Reading

We will be meeting at The Racketeer! We will divide into smaller groups to discuss this month's book. It will be very obvious when you arrive to the pub, where our group is, but please feel free to give me a call if you are struggling to find us. For new members, shoot me a message on meetup and I will send through my phone number!

Arabic Through Literature and Current Affairs One Thousand and One Nights & Contemporary Arabic Discussion Lesson Duration 2 hours per session • Hour 1: Literary Arabic (Reading & Translation) • Hour 2: Modern Arabic (Conversation & Debate on Current Affairs) ⸻ HOUR 1 — Arabic Literature (60 minutes) Objectives • Develop reading fluency in classical/standard Arabic • Understand literary structures and stylistic devices • Produce accurate and elegant translations Structure 1️⃣ Context & Vocabulary (10 min) • Brief cultural or historical background • Key vocabulary (classical, rare, idiomatic) 2️⃣ Guided Reading (20 min) • Reading aloud by teacher and students • Grammatical and stylistic explanations • Focus on: • Verb patterns • Sentence rhythm • Narrative connectors 3️⃣ Analysis (15 min) • Themes and moral lessons • Character roles • Narrative techniques • Links to broader Arabic literary traditions 4️⃣ Translation Workshop (15 min) • Collective translation • Discuss: • Literal vs literary translation • Register and tone • Alternative renderings HOUR 2 — Current Affairs Conversation (60 minutes) Objectives • Build spoken fluency in Modern Standard Arabic • Learn contemporary political, social, and media vocabulary • Express opinions clearly and confidently Structure 1️⃣ Warm-up & Vocabulary (10 min) • Key terms from: • News headlines • Social media discourse • Political or cultural debates 2️⃣ Listening / Reading Input (10 min) • Short news clip or article (Al Jazeera, BBC Arabic, etc.) • Identify main ideas and key arguments 3️⃣ Guided Discussion (30 min) Possible formats: • Open discussion • Structured debate • Role-play (journalist / analyst / public opinion) • Comparison with students’ countries Discussion skills: • Expressing agreement/disagreement • Clarifying opinions • Polite debate language 4️⃣ Reflection & Correction (10 min) • Correct common mistakes • Reformulate students’ answers in refined Arabic • Highlight strong expressions Homework (Light & Effective) Meeting at Pret A Manger 252 Tottenham Ct Rd, London W1T 7RB

Our 44th Spiritual Creatives gathering - in person! Come and join us for a lovely walk and talk around Hampstead Heath. We are meeting just outside Hampstead Heath station (London Overground train) at 11.00 on Sunday the 31st of May. Please note: This is NOT Hampstead Station on the Northern Line! It is the Hampstead HEATH station. The Google link is here: [https://goo.gl/maps/AJCNoxkKNj6K9Gp77](https://goo.gl/maps/AJCNoxkKNj6K9Gp77) We will wait for people to arrive until 11.15am and then we will begin walking. If you arrive later, you will only be able to catch up with us at Kenwood House approximately between 12 and 12.30pm. You should be able to find us sitting around as a group having a drink. If the weather permits, you'll find us outside the main café, towards the back. Look for the guy with the multicoloured scarf... that's me! After a short break of 20-30 minutes, we then walk back through the Heath, taking the long way round to Parliament Hill, and conclude our stroll back to Hampstead Heath overground station around 2 to 2.30pm. (Please note that you may become so involved in your conversations that you end up losing sight of the main group! Unfortunately, there is no way for you to catch up with us once we have become separated (and we do NOT check our phones for texts or messages during our walk) so please be mindful and conscious to stay with the main group if you want to keep up. Also please bear in mind that Hampstead Heath can be muddy sometimes, so please wear the appropriate shoes). After returning to Hampstead Heath Overground station, many of our (usually hungry) members like to continue the camaraderie over lunch at one of the local cafés or restaurants. As our group has grown over the years, these gatherings can be quite large, so we usually have to split into smaller parties and explore different venues. Some of our favourite spots are Dominique’s Café (dominiquescafe.co.uk) and Silverberries (silverberry.net), both of which offer a welcoming atmosphere and delicious food. It’s a great way to wind down the walk and continue our conversations. Spiritual Creatives is a warm-hearted and popular meetup group, as you can see from our ratings and comments! We hope to meet you then! :-) Best wishes Cliff **Find out more about us at [https://www.spiritualarts.org.uk](https://www.spiritualarts.org.uk/).**

