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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Check out reading events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.

Discover all the reading events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.

Absolutely! Find reading events near your location here. Connect with your local community and discover events within your area.

Reading Events Today

Join in-person Reading events happening right now

WRITE CLUB: one hour of silent writing (or reading) in the company of others
WRITE CLUB: one hour of silent writing (or reading) in the company of others
The first rule of WRITE CLUB is that you do not talk ***during*** WRITE CLUB. This very simple meetup is based on the premise that public and peer accountability enables more productive writing than sitting at home and getting distracted by the fridge. We will write/read for an hour in silence. (I will be writing thought experiments for my other meetup group: [THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBS](https://www.meetup.com/thought-experiments-in-pubs)) If you'd like to hang out afterwards, or if you prefer just to hang out, I have another event immediately afterwards in the same place :-) You can find that here: [HANGING OUT AT THE SOUTHBANK](https://www.meetup.com/experimentsin/events/314649073) And if you'd like to finish the evening with a dance, there is a free social salsa meetup just outside The Southbank Centre just afterwards. More info [here](https://www.instagram.com/salserosfriends/). **This event will take place in the foyer of The Southbank Centre.** You can find us by looking out for: * A tote bag with WRITE CLUB sewn onto it * My T-Shirt, which will have HANGING OUT embroidered on the back of it * A big red flag with THE SUNRISE CLUB emblazoned on it (though this clearly isn't THE SUNRISE CLUB! If you want to find out about that, you can do so [here](https://www.meetup.com/the-sunrise-club/).) * Other writers - who may be spread out across the centre. They will have white pieces of paper with the WRITE CLUB stamp at the top of the page. There are plenty of places to buy refreshments, but you can also bring your own if you prefer. [WHATSAPP GROUP](https://chat.whatsapp.com/BpMwnRev0H237KMx4uPnek) [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/experimentsingroupwisdom) [SUBSTACK](https://experimentsingroupwisdom.substack.com/) Looking forward to meeting and writing with you :-) Bonny
The Magic and Mystery of  Covent Garden with Blue Badge guide Laurence
The Magic and Mystery of Covent Garden with Blue Badge guide Laurence
Photo by nick.garrod (Creative Commons) Have fun, learn lots of stuff and get some exercise! Fee £15 Meet 11-11.15 Notes Cafe, 31 St Martin's Lane - closest tubes Charing Cross/Leicester Square With its associations with theatre, shopping and at one time , prostitution, this area can't fail to fascinate. See what was described as the most exquisite barn in Europe, the spot where Sherlock Holmes goes in search of a goose and where Henry Higgins meets Eliza Doolittle. Throw into the mix the painter JM Turner, Charles Dicikens, orange seller/actress Nell Gwynn and JK Rowling and you have one of the most eclectic mixes of any area in London. Laurence is a BLUE BADGE GUIDE full of interesting and unusual knowledge. The Blue Badge course is an intense and rigorous course where guides are tested to the limit and have to prove they can be both entertaining and knowledgeable. Fee £15 payable on the day Laurence mobile: 07889 298573 \*JOIN OUR 45+ NOT GRUMPY FACEBOOK COMMUNITY \* <[https://www.facebook.com/45plusnotgrumpy/](https://www.facebook.com/45plusnotgrumpy/)>
For All Levels of Korean Speakers and Learners
For All Levels of Korean Speakers and Learners
Speakers of English and Korean unite! Language exchange focused meetup at a pub venue in a very central London location. For a map of the location, see the website of the bar linked in the venue details given here. People at any level of Korean (and English) are welcome at this Meetup. Complete beginners wanting to explore learning Korean also welcome. Participants come from the UK, Korea and many other countries. This will be an opportunity to informally study and practice Korean and/or English, and help others with their Korean and/or English in return. It is also a good chance to chat to others with interests in and links to Korea. We'd also be very grateful if attendees could buy at least one drink (soft/alcoholic) at the bar to ensure that we continue to be welcomed at this venue. We look forward to seeing you all there, **To avoid disappointment, please book your place before you come.** About this Meetup Group (http://korean.meetup.com/142/about/)
HANGING OUT AT THE SOUTH BANK
HANGING OUT AT THE SOUTH BANK
