What we’re about
A book club in SE London, everyone welcome. We aim to meet once a month on a Monday 7pm to discuss a book chosen by those who attended the previous one.
There isn't a particular theme to this book club but we'll read more or less equal numbers of books by female and male authors.
Upcoming events (3)
See all- General book club: Recent Recommendations & (optional) Paperback SwapThe Shirker's Rest, London
An exciting new format due to the first Monday of the month falling on the preceding bank holiday - on Mon May 12 you can come along and discuss books in general, including (but not restricted to) possible choices for what we'd like to discuss on Mon Jul 7.
We'll probably go around the room soon after 7pm and ask people to introduce themselves, what sort of authors they like and (optionally) a book they've fairly recently enjoyed. After this, we may re-organise into smaller groups to explore the kinds of books we typically select - short contemporary fiction, exceptional non-fiction, exceptional older/genre fiction? - with the usual break to go to the bar at 8pm, then any further discussion till after 9, though of course you can leave at any point.
Feel free to bring (a small number of) any spare paperbacks you think may be of interest to other members - we have a growing collection of novels you're very welcome to take home instead.
If you've been before and would like to help pay for the Meetup group, you can contribute "£1-2" per meeting (now collected around Dec & Jun). This optional payment does not apply to your first meeting and no-one is turned away for lack of funds.
The Shirker's Rest takes cards, not cash, and serves a range of soft drinks, wine and spirits in addition to their beer and cider selection https://theshirkersrest.co.uk/drinks/ - they don't have a kitchen but encourage you to order from https://yardsalepizza.com/menu/ ..!
COVID-19 safety measures
This is indoors though we should be able to open at least one window. Please do not attend if you feel unwell, or have a positive Covid test/symptoms - you are encouraged to a) be as vaccinated as you can, b) wear a mask if you prefer, c) follow current Covid precautions, especially if you're at risk of passing on or catching the virus. - Film discussion: Boy (Taika Waititi) - currently streaming free on Tubi & VimeoThe Shirker's Rest, London
NB the evening does NOT include a screening of the 1h28m film, which is currently streaming free here (no account required) and contains "strong language, drug misuse, brief comic violence", birth trauma and tense parental scenes:
https://tubitv.com/movies/100025061/boyA big-hearted Maori coming-of-age comedy-drama and Taika Waititi's most personal film - "Rural New Zealand, 1984: An 11 year-old Michael Jackson fan (James Rolleston) finds his father (Waititi) is far from the heroic adventurer he's imagined."
There's another version here - it should also be on other platforms with subtitles for the quieter dialogue:
https://vimeo.com/293060763We're discussing it this month as you can currently catch the similarly excellent 1h32m youthful-narrator comedy Submarine, which will probably disappear from Channel4 soon after Easter:
https://www.channel4.com/programmes/submarineBoy and Taika Waititi's other films will be the main topic of discussion, though you may also enjoy:
The Florida Project (from Anora director Sean Baker)
https://tubitv.com/movies/100024338/the-florida-project
Moonrise Kingdom (on Netflix)
What We Do in the Shadows (from director Taika Waititi, along with Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Thor: Ragnarok, Jojo Rabbit etc)
https://www.itv.com/watch/what-we-do-in-the-shadows/10a6386a0001BGeneral plan: by 7pm most of us should be in the upstairs room at the pub but we'll start by suggesting films to discuss in future in case anyone arrives late. Typically we'll discuss the selected title until 8ish, when there's a short break to go to the bar, then any further discussion till around 9, though of course you can leave at any point.
The Shirker's Rest takes cards, not cash, and serves a range of soft drinks, wine and spirits in addition to their beer and cider selection https://theshirkersrest.co.uk/drinks/ - they don't have a kitchen but encourage you to order from https://yardsalepizza.com/menu/ ...
COVID-19 safety measures
This is indoors though we should be able to open at least one window. Please do not attend if you feel unwell, or have a positive Covid test/symptoms - you are encouraged to a) be as vaccinated as you can, b) wear a mask if you prefer, c) follow current Covid precautions, especially if you're at risk of passing on or catching the virus. - Longer book choice: Any Human Heart (2002) by William BoydThe Shirker's Rest, London
NB: This is quite a bit longer than our usual choices (15h43m on Audible vs the usual <10 hours, about 500 pages on Kindle vs usually <300), so please don't leave it all to the last minute...
Longlisted for the 2002 Booker Prize, adapted into a 2010 TV miniseries, and featured on BBC2's Between the Covers - "As a writer, spy, and art-dealer, habitual journal-keeper Logan Mountstuart mixes with the famous men and women who shape the 20th century. But as a son, friend, lover and husband, he makes the same mistakes we all do in our search for happiness." These meetings are often popular; don't forget you can read this free online preview before deciding to attend:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Any-Human-Heart-Penguin-Essentials-ebook/dp/B002RI9MZC/?asin=B002RI9MZC&revisionId=a859bc05&format=3&depth=1If you've been before and would like to help pay for the Meetup group, you can contribute "£1-2" per meeting (now collected around Dec & Jun). This optional payment does not apply to your first meeting and no-one is turned away for lack of funds.
General plan: by 7pm some of us should be in the upstairs room at the pub but we usually start by discussing books to read in future in case anyone arrives late. Typically we'll talk about the book until after 8pm, when there's a short break to go to the bar, then any further discussion till after 9, though of course you can leave at any point.
The Shirker's Rest takes cards, not cash, and serves a range of soft drinks, wine and spirits in addition to their beer and cider selection https://theshirkersrest.co.uk/drinks/ - they don't have a kitchen but encourage you to order from https://yardsalepizza.com/menu/ ..!
COVID-19 safety measures
This is indoors though we should be able to open at least one window. Please do not attend if you feel unwell, or have a positive Covid test/symptoms - you are encouraged to a) be as vaccinated as you can, b) wear a mask if you prefer, c) follow current Covid precautions, especially if you're at risk of passing on or catching the virus.
