We originally started our book group over 10 years ago as an individual activity for members of our community. We set a reading list and sent books to members who then shared their reviews online or via a review response form. Not surprisingly the provision of free books sparked a lot of interest and as a consequence we had to re-evaluate the format of the group.
It was during COVID lockdown that one of the book group members suggested we embrace Zoom and move our book groups to an online live discussion monthly. It worked well and five years on our monthly sessions are much enjoyed by the book group members. In addition to the monthly sessions, members also get together for an in-person annual Summer and Winter lunch as well.
To give you a ‘teaser’ ,some of the books scheduled for discussion in 2026 include: To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf, The Silver Bone by Andrey Kurkov, The Bell by Iris Murdoch, Enlightenment by Sarah Perry and Rivers of London by David Aaronovitch.
Currently the two Zoom book groups meet once a month: one on a Wednesday afternoon at 4pm and the other on a Thursday morning at 10am.
If you would like to join one of the book groups or discuss starting your own group, you can call 020 8691 7411 or email: enquiries@csrf.org.uk