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Reading is often thought of as a solitary activity, but for most book lovers, there's nothing better than sharing the joy of the written word with others.
Join our book group and learn something new, deepen your understanding of books and topics chosen, meet other members, and hear and discuss different points of view. The online Book Group provides a meaningful way of engaging with other members nationally, and through this shared interest helps to create a sense of community. Sign-up to the Book Group Mailing list to hear about upcoming meetings.
Launched in April 2021, the Book Group meets quarterly to discuss a book, in a friendly, informal group setting, which enables members to explore the book a bit more deeply with other readers, facilitated by our fabulous team of Volunteer Book Group Facilitators.
There are no restrictions on the type of book that we would consider reading, whether that be fiction, biography, history, travel, poetry, drama etc. However we ask that anyone proposing a book should always have read it before proposing it, and especially welcome book suggestions with a humanist theme, or related to our campaigns or work.
Factors to keep in mind when choosing a book
Topic
Length
Reading level
Price
Publication date
Availability on different readers (eBooks and audio options)
“Don’t forget about restrictions the publication date might put on your book club. If you choose a new release, the book might have a long waiting list at the library. This might put the other members of your book club who can’t afford a new hardback book in a tight spot. Be considerate and look up all checkout and purchase options before you settle on a book pick” - Book Riot
Format of Book Group meeting:
7.25pm Meeting opens for arrivals
7.30pm Starts with Welcome from Lara, and a brief introduction to book by a Volunteer Book Group Facilitator
7.35pm Break into small groups for discussion
8.25pm Return to the main group - if each small group wants to share a short bit of feedback that would be nice, perhaps something interesting / surprising, or a summary of the general consensus on it - if there was one!
8.30pm People are free to leave or can stay for informal chat.
9pm meeting closes.
Recommend a book!
Recommend a book!
Everyone can now recommend a book here! Please share your suggestions, but only suggest books you've read and think others in the group would enjoy and find interesting! Thanks.
Books we have discussed, or will discuss soon!
Books we have discussed, or will discuss soon!
Record of what we've read and plan to read!
Thursday 20th June 2024
Thursday 20th June 2024
7.30pm -8.30pm online
7.30pm -8.30pm online
'The Humans' by Matt Haig
"An alien at Cambridge University? In the body of a distinguished professor of mathematics? Matt Haig's hilarious novel puts our species on the spot" - The Guardian
Thursday 14th March 2024
Thursday 14th March 2024
7.30pm -8.30pm online
“No-homework” book group
Rather than focusing on one book, we will discuss and compare notes on our own reading. Books we’ve loved, books to be avoided, and books we’ve not quite got round to finishing. Share your reading discoveries and pick up some new suggestions. A relaxed, informal, and social way to connect with other readers. Book here.
January 2024
January 2024
7.30pm -8.30pm online
by Chris Packham.
The memoir that inspired Chris Packham's BBC documentary, Asperger’s and Me.
Thursday 29th June2023
Thursday 29th June2023
‘Hex’ by Jeni Fagan
Part of Polygon’s Darkland Tales series, where authors can experiment with how to re-tell Scottish history.
In her re-telling of the true story of Geillis Duncan, hanged as a witch in Edinburgh in 1591, Jenni Fagan shows how the deep-seated misogyny and callously casual sexism of the 16th century are still present in our own time, writes Stuart Kelly in The Scotsman.
Thursday 20th April 2023
Thursday 20th April 2023
The Inevitable: Dispatches on the Right to Die’ by Katie Engelhart
“explores what might be called the right-to-die underground, a world of people who wonder why a medical system that can do so much to try to extend their lives can do so little to help them end those lives in a peaceful and painless way” - Brooke Jarvis, The New Yorker
Thursday 26th October 2023
Thursday 26th October 2023
Booker Prize 2019, Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo
Following a cast of 12 characters on their personal journeys through this country and the last hundred years. They’re each looking for something – a shared past, an unexpected future, a place to call home, somewhere to fit in, a lover, a missed mother, a lost father, even just a touch of hope….