If you love anime & manga then please join us for our weekly meetups, where we basically just sit, chat and read anime & manga! We usually sit in the back of the pub. If the weather is nice we may sit outside at the back of the pub, or even outside on the downstairs floor. In this meetup, you can BYOM (bring your own manga) or read one from the selection we will bring. See this as an opportunity to discover, recommend or simply enjoy Japanese comics & anime with like-minded people! Note: This is not a book club. Also, the TCR bar is kind enough to allow us to use their space to host this meetup, and has asked if possible for attendees to support the venue by purchasing a drink or food while you're there. Please don't bring your own food or drink to consume at the venue, as the venue does not allow this!

Hello and welcome I hope this finds you well. A great opportunity awaits you this Sunday. Get creative among like-minded and sociable people, artists, and local residents, along with our fabulous professional model, Morgue. As an artist herself, she understands both sides of the canvas. Her engaging and aesthetically pleasing poses are a real treat to draw. I can’t wait to get my paints out! 45min of 3-15min long poses followed by a 2h study. We provide all Art Materials but if you like to paint please bring your own colours. I am very much looking forward to this new event. Come and share the joy. I hope to see you drawing or painting soon. Jennifer

**Do you enjoy discussing life's big questions?** Then this group is for you! Open for three weeks only. **Christianity explored** is an informal and relaxed three-week discussion group. We will read a short book (21 pages) from the famous book, the Bible and have discussions. It's for anyone who wants to think about the meaning of life. **If you are open-minded and want to discuss life questions from a new perspective, then come join us!** Come ready to listen, ask, laugh and enjoy socialising and chatting in a relaxed environment at our beautiful venue free of charge. No knowledge of Christianity or the bible is required to attend. **You can ask any questions**, or simply sit and listen. You will not be asked to read, pray or speak. Join us if you would like to meet others and be part of this three-week reading group. Dates: Every Tuesday for three weeks Venue: Inspire St James Church, EC1R 0EA \*\*Lunch will be provided from the lovely Noodle Brat restaurant \*\* £5 donations suggested. Look forward to see you!