Inspired by Sheila Liming's 2023 book, Hanging Out, this event is about "daring to do nothing much, and even more than that, about daring to do it in the company of others." If you're curious, you can read more about my rationale for the event [here](https://experimentsingroupwisdom.substack.com/p/hanging-out), and how our pilot event went [here](https://experimentsingroupwisdom.substack.com/p/it-worked). **This event will take place in the foyer of The Southbank Centre.** You can find us by looking out for: * Me - I will be wearing a black T-shirt with HANGING OUT written on the back * Our table - which will have a red flag draped over it with THE SUNRISE CLUB emblazoned on it (though this clearly isn't THE SUNRISE CLUB! If you want to find out about that, you can do so [here](https://www.meetup.com/the-sunrise-club/).) There are plenty of places to buy refreshments, but you can also bring your own if you prefer. If you feel like using this event as a carrot for some creative work, please join us an hour earlier for [WRITE CLUB](https://www.meetup.com/experimentsin/events/314649034/) \- an hour of silent writing/reading in the same location\. And if you'd like to finish the evening with a dance, there is a free social salsa meetup just outside The Southbank Centre just afterwards. More info [here](https://www.instagram.com/salserosfriends/). [WHATSAPP GROUP](https://chat.whatsapp.com/FgGCrGc8TNzF8q7lvwozbR) [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/experimentsingroupwisdom) [SUBSTACK](https://experimentsingroupwisdom.substack.com/) Looking forward to meeting and hanging out with you :-) Bonny
Comic and Manga Creators Group London
Comic and Manga Creators Group London
If you are you interested on creating your own comic, but need help to put your vision together or do not know were to start then we may have the solution for you. Come talk shop with fellow creators, share experiences, ideas, techniques and tips to help each other grow and have a chance in the industry.
Shut Up & Write!® Waterloo, Friday evenings - Auberge pub
Shut Up & Write!® Waterloo, Friday evenings - Auberge pub
Join us for a weekly session of friendly and focused writing time. From 6pm every Friday: We'll be at the Auberge pub, across road from Waterloo. See full location info for how to find us. There'll be a sign at our table. \*(Please see full access info, further down.) ...... * We shut up for 1 hour of scheduled focus time - 6.30 to 7.30. ...Then time to chat or carry on at your preference. This is for writing of any description or experience level. Somewhere to get on with your own work, and connect with new people. Most importantly to not feel isolated in your pursuits, however big or small. i.e. If you're looking to further your writing interests; and for a comfortable social space; ...or just need somewhere to sit and focus before you go home on a Friday - you're welcome to stop by. Please RSVP to give us an idea of who is coming / how many. ........ **6:00pm - 6:30pm** * Find our table and grab a seat. Plus any food or drink. * We'll take 5-10 minutes to say who we all are, and welcome anyone new. * (No need to say what you're working on, but feel welcome to). **6.30pm - 7.30pm** * No talking. One hour. * You can leave the table at any point. * Anyone arriving late feel free to find a seat, we'll give you a silent wave. You won't get glared at! **7.30pm** Once 'Shut Up' time is over: * You are welcome to head off straight away, no pressure to stick around. * You are welcome to stay to chat with other members, as late as you wish. * Or you're welcome to just keep writing - if you're in the zone, no need to stop just because others have. The time is for you, to get the most benefit. . **FACILITIES / ACCESS** Mobility access is limited: There is a step to enter pub, from pavement (one entrance only) - Venue will provide ramp for step-free entry. Toilets are on ground floor. \*However there is no accessible or private toilet space. Apologies. (The closest are in the main station concourse, nearby.) Do contact if you would like clearer info before attending. **FOOD** There is food served all evening / including vegan options. You're welcome to eat whilst writing. **WI-FI** There should be working Wi-Fi, if you need it! 'Auberge Secure' PW: waterloo **DOG-FRIENDLY** Dogs also welcome. . If you have additional queries re. access or other requirements, do message us via Meetup or contact the Auberge directly. . **A note about the format** We don’t host readings and feedback. (But we can signpost to events that do). Whether you're writing for a professional goal, academic project, private thoughts and wellbeing, or purely casual enjoyment, (or still deciding!) - don't worry we won't be asking each other to share details. You can just arrive, make yourself comfortable with anything you need, and get on with whatever you decide. No-one will be reading your work or judging if you've met targets. We don't set group goals and deadlines: we're just here to help each other with our own - where needed. Or to switch off and talk about something else completely, if you need that instead! This is a social event and aimed at bringing new people together. Not just a co-working space. **Respect** Please also note our Code of Conduct: [www.shutupwrite.com/code-of-conduct](https://www.shutupwrite.com/code-of-conduct) ...And be aware this is an informal event open to adults of all ages and backgrounds. i.e. We expect everyone who attends will treat each other with appropriate respect and awareness, and feel able to interact comfortably. Any concerns don't hesitate to raise them with us. For a full view of events, visit [https://shutupwrite.com](https://www.shutupwrite.com).