Thursday 26th January 2023
Thursday 26th January 2023
'Lessons In Chemistry' by Bonnie Garmus
'Your ability to change everything - including yourself - starts here' - Elizabeth Zott
Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing.
Meet the unconventional, uncompromising Elizabeth Zott.
Thursday 27th October 2022
Thursday 27th October 2022
'The Meaning of Things' by A.C Grayling
- suggested by Matthew
A refreshing distillation of insights into the human condition, by one of the best-known and most popular philosophers in the UK. Thinking about life, what it means and what it holds in store does not have to be a despondent experience, but rather can be enlightening and uplifting. A life truly worth living is one that is informed and considered so a degree of philosophical insight into the inevitabilities of the human condition is inherently important and such an approach will help us to deal with real personal dilemmas.
Thursday 28th July 2022
‘The Woman and the Ape’ by Peter Høeg
- suggested by Gillian, Volunteer Book Group Facilitator
"The woman is Madelene, rich, beautiful and alcoholic; the ape, intelligent and illegally imported to London by Madelene's husband Burden. Burden has plans, so does Madelene, and so, as it happens, does the ape. This most controversial of Høeg's novels takes us from Society London, across its roof-tops to a forest idyll, to make for a fable at once hilarious and thought-provoking".
Sunday 19th June 2022
‘Humanism’ by Peter Cave
Thanks to everyone who made it along to our in-person book group meeting at Typewronger Books in June, and to Les for kindly volunteering to facilitate. We had an interesting discussion about Peter Cave's new edition of 'Humanism', with mixed thoughts on the way Peter Cave explores the humanist approach to religious belief, ethics and politics, and the accessibility of the book. Books provided FREE thanks to support through our programme of events celebrating World Humanist Day
Thursday 28th April 2022
Thursday 28th April 2022
‘How to be Animal’ by Melanie Challenger
- suggested by Lorraine, Volunteer Book Group Facilitator
"Humans are the most inquisitive, emotional, imaginative, aggressive and baffling animals on the planet. But how well do we really know ourselves? How to Be Animal writes a remarkable story of what it means to be human and argues that at the heart of our psychology is a profound struggle with being animal"
Thursday 27th January 2022
Thursday 27th January 2022
‘Half the Sky; how to change the world’ by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn
- suggested by David (former HSS Trustee)
"Pulitzer Prize-winning reporting team, husband and wife Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, take us on a journey through Africa and Asia to meet an extraordinary array of exceptional women struggling against terrible circumstances".
October 2021
'The Little Book of Humanism: Universal lessons on finding purpose, meaning and joy’ by Andrew Copson and Alice Roberts
July 2021
July 2021
‘In the days of rain’ by Rebecca Stott
April 2021
April 2021
'Mayflies' by Andrew O’Hagan
Book Group Working Principles
Book Group Working Principles
We ask that all participants listen attentively.
Don’t interrupt or dominate the discussion.
Online it can be harder to tell if someone wants to add to the conversation, so please take advantage of the feature to raise a virtual hand, or wave your actual hand!
Let’s give everyone a chance to contribute if they wish.
Be honest. Most of us join the book group because we want a richer reading experience through discussion. That can only happen when we share what we really think or feel about a book. Having different tastes in books, and different views on them is part of what makes the book group fun, interesting and enriching. However, please be respectful.
You can disagree with someone, but always do so respectfully.
Ask questions. Avoid personal attacks. And keep an open mind.
We start at 7.30pm. At 8.30pm there will be a short comfort break, and you are free to leave, or if you wish you can stay on for a more informal chat.
Who we are
Who we are
Meet our Book Group Facilitators, recruited and supported by the Community Engagement Manager.
Name
Name
Biog / brief intro
Name
Name
Biog / brief intro
Name
Name
Biog / brief intro
Thursday August 2024
Thursday August 2024
‘Title TBC’ by TBC
- suggested by TBC
Description TBC
Thursday November 2024
Thursday November 2024
‘Title TBC’ by TBC
- suggested by TBC
Description TBC
Thursday January 2025
Thursday January 2025
‘Title TBC’ by TBC
- suggested by TBC
Description TBC
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