Reading

Join us to talk about and 80's classic book, that has also been turned into a movie. Howl's moving Castle .... Cursed into old age by the Witch of the Waste, eighteen-year-old Sophie Hatter finds refuge in the moving castle of the notorious, vain Wizard Howl. Sophie navigates magical contracts, dimensional doors, and Howl’s chaotic life to break both their curses. Which did you like better the movie or the book?

**The Talbot Room at the George Inn** The George provides the room free of charge (they are awesome), and we encourage you to purchase drinks (and food – the burgers are great!). As it’s a pub and not a picnic area, please don’t consume your own food and drink there. We usually meet in the Talbot room which is on the top floor on the left hand side of the pub as viewed from the courtyard. If lost please send a message here shortly before the meeting starts. **We are sorry to say that there is no step-free access to the Talbot room, and it is at the end of three flights of stairs.** **Format** We start at 7pm and run until 9pm. We hear approximately six readings of 10 minutes (\~2000 words), then discuss the piece for 10 minutes. Email your work to: london60transmitter@emailitin.com as an attachment (It must be an attachment). A link for access to googledocs will be given at the start of each session to enable people to read along, which in turn enables more considered feedback. Work submitted will be automatically deleted after 10 days. We decide on readers/pieces at the beginning of each session. **Safe and respectful space** The group is run by volunteers, and we don’t have the capacity to read submitted work in advance. If there is anything in your work that might distress or disturb some readers, for example concerning any kind of abuse, please give a trigger warning before you read. Be specific and concise. If it becomes apparent during a reading that a piece is inappropriate, the moderator will stop the reading. In discussing others’ work, please be mindful of how you express yourself and do not use discriminatory language, even if such language features in the piece.

Fairly new to singing and wanting to find an outlet for your new skills or long-time singer and choir member looking for a new choir to join? Want a choir that will help coach and support your singing at all levels and increase your knowledge of music technique and sight singing - and make it all fun? Then London Sings! is the group for you. London Sings! is a no audition local community choir which is big in personality and looking to grow. We cater both for experienced singers and those still quite new to singing, with plenty of opportunities for interesting performances. We do ask members to commit to regular attendance as we want to ensure our performances continue to impress and can be enjoyed with confidence by our members. We sing a wide variety of pieces ranging from jazz and musical theatre to classical, and from unison through to four part harmony, while having a lot of fun in the process. We rehearse every Monday evening from 7.30pm to 9.30pm and from April 2026, we are in a new rehearsal venue; St Vincent's Centre, Talma Road, Brixton, SW2 1AS. We always welcome new members, whatever your level of experience. The ability to read music is very helpful, but we have audio aids available for much of the music we do and if you are not a sight reader, we may ask you to spend a short amount of time with these between rehearsals when we are working towards a performance, to make sure we can all progress towards a performance at a reasonable rate. You are welcome to try us out for a few sessions at no charge while deciding whether you want to become a member. If you do join us, fees are a very reasonable £15 a month. We are a very sociable bunch, so usually go to the pub after rehearsals for a good chat and we also organise various social events. Please do not hesitate to contact us on [chair@londonsings.org.uk](mailto:chair@londonsings.org.uk) or by telephone on 07785 905355 More information on who we are can be found on [http://www.londonsings.org.uk/](http://www.londonsings.org.uk/) Looking forward to seeing you...

ATTEND IN PERSON OR ON ZOOM Note the new location! (St Hilda's East in Shoreditch, London) Should you put on Plato's Ring of Gyges? What makes a decision a good one? And what can slaying dragons teach us about living well? Join philosopher, educator, author and veteran Dungeon Master [Peter Worley](https://peterworley.uk/) for an accessible introduction to the surprising philosophical depth of Dungeons & Dragons. Using examples from the game alongside ideas from the Stoics, Simone de Beauvoir and Nietzsche, Peter Worley will show how role-playing can become a powerful way of thinking about the decisions we make both in fantasy worlds and in our own lives. No previous experience of D&D required. Pre-explore via RationalGrid.ai [here](https://rationalgrid.ai/g/what-are-the-philosophical-underpinnings-of-dungeo-2511f5/graph) [Peter Worley](https://peterworley.uk/) is a philosopher-educator, specialising in questioning, dialogue, and philosophical inquiry. He is the author or editor of eleven books on doing philosophy, including *The If Machine, The If Odyssey and Corrupting Youth*. He is creator of PhiE pedagogy of philosophical enquiry, and the Founder of The Philosophy Foundation, through which he helped bring philosophy into schools, communities, and workplaces internationally. Peter's work has inspired and featured in films including the BAFTA-nominated BBC animation *What Makes Me, Me?*, the acclaimed documentary *Young Plato*, and the BBC drama *Waiting for the Out*. An experienced Dungeons & Dragons 'Dungeon Master' (DM), Peter has been incorporating its elements in his educational work in philosophy for two decades. This event is sponsored by the Royal institute of Philosophy. Lecture and discussion! See you there? For the full programme of events pls see [pfalondon.org](http://pfalondon.org)

Our next English Conversation Café will be on **Monday 6 July 2026 at** **7:30pm**! Topic for the evening: To be confirmed You will have an opportunity to practice your English and meet new people, through conversation topics and games. This event is mainly for learners of English, so we kindly ask native speakers to give priority to others. The venue is **downstairs** in Costa Coffee, 3 Southwark St, London SE1 1RQ which is a 1 minute walk from London Bridge Station. This is a **free** event, you will not be expected to pay for anything. You will also be able to have a free drink and cake. The café is run by a group of volunteers from [The Globe Church](https://www.globe.church). Please sign up if you would like to attend. If you have any questions please ask us using Meetup. Numbers are limited so please only sign up if you are going to come and change your response if you can no longer come. Look forward to seeing you soon 😊 Our Commitment to One Another: * Together, we commit to fostering a respectful, collaborative and caring environment in which everyone can participate meaningfully and feel valued. * Show respect for yourself, others and the shared space. * Value and respect our shared time by arriving on time and being as present as possible during sessions. * Be present and listen actively, allowing space for different communication styles and experiences.

