So the home page got you curious and you'd like to know more? Excellent!
Below, you'll find all the key information that you'll need to understand the group: our ethos, our mission, and what a brilliant group this is to be a part of. And if you have further questions? No worries, you are welcome to message directly at any time!
Hello friend!
We’re the Queer Girls’ Book Club: a FREE, London-based, group for 18+ queer women, trans and non-binary bookworms. Through this group we discuss contemporary and historically significant queer literature that reflects our experiences.
Do you often think “Ooh I’ve been meaning to read that forever!” or read a new queer book and wish you had other people to share your thoughts with? Here we are!
Come and chat, meet new friends, and connect with the community. I can honestly say that this group has some of the most intelligent, kind, welcoming, and fascinating members. You will be in astoundingly good company every month.
Loved the book? Great!
Hated it? That’s hot- let’s discuss why!
We meet on the last Thursday* of every month from 19:30- 20:30
*This date may change depending on National holidays and, very rarely, scheduling conflicts. Any change in date will be communicated well in advance
Absolutely not! Access to queer literature and community should never be kept behind a paywall.
To ensure that this group is fully accessible to all, regardless of financial situation, we will never charge you to join. This is all about the books baby- and that joy is priceless.
We do encourage those who are able, to purchase upcoming titles from independent book shops. But we will always encourage you to support your local library too. The more queer books you request, the larger their selection of LGBTQ+ books will be and the more people can benefit!
Where possible, we will also endeavour to circulate free PDFs and audiobooks too.
We meet at the radical independent bookshop Housmans
5 Caledonian Road, London, N1 9DY
It is a 6-minute walk from King’s Cross Station and near many bus stops too
The main floor of the shop has level access from the street. There are two steps leading to the back of the store where the bathroom is located. There is a ramp available for those who would like one. There is also a downstairs area that can only be located down a flight of stairs.
If you have any other access needs or questions please drop us an email. We will always endeavour to provide an accessible and inclusive space.
I strongly encourage our members to support an independent, ethical business when shopping for books. Housmans have very kindly created a dedicated page on their website for our group with all of our upcoming titles.
Use discount code: ILOVEBOOKCLUB for 20% off of all upcoming books. This code can be used online or in store.
At the end of every meeting, attendees will have the opportunity to buy upcoming books in person and enjoy some time to shop the rest of Housman's incredible range of books, prints and gifts.
If you are unable to purchase the book, please support your local library. The more queer books your request, the larger the LGBTQ+ section of the library will be and the more the community will benefit! Additionally, I will always circulate free audiobooks and PDFs of the upcoming book if I can find them. Those can be found on our Linktree.
Tickets for every meeting are released on Eventbrite. Due to very high demand, you will need one to attend.
Follow us on Instagram (@queergirlsbookclub) as I will post on our story when tickets are live. Alternatively, you can follow the group on Eventbrite to receive email notifications of when a new event is posted.
Please be aware that we only release 30 free tickets and these are usually all claimed within hours so grab one quick!
If all of the tickets are claimed and you would like to attend, you are able to join a waitlist and if a ticket becomes available you will be notified via email.
If you are unfortunately no longer able to make it, you can cancel your ticket on Eventbrite and release it for someone else to claim. Please do so in good time to give others a chance to attend!
Anything that is mentioned on our Insta story or in a timeline post will be on our Linktree in our bio. This includes:
Tickets to our latest meeting
A link to the QGBC page on the Housmans website
A full free PDF of the upcoming book if one can be found
A full free audiobook of the upcoming book if one can be found
A list of trigger warnings for the upcoming book
A list of all upcoming titles that have been chosen so far
A google form for you to suggest a book
Our club charter
A link to our Instagram
A link to our Tik Tok
Any free PDFs from previous books that we have discussed- we don’t gatekeep around here!
I am, first and foremost, a dyke of the people and so the simple answer is: our followers choose them!
I submit 4 books for consideration on my insta story, providing you with a brief blurb on each. Sometimes the books have a vague theme, other times they’re just books that people have suggested or shown enthusiasm for.
You cast your vote and the most popular wins!
In some instances, if the vote is tied or there is significant enthusiasm for more than 1 book, a couple of books will be chosen from 1 poll.
Check out the highlights on our Insta to see previous polls to get even more book recommendations.
In order to ensure that our venue can stock our titles in advance, we vote on several books at a time.
Groups like this have a responsibility to platform diverse literature and authors.
In honour of Black History Month, QGBC only votes on books by black authors or about black characters in the month of October.
As November is Trans Awareness Month and is also when Trans Visibility Week and Trans Day of Remembrance fall, QGBC only votes on books by trans authors or about trans characters in the month of November. QGBC is and always will be space where the Trans community are welcome. This is non-negotiable.
Now, I do want to make it totally clear for the avoidance of doubt, this does not mean that we only read stories by or about black people in October and by or about trans people in November.
We of course include these stories in our usual monthly polls as well.
Rather, this is a pledge to always ensure that these important months can be used as a dedicated time of reflection and a celebration of these communities.
I’ve been trying to finish Priory Of The Orange Tree for 3 years. Don’t stress at all! This isn’t homework and we don’t want it to feel like a chore.
Whether it’s because life gets busy or you just weren’t feeling the book, please still come along and share your thoughts. Hearing why someone didn’t finish the book adds a fascinating dimension to our discussion.
Not every book is going to be a unanimous crowd pleaser-that’s what makes it sexy and exiting
Not at all. We usually go round and share names and pronouns at the beginning of every meeting but you’re under no obligation to speak. We will never force anyone to contribute if they are uncomfortable doing so.
Listening to thought provoking discussion can be equally as fulfilling as participating. We want you to have the most enjoyable experience possible and hopefully come back again and again.
I would love for someone to bring their nemesis to a meeting. Hash it out in the middle of the room and we can all pick sides.
But also, if you think that the group would appeal to a friend or significant other, of course you’re welcome to recommend the group or bring them along! Please always try to get a ticket in the first instance. Failing that, you’re welcome to drop me a message on Insta and if its possible we can make room.
For health and safety reasons we need to keep an accurate record of numbers and not let the
meeting get too crowded- plus it’s comfier!
