Reading

Let's read Modern Standard Arabic together and help each other. This get-together continues weekly. Please disregard attendee numbers, as most members come without registering here. There is no charge for this time together.

Online Personal Tarot Readings to be booked via my website: www.mapitarot.com. Please check for any other available dates and times if this event doesn't suit you.

***This is a group for deep conversation, making friends, discussing philosophy, (good) music, art, poetry, experiences, etc*** **We are going to** **meet** **inside the coffee shop, if you can’t find us, just ask the bartender where we are. Say you’re looking for ‘Veins of London’** **Please bring some art, you have done.** **18:30 - 20:30** **is the club time, but people can and will** **stay longer** **for more chatting, and to talk about other groups for you to join.** **For updates, conversation and our whereabouts on the day check the** [WhatsApp.](https://chat.whatsapp.com/LyRmJUaqN5zLJ2x21nIo04)

Our first 'class cultural trip' was really fun so I'm carrying on the series and we're going to keep exploring the British Museum. The idea is we'll meet in the cafe at the British Museum, and then choose which part of the museum we want to explore. We'll walk around it, stopping to look at things we find interesting. I'll help you with the vocabulary you need to talk about what you can see. At the end we'll go back to the cafe to summarise what we've learnt and do a little vocabulary test to see what you can remember from your visit! If you are late, don't worry too much, because we will stay in the cafe until everyone has arrived and then start exploring the museum. I hope to make 'cultural visit classes' to museums/ exhibitions/ galleries into a regular event so let me know which places you are interested in. I plan to choose places that have free entry. I need a minimum of 2 students to run this Meetup. Maximum 5 students so everyone gets a good chance to speak.

Hi everyone, in June our theme was books set in or related to places we’ve recently travelled to. Dust Child was the winner! Synopsis below: Finalist for the 2024 Dayton Literary Peace Prize. From the bestselling author of The Mountains Sing, a richly poetic and suspenseful saga about two Vietnamese sisters, an American veteran, and an Amerasian man whose lives intersect in surprising ways, set during and after the war in Việt Nam. "Powerful and deeply empathetic. A heartbreaking tale of lost ideals, human devotion, and hard-won redemption. Dust Child establishes Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai as one of our finest observers of the devastating consequences of war, and proves, once more, her ability to captivate readers and lure them into Viet Nam's rich and poignant history."―Viet Thanh Nguyen, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Sympathizer and The Committed In 1969, sisters Trang and Quỳnh, desperate to help their parents pay off debts, leave their rural village to work at a bar in Sài Gòn. Once in the big city, the young girls are thrown headfirst into a world they were not expecting. They learn how to speak English, how to dress seductively, and how to drink and flirt (and more) with American GIs in return for money. As the war moves closer to the city, the once-innocent Trang gets swept up in an irresistible romance with a handsome and kind American helicopter pilot she meets at the bar. Decades later, an American veteran, Dan, returns to Việt Nam with his wife, Linda, in search of a way to heal from his PTSD; instead, secrets he thought he had buried surface and threaten his marriage. At the same time, Phong--the adult son of a Black American soldier and a Vietnamese woman--embarks on a mission to find both his parents and a way out of Việt Nam. Abandoned in front of an orphanage, Phong grew up being called "the dust of life," "Black American imperialist," and "child of the enemy," and he dreams of a better life in the United States for himself, his wife Bình, and his children. Past and present converge as these characters come together to confront decisions made during a time of war--decisions that reverberate throughout one another's lives and ultimately allow them to find common ground across race, generation, culture, and language. Immersive, moving, and lyrical, Dust Child tells an unforgettable story of how those who inherited tragedy can redefine their destinies with hard-won wisdom, compassion, courage, and joy. See you there 🍹 Steph & Christina

The foundational adventure story of Western literature and the quintessential hero's journey. Homer's Odyssey follows Odysseus, king of Ithaca, on his ten-year voyage home from the Trojan War — past Cyclopes, Sirens, vengeful gods and treacherous seas — while his wife Penelope holds off a houseful of suitors and his son Telemachus goes searching for him. We're reading the E.V. Rieu translation for Penguin Classics, which turned the poem into vivid, pacy English prose and has been a gateway to Homer for millions of readers since 1946. Timely with Christopher Nolan's film adaptation landing this July. Look forward to discussing at the Metronome.

Welcome to our Epping book club — a welcoming space for people who love reading, meaningful conversation, and meeting like-minded book lovers. We’ll explore a mix of thought-provoking fiction, contemporary favourites, and empowering reads, creating engaging discussions in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Our meet-ups will take place at The George and Dragon on Epping High Street, the perfect cosy venue to unwind, connect, and share perspectives. There’ll be plenty of options to enjoy during the evenings too, including tea, coffee, alcoholic drinks, and non-alcoholic options, so everyone feels comfortable and included. Whether you’re an avid reader or just getting back into books, everyone is welcome! This is not a paid event, though we do ask that you purchase a copy of the book we will be reading.

