area * **This is a non-ticketed initiative! So bring some light F&B contributions, let's not be so kiam siap.** **👥 HOW MANY CAN COME LEH? 👥** 11 pax **FAQs:** * **Gaming etiquette:** Please play with care and returm all pieces intact.

Ever wished making new friends as an adult was actually fun? This is your Sun morning sorted. **Welcome to Gotomo — where strangers become Tomos.** **Padel & Brunch** — we're keeping it small, real, and ridiculously good — a Circle of Six on the court, followed by breakfast with your new Tomos. No awkward intros. No giant crowds. Just six people, good energy, and a morning you'll actually want to repeat. **No experience needed.** Padel is one of the fastest-growing social sports for a reason — it's dead simple to pick up, laughably fun, and ridiculously good at breaking the ice. We'll have paddles, balls, and our patient coaches who'll show you the ropes at the beginning. **Here’s how the morning flows:** * ☀️ Arrive, meet your Circle of Six * 🏓 Warm up & play — 60 mins of padel play (beginner-friendly, I promise) * 🍳 Head out for brunch together (self-paid — good food, better company) * 💬 The Gotomo Moment — connection happens here * 🤝 Grow your circle or join the next one **What to bring:** * Comfortable sports clothes & sneakers * A water bottle * Your actual self (leave the awkward small talk at home — we've got games for that) **What we've got covered:** * Paddles & equipment * Padel court + brunch spot, all booked for you Spots are capped at 6. **How to join your Circle of Six:** Head over to gotomo.co to register and book a slot 📍 A Padel court within 10 mins of an MRT station — exact location revealed 24 hours before the event. 🎾 Register via gotomo.co to confirm your slot 🎾 *Strangers today. Tomos tomorrow.* *gotomo.co* *📲 Follow us for updates and early access to upcoming events:* *Instagram: @gotomo.sg* *Telegram: t.me/gotomo_sg*

Welcome! Gist below! :-) 1. Bring a book to the meet! 2. Buy a drink (and a bite if you're hungry). 3. Say hi to the folks. 4. Read! 5. We'll do a short round of intros and a short sharing at the end too. :) Come in and find us (we're probably the only reading group)! In the event that the place is full, we'll find a back up nearby. :-) This is a limited seats, small group event, so do try to update your RSVP early if your plans change! Thanks in advance! Nearest MRT: Kembangan (EW6)

Welcome to the Party of Fives Meetups! If you are a gamer who wants to go beyond the usual PARTY gaming fare at boardgame meetups and cafes, this is it! We don't usually play Cards against Humanity, Exploding Kittens and Unstable Unicorns. That's just us. Make us play if you can. We will be playing an assortment of board games ranging from light strategic kinds to heavy thematic ones. Games we usually play range from light ones like Azul, Splendor, Jamaica to medium ones like Yokohama, Endeavor and Nippon and of course heavy ones like Twilight Imperium, Gloomhaven, Tainted Grail and Kingdom Death Monster! Do not be surprised if you see us painting miniatures or are engaged in some sort of insanely time-consuming enhancements towards our game elements in our games. Everyone get their kick in different ways. :) Painting groups are also in their groups of fives ... For the game designers out there, just tell us that you are a creator when you see us and we will have our own private creative sessions mapped out in a feasible way. Most others don't care so we should not disturb the force unnecessarily. We will contact you when you sign up and place you into appropriate messaging groups with different needs to facilitate further communication. Total noobs are totally welcome! While we don't serve food ourselves, we are smack right in the middle of the legendary Golden Mile premises with an huge range of eateries from super curry puffs, loud Japanese izakaya food, heavenly chicken rice with steamboat, hellish black burgers and authentic Thai food that is just sick. All within a pebble's throw away. Tea and dinner sessions (at our own expenses) usually follow the gaming sessions according to our designated groups. Due to the current Covid-19 and social distancing restrictions, you are not allowed to join us for these food consuming sessions only. For your understanding, please If you have something specific in mind, do a shout out below and we see if we can help within reasonable grounds. There will be a charge of SGD $15 (ARENA: $15), (HEAVY/CAMPAIGN GAMES: $25) collected at the door (in cash) to help with the running of the event. How to sign up for our sessions: • Join the Singapore Manga Anime Games & Cosplay Assembly as a member. • RSVP below and retain a screenshot of your RSVP as proof. • Note that without proof of RSVP you will not be allowed into the premises. • Note that those who sign up but do not show up will not be allowed to sign up for future Party of Five sessions. • Note that RSVP closes 6 hours before the event takes place. For those who will like to form groups to play other games, feel free to shout out your intentions at the comments section below: Note that there won’t be any game masters around to help you with your games on site. The meetup will run from the time stated to the time ended. By signing up for this meetup, you agree to the terms and conditions set above.

