Women's Book Club

**PLEASE NOTE: We're now starting our city meetup at 11am, so it's the same time as our suburb meetup.** Come to our city book club in May! We'll be at the Dymocks Melbourne cafe sitting upstairs in the mezzanine level and we want to hear about what you like to read! For those of you who haven't joined us before, we're a book club with no set book, no homework and no judgement! Come along and tell us what you enjoy reading and what's on your to read list. We ask that you bring no more than four books in total, being a couple you've recently read and/or a couple that are on your to-read list. Given the often adult topics discussed, our meetups aren't suitable for children under the age of 14. **Please note that as advised in our email and post of November 14th 2024 our fees have increased from $5.00 to $6.50 per person per meetup. This is due to Meetup.com doubling the organiser fees for meetup groups. We now pay at least $50 a month to have a Meetup site (unfortunately this cost fluctuates due to Meetup charging us in USD). All fees go towards paying the meetup fees. This can only be accepted via the Meetup site and we do not accept cash on the day.** Similarly, if you are planning to attend, please RSVP on the Meetup site. RSVPs can be made right up until the moment the event starts, we are unable to accept cash on the day or attendances from those who have not RSVPd as we need to plan for attendance numbers and space.

**PLEASE READ THE FULL DESCRIPTION FOR HOW TO RSVP**👇 If you're keen to attend the Melbourne Gals Brunch on the **24th of May at 11am** to make some awesome new friends, please sign up via the Airtable personality form at [www.chillsy.app/brunch](http://www.chillsy.app/brunch) Spaces are limited to 25 so get in QUICK! If you've already filled out the form, sign up here: [https://www.chillsy.app/returning](https://www.chillsy.app/returning) 😁 **TO REGISTER:** Please sign up via the Airtable form, as it gives us the most accurate view of who is attending on the day which helps us hugely as organisers and makes it easy for you attending! Unfortunately, Meetup-only RSVPs will not be counted as registering for this reason. Signups close on the **Wednesday of the brunch**, please note any signups past this date may not guarantee you a spot. **BRUNCH FEE:** Our Gals Brunches require a fee because of the organisation and admin involved, and to maintain high-quality attendees. **LATE PAYMENTS:** If you make a payment **after** the Wednesday night cut-off, and don’t hear from us regarding the event details, we will automatically process a **refund** for you. To avoid confusion, please reach out directly to \*\*[galsbrunch@gmail.com**.](http://galsbrunch@gmail.com%2A%2A./) Meetup only shows display names which can make it difficult to locate your form/payment. **CAFE LOCATION:** If you have completed the signup & paid via Stripe, you will receive an email on the Thursday or Friday of the brunch with brunch details. **QUESTIONS & HELP:** Please email \*\*[galsbrunch@gmail.com**](http://galsbrunch@gmail.com%2A%2A/) directly, so we can resolve any issues quicker :)

Celebrate the Glorious Revolution! Join us at our Annual Lilac Day crafting event. We can sing about how they rise up, eat a hard boiled egg (BYO egg) or talk while our hands are busy making fun things. You can bring your own crafting projects\* or just chat with other Discworld fans. feel free to bring lunch or snacks. (This does include hard-boiled eggs, but your toast soldiers might go cold between home and the library.) when: 2:00-5:00pm 24th of May Where: private residence in Pahran, address will be given via dm after hitting "going" bring: drinks, snacks and your crafting supplies All the fun, all the games...well, all the enjoyment of making. See how the little angels rise up… This is a free event with no tickets. We only ask that you respond if you are attending or hoping to attend by clicking on the 'Going' button. (\*Darning mushrooms, knitting needles and crotchet hooks are allowed, as long as they are not used as weapons by the Agony Aunts. maybe avoid glitter)

Ellora St Kilda is a happening rooftop bar in st kilda - come watch the sunset with a glass of wine & chat to others

Ease into the new week with our “Sunday Reset: Coffee + Chats” a calm and welcoming space to slow down, reflect, and connect. Join us for a relaxed catch-up over coffee where conversations flow easily and there’s no pressure to be anywhere else. Whether you’re looking to recharge, meet new people, or simply enjoy a peaceful start to your Sunday, this is the perfect way to reset and refocus for the week ahead. Please note that we will meet at Park Pantry for a coffee and head over to the Royal Botanical Gardens!

