
What we’re about
Join us for adventures in reading & real life! We are a community of readers who discuss books over paired outings. Like to explore? Like to read? You’ve found your people! Join us here in-person and for online discussions wherever you are on the socials! FB, Insta, TikTok, Website
Newsletter/FB group: Meetup isn’t great at sending out notifications, so to stay up to date with the latest book and activity pairings, sign up for the newsletter at https://mailchi.mp/fc5e0725650d/thenoveltourist and join the community on our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ I also post regularly on books and book pairings on Instagram via @thenoveltourist
What the Club Will Do for You
The purpose of all NTBC events is to give you the opportunity to socialize with likeminded readers who are life long learners and love to try new experiences. If your goal is read more books, do more stuff and meet more friends, being part of NTBC can be a life-changing experience!
What You Can Do for the Club
Bring your fun-loving, healthy attitude. Be committed to reading, showing up when promised, and being respectful of other members. We require that your profile includes a clear picture of yourself so others can identify you at our events.
Terms and Conditions
By joining the Novel Tourist Book Club or signing up for or attending any event offered by the Novel Tourist Book Club, you agree to the following terms and conditions:
- Readers please: NTBC is, first and foremost, a book club. We do a lot of amazing activities tied to the books. There are lots of Meetup groups that also do these fun activities. So, if you don’t like to read or don’t plan to read, we are sure there is another group out there that is more suited to your interests. Now, that said, it doesn’t mean you have to read the book or finish the book every time. Sometimes, you try and the book just doesn’t resonate with you. That’s okay! Come and tell us how much you didn’t like it! All we ask is that you try.
- No Guests: Sadness, we know! We are all about the more the merrier, but there must be a limit to the number of attendees at any one event. Events fill up really fast and so unless the event allows you to add a guest (which will be very rare) your guest must create a Meetup account and rsvp for themselves as a member. Yay new members!
- Liability Waiver: By signing up for an event, all members take full responsibility for their own actions and agree to adhere to the following terms and conditions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ZE-yUJEcHUnXF_A8MUsfxWhEmrKxZEcojrHh8FjQzc/edit; and further agree to hold harmless the Novel Tourists Book Club organizers and members of this Meetup book club from any and all claims and liability in case of possible injuries as stated in Paragraph 6 of the Meetup Terms of Service Agreement ( https://help.meetup.com/hc/en-us/articles/360027447252-Terms-of-Service#h_9e385395-a405-4361-8afc-854a4f586c82 ). When attending an event, you acknowledge that you are doing this at your own risk.
- Event Payments:
- Name: If your name on your Meetup profile is different than your name on your payment profile (PayPal, Venmo), please provide your meetup name when you make your payment;
- Include Date or Event Title: Please include the date of the event or an indication of the event title (e.g. if we are going to a restaurant put the name of the restaurant not just “restaurant” or “book club.”)
- Be Open-minded, Kind and Courteous: We can’t imagine anyone who loves to read being anything but open-minded, kind and courteous. However, I also know we bibliophiles can have some pretty strong opinions about books! Whether you agree with someone or not, no doubt you came here for a welcoming environment. Healthy debates are natural, but kindness is required.
- No bullies: Personal attacks of any kind are not allowed. Period. I have zero tolerance for any bullying, degrading comments about another member’s race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, gender or identity. We are an open and inclusive community and to keep it that way a$$holes will be removed from the group.
- Photos/Videos: Joining the group and attending an event means you’re a-okay with being photographed/video recorded during events. We always takes pics: for the memories and for promotion of future events and NTBC.
- Communication settings: This is just helpful guidance. Events fill up really fast. Make sure your settings are set to maximize communication: Click on your profile pic in Meetup, click Settings, under General select Email Updates, scroll down and find The Novel Tourists Book Club under “Updates about your Group”, click Edit next to The Novel Tourists Book Club and then make your choices. I suggest checking “New Event Announcements,” “Changes to Event Time or Locations,” “My RSVP is confirmed,” and, most importantly: "Announcements to Members About the Group" and “Event updates from Organizer.” Also, you may want to download the Meetup app.
