Inspired by Kinna Reads' Africa Reading Challenge, I decided to create an offline space to share my newfound appreciation for African literature. If you are interested in reading books from the African diaspora (with emphasis on authors from Africa and the Caribbean), join us! Check us out on Tumblr: http://CHI-ReadingAfrica.tumblr.com & on GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/87568-chicago-reading-africa

This group started in May 2011, and we've read novels by Joyce, Malraux, Kafka, Wright, Mishima, Faulkner, Nabokov, Unamuno, Ellison, Hamsun, Woolf, Biely, Gide, and many others.  We try to have a good time discussing the books without descending to small talk, think critically without descending to pedantry, etc. Also, as the title shows, we've expanded our reading list since the group started.  We don't really want to title the group something as vague as "Chicago Literature Group," etc., and …

Anyone can join, whether or not you're a vegan, vegetarian, animal welfare activist, green environmentalist, intellectual, or nerd.  All you need is an interest in what we do. You can see our calendar for animal welfare / animal rights relevant events and nerdy and veg*n stuff: http://www.meetup.com/vegNerds/#calendar We get together for a variety of events. They can be for social, ethical, and / or intellectual purposes. We encourage all members to suggest event ideas, on the Message board, o …

This group is for Catholic women OR women that are interested in converting to Catholicism. This is NOT a Bible study. It is a book club based on current Catholic literature, and is intended to create stronger ties to our faith through modern the day Gospel of some amazing authors! If you are wanting to grow closer OR to put that needed spark back into your faith and meet other women who want to do the same, this group is for you! We will start off by reading some books from the Dynamic Catholic …

This is a new group for women that are interested in reading new releases and classic literature. We will begin by meeting at Barnes & Noble Cafe' at Geneva Commons. I chose a book for our first meeting at it is: "an Invisible Thread" by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski. Please bring suggestions for next books to the first gathering.  Discussion questions are at the end of the book.

Love good wine, reading books, & discussing ideas with other friendly people? Then come join us at our monthly discussions while enjoying wine at House Red! The goal is to have fun discussing & sharing our thoughts & ideas on the literature we've read over glasses of wine. The group is new (Spring 2012) & was started with a small group that met at a wine bar. We're growing now & would like to welcome new members. I've noticed many groups are women only; we aren't gender restrictive, but you must …

We all have those books we love and want to share with others. We all have those books we have heard about but just haven't gotten around to reading. Meet other locals to discuss the books and authors related to the Queer Experience. Actually we will read anything that strikes our collective fancy. This meetup is for ANYONE who is interested in learning more about GLBTQ authors and books, and about queer themes in mainstream literature. We will also share tips about where to find/buy queer boo …

We meet twice a month to discuss designated during the taping of Insight Radio.  (If you have not listened, here is the last show:  Insight Radio is looking for guests for our next show on current events.  Here are recent shows: Guest: Fran Hawthorne, Author of Ethical Chic: The Inside Story of the Companies We Think We Love. Award-winning journalist Fran Hawthorne has been a writer or editor at Fortune, BusinessWeek, Institutional Investor, Crane's and other publications. She is the author of …

Adventures for intelligent foodies. Join us for exciting culinary and literary adventures here in Chicago and around the world!  If you enjoy eating, reading, writing, cooking, dining out in great restaurants and immersing yourself in fascinating new cultures and cuisines, Litereati is for you! Whether you're a professional chef, a food blogger or just someone who enjoys gourmet reading and good food shared with friends, you're welcome here at Litereati. We get together for lively, delicious din …

This group is for people interested in getting together to read, analyze, and discuss current scientific literature about environmental health, with a particular focus on the intersection between environmental health and maternal and child health, but not exclusively. Issues such as climate change, built environment, and occupational health are all interesting and important topics we may cover. For each meeting we will all pre-read the same article from the scientific literature. One person each …

Self Enquiry Life Fellowship is a US based Nonprofit stablished to preserve and disseminate indigenous knowledge from the ancient Sanskrit heritage, including extant literature, spiritual practices of Vedic antiquity, esoteric Himalayan yoga and meditation techniques of unbroken lineages. The Nonprofit aims to make accessible through its educational publishing projects, the spiritual philosophy passed down by the monastic lineages of Himalayan masters and intonated Sanskrit hymns meant for subl …

We are a group of fun-loving gay professional women of all ages and races. We primarily focus on organizing women-only events outside bars and non-traditional gay & lesbian venues. If you are not into bars or clubs, new to Chicago, disappointed with online personal sites, feeling too "straight" for the glbt community and/or seeking real women who can hold a conversation, this is a place to start. Our members' age distribution is as follows: Under 25: 2.1% 26 - 35: 22.9% 36 - 45: 33.3% 46 - 55: 2 …

Looking for like-minded folks who dig super-contemporary fiction and are dying to talk books! If you read newer stuff like Murakami, Junot Diaz, Jonathan Franzen, DFW, Jennifer Egan (also the best of non-fiction) I think you'll like us. Meetings are once a month in the Ukrainian Village / blue line area. Guys and ladies 25-40ish who are serious about reading and want awesome book club selections, please join!