Reading Events This Week

Discover what is happening in the next few days

The Odyssey
The Odyssey
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.
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt | Girlies Who Read ✨
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt | Girlies Who Read ✨
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt is a bestselling debut novel about a lonely widow, Tova Sullivan, who works as a night cleaner at an aquarium and forms an unlikely friendship with Marcellus, a highly intelligent giant Pacific octopus. The story follows their bond as Marcellus, using his observational skills, helps Tova unravel the mystery of her son's disappearance decades earlier, while also connecting her with a young man searching for his father, exploring themes of loneliness, family, and second chances. ————————————— Join us for a coffee and a chat at hopefully Brockwell Park but will be Canova Hall/The Ferndale if the weathers bad. This event will be hosted by Liv as I’m away.
Poetry London Social at the South Bank Centre
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.
June Meeting 1 - Wordslut (Amanda Montell)
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!
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
In this event, we will discuss about a science or philosophy book chosen by London Science and Philosophy Book Club. The attendees will be divided into groups and each of them will focus on a chapter in the book. This month we will discuss about a fascinating book called The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel. If you haven't read the book, it's no problem. I will bring you up to speed with the discussion materials. We will meet in a nice lounge area at 6 p.m for introductions. Please come on time so you will not miss out on valuable discussion midway. If you end up in the waitlist, feel free to show up. Book Description: Doing well with money isn't necessarily about what you know. It's about how you behave. And behavior is hard to teach, even to really smart people. Money – investing, personal finance, and business decisions – is typically taught as a math-based field, where data and formulas tell us exactly what to do. But in the real world people don't make financial decisions on a spreadsheet. They make them at the dinner table, or in a meeting room, where personal history, your own unique view of the world, ego, pride, marketing, and odd incentives are scrambled together. In The Psychology of Money, award-winning author Morgan Housel shares 19 short stories exploring the strange ways people think about money and teaches you how to make better sense of one of life's most important topics. Agenda: 6 p.m to 6:30 p.m: Introduction and Socializing 6:30 p.m to 9:30 p.m: Book Discussion 9:30 p.m to late night: Drinks, Dinner or Feel free to go home
Tarot Reading Skills course
Tarot Reading Skills course
If you know the meaning of the 78 Tarot Cards but you find difficult to read card combinations fluidly or make card connections in spreads and then make sense of them to create a coherent story, then you could be interested in this course. Please email me for further info about T&Cs and fee at trtcoursemapi@outlook.com
📚 Book club: 1984
📚 Book club: 1984
**This month’s book: 1984** For information on the meetup location, please join the WhatsApp group! 🗺️ **Important**: Please only select attending if you have read the book (or will haveve finished it by the event date), and are part of the Bookclub Whatsapp Group- otherwise you will be removed from the attendee list!☝🏼 Interested in reading and discussing more literature that explores thought-provoking themes? Keen to try out more classics, books that have philosophical themes, or books that explore the human condition or question the meaning of life, the universe and everything? 🌍 Our book club aims to get together like-minded autistic individuals **from the original Adults on the Spectrum group** to do just that! Please note that you must be a member of the original group to join this group! 💫 Each time a new book is chosen, it will be advertised on the main group. This is so that existing members of the book club can either join or choose not to join, and gives the opportunity for others to join who might be interested! 🤓 Meetups will be held centrally in a quiet location such as a cafe that can accomodate the group’s size. 📍 If you are interested in joining this month’s book club, please RSVP if you’re already in the WhatsApp group or message me on WhatsApp so I can add you! 📬

Reading Events Near You

Connect with your local Reading community

June Book Club Meetup
June Book Club Meetup
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! 📖
You Exist Too Much by Zaina Arafat
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.
"Metal Slinger" by Rachel Schneider
"Metal Slinger" by Rachel Schneider
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
July Book Club Meetup
July Book Club Meetup
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!
"Tusk Love" by Thea Guanzon
"Tusk Love" by Thea Guanzon
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.
Sharp Objects - Gillian Flynn
Sharp Objects - Gillian Flynn
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.
Fun & easy way to play more tennis (read event description)
Fun & easy way to play more tennis (read event description)
We’re still working to get more people into these Meetups, but our goal is to give PlayYourCourt members a few social tennis outings each week in addition to your practice sessions and Challenge League matches. These Meetups are co-ed, super laid back, and all skill levels are welcome. Post your skill level and a suggested court in the comments section so we can round up as many players as we can for some tennis fun! Also, if you’re looking to meet new practice partners or play some matches and you aren’t already in the PlayYourCourt Community, you can go here to see what we’re all about and sign up: https://www.playyourcourt.com/tennis-community/columbus-oh/meetup/ If you love tennis, we’d love to have you! Be sure and watch the quick video that explains how everything works. Happy hitting! - Scott