- Carpooling: It’s great for the planet! However, any arrangements are between you and the person driving. The Novel Tourists Book Club organizers and hosts do not provide, endorse, sponsor or take responsibility for any carpool arrangements pertaining to any event. Please use your good judgment when deciding whether or not to carpool with other participants of the book club event you are attending.
- Refund Policy:
- Events with a fee of less than $5: No refunds, even if someone takes your spot. The events fill fast and the only way to really try to make sure that those who are truly interested and able to come get a seat, is a nominal fee. This fee is offered to the event host to pay for their entrance/meal/etc as a way of saying thank you for your time and for putting this together for us.
- Events with a fee greater than $5: The general policy is if the Organizer/Host can get their money back, you’ll get your money back - if you timely cancelled. Once an event location has been paid, however, many times they won’t issue a refund. If they don’t refund us, we can’t refund you regardless of how far in advance you cancelled. That said, sometimes a refund can be issued IF you cancel at least a week in advance AND someone takes your spot. If you want to request a refund, message Audrey via Meetup to discuss. Please note, if you cancel the day before or the day of an event, there are refunds - regardless of the reason and regardless if someone takes your spot.
- If you do not agree to the above terms and conditions, do not sign up for the club. There is probably a different club out there that will better meet your needs.
Happy reading and adventuring!
- Audrey
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Little Free Library Book Club Crawl #5 - Washington Square WestChapter House Cafe, Philadelphia , PA
Let's make some bookclub magic by visiting the LFLs in Washington Square West! Join Audrey on The Novel Tourist Book Club's 5th Little Free Library Crawl and check out all the books and magical art in the neighborhood that Magic Gardens calls its home.
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🪷 Psst: Don't forget to vote for May's Member Choice Book! Flowers is the theme: https://forms.gle/4bCcopYHXgVF29Tt9
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LFL Crawl #5: Washington Square West 1.5 miles, 6 LFLs, Chapterhouse coffee, Magic Garden type murals and more. 📚Bring a Book - Take a Book!We'll meet at Chapterhouse (grab a coffee!) then crawl around in a loop (about an hourish) visiting 6 LFLs along the way. We might even find more in the wild!
Afterward, we’ll pop into either Buena Vista (Mexican) or Mawn or another nearby restaurant (depending on how many people want to hang for dinner).
What to Bring: A book (new or used) or two to stock the LFLs
Parking: Street
Public Transport: The Broad Street line subway stop at Lombard South is only a few blocks away.
Housekeeping!
- Here are the Club’s Basic Rules and Liability Release. You should read them because by signing up for an event you agree to them! 🙂
~ Audrey
-------------------The below is silly babble just for the algorithm - no need for book club members to read this!-------------------------------
Walking tours through Philadelphia neighborhoods is such a fun way to make new friends and be social with book loving book club members who like to read and explore urban areas and try new activities such as hiking, reading, craft, hobbies, museums and more! It's especially fun for a book club to go on outdoor and indoor adventures with all the book club friends who like to explore and try new hobbies. Especially great for those who like to do things outdoors and like to socialize and do their hobby of reading books and Book Club adventures with other people. Book lovers who like to explore will love this book club for readers, explorers, socialize and make new friends. - Foodie Fiction - Spain! Dine at Amada and discuss "The Shadow of the Wind”Amada, Philadelphia, PA$3.00
RSVPs will open on February 26 at 7pm
Join Audrey for a flavorful literary journey to Spain! We'll gather over authentic Spanish tapas at Amada while discussing The Shadow of the Wind, a gripping tale involving a secret library and set in the heart of 1945 Barcelona.
Limit 12. First pay goes.
FOODIE: Amada
Menu: Spanish
217-219 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106Amada is Chef Garces’ iconic first restaurant. Since opening in 2005, the gorgeous rustic-chic restaurant and bar has embraced the rich traditions of Spanish cuisine. Amada’s decor is reminiscent of a typical Spanish bodega, complete with hanging jamòns.
Parking: Try Quality Park, 28 North 3rd Street or Quality Park, 126-38 South Front Street
FEE: $3.00 holds your spot and supports the club and paying the fees Meetup charges organizers like me to