Melbourne Central Food Hall on Level 2. Far back corner near large windows to outside. Look for the colourful piano! See below for exact instructions on finding us. IMPORTANT: Please turn up if you RSVP. Other writers are counting on you being there with them so no one sits alone!!! Currently we have part-time hosts and regulars who will turn up and sit together. EVERYONE, please keep a look out for newly arriving people in the group and make them feel welcome, especially if they say: Are you with the writing group? If you arrive first and have an A4 piece of paper, it is a good idea to write on the paper: Writing Group. This way everyone will find each other. Bring your writing tools, and anything that you have written recently (optional). Remember your earphones if you like to listen to music while you write. There are no rules :) You can write. Or you can chat and write. You can share your work. Or not share your work. (If you need silence to concentrate then headphones are a good idea considering it is in a public space.) Bring pen and paper as a backup. Melbourne Central wifi available. Who: People who write and/or want to write (more) What: An open group of writers who meetup in a stimulating space to write together, share writing and ideas and support each other’s writing goals Why: Inspiration, motivation and space to write. Where: Melbourne Central - see photo for our location. Red shaded area would be ideal if available when you arrive. Detailed instructions if you do not know the area: 1) Go to the Shot Tower (the old building inside Melbourne Central with the big cone glass roof above it). 2) Go up the the escalators (there’s only one set of up- escalators near the Shot Tower, you can’t miss it). 3) You are now on level 2, Dining Hall (there are signs to the right, just slightly, stating this). 4) Top Juice store is to your right. Turn right so you pass Top Juice and walk toward the food hall. 5) You are now in the food hall near a black piano. Go past this. Go to the seating at the far back corner where there are large windows facing outside. 6) Look for us writers. There should be a sign on the table. Call out your hosts name and ask if this is the writing group. We will say YES, here we are! Additional hosts wanted!!! Please contact Mat Clarke. Please only RSVP if you can make it. And also un-RSVP if you need to cancel. Thank You, Melbourne Writers. Great Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelbWriters What we have written so far: www.worldwriterscollective.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelbCityWriters Blog: http://melbournewriters.wordpress.com **Help us by adding to these social pages and site**

Modern life moves fast. Work, screens, notifications, constant thinking. It’s easy to feel stressed, tired, or disconnected. This Sunday, slow down with Kirtan - a powerful live music meditation experience. Come for: ✨ Singing, dancing, and uplifting energy ✨ A calm mind and open heart ✨ A real sense of belonging No singing skills needed! Just calmness & connection. 🗓️Sunday \| 6\-8pm 🍴Incl Dinner 📍South Melbourne

Join us for a friendly and relaxed English meetup in South Melbourne! This gathering is perfect for anyone who wants to practise English, meet new friends, and feel part of a welcoming community. Whether you’re an international student, new to Melbourne, or simply looking to connect with others, you’ll find a supportive space to learn and grow. Each week, we run **two simple sessions**: **Daily English**, where you learn useful everyday vocabulary, and **Learning English from the Bible**, where we explore short passages in clear, beginner-friendly English. You’ll also meet people from different cultures and enjoy meaningful conversations in a warm, inclusive environment. Come along, make new friends, and enjoy learning English in a place where everyone is welcome. We’d love to meet you!

We will get-together at the KereKere cafe - at the community table just inside the cafe entrance. *This is a group for people with intermediate and advanced level French who are able to engage in a conversation en français. It is not suitable for beginners.* The cafe is close to the corner of Wellington Parade and Lansdowne St, East Melbourne in the Fitzroy Gardens. It takes about 5 minutes on Tram 75 from Flinders St Station, or 15 minute walk. Car parking around Fitzroy Gardens on Sundays now is $2 per hour with a 4 hour limit, Some parking is limited to 1 hour even on Sunday. And occasionally, if there is a game at the MCG for example there might not be much parking at all. Price: The event fee is $4.00 - cash necessary! . and please be sure you are a member of MyFrenchLife.org before attending reunion - merci https://www.MyFrenchLife.org. The event fees are transferred to MyFrenchLife contributing to the meetup platform - thank you. À bientôt ! Veronica and Daniel Réunion Hosts MyFrenchLife.org

No agenda. No awkward intros. Just good people. Just Gutsy is a weekly meetup for solo travelers, nomads and locals who love meeting them, a simple way to find your people in a new city. Who comes: Solo travelers in transit · digital nomads · curious locals who love meeting travelers What to expect: casual and self-led · small group energy · show up, talk to someone, see where it goes Not sure how to talk to strangers? I put together a set of questions that actually make it easy — find them here: [justgutsy.com/icebreakers](http://justgutsy.com/icebreakers) The only things you need to do: → Comment below so others know you're coming → If plans change, update your RSVP → When you arrive: comment "Here, [what you're wearing]" so people find you When & where: • Every Sunday · 4PM local time Meetup.com sometimes shows a different timezone — ignore it, it's always 4PM where you are • Location: in front of the Dolphin Fountain (inside Fitzroy Gardens) Join Just Gutsy → [justgutsy.com](http://justgutsy.com/) · Early members get lifetime premium access to the app

**Hey everyone 🙂** **I’m hosting a relaxed afternoon picnic in Melbourne for people who enjoy meaningful conversations, music, faith, creativity, and meeting new people.** **The idea is to create a chill space to slow down a bit, share stories, and talk about life, purpose, travel, beliefs, dreams, and whatever comes up naturally.** **Feel free to bring food, drinks, instruments, games, deep questions or just yourself.** **Please message me to RSVP by 22/05/26. To keep conversations balanced, there is space for 3 females and 3 males.** **We’ll meet near Coulson Gardens Playground** **35–55 Chifley Dr, Maribyrnong VIC 3032**

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! 📖

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! 📖

June meetup at the Library. We’ll play games and have casual conversation in Japanese and in English. All levels of Japanese ability, from non-speaker to native, are welcome. After the meetup we will go out to eat at a local restaurant.

[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.