For June 2026 we are reading “Most Important Arab Novel of the 20th Century” , Season of migration to the North . Considered a classic of postcolonial literature, the novel explores the impact of British colonialism and European modernity on Sudanese culture and identity. It’s a haunting, layered story about belonging, displacement, and what it means to live between two worlds . We are meeting on the 20th of June at 2 pm at SHOT Marylebone to discuss it .

Please join us to enjoy *The Jane Austen Experience* in London! Discover Regency England in the heart of London through immersive exhibits, interactive experiences, and live storytelling. **We will meet shortly before the event outside of the venue**. The Meetup organisers purchased their tickets for the **12:20pm slot on the 20th June (Saturday).** Tickets are available, so please book yours as soon as you can! Looking forward to meeting you in person and enjoying the experience and the gift shop. [https://janeausten.co.uk/pages/jane-austen-experience-in-london](https://janeausten.co.uk/pages/jane-austen-experience-in-london)

**This is an opportunity for you to meet native English speakers and get lots of conversation practise and see some London sights** **Our walk starts at**:- Richmond station (District, Mildmay lines, National lines), we'll Meetup just outside the exit on the left in the small photo. We'll **start walking at 11am** or soon after. I'll try to post a Location Sharing link to help you keep track of me or catch up, especially if you're late to the start. Toilets are near the station. Our walk is Richmond to Barnes Bridge. I estimate we'll be walking for about 3½hours **The walk ends at**:- Barnes Bridge Rail station, and for those that want to, we can go to a nearby tavern. The train station is National Rail, I'll be using one of the three bus routes outside the station to get home **About the walk**. Basically the walk is fairly flat with steps here and there, the surface is generally hard concrete/stone/tarmac/road, soil etc. i.e. varied. I'll try to post some photos beforehand to give you an idea. Please post your photos too :)

**A special Saturday afternoon workshop session from 3pm for those who find weekday evenings challenging.** In our regular feedback workshops, we have three writers sharing a sample of their writing for constructive critique, advice and encouragement. Critique is always constructive and moderated by your host. You learn more by listening to the writing of others and the feedback their piece receives on the night than you can imagine. We've been running these sessions since 2010 and there's a reason they fill up so fast! For people reading, pieces must be **3,500 words or less** as you'll have about 45mins for reading and discussion on your excerpt from around the table. Most people bring 3,500 words from their novel or a short story of all genres and styles. If you'd like to read, please **post a comment below**. *Please don't ask to read until you have booked your ticket to attend.* If you are reading, **please bring enough printed copies (at least 10)** of your pages so members can make additional feedback/editing notes for you during the reading. All copies will be returned to you after the feedback has concluded. New members are always welcome in these groups. Most people come along to a few sessions before offering feedback, commenting or requesting to read but it's up to you. If you want to read right away, great, but if you want to come along and see how we roll first, that makes sense too. Again, you'll be surprised by how much you can learn from others by listening to the pieces and their feedback. **TICKETS:** £15.00 and please follow the steps to pay via PayPal when you RSVP. Ticket price pays for venue fees, planning, hosting and organising which involve time and effort. A community of 4,500+ writers takes time to manage. **PLEASE NOTE:** Refunds or credits will only be provided if the workshop is cancelled by us. We cannot offer refunds or credit for another session if you decide not to attend. Please change your RSVP if you can't be there. We often have people on the waiting list and we'd hate for others to miss out. Location: The Artillery Arms, 102 Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 8ND. Grab a drink and find us in the private room upstairs. Closest stations are Old Street and Barbican. Try the official Meetup app to receive last-minute updates and notifications about our events as they happen to your phone. [Download it now](https://www.meetup.com/apps/). These workshops are hosted by me, Lisa Goll, Boss Lady at London Writers' Cafe. I'm a publishing professional with more than twenty years of working within the publishing industry. Since 2010 I've been programming and hosting LWC workshops for fiction writers. See more about [me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisagoll/) or Insta me @LisasShare @LondonWritersCafe Question? Post a comment below.

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! 📖

Welcome, readers! Our July read is ***A Short Walk Through a Wide World*** *by Douglas Westerbeke*. We'll follow a young woman bound by a mysterious condition that forces her to keep moving across the globe. As she journeys through vibrant cities, quiet landscapes, and centuries of time, each stop reveals new connections, fleeting relationships, and deeper questions about belonging. The novel blends adventure with introspection, exploring what it means to search for home when you can never stay in one place. It’s both a love letter to the vastness of the world and a poignant meditation on identity, memory, and human connection. 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!