🚀AI Coding Summit 2026 is here - and it's the go-to event for developers who want to stay ahead of AI-powered development. 📍 Live in London 💻 Still fully online 🗓 July 6-7, 2026 **🚨Important! To secure your spot, make sure to get your ticket through this [LINK](https://aicodingsummit.com/)** **What's on the agenda?** ‣ Developer Workflows & CI/CD ‣ AI Agentic Programming & Orchestration ‣ AI-Assisted Testing & QA ‣ Smart Vibe Coding & Project Kickoff ‣ Debugging, Refactoring & Best Practices 🎟 Check it out: [https://aicodingsummit.com](https://aicodingsummit.com/)

**[Martyr!](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/139400713-martyr) by Kaveh Akbar** 📖 336 pages *(approx.)* Genre: Literary Fiction • Contemporary • Philosophical **Summary:** Haunted by loss and searching for meaning, Cyrus Shams is a young poet grappling with grief, addiction, and the legacy of his Iranian heritage. Orphaned by tragedy and untethered in his adulthood, he becomes obsessed with martyrs—those who die for a cause—and what it means to live a life worth sacrificing. As Cyrus spirals through art, memory, and self-destruction, *Martyr!* unfolds as a raw, lyrical exploration of identity, faith, and the fragile line between despair and transcendence. It’s a bold, intimate novel about longing to matter in a world that often feels indifferent. *** **Join Our Book Club Bingo! 🧿📚** For July, we’re diving into something introspective, intense, and thought-provoking. Expect existential questions, messy humanity, and plenty of moments perfect for ticking off your Bingo card. **How It Works:** 🧿 **Grab Your Bingo Card:** Filled with themes of grief, identity, addiction, art, and moments of existential crisis. ✅ **Mark Your Cards:** Check off squares as we discuss quotes, character struggles, philosophical ideas, and emotional turning points. 🎉 **Shout “Bingo!”** Be the first to complete two rows, columns, or diagonals. 📚 **Win a Book:** Two readers will leave with a new addition to their TBR pile! Expect poetic chaos, uncomfortable truths, dark humour, and a search for meaning that hits a little too close to home. 📍 The Dog on Surrey Street, Croydon 📅 8th of July at 7:00 PM

Let's catch up to discuss Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter by Mario Vargas Llosa. Come and join us!!!

For those of you who've not come along before, we'll read the book, then discuss it on the night guided by questions to keep us focused. It's relaxed and good fun. We'll do this over drinks. If it's your first time, I know it can be a bit daunting, but don't worry, we'll make you very welcome and before you know it you'll be stuck in!

Dive into a meaningful **in-person discussion** at the Literature & Theology Reading Group's next meetup as we explore 'Confessions' by St. Augustine. The first autobiography. The first spiritual autobiography. A seminal work of Christian theology. A social history of late antiquity. This small volume contains multitudes and ably holds its reputation as one of the great works of literature. **Each session is accompanied by a lecture** from Dr Aidan Cottrell-Boyce, exploring its spiritual and theological significance. Please make sure you have **[sign up for this session](https://londonjesuitcentre.churchsuite.com/events/hafn7vbb)** on our online portal. If you cannot attend in person, you can also [join us online](https://londonjesuitcentre.churchsuite.com/events/xzulyofu) on 22 July. All are welcome to be a part of this vibrant community dedicated to exploring the intersection of faith and literature!

Join us to read through a play, script in hand. You don't need to memorise any lines, but you'll get the chance to read, and bring as much character and performance to your reading as you like. You don't have to read aloud if you don't want to, and there's no expectation of ability - we're an encouraging, good-natured group! Play script: TBC You will need: \- a digital or physical copy of the text \- enthusiasm for theatre

This is a **free** event proudly supported by [Mindful Peace Academy, ZhengDe](https://zhengde.org/home) In the following Saturdays, we will hold mindful activities and reflective reading sessions at the Caledonian Park Community Centre. **27 June 14.30-17.00 Breathe, Brew & Be Present** Hand-brew coffee tasting Reading and discussion: A Moment of Awakening that Changes Everything **4 July 14.30-17.00 Finding Balance** Transitional Chinese Healthy Qigong Exercise: Baduanjin (Eight Pieces of Silk Brocades) Reading and discussion: A Moment of Awakening that Changes Everything **11 July** **14.30-17.00 Discovering Self and Happiness** Taichi Mindfulness Ball Reading and discussion: What is happiness? Who am I?

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!

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.

Welcome, readers! Our August read is ***Less: a novel*** ***by Andrew Sean Greer***. We follow Arthur Less, a struggling, middle-aged novelist who embarks on a comical, round-the-world literary tour to avoid attending the wedding of his former lover. The trip becomes an inadvertent, poignant journey of self-discovery and accepting life’s unavoidable heartbreaks. 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! 📖

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 Masters of Death by Olivie Blake. Feel free to attend even if you don’t finish the book!

Let’s meet and discuss John Updike's Rabbit, Run, the first in his series of four novels following the life, hopes, and disappointments of former local basketball star, Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom, as he fitfully confronts and evades adulthood.