Poetry
Meet other local people interested in Poetry: share experiences, inspire and encourage each other! Join a Poetry group.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Check out poetry events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.
Discover all the poetry events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.
Absolutely! Find poetry events near your location here. Connect with your local community and discover events within your area.
Poetry Events Today
Join in-person Poetry events happening right now
Write-in at the Mitre: work on your own material in convivial company
**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.**
Tribalheart Ecstatic Dance
DANCING EVERY 1ST, 2ND AND 3RD SATURDAY NIGHTS <3
Tribalheart Ecstatic dance creates space for free-form movement in a chat free zone where you can dive deeply into the heart, reconnecting, expressing, dancing in and out, up and down, learning to let go of anything and everything that holds you back from yourSelf and inner freedom. Let the energy move you, let the spirit of the heart guide you.
There is space to dance alone and no pressure to connect with anyone else, just be yourself and honour what you need in the moment.
This night is an inspiration and fusion of club culture, dancing yoga, active meditation, cardio fitness, Ecstatic trance dance (blindfolds available) and a sacred Nataraj. If you choose to connect, it is a chance to meet others without words from a place of movement, meditation, energy and soul; eyes and heart wide open.
###
We will start the evening with a welcoming warmup to relax the body and mind. Together we will set an intention for the evening inviting the heart to open and awaken within us thus creating sacred space for all. For those that wish to partake, we will enjoy and deepen our intention with a short Cacao ceremony. (The cacao is used to take us deeper into our body, awakening our senses, connecting us to heart energy and aiding a spring in our step) We also embark on some dynamic breathwork to fire us up for the evening.
\- Please leave at least 2 hours after eating a heavy meal if drinking cacao\.
-Please do not drink alcohol before the event as it is contraindicated with some of the breathwork techniques we practice
We inject passion into sourcing the music for our events and aim to deliver an eclectic mix of genres for your heart. From tribal to electronic and everything in between we aim to assist a natural flow peaking and resting to mirror the rhythm and energy of life. Prepare to shake, spin, whirl and twirl. The music becomes the facilitator during the wild ecstatic dance ending with moments of stillness into silence where we can rest and breathe together
Each DJ has their own sound and energy to be shared, making each night unique and different...
Admission
**New Venue**-Doors open from 630pm and we start at 7pm. Evening-7-930pm. Social till 10pm.
Cost is on a sliding scale.
Tickets-
£15-early bird- purchase up to 5 days in advance before the event
£20-Skint/student
£25-Working Friend
£30-Admission for people on an abundant wage
***All tickets include ceremonial cacao, herbal teas and fruit***
***There are often places to crew if money is an issue. Please contact Tara on 07776321878 to inquire***
ALL TICKETS ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE, IF THEY ARE NOT, PLEASE CALL 07776321878 AS IT WILL BE AN EVENTBRITE ERROR!
NO REFUNDS
Book tickets via
paypal- https://paypal.me/moveandmeditate?locale.x=en_GB
(use friends and family option only or pay the the fee please)
or eventbrite-https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tribalheart-ecstatic-dance-london-the-pirate-castle-tickets-168013682447
Optional teas and social after the dance
Tara on [07776321878](tel:07776321878 "tel:07776321878")
Tara has been facilitating dance, movement and meditation groups under Tribalheart since 2007. She is a lover of all types of dance, meditation, massage, breathwork and many other nourishing things. Tara qualified in Mental health nursing in 1998 and worked as a specialist addictions nurse for over 17 years. She trained and developed in various methods over the years from bodywork, tantra, shamanism, hypnotherapy, psychosexual somatics and breathwork which she blends into her various groups and 1:1 practise. If you are interested in a 1:1 session with Tara please email tara@tribalheart.co.uk , info@divinebodybliss.co.uk
Shut Up and Write! [London/Waterstones Piccadilly]
A chance just to work in company on your writing, be it a book, blog, screenplay, dissertation, poem, song, coursework, memoir, play, journal, travel writing or work stuff. Newcomers always welcome. No one will see what you're writing or give you unsolicited advice.
WE FILL THE ROOM, so you MUST SIGN UP below AND ARRIVE BY 11.40 at the latest, or we can’t guarantee you a seat.