Join us as we discuss our June pick: Metal Slinger by Rachel Schneider! Book description: Even though she's not one of them, Brynn has spent her life among the Alaha, training to be a guard and waiting for the chance to attend the annual market hosted by the Kenta–the very same people who exiled her adopted community to a life at sea. Going to the market is a rite of passage eagerly anticipated by all young guards, but Brynn does not anticipate breaking a century-long peace treaty while there. Nor does she plan for the intense encounter with an enemy soldier that now threatens to unwind the fragile coexistence between their people–and everything Brynn once believed about herself to be true. Brynn's loyalty to the Alaha is tested when the truth of her identity is brought to light by this soldier who's taken an oath to bring her back to where she belongs. Narrowly escaping death on the violent high seas, Brynn's connection to the Alaha is further tested when she learns about the world of magic she's been denied. She was once certain of her fate and where she belonged, but the dark, knowing eyes of this stranger have her questioning everything, including her heart. Packed with knife fights and seafaring adventure, METAL SLINGER is the smash-hit start to the romantic fantasy duology, the Fire & Metal series

You might check out the [Columbus Book Festival](https://www.columbusbookfestival.org/) the weekend prior! Celebrating Pride Month and Juneteenth [Columbus library link to book](https://cml.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S105C3366564) We're going some place new! (to us) Location: [Tupelo Honey](https://tupelohoneycafe.com/) 1678 W. Lane Ave., · Columbus, US [Menu](https://tupelohoneycafe.com/columbus/menu/) Book summary: A singular and stunning debut novel about the forbidden union between two enslaved young men on a Deep South plantation, the refuge they find in each other, and a betrayal that threatens their existence

Come join us to discuss our July pick "Tusk Love" by Thea Guanzon! Book description: A merchant’s daughter who yearns for adventure gets more than she bargained for when she falls for a broodingly handsome stranger in this saucy romantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of The Hurricane Wars. “A true delight of a book! Spicy and heartfelt—this one is a winner all around.”—Katee Robert, author of Neon Gods As the daughter of an ambitious merchant, Guinevere’s path has been predetermined: marry into a noble house of the Dwendalian Empire, raise her family’s station, and live quietly as a lordling’s obedient wife. But Guinevere longs for a life unbounded by expectations, for freedom and passion and adventure. Those distant dreams become a sudden reality when her caravan is beset by bandits, leaving her guards slain and Guinevere stranded alone on the dangerous Amber Road. Her only chance of survival is to travel alongside Oskar, the aloof half-orc who saved her during the attack. Unlike Guinevere, Oskar’s path is not so set in stone. With his mother dead and his apprenticeship abandoned, all that’s left is a long, lonely walk to a land he’s never seen to find family he’s never met. The last thing he needs is a spoiled waif like Guinevere slowing him down—even if the spark between them sizzles with promise. Despite his cold exterior, Oskar is brave and thoughtful and unlike anyone Guinevere has ever met. And while Guinevere may be sheltered, she brings out a softness in him that he has never dared to feel before. As the flames of their passion grow, they realize that soon they’ll need to choose between their expected destinations or their blossoming romance. Written by New York Times bestselling author Thea Guanzon at the behest of Critical Role’s Jester Lavorre, Tusk Love brings the most romantic story on Exandrian bookshelves to life.

Join us to discuss our August read, Dire Bound, as we paint small canvases! Book description: Fourth Wing meets The Hunger Games in this spicy, page-turning romantasy where humans and direwolves forge unbreakable bonds and fight for survival at all costs. Only the worthy survive the Bonding Trials. She’ll risk her life—and her heart—to be one of them. Meryn Cooper has always hated the Bonded, elite warriors who form mental links with the massive, vicious direwolves they ride. While they live in luxury, Meryn struggles to keep her family out of poverty. When her little sister, Saela, is kidnapped—stolen across the border by the immortal monsters her country has spent centuries fighting—Meryn’s world falls apart. Desperate to cross the front and save her sister, Meryn enlists in the army and is thrown into the deadly Bonding Trials, where any mistake will cost her life. Now Meryn must survive four months of training at the castle. She is bound to a feral direwolf who refuses to communicate. The other trainees would love to spill her common blood. And her cold and beautiful instructor, Stark Therion, is eager to punish any weakness. Everything is a competition, and everyone is out to get her—everyone except the dangerously handsome crown prince, whose attention adds another target to her back. In the castle, every smile hides a knife…and the halls hide dark secrets. It’s bond or bleed. Duel or die. Failure is ruin.

This month we’ll be reading Goddess of the River by Vaishnavi Patel. Feel free to come even if you don’t finish the book!