Bookish Notions

Thank you to everyone who joined us last night for our Jane Austen Book Club discussion of Most Ardently by Gabe Cole Novoa! We had a wonderful conversation about this inventive retelling and the ways it explores identity & belonging.

Our next meeting will be on Sunday, July 19 at 4:30 PM, when we’ll discuss The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow. This beloved Austen-inspired novel finally gives Mary Bennet a chance to step out from her sisters’ shadows and tell her own story.

Looking ahead to August, we’ll be reading Lady Susan and The Watsons by Jane Austen. These works, although short, showcase Austen’s range. We’d love to see you there! New readers are always welcome. Jane Austen Book Club meets the third Sunday of each month at 4:30 PM.

Thanks to everyone who joined us last night for Horror Book Club’s discussion of Coffin Moon by Keith Rosson! We had a great conversation about the book and always enjoy hearing everyone’s thoughts and interpretations about the memorable characters and haunting setting.

Horror Book Club will be taking July off, but we’ll be back on Thursday, August 20th at 7 PM to discuss The Haar by David Sodergren.

Our September selection will be Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu, the classic gothic vampire novella that helped shape vampire fiction as we know it today.

As a reminder, our Horror Book Club meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7 PM. We’ll see you in August. Happy reading!

On Sunday, June 14th from 4-6 PM, Bookish Notions welcomes the Philadelphia Chapter of the Italian American Writers Association (IAWA) for an afternoon of poetry, memoir, fiction, and essays exploring family, identity, culture, migration, and belonging. Featured readers include Michelle Reale and Maria Giura. Audience members are welcome, and a limited number of open reading slots are still available. Come listen, connect with fellow readers and writers, and spend an afternoon transported to Italy through story.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Fantasy/Sci-Fi Book Club! We’re taking a short break in August, but we’re excited to announce our next read.

On September 3rd, 2026 at 7 PM, we’ll discuss The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch, a clever fantasy adventure following a notorious band of thieves, elaborate cons, and high-stakes schemes in the glittering city of Camorr.

In the meantime, don’t forget that our July 2nd meeting will feature The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories by Ken Liu, an award-winning collection of imaginative science fiction and fantasy short stories that blend speculative ideas with deeply human experiences.

We look forward to reading with you! As a reminder, Fantasy/Sci-Fi book club meets the first Thursday of every month at 7 PM.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for History Book Club last night! We discussed Death in the Air by Kate Winkler Dawson, a fascinating blend of true crime and history that explores London’s Great Smog of 1952, a serial murder investigation, and the public health crisis that connected them.

We also voted on our next reads! July 6th, we’ll dive into The Trial of Lizzie Borden by Cara Robertson, an engrossing look at one of America’s most famous murder cases. August 3rd, we’ll discuss Blitzed by Norman Ohler, which examines the role drugs played in the rise and operation of N**i Germany.

As a reminder, History Book Club meets the first Monday of every month at 7 PM.

Our New Fiction Book Club had so much to say about May’s book, The Fountain by Casey Scieszka! We can’t wait to do it all again on June 23 at 7 PM when we discuss Celestial Lights by Cecile Pin. Out of the three options offered, the group voted for July’s book, which will be The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff! This book explores how pain and joy intertwine to create the human experience.

As a reminder, we meet the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 PM.