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The Woodstock Literature Society was founded in 2009 with the aim of presenting high quality talks on literature to local book lovers, offering time to socialise after the talk with refreshment (a glass of wine at evening talks/tea and cake at afternoon talks). Since then, its reputation and membership have grown and we are pleased to welcome members and visitors from Oxfordshire and beyond.
Topics range from classic and contemporary authors, to drama, poetry, and foreign authors in translation. Our speakers include academic specialists, published authors, and literary journalists. Full details can be seen under Programmes. Please note that changes to the programme can also be found on the programme page.
Please see Membership for payment details.
For general enquiries about The Woodstock Literature Society contact: enquiries@woodstocklitsoc.co.uk
Our next talk will be on
Wednesday 20th May at 8:00pm
in St Mary Magdalene Church
Professor Simon Horobin will give a talk entitled:
From Oxford to Narnia: The Worlds of C S Lewis
The fantastical fictional land of Narnia, famously reached via a magical wardrobe, has many connections to the real world in which C S Lewis lived. The influence of Oxford can be seen not only in its medieval buildings and towers but also in the classical, medieval and renaissance literature which Lewis encountered there. Simon Lewis will look at Lewis' Oxford, its colleges, libraries, chapels, pubs and clubs and then ask the all-important question: how did the writer's imagination transform Oxford into Narnia.
Professor Horobin is a Fellow of Magdalen College, and the author of C S Lewis' Oxford (2024).
The May talk will be preceded by our annual Summer Party at 7:15 either in the Churchyard or inside the Church, depending on the weather!
Visitors are welcome but please note, on this occasion Visitor Entry will be £15.00.
Details of the June, September, October and November talks are available on Programme 2026
OPEN BOOK GROUP
The Summer Open Book Group will meet on
Wednesday 3rd June at 11:30 in Woodstock Town Hall
to discuss We Do not Part by South Korean writer, Hang Kang
- winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2024
There is no need to pre-book, all are welcome.
Admission: £3.00
Julia Johnson's review of Carolyn Kirby's talk, A Georgian Journey, on Tuesday 21st April is now available to read in Reviews & Gallery
Carolyn has kindly provided a Bibliography of the books referenced in her talk. This can be viewed in A Good Read
S A V E T H E D A T E S
The Woodstock Bookshop Festival
1st - 3rd May 2026
For full detail of the exciting programme of talks over the May Bank Holiday contact info@woodstockbookshop.co.uk / www.woodstockbookshop.co.uk
OPEN BOOK GROUP
The informal meetings were launched in August 2022 with a discussion of Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence. The discussions have proved increasingly popular. A full list of books discussed can be seen on A Good Read.
The group meets two or three times a year in the Town Hall on Wednesday mornings. Anyone, whether a member or not, can drop in to discuss the chosen book (All book group books are available with a generous discount of 15% at the Woodstock Bookshop). There is no booking required and a nominal fee of £3 per person will be requested to cover the room hire.
Attendees are invited to submit suggestions for future discussion, a shortlist is drawn-up and a poll taken to decide the next book.
A selection of images used in publicity posters for previous talks
Whether you are a reader, a writer, or a poet, Woodstock Literature Society welcomes your input and suggestions for future talks.
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