**PLEASE PAY FOR ANY GUESTS YOU BRING AND PAY BEFORE YOU ARRIVE!!!! YOU WILL NOT PLAY BEFORE YOU PAY.** **Waitlist and Cancellation Policies - Please Read** **\-\-\-Start of Waitlist and Cancellations section\-\-\-** * Please pay before you attend the session, if the situation occurs that there's a waitlist you will be removed from the attending list and added to the waitlist if payment isn't made at least 6 hours before the session start time. * It is solely YOUR responsibility to check your attending and waitlist status for any changes as you will not be notified by any member of staff on real time changes. * If you have been moved to the attending list please pay promptly if payment isn't made within 2 hours of been added to the waitlist your spot will be forfeited to the next person in the waitlist if applicable. * Any members that have been moved from the waitlist to the attending list and cancel will be charged 50% of the full member fee of the session. * Any members that cancel from the waitlist will not be charged. * We have a 24 Hour late cancellation policy, if you cancel any session within 24 hours from its start time, you will be charged the full standard member amount for the session which if you have not already paid regardless if a replacement is found or not. Existing payments will not be refunded within this time period. * Any cancellations done more than 24 hours before the session start time will be refunded or not charged. * All Late cancellations are classified as you holding a potential spot that another member could have had so you will be charged accordingly on this principle. * Failure to pay your late cancellation fee before your next session will result in revoked access from future games till its paid off. **\-\-\-End of Waitlist and Cancellations section\-\-\-** This is an all levels badminton SRP session hosted by Kevin.O @ Abbs Cross Health & Fitness RM12 4YB. **Session:** This session has a runtime of 3 hours starting from 12:00 to 15:00 (24 clock format). **Shuttle type**: The shuttle type used will be feathers (78 Speed Sheer Club specifically) **How to get there:** Visual Directions: [https://www.sweatyracketplayersbadminton.co.uk/directions/abbsCross](https://www.sweatyracketplayersbadminton.co.uk/directions/abbsCross) \*\*Closest Station - Elm Park (District Line). From Elm Park station bus stop (Stop C) take either 365,165 or 372 to Woburn Avenue walk to the end of the path and cross the road the centre should be in front and slightly to the right of you (Stop E)\*\* 18 Min walk from Hornchurch Station or 11 Min walk for Elm Park Station **Payments:** All payments can be made via direct bank transfer here please add **"Your name - SRP Badminton or Your name - Date of session""** as a reference when you send the payment. We have a 24 Hour cancellation policy, if you cancel within 24 hours from game time payment will still have to be made, failure on payments will result in revoked access from future games till its paid off. Please pay for any guests you bring. **Session Fee:** £11.00 pp (Per Person) **Account Name:** Bolaji Olakitan **Account No. :** 75191151 **Sort Code:** 04-00-03 **Bank:** Monzo The Host will organise people into new pairs before each new game to avoid repetitive games and allow everyone to play as many matches as they can. Please bring your own racket, appropriate clothing and a refillable water bottle there is an available water fountain and a vending machine. any questions or concerns please email [[sweatyracketplayers@gmail.com](http://sweatyracketplayers@gmail.com/)]([http://sweatyracketplayer@gmail.com/](http://sweatyracketplayer@gmail.com/)) or text message 07990330521.