And if you can't make it CHANGE YOUR RSVP to "not going" ASAP to give someone else a chance, thanks.
WHERE? FIFTH FLOOR CAFÉ, Floor 5, Waterstones, 203-206 Piccadilly, W1J 9LE
TIMINGS:-
11.00 - Café starts serving
11:30 - Host of the day will be there. Say hello, especially if you’re new.
11.40 - Brief introductions for everybody - your name and what you’re working on
11:45 - Timer starts: write for 45 minutes
12:30 – Break, chat to your neighbours if you like
12:45 - Timer starts: write for 45 minutes
13:30 - The End…feel free to stay and keep writing or chat some more.
Bring whatever you need to be able to write. It’s a café, there’s some noise so earbuds/headphones/earplugs are handy. There’s very few mains sockets so charged-up laptops are a good idea too.
And please remember everybody, thank our venue by buying a drink or food, and don’t consume anything from outside while you're here.
IF YOU ARRIVE AFTER 11.45 - everyone will be quiet and writing. If there's no spare places then there's sofas on the sales floors below as well as one cafe at the back of the ground floor and another in the basement. The hosts won't have any other alternatives to offer you. Please feel free to join us for the break and afterwards.
We’re looking forward to writing with you, your hosts, Sarah, Nick, Laura and Anna
Day trip to Suffolk Villages
Suffolk is an area of eastern England that is not often visited by students. This is mainly because not many of the places are particularly famous. But this region contains some beautiful towns and villages with old buildings which were important historically and this is a lovely place to spend the day.
We start by travelling to the town of Bury St. Edmunds, whose abbey was once one of the richest in the country. Later on we go to Lavenham, a village with some beautiful old buildings which was once an important wool town.
This is a chance to spend some time away from the busy city to see a quiter, more traditional side of England.
The price includes train fare to Bury St. Edmunds and bus to Lavenham and guided walks of both places.
Lesbian London StripClub Meetup - Platinum Lace
💋 **Lesbian Social Meet-Up & Night Out Experience** 💋
Get ready for a night of confidence, connection, and unforgettable vibes. Join a small group of lesbian women aged 30+ for a sexy night of dancing, laughter, and fun energy from start to finish. Whether you’re coming with friends or flying solo, this is your space to meet new people, enjoy great company, and celebrate community in a bold, welcoming atmosphere.
Expect great music, stylish vibes, entertainment, cocktails, photo-worthy moments, and plenty of opportunities to connect with like-minded women who love nightlife and good energy. Dress up, show out, and come ready for a night you’ll be talking about long after it ends.
**Good vibes • Great company • New connections • Unforgettable memories**
Tribalheart Ecstatic Dance
DANCING EVERY 1ST AND 3RD SATURDAYS OF THE MONTH <3
Tribalheart Ecstatic dance creates space for free-form movement in a chat free zone where you can dive deeply into the heart, reconnecting, expressing, dancing in and out, up and down, learning to let go of anything and everything that holds you back from yourSelf and inner freedom. Let the energy move you, let the spirit of the heart guide you. There is space to dance alone and no pressure to connect with anyone else, just be yourself and honour what you need in the moment.
This night is an inspiration and fusion of club culture, dancing yoga, active meditation, cardio fitness, Ecstatic trance dance (blindfolds available) and a sacred Nataraj. If you choose to connect, it is a chance to meet others without words from a place of movement, meditation, energy and soul; eyes and heart wide open.
###
We will start the evening with a welcoming warmup to relax the body and mind. Together we will set an intention for the evening inviting the heart to open and awaken within us thus creating sacred space for all. For those that wish to partake, we will enjoy and deepen our intention with a short Cacao ceremony. (The cacao is used to take us deeper into our body, awakening our senses, connecting us to heart energy and aiding a spring in our step) We also embark on some dynamic breathwork to fire us up for the evening.
\- Please leave at least 2 hours after eating a heavy meal if drinking cacao\.
