Books, Writing & Ideas groups in Oxford

Oxford Books in Translation – Reading Group

Reading Group

A monthly reading group dedicated to literature translated into English. Each selection is chosen around a shared theme – political, cultural, historial, or simply imaginative – with the aim of showing what the world is thinking. Many of the books we discuss sit alongside the kinds of titles recognised by prizes such as the International Booker, though the group isn't limited to contemporary writing — we also look at translated classics and older oddities. This group is a complement to other book groups in Oxford; the intention here is simply a different style of conversation. Our meetings are structured around the book itself, using prepared questions and prompts to help guide the conversation (should they be helpful). You're welcome to join even if you haven't finished the book, but please be aware that we will go into detail and, naturally, will totally "spoil" the book.

Philosophy in Pubs, Oxford

Honestly. Really, Truthfully?! When work colleagues state what is important for good working practice, or when someone on a dating site lists what is important to them, you will often hear the word 'honesty' used. But do people really want honesty, I mean, honestly? Humans often mute outright criticism of the boss and ease into a potential future relationship without saying everything directly as they see it. So, what is the moral philosophy around being honest or truthful. And are these two things, truth and honesty, the same. Firstly, let me speak openly (see what I did there?) For most of us the human experience is complex and the word honesty is vague. Not so for the philosopher Immanuel Kant. For him, anything other than stating how it is, or at least exactly as one saw it, was problematic. Damaging to us as well as to those we commune with. But you don't have to look at more than a couple of day-to-day scenarios to recognise that saying what you think all the time is often not good. For instance. Telling someone about to go into an interview that their suit is ugly, or an athlete about to start a race that you think they will lose. Both might be true, but is this 'honesty' just a subjective view, rather than a definitive truth. And however you look at it, saying such things feels unhelpful and unkind. Perhaps then, we send out signals of support, of appreciation, of deference, because it helps us all 'rub-along'? Raising the question, is compliance better than conviction? Nietzche, hardly a Kantian moralist, would frame our actions between on the one hand, the 'herd mentality' and on the other, being proud and clear on what we think. He wanted us to be less sheep, more Superman, But is framing often subjective views as being about truth verses lies unhelpful. perhaps it's okay to be a little dishonest if the alternative is crass directness? Is it about adjusting to context then, simple pragmatism, or might we be guilty of being disingenuous, storing up pote

Mentored Co-writing Space at the Lamb and Flag, Sundays

Come and Write in the Shadow of the Inklings! Sunday mornings (in term times) 10.30am–1pm Sessions are run on a ‘Pay-what-you-can’ option to Kate to keep the sessions viable. There will be free tea and coffee and cake - order before 11am. [It fills up quickly so arrive when doors open at 10.30 to grab your place.] The Writing Well has teamed up with The Lamb and Flag, Oxford, to provide a welcome and cozy, mentored co-writing space in which to come and write in community, in the shadows of many great writers who have sat and had a pint and a chat there through the centuries. Every Sunday, writers (of any genres, forms and level) are invited to come at 10:30am for a warm welcome a coffee, a check in and a chat, before we respond to a brief (optional) prompt at 10:45 to get us in flow, then we start writing together for two hours at 11am. Sharing is totally optional! Join our WhatsApp broadcast list to hear if the pub has to close/event is cancelled last minute - and to be the first to know about other writer events. Whatsapp Broadcast list here. Contact Kate for more info. Or just turn up at 10:30 with a pen, paper/laptop and an open mind. “Kate is an inspiring leader, the group so welcoming, giving me permission to write and believe in myself as an author.” – KB

Rebel Book Club Oxford

Welcome to the RBC Oxford event, where we'll be diving into April's theme, Mindgames, via this month's book, The Brain at Rest: The Life-Changing Science of Doing Nothing, by Joseph Jebelli. More about the book We are constantly told to make the most of every precious moment - but when we let our brains rest and our minds wander, something magical happens... In The Brain at Rest, Dr Joseph Jebelli shares the transformative neuroscience that shows why doing nothing will change your life for the better. Drawing on ground-breaking new research, you will learn how to achieve a happier, healthier and more balanced life. Why we chose it: “Offers practical, science-backed solutions for reclaiming your life.” - Nir Eyal Interested? Want to join us at our April event? Try out the club with Meetup - new customers only. Ticket price includes access to the Oxford Rebel Book Club event plus a welcome drink (alcoholic + non-alcoholic options available).