Registration is OPEN for 2013-14 year! Cornerstone is a private Christ-centered cooperative group designed to offer enrichment classes for Preschool-8th grades homeschooling families. Ephesians 2:19-22 "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the Cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy …

Meet local Spanish language and culture lovers for conversation, cultural exchange, and fun in Chicago! Come to a Spanish Fanaticos Meetup event and make new amigos while speaking in Spanish, learning new vocabulary, putting your grammar knowledge into practice and/or simply brushing up your Spanish skills! Some of our events include: Spanish Grammar and Literature Workshops, Social Networking Events, Happy Hours, Dinners, Coffee Time, Hikes, Picnics, Movie Nights, Dancing and more. All ages and …

This a book club for women "of a certain age" who love to read and and enjoy a variety of Naperville area eateries.

Do you live in the western suburbs? Are you looking to meet some new people and discuss some interesting books? If so, this group is for you! We're hoping to meet other readers in their 20's, 30's and 40's for some lively discussion at local coffee houses or bars. The hosts of this meetup group live in Naperville and Downers Grove, so meetup spots will be in that general area. We'll plan out the first 3 books and then we're hoping new members will submit some recommendations of their own so we c …

Join us at City Lit Books where we regularly host events and discussions with local authors. Have an idea for an event? Let us know!

As Dr. A.R Bernard says, "we don't grow in isolation, we grow in community". This group is being formed to create a community of African American women in the SW suburbs of Chicago. We have a lot to share...friendship, wisdom, kindness, laughter and FUN!. Let's get together to enjoy some great books, fab food, shows, travel, and other excellent adventures. If you are a mature woman who is married or single, working or retired, you are welcome. Just be positive minded and open to new friendships. …

A cultural, intellectual community based on rationality. Meet up for a walk, a drink, to dance, etc... Civil behavior is required, truly creative actions are lauded, criticism is constructive and restrained.  Activities will typically be free to join, the hope is to get enough people to start organizing low intensity group games outside for spring. Anyone for a lovely day of croquet?  let's organize this and make it a BBQ.  Let's bring music!

Have you read the Fifty Shades books by E.L. James? Multiple times? If you'd like to talk about Anastasia and Christian with other devotees, please join us. We'll delve into the characters, plot lines, and what makes these books so compelling to so many people.

A book club for mystery lovers! We will read new authors as well as the classics. Explore what makes a great mystery. Socialize and have fun.

Have you ever wanted to read the books you hear everyone talking about? Here's your chance! Anyone is welcome to this casual monthly book group. Each month, we'll have an informal discussion of that month's selection. Togther we will choose next month's book. Suggestions welcome!

Do you like conventions about Science Fiction? Fantasy? Gaming? Anime? Horror? Odd stuff in general? The Chicago Conventions group is designed to get people together at conventions and at certain other related events to meet and have fun. Check out the Calendar! Note posts will be created on the calendar about all of the conventions (that I know of) in the Chicago area. If you know of other conventions not listed, send a message to the organizer Leane with whatever details you have and it will g …

Discourse cheers us to companionable reflection. Such reflection neither parades polemical opinions nor does it tolerate complaisant agreement. The sail of thinking keeps trimmed hard to the wind of the matter. -- from "On the Experience of Thinking," Heidegger "Philosophy is not a theory but an activity." -- from "Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus," Wittgenstein Join us soon for friendship, cooperative discourse and mental exercise, all organized around an interest in our own engagements …

Have you been looking for a place to share musings on your latest novel? Would you like to meet more people in Chicago's literary community? Are you curious to hear others opine on their recent reads? Fabulous -- welcome to the Open Book Club! The Open Book Club meets monthly for casual conversation followed by discussion questions moderated by Open Books staff. All are welcome and there is no monthly commitment. Come read with us! Second Tuesday of each month at 6 pm at the Open Books store. FR …

Are you an avid reader who'd like to get together with other women regularly to discuss books over some fine wine? The aim of this group is to expand our thoughts and perceptions through great discussions about books. We all bring our own experiences, culture, and filters into the perception and understanding of literature, and hopefully these discussions will all enrich us. We'll choose serious fictional and non-fictional books that are fairly recent releases (within the last 20 years for the m …

Hey friends! We are just two 20-somethings new to Chicago looking to bond with other bookworms on the North side. Meetups will take place at cafes/restaurants based on everyone's location and preference! We are receptive to all genres. Looking forward to meeting you!