-Please do not drink alcohol before the event as it is contraindicated with some of the breathwork techniques we practice
We inject passion into sourcing the music for our events and aim to deliver an eclectic mix of genres for your heart. From tribal to electronic and everything in between we aim to assist a natural flow peaking and resting to mirror the rhythm and energy of life. Prepare to shake, spin, whirl and twirl. The music becomes the facilitator during the wild ecstatic dance ending with moments of stillness into silence where we can rest and breathe together
Each DJ has their own sound and energy to be shared, making each night unique and different...
4/4/2026-DJ TARA
18/4/2026-DJ ATMO
Admission
**New Venue**-Doors open from 630pm and we start at 7pm. Evening-7-930pm. Social till 10pm.
Cost is on a sliding scale.
Tickets-
£15-early bird- purchase up to 5 days in advance before the event
£20-Skint/student
£25-Working Friend
£30-Admission for people on an abundant wage
***All tickets include ceremonial cacao, herbal teas and fruit***
***There are often places to crew if money is an issue. Please contact Tara on 07776321878 to inquire***
ALL TICKETS ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE, IF THEY ARE NOT, PLEASE CALL 07776321878 AS IT WILL BE AN EVENTBRITE ERROR!
NO REFUNDS
Book tickets via
paypal- https://paypal.me/moveandmeditate?
(use friends and family option only or pay the the fee please)
or eventbrite-https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tribalheart-ecstatic-dance-london-the-pirate-castle-tickets-168013682447
Optional teas and social after the dance
Tara on [07776321878](tel:07776321878 "tel:07776321878")
Tara has been facilitating dance, movement and meditation groups under Tribalheart since 2007. She is a lover of all types of dance, meditation, massage, breathwork and many other nourishing things. Tara qualified in Mental health nursing in 1998 and worked as a specialist addictions nurse for over 17 years. She trained and developed in various methods over the years from bodywork, tantra, shamanism, hypnotherapy, psychosexual somatics and breathwork which she blends into her various groups and 1:1 practise. If you are interested in a 1:1 session with Tara please email tara@tribalheart.co.uk , info@divinebodybliss.co.uk
Poetry Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
Poetry London Social at the South Bank Centre
This event is a **poetry social**, a chance to meet poets and share your poetry and poetry thoughts informally.
Please be aware this is not our regular session of around the table poetry sharing, but a **chance to chat and connect with other London poets**. That said, you are of course welcome to read and perform your poetry for those who want to hear it. Just be aware there can be some background noise in the area where we meet.
There will be some tables and chairs set up for us **outside the poetry library on the fifth floor**. Coffee and tea are available in the cafe on the ground floor. Also be aware there may be some external noise from the nearby children's library and south bank centre members attending events.
If you have not attended our group before, please introduce yourself to David, the organiser.
This session is right next to the poetry library, so a perfect opportunity to browse and share published poetry with others as well. Make sure to be quiet when inside and using the library.
Shut Up and Write! SUNDAY at London/Waterstones Piccadilly
Join us at the top of the biggest bookshop in Europe to work in company on your own writing, be it a book, blog, screenplay, dissertation, poem, song, coursework, memoir, play, journal, travel writing, work stuff or anything else. Newcomers always welcome. No one will see what you're writing or give you unsolicited advice.
Now that our regular Saturday events are filling all the seats we're adding some Sundays when we're able to - check Meetup for dates. Same format but an hour later.
WHERE? FIFTH FLOOR CAFÉ, Floor 5, Waterstones, 203-206 Piccadilly, W1J 9LE
TIMINGS:-
12.00 - Shop and café open
12:30 - Host will be there. Say hello, especially if you’re new.
12.40 - Brief introductions from everybody - your name and what you’re working on
12:45 - Timer starts: write for 45 minutes
13:30 – Break, chat to your neighbours if you like
13:45 - Timer starts: write for 45 minutes
14:30 - The End…feel free to stay and keep writing or chat some more.
Bring whatever you need to be able to write. It’s a café, there’s some noise so earbuds/headphones/earplugs are handy. There’s very few mains sockets so charged-up laptops are a good idea too.
And please remember everybody, thank our venue by buying a drink or food, and don’t consume anything from outside while you're here.