🏛️ **WHAT'S PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY ABOUT?** Practical Philosophy is a weekly meet-up that brings critical thinkers together for an opportunity to dive deep on a topic, practice communicating, and building a community. All with no ‘official’ philosophy knowledge required! 😎 Practical Philosophy is based on the idea that philosophy should be accessible to all, and not something reserved only for academics. Each week we choose a topic, and the goal is to use the conversation to develop our critical thinking and communication as we explore that topic. The goal is to help develop our Critical Thinking, Communication, and Community 🙌 📓 **HOW DOES IT WORK?** Each week, we pick one topic and discuss it. The topic for the week is shared, generally in the [Whatsapp group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Dsjl0cwLVxR4tw1jTC1Osx?mode=gi_t), along with jump-off points to get the conversation going. When groups get bigger than 7-8 people, it’s important that we break into smaller groups. This way we are able to maintain a conversational flow as opposed to having our meetups feel like a discourse or lecture. **General Meeting Agenda** Each Practical Philosophy meet-up follows this general timeline: * 19:00-19:15 - People arrive and chat, get to know each other before the ‘official' start. * 19:15-19:25 - Meeting introduction, explanation of Practical Philosophy and the topic for the week, read the guidelines and the overview so attendees know what to expect in terms of timelines. * 19:25-20:45 - Break into small groups - introduce yourselves and general thoughts on the topic, open discussion afterwards. At this point the group can review the ‘jump-off’ questions as needed, but they are just there to help guide the conversation. It’s not obligatory to answer them. * 20:45-21:00 - Bring everyone back together to discuss conclusions of the topic - each group gives a short 1-minute summary. Organizer concludes the meeting and everyone takes a group photo. * 21:00 - The official meeting is over but it’s a great opportunity to get to know people in a non-structured environment, so we often stick around, chat, and get to know each other. **🧧PRICING?** Practical Philosophy Club is FREE to attend! We just ask that if we are meeting in a café, buy a beverage! Some chapters rent a space for us to meet, and they may ask for donations to help contribute to the cost of rent. Donations will always be 100% voluntary though! 💛 **WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY** 🗣 “I feel like Philosophy Club helps someone build their own belief system through a series of perspectives while not promoting what’s right and wrong” - Ekam 🗣 “I got hooked from day 1 (the topic was authority) and felt it was the right place for me. I feel it is a place where people can go to learn and discuss new perspectives and increase critical thinking and community by interacting with people who might challenge your point of views but at the same time encourage you to have openness and mind flexibility.” - Daniel **🤓 FAQ** * ​What will we talk about? What's the topic? ​The topic for the week is shared every Sunday in the Whatsapp group. We try to add the topic to the comment section on this event page as well but if you don’t see it, the topic and the jump-off points will be in our [Whatsapp](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Dsjl0cwLVxR4tw1jTC1Osx?mode=gi_t). * Do I need to study or read anything to attend? No preparation is necessary. This isn’t a study of other thinkers. We want to know what YOU think about the topic, not what an old philosopher thought. If you have a perspective from a religion or a school of thought to share, throw it on the table and we’ll discuss it, but it's not required. * Is there a specific philosophy that Practical Philosophy is focused on? The goal of our meet-ups is to not have dogmatic discussions, and flex our critical thinking muscles. Because of this, we want to hear from every realm of thought, and don't study a particular school. * Is it mostly men that attend? Surprisingly, no! Although philosophy is seen as a Candelabra affair in a dark room with a bunch of guys, our Practical Philosophy meetups are generally 50/50 between genders, and we don’t meet in any dark rooms. * Can I come alone? Of course you can, we encourage it :) * Can I be late? Please don't be! We do have a 15 minute grace period where we allow people to funnel in while we hang out, but after that if you arrive too late, it disrupts the flow of the conversation. * Where do you meet? The location is posted in Meetup and our [Whatsapp](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Dsjl0cwLVxR4tw1jTC1Osx?mode=gi_t) group for this location. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you join the Whatsapp group! If you want to know what other cities have a Practical Philosophy Club, you can see our chapters on our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/practical-philosophy-locations/). **PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY - Making Philosophy Available To All.** ✨ Practical Philosophy hosts weekly, in-person meetups in over 20 countries, including Canada, Spain, Japan, Mexico and many more! 🗺️ \*\*\* Join our [Whatsapp group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Dsjl0cwLVxR4tw1jTC1Osx?mode=gi_t) 👈 Follow us on [Instagram](www.instagram.com/practicalphilosophyclub/) 👈 Our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/) 👈