Oxford Short Fiction Book Club

"Motherland Hotel is a startling masterpiece, a perfect existential nightmare, the portrait of a soul lost on the threshold of an ever-postponed Eden."—Alberto Manguel, author of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey: A Biography Zeberjet, the last surviving member of a once prosperous Ottoman family, is the owner of the Motherland Hotel, a run-down establishment near the railroad station. A lonely, middle-aged introvert, his simple life is structured by daily administrative tasks and regular, routine sex with the hotel's maid. One day, a beautiful woman from the capital comes to spend the night, promising to return "next week," and suddenly Zeberjet's insular, mechanical existence is dramatically and irrevocably changed. The mysterious woman's presence has tantalized him, and he begins to live his days in fevered anticipation of her return. But the week passes, and then another, and as his fantasies become more and more obsessive, Zeberjet gradually loses his grip on reality. Motherland Hotel was hailed as the novel of the year when it was published in 1973, astonishing critics with its experimental style, its intense psychological depth and its audacious description of sexual obsession. Zeberjet was compared to such memorable characters as Quentin Compson in Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury and Meursault in Albert Camus' The Stranger. While author Yusuf Atilgan had already achieved considerable literary fame, Motherland Hotel cemented his reputation as one of Turkey's premier modernists.

Oxford Writing Circle

This week's meeting will be held at Peace House. We ask you arrive no earlier than 7pm as organisers will be setting up and making the room ready for everyone before then. Doors open at 7:00pm for a 7:30pm start, and Readings and Feedback will go on til around 9:30pm. All the information you need about our Readings and Feedback sessions can be found at the links below. Please read them before attending, as the answers to most questions can be found here! In-person events: Our community rules: All are welcome. Readers, please be prepared to share a link to your work to www.tinyurl.com/oxfordwritingcircle for this event or to bring paper copies. Listeners, please be ready to access these documents and follow along with readers on your phone or other device. Entry Fee: To help cover venue costs, we are asking for an entry fee of £3-£5, depending on your budget. We'll collect this on the night of the event (Paypal or card payment). A basic selection of drinks will be available at the venue for a donation (Paypal or card payment), or feel free to bring your own. The event organiser for this session is Sarah Milne Das. Questions? Please first read the documents linked above. If your query is not answered there, you can email the group organisers at Photo by Etienne Girardet on [Unsplash](

Mentored Co-writing Space at the Lamb and Flag, Sundays

Come and write In the Shadow of the Inklings! EVERY SUNDAY, 10:30–1PM The Writing Well has teamed up with The Lamb and Flag, Oxford, to provide a welcome and cozy, mentored co-writing space in which to come and write in community, in the shadows of many great writers who have sat and had a pint and a chat there through the centuries. The Lamb and Flag is a pub with a wealth of literary connections, not least the informal group of writers known as the “Inklings” (CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien and their circle), and Thomas Hardy (who wrote Jude the Obscure there), to mention but a few literary greats who have passed through their doors. Every Sunday, writers (of any genre and form, at any level) are invited to come at 10:30am for a warm welcome a free coffee and a piece of cake, a check in and a chat, before we respond to a brief (optional) prompt at 10:45 to get us in flow, then we start writing together for two hours at 11am. The group is popular and growing - please contact Kate to ensure a place, or turn up on time at 10.30 on the day. The group is advertised on other sites too which is why the numbers here are limited to 5. If a session appears as sold out, please contact Kate directly who might be able to find room. Sessions are run on a ‘Pay-what-you-can’ option to Kate to keep the sessions viable. There will be free tea and coffee and cake - order before 11am. Kate is on hand for advice and inspiration if you need it. (Kate is an exPublisher, editor, ghostwriter, bookfixer, poet and novelist who runs workshops and spoken word events in Oxford, London, N Yorkshire, Scotland and beyond). Contact Kate for more info. Or just turn up at 10:30 with a pen, paper/laptop and an open mind. “Kate is an inspiring leader, the group so welcoming, giving me permission to write and believe in myself as an author.” – KB

Philosophy in Pubs, Oxford

Philosophy in Pubs is a community philosophy group addressing big questions on a variety of topics in a relaxed, informal environment. We hold discussions, alternating between every few weeks in central Oxford and in Headington. No experience of philosophical enquiry necessary - the idea is that it is possible to talk about philosophical ideas without having to know a lot about what the ‘great’ philosophers thought about things. We are more interested in making progress through sensible conversation than having a heated debate where there are ‘winners’ and ‘losers’. We welcome anybody prepared to listen, engage positively, and have fun. This is a pub session open to a wide variety of participants, all, we hope, interested in stretching their minds. We embrace the 4Cs of of community philosophy: Caring for others, making space for their contributions Collaborating to get a better mutual understanding rather than scoring points Critically assessing what we say, clarifying what is meant and asking what reasons support assertions Creatively coming up with alternative perspectives, rather than dogmatically sticking to our initial positions. Please get in touch with any thoughts, concerns etc.