Time is precious. Here we cherish non-boring big picture chats and interactions that are fully engaging, soulfully enriching, inspiring, and leave you a bit wiser than when you arrived. In that spirit (mind the pun!), today’s fully hosted laid back social coffee chat will offer a perfect haven for the inquisitive and curious **independent big picture thinkers** drawn to the mysteries of life, the universe and unknown. An adrenaline caffeine infused fun afternoon of thought-provoking causal chats exploring spirituality/consciousness and related interconnected topics spanning **philosophy,** **neuroscience**, **parapsychology,** **paranormal.** **cosmology** and **noetic sciences** over a mug of sweet coffee (or amazin value Chardonnay!) Chaired by me - a former Reuters journalist & published empirical researcher exploring spirituality topics in pursuant of the "truth" since a teenager, there'll be no strict structure - a relaxed friendly space to openly chat, exchange ideas & experiences without judgement, but I'll preside to promote inclusivity and zone in on specifics to avoid people digressing onto unrelated tangents to ensure like all of our events - particpants derive maximum utlity and engagement from attending. We’ll touch on everything from the limits of scientific understanding to exploring the unexplained using practical fun exploratory divination practices drawing on elements of **psychology, metaphysics, epistemology** and **statistical** **probability** of rare events as we do so. Whether you're a practicing "spiritualist", a curious skeptic, or just someone who loves deep conversation on **life’s big questions**, you’ll hopefully walk away more enlightened with some practical tips you can start applying and inspired to explore more! As well as illuminating chats to guide self-reflection, obviously no sprituality event woul be complete without practical tools so there'll be FREE Tarot & I-Ching readings, demonstrations of meditation method to activate super powerful gamma brain waves, and pyschic tests for a bit of fun, laughter & intrigue! **Sample of conversational threads** might include: Are we mere organisms pursuing biological survival or does consciousness exist beyond neurons firing in our brains? What explains peoples' paranormal experiences? What would reality look like If our brains were limitless? Declassified CIA files show that as as well as mind control experiments, the US govt employed mediums and remote viewers. If all mumbo jumbo then why? Is Nirvana just a fantasy of deluded people? Does everything happen for a reason? To clarify - we define spirituality here as an exploration of consciousness, Donald Rumsfeld's unknown unknowns and undiscovered aspects of reality, NOT religion. After all, as my philosophy professor once rightly postulated to me: "If God created Adam, who created God Lucas?" Yep - that inconvenient flaw **debunks every fairytale religion** out there including the oldest religion of them all - paganism - so why is witchcraft still practised outside of **Hogwarts** today? I may also share the latest peer reviewed empirical evidence surrounding **paranormal** and **consciousness** phenomena. **=== POTENTIAL CONVERSATION STARTERS ===** 1. Does consciousness survive death or is Cambridge Astrophysics Professor Brian Cox right in asserting if **ghosts** existed then particle accelerators at CERN would have already detected ghost molecules making Ouija boards kids play? Are Poltergiests 100% hoax? Brain scans indicate thalamocortical circuits in our brain (pathways in the parietal cortex & central lateral thalamus) drive **consciousness -** so how can spirit/mind live on after **brain death**? 2. Is **synchronicity/coincidence** simply randomness disguised in the eye of the beholder or can what Einstein called “spooky action at a distance" (quantum entanglement) explain it? Molecular Biologists have shown that just like plants - our cells give off resonant frequencies between 10 & 180 kilohertz - could this be a source of non-verbal communication like telepathy? 3. Given **neuroscience**'s infancy with much yet undiscovered - could mediation help access functions outside of our BAU alpha & beta brain wave states? Can **Kundalini yoga** boost **DMT** (dimethyltryptamine) naturally vs drugs like ayahuasca, mushrooms, LSDand if so by what mechanism? Do the artifically created neural signatures using magnetic stimulation observed during mystical experiences debunk them? Is the Maharishi Effect real? 4. Are clairvoyants and mediums just good people readers or are they really able to access time and space in non-linear ways? Is Tyler Henry the real deal or just faking it? Was **Abraham Lincolm** precognizant when he dreamt his own fatal assignation? 5. The laws of statistical probability, Drake Equation & common sense tells us there is other non-microbial life out there. So what explains the Fermi Paradox? Was that 1976 WOW signal aliens? How about the recent strange bahaviour of Boyajian's star or Oumuamua/Atlas interstella object that has just entered our solar system? 6. Could metaverse explain deja vu & reincarnation vs theories from the **psychology** literature (Mandela Effect?) or do we just live in a **simulation** as **Elon Musk** proposes? 7. **Stephen Hawking** once said: "The past, like the future, is indefinite and exists only as a spectrum of possibilities" If matter only manifests when observed as the double slit experiments shows, does that mean everything is consciousness? Does the discovery of *quantum superposition /* disappearing neutrons imply **parallel universes**? 8. Do NDEs suggest something beyond physicality? Were Steve Jobs final words "Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow" before he died (New York Times) visions of an afterlife or just neurochemical changes / drugs playing tricks? 9. Can photons omitted by our bodies explain auras that people see? 10. Given the irrefutable scientific evidence for evolution at both micro and macro scale, denying it is basically delusional as thinking the earth is flat. But could panspermia explain the origin of life 11. Could limits in our understanding of quantum physics, space and time explain paranormal experiences? 12. What existed before the **big bang** \- how do you get something from "nothing"? I believe our reality is the product of a black hole\. What you reckon? ***So how do we get to the "truth"?*** Both in my journalism days and applying the most advanced empirical research techniques in my client consulting work - it becomes clear the truth is often elusive. No matter how much we triangulate evidence - we can only provide part answers. "All models are wrong, but some are useful" George Box What we think we know and reality diverge leading to that great **paradox of knowledge.** And as the boundary between knowns and unknown converge, we end up with cognitive dissonance and more questions. In that spirit - every credible philosopher & scientist acknowledges - we'll never get to the complete truth but could **experimental methods** get us closer to it? A balanced approach guided by Immanuel Kant's pragmatism and Aristotle's deductive reasoning seems the most rationale framework here but are there any other methodologies? How about the **"spirituality"** toolkit? **=== RENDEZVOUS POINT ===** We will meet inside the pub upstairs - located in Islington, 4 seconds walk from Highbury & Islington station or 12 mins from Angel station. l I'll be wearing a **Starwars identifier** and will share mobile hotline just before event start and table number/location. For stargazing we will walk to park 5 mins away around 7.30pm Lucas - The Unenlightened Desperately Seeking Answer