We’re looking forward to writing with you, your hosts, Sarah, Nick, Laura, Anna, Solitaire and John
June Meeting 1 - Wordslut (Amanda Montell)
We start June by reading Amanda Montell's 2019 effort, *Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language*. Our first non-fiction of 2026 is a 'brash, enlightening, and wildly entertaining work of pop linguistics and a feminist look at gendered language and the way it shapes us.' (Book jacket)
'[Montell], reporter and feminist linguist, deconstructs language—from insults, cursing, gossip, and catcalling to grammar and pronunciation patterns—to reveal the ways it has been used for centuries to keep women and other marginalized genders from power.'
-Waterstones
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53066379-wordslut
In the eternal hope of good weather in London in the spring/summer, we will have the meeting in Haz St Paul's lovely outdoor area. So come along for some great atmosphere, delicious Turkish food, and insightful discussion.
N.B. We will be charging an event fee of £3, non-refundable, to discourage no-shows and contribute to the running costs of the group. Please only sign up if you intend to come along as space is limited to make for an effective discussion!
Seashell and Clergyman + Cinderella + more (BFI Southbank)
# Film Society 38
### + intro by BFI National Archive curator Bryony Dixon and guests
Presented for the first time since 1930, the Film Society’s 1930 tribute to women filmmakers.
Sunday 07 June 2026 14:45
Screen NFT3
* Total running time 146min
* With live piano accompaniment
We have been proudly championing the work of women filmmakers for many years at the BFI. But we were not the first to do so. The Film Society, a pioneering organisation of cinephiles, addressed the issue as early as 1930, in their 38th edition. It consisted solely of films produced or directed by women. Not all of these survive – we have lost films by Dorothy Arzner and Dinah Shurey – but we have enough to present, for the first time since 1930, this celebration of the women who featured in that groundbreaking programme.
### Secrets of Nature: Plants of the Underworld
UK 1930. Director Mary Field. 11min. Digital
### Cinderella
Germany 1922. Director Lotte Reinger. 16min. 35mm
### Seashell and the Clergyman
France 1928. Director Germaine Dulac. 31min. 35mm
### Peasant Women of Riazan
USSR 1927. Director Olga Preobrazhenskaya. 88min. Digital
[Link here](https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/Online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=76EB7F96-F766-4AF2-8665-FE09577EA698&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::context_id=40250D4A-7E2C-4BBF-9525-EBEF0991E80E)
Sunday Morning 5Rhythms Body Prayer — Tufnell Park, London NW5 1RP 🌀
**5Rhythms Body Prayer with Ruth Hirst** 🌀
**🕒 11.30am–1.30pm** \| Doors 11\.20am
📍 Copin Hall, **La Sainte Union School**, Croftdown Road NW5 1RP 🚪 **Entrance** opposite No's 12/14 Croftdown Road
🚗 Free parking - on road or on site
\| Nearest tubes: Gospel Oak 8 min walk \| Tufnell Park 15 min walk
💚 This is a paid event - we offer a sliding scale to make it accessible to all
**Sliding scale** from £16 \| Children £3 \|
Trial class — New to Body Prayer £10.50
🎟️ [Book Tickets Here](https://soullinkhub.com/soulspace/ruth-hirst) soullinkhub\.com/soulspace/ruth\-hirst \| or on the door
***
**New to 5Rhythms?** It's a dynamic form of moving meditation. No steps, no choreography, no experience needed. Just you, the music and your body moving freely. 🌱
Eclectic, soulful, tribal, electronic and world music and much more. 🎶
However you are. Whatever is moving in you... bring it to the dance floor.
We come together — moving, expressing, releasing, weaving, belonging. 🌿
Whether this is your first time, your 100th or anything in between — each time we begin again. You are welcome here. A warm, safe community. 💚
Your dance. Your way of expressing. Shapeshifting from moment to moment. 🌀
Bring loose clothing to move with ease and a water bottle. Bring yourself as you are. Let's DANCE! 🌀
Looking forward to moving and a groovin' with you soon! ❤️👣🎶 Love Ruth & the crew 🌱
🎟️ soullinkhub.com/soulspace/ruth-hirst facebook.com/groups/133636983394849
Picnic @ Museum Gardens (followed by boardgames)
Keep an eye on the weather and this event in case we need to change venue.
I've also created this event on Facebook and we usually get others jump in last minute at the Assembly so there will be more people than are showing just on the guest list here.