Join us for Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn! Fresh from a brief stay at a psych hospital, reporter Camille Preaker faces a troubling assignment: she must return to her tiny hometown to cover the unsolved murder of a preteen girl and the disappearance of another. For years, Camille has hardly spoken to her neurotic, hypochondriac mother or to the half-sister she barely knows: a beautiful thirteen-year-old with an eerie grip on the town. Now, installed in her old bedroom in her family's Victorian mansion, Camille finds herself identifying with the young victims—a bit too strongly. Dogged by her own demons, she must unravel the psychological puzzle of her own past if she wants to get the story-and survive this homecoming.

Join the CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group for a dynamic afternoon of B2B networking! This event is perfect for professionals looking to expand their business connections, share insights, and foster collaboration within the community. Whether you are a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this event offers a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, build relationships, and grow your network in a supportive environment. Connect with like-minded individuals, explore potential partnerships, and discover new opportunities for professional growth. Don't miss out on this chance to enhance your business network and take your career to the next level with CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group! We meet the 4th Monday of every month from 11am-1pm. Welcome and general networking from 11am - 11:30am with core meeting 11;30 - 12:30 and a final round of networking from 12:30 - 1pm.

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

WQC has weekly Thursday night social nights at the Westerville Java Central. Come and grab a coffee and connect with the community: low stakes, chill environment, and tasty drinks. No registration is required; come as you are.

**Our June novel is: *The Eights* by Joanna Miller** **This month’s novel is set during World War I. It’s a 20th-century historical fiction story about friendship and war, with coming-of-age elements and a slightly haunted tone. The book is 384 pages in print and 10 hours and 9 minutes on audiobook.** Oxford, 1920. For the first time in its one-thousand-year history, Oxford University officially admits female students. Burning with dreams of equality, four young women move into neighboring rooms in Corridor 8. Beatrice, Dora, Marianne, and Otto—collectively known as The Eights—come from all walks of life, each driven by their own motives, each holding tight to their secrets, and are thrown into an unlikely, unshakable friendship. Dora was never meant to go to university, but, after losing both her brother and her fiancé on the battlefield, has arrived in their place. Politically-minded Beatrice, daughter of a famous suffragette, sees Oxford as a chance to make her own way - and some friends her own age. Otto was a nurse during the war but is excited to return to her socialite lifestyle in Oxford where she hopes to find distraction from the memories that haunt her. And finally Marianne, the quiet, clever daughter of a village pastor, who has a shocking secret she must hide from everyone, even her new friends, if she is to succeed. Among the historic spires, and in the long shadow of the Great War, the four women must navigate and support one another in a turbulent world in which misogyny is rife, influenza is still a threat, and the ghosts of the Great War don’t always remain dead.