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

Hi all If you are interested in joining an Ottolenghi potluck, look no further! Join us for an afternoon of delicious food and great company 🍷🍴 I’ve created a separate event page for our meetup - you will need to RSVP and pay to confirm on here: [Link to event page](https://partiful.com/e/WSOtSPiPVJuzT6KKr8UD?c=R0YXGgJv)

**[️🎟️ Grab your ticket here ️ 🎟️](https://luma.com/3jyh6a2m)** **➞ There will be 50-60 people coming as I promote this event on multiple platforms.** **Route:** Regent’s Park **Meeting point:** Emailed 24 hours before. **Walking time:** 1 - 3pm **Social:** 3pm onwards Not your average walk club. An intentionally slow-paced social walk built around deeper conversation, real connection, and a more thoughtful kind of socialising, offering the perfect chance to reconnect to yourself, others, and nature. Before we start, everybody will be given carefully curated conversation cards to spark deeper, more honest conversations. If you’re bored of shallow socialising and addictive apps, this is for you. **[️🎟️ Grab your ticket here ️ 🎟️](https://luma.com/3jyh6a2m)** Unseen community hosts monthly socials, dinners & walks in London. We offer curated social experiences in beautiful spaces, designed for curious minds who are bored of shallow socialising and addictive apps, and want deeper conversation & real connection. Register here if you are joining us on the walk. Join our walking club **[WhatSapp community here](https://chat.whatsapp.com/F92j6Cf7wLc2dKciQvg6nu?mode=gi_t)** where I'll send location pins and walk info. **WALK FAQS** **Will there be photography?** Yes. We will take photos and videos during the walk, including some flash. To be excluded, tell a team member before we start. **Where might photos and videos from the walk appear?** On our Instagram, website, emails, press coverage, and sometimes in partner or promotional material. **What’s the vibe like?** Relaxed, thoughtful and friendly. Slow-paced, welcoming, and a bit deeper than your usual social. **What do people do after?** We all go to a cafe and continue the conversations. This is also a great way to meet other groups or people you haven’t spoken to yet. **Who will be hosting?** Myself (Ben) and some some team members/volunteers. **Do I have to have deep conversations?** We encourage using the conversation cards. The point of this walk is to go a bit deeper than a normal social event. If that does not appeal to you, this event may not be for you. **What topics will we be discussing?** Relationships, purpose, personal growth, identity, values, life direction and more. **[️](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1987289631785?aff=oddtdtcreator)[🎟️ Grab your ticket here ️ 🎟️](https://luma.com/3jyh6a2m)** **Will it be very intense?** The aim is meaningful conversation, honesty and depth, not forced vulnerability. You do not have to talk about anything you do not want to, such as trauma or things you may be working on in therapy. This is not a therapeutic space, though if you are comfortable discussing more difficult things, that will not be unwelcome. **Do I have to walk slowly? How slow?** The idea is to slow down and take in the greenery, scenery, conversation, and the people around you. Expect a normal to slightly slower-than-normal pace. City walking is usually fast. This will be slower than that, but not painfully slow. **Do I need to come with someone?** No. Lots of people come alone. The format makes it easy to talk to people. **Is every walk in the same location?** No. Each walk takes place in a different part of London, always chosen for its greenery, scenery and nature. **How much walking is involved?** Around 5km at an easy pace. **What should I wear or bring with me?** Wear comfortable shoes and clothes that suit the weather. Bring water. **How often are the walks?** Monthly. **What happens if it rains or the forecast turns?** The walk will usually still go ahead. If conditions are unsafe, I will email everyone with an update. **Are there any behaviour rules?** Yes. Be respectful and do not make the walk uncomfortable for others. Harassment or harmful behaviour is not acceptable. **What should I do if there’s an issue on the day?** Speak to me (Ben) during the walk or email me afterwards so I can look into it properly. **[️🎟️ Grab your ticket here ️ 🎟️](https://luma.com/3jyh6a2m)** **Please note:** Experiences and perspectives may be discussed, but this is not a therapeutic space and does not provide medical or psychological advice.