5Rhythms with Ruth Hirst, Sunday, June 7th - Come Dance!
**Sunday June 7th, Come move at 5Rhythms Body Prayer with Ruth Hirst**
🕒 11\.30am–1\.30pm \| Doors 11\.20am 📍 Copin Hall\, La Sainte Union School\, London NW5 1RP 🚪 Entrance opposite No's 12/14 Croftdown Road 🚗 Free parking \| Gospel Oak 8 min walk \| Tufnell Park 15 min walk
💚 Sliding scale from £16 \| Children from £3 \| New to Body Prayer £10\.50 🎟️ [https://soullinkhub.com/soulspace/ruth-hirst](https://soullinkhub.com/soulspace/ruth-hirst) \| or on the door
Thank you for all your dances at **'Weaving Connections'** last Sunday. Together we raised **£423** for the **Multiple Sclerosis Society** \- this is what it means to be in community\. 💚🙏🏼
**And Sunday, June 7th, we dance again.** 🌀
"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." Maya Angelou
We all carry them. The stories that live in the body.
**New to 5Rhythms?** Think dynamic moving meditation - no steps, no choreography, no getting it wrong. Eclectic, soulful, tribal, electronic and world music - music that touches every part of you. 🎶
Come bring your stories to the floor. Let them move. Let the wisdom of your body move them. 🌿
And sometimes - we just need to MOVE... inside the hall and out in the orchard.
**Come BE-Moved!** 🌀
Bring yourself as you are. And let's do it. Alone, together, more together in community, than alone!
See you on the dance floor.
❤️👣🎶 Love Ruth & the crew 🌱
Poetry Events Near You
Connect with your local Poetry community
Speak Easy (Storytelling)
The topic for June is "Roadtrip"
Speak Easy: true stories, told live.
The idea is simple: an audience, an open microphone, and great stories. Hilarious, gripping, poignant- it's up to you. Audiences are invited to come to listen or come to tell as folks from all corners of Columbus offer their stories live on stage! Held at Wild Goose Creative's warm, intimate space, this night of tales occurs on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 7:00 pm. Please arrive early if you want to tell, as we generally only have room for a limited number of tellers, and the sign-up sheet has a tendency to fill up fast.
Formed around the idea that people need stories--they're what hold and draw us together--SpeakEasy celebrates the strangeness and commonness of being human. And in a world of smartphones, Facebook, Twitter, and more . . . it gives people a real, breathing, in-person way to connect.
The night is geared for true stories of all kinds, taking the best tales told around kitchen tables, in darkened pubs, on the street corner, and at late-night parties and giving them an audience. Speak Easy is also a great outlet for performers, writers, and artists looking to share their favorite stories and perfect their skills. We strongly encourage tellers to please tell the story rather than read it so we keep within the spirit of good storytelling and stay engaged with the audience. All are welcome. Hang around after the show for a drink and build community!
Drunken Philosophy: Are you really who you think you are? What is the "self"?
I have been studying the question of "self" online with Prof. Ellie Anderson and so I thought a prompt on the "self" might be interesting. Full confession: I had Claude create this prompt and I like it, so here goes:
Imagine a thought experiment that merges two classic puzzles:
> You undergo a procedure, performed neuron by neuron, in which every biological component of your brain is replaced with a functionally identical synthetic substitute. At each step, your behavior, memories, and personality remain unchanged. When the last neuron is swapped, is the consciousness experiencing the world still you? And — more pressingly — was there ever a continuous "you" to begin with?
### Questions to Wrestle With
* If consciousness is purely physical, does the *gradual* nature of the replacement matter, or is it equivalent to being destroyed and rebuilt?
* Could there be a "self" without continuity of experience — even moment to moment, while you sleep?
On a more practical level, consider the simpler case first: **hemispherectomy** patients — people who have had an entire cerebral hemisphere surgically removed — often retain a strong sense of personal identity and continuity. This suggests "you" are not rigidly tied to specific physical material. But does that vindicate the synthetic neuron case, or merely show that identity is more *flexible* than we thought — not that it can survive *complete* substrate replacement?