**Hostess: Layla** \*This event is a collaboration with other groups and social networks and it will be well attended \*To attend this event you need to buy a ticket from [https://www.fatsoma.com/e/avr6zd42/slow-dating-37-54-in-shoreditch-happy-hour](https://www.fatsoma.com/e/avr6zd42/slow-dating-37-54-in-shoreditch-happy-hour) Age range: 37-54 ( as a general guide) Join us for a fun and relaxed night of a slow dating and socialising in Shoreditch! Αre you finding 4 mins too little time to decide if you wish to meet the other person again or not? Don't worry, come slow dating and have 6-8 minutes dates! Speak with 10-15 people of the opposite sex for 6-8 mins each then select who you like and leave with the contact details of some potential lovers! After the slow dating we stay for socialising so you speak more to the people who you like! The next day you will receive the contact details\* of your mutual matches (people you have selected and they have selected you back) at your e-mail! We don't send you to date in a online platform...We send you to date in real life with confidence!  We run speed and slow dating events for more than a decade now and we are proud to say that they actually work! People that meet in our dating events date after, some make long term relationships, and some move together and we even had some marriages ! If this is your first time attending a slow dating there is nothing to worry about , we will be there to welcome you, put you at ease and explain you the process. Simmons Shoreditch is a quirky cocktail bar, famed for its rogue aesthetic, bringing an off-kilter addition to the streets of the East. Just off Shoreditch High Street. Blaring neons, skull disco balls and waltzer-style booths all add to the charm! The program of the night is 5:30-6:00 Registration 6:00pm-6:45pm First session of the Slow Dating 6:45pm-7:00pm Break-Socialising 7:00pm-7:45 pm Second session of Slow Dating 7:45pm Speed Dating finishes and Socialising starts How to find us: Just come inside and ask for Marianna's Speed Dating / Layla. Any issue on the night feel free to call Layla: 07377544606 For general inquires or difficulties with your ticket booking feel free to e-mail us at benetoupromotions@gmail.com or call Marianna on: 07949526733 \* By participating to the event you agree to have your details that you submitted to us passed to your mutual matches ( people that you will select on the form that will be given to you during the event and they will select you back). \*Our company is registered with ICO. so you contact details are safe with us Please Note: -Tickets need to be bought online and are not available at the door -Dress code: Elegant/Smart/Office Attire/Smart Casual ( Smart jeans are alright but ripped jeans, t-shirts, hoodies, sportwear, sportshoes or trainers are not allowed) -A valid proof of ID (Passport, Driving License, or National ID) is required upon arrival independently of the age for security reasons

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 May read is **_Kindred_ by Octavia E. Butler.** The story follows Dana, a Black woman living in 1976 California, who is suddenly pulled back to a Maryland plantation before the Civil War. She learns her survival is tied to a white slaveholder’s son. Forced to move between centuries, she must endure the brutal realities of slavery while fighting to hold on to her identity. Tense, intimate, and unforgettable, Kindred explores how the past refuses to stay buried. 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! 📖

[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.

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

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.

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