I used Claude so I could get this out today and let everyone have some time to consider it. Hope to see you at the Oracle. Sorry about the location change two weeks ago. That's what I get for trusting local weather predictions!
Your Summer Social Life Starts Here 🍻🎳 🍻 20% Off for NEW Bowlers!
🎳 **Summer Fun Starts on the Lanes! 20% off for NEW bowlers!**
The 6-week summer social bowling league is here - cold drinks, fun times, and new friends await on the lanes! Whether you're looking to meet new people, unwind after work, or just have a fun weekly outing, this league is for everyone.
Social vibes, happy hour energy, and plenty of chances to connect with others. No matter your skill level, this league is all about having fun and meeting awesome people. ;)
**🗓 Thursday nights \|📍 AMF Sawmill Lanes \| 💵 $74 *(while Early Bird is active)***
**🚨New to the league?** Use discount code (**MUSU26**) for 20% off - $59.20 *during **Early Bird***
**💻 League Info & Registration**: https://bit.ly/ColumbusBowling
**Why Join?**
🎉 It’s only 6 weeks - perfect for a low-commitment social plan
🍻 Great mix of people in their 20s, 30s, & 40s, plus post-game hangs at the bar
🎳 Zero pressure - gutter balls totally welcome!
👕 Free league shirt if you sign up early
🧠 Weekly trivia w/ prizes
💬 Super social - join solo or w/ friends!
**Want in?**
Join our Meetup team Gutter Domination 👉 **Click here to join** https://tinyurl.com/2awfupnc
Or start a team of your own with a few friends - we’ll all be hanging out either way!
📅 League Dates (Thursday nights): June 25, July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23, July 30
***(The MeetUp event date is deadline to register for the league.)***
**Cost & What’s Included:**
✔ $74 **Early Bird** registration - **New bowler? Get 20% off w/ code: MUSU26**
✔ 6 weeks of bowling (1–3 games/week)
✔ Shoe rentals & full league setup
✔ Trivia, prizes, and great people
👉 **Sign up now:**
💻League Info & Registration: https://bit.ly/ColumbusBowling
🤑New bowlers use code MUSU26 to save 20%
📸 Follow the fun on Instagram: https://bit.ly/BowlingLeague-IG
📩 Questions? Contact the league: http://bit.ly/2nKHno7
Spots are filling fast – don’t miss out on the fun times!
Blendon Woods Metro Park
Hi Ladies , Let's Hike Blendon Woods Metro Park .
We will meet at the nature center parking lot.
Hiking about 4 miles completing the blendon woods loop and the sugarbush trail .
Wear appropriate footwear and bring water for hydration .
BeComing Circle Initiates
http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/a/9/6/600_348310902.jpeg
Instructor - Crow, HPS
Class fee is $30 at the door or approved exchange
RSVP with Advance pay of $25 (discounted) by PayPal on the web or by contacting Enchanted Elements (614) 437-2642.
Reservations made directly to Enchanted Elements will be added to the class list manually not online.
Private Instruction ~ Closed to the Public ~ Initiated Members Only
Please come prepared for ritual.
Blessings ~ Crow
You Exist Too Much by Zaina Arafat
[Columbus library link to book](https://cml.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S105C3351321)
Location: The Goat River South
219 S High St, Columbus, OH 43215
Street parking is free on Sundays
[Menu](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/686d3ed16745133042482c5f/t/68ff654dbb03b96875430bde/1761568077220/all_brunch-20250311.pdf)
Book summary:
On a hot day in Bethlehem, a twelve-year-old Palestinian-American girl is yelled at by a group of men outside the Church of the Nativity. She has exposed her legs in a biblical city, an act they deem forbidden, and their judgement will echo on through her adolescence. When our narrator finally admits to her mother that she is queer, her mother's response only intensifies a sense of shame: 'You exist too much,' she tells her daughter. Told in vignettes that flash between the U.S. and the Middle East--from New York to Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine--Zaina Arafat's debut novel traces her protagonist's progress from blushing teen to sought-after DJ and aspiring writer.



![Shut Up and Write! [London/Waterstones Piccadilly]](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/f/e/5/highres_484628165.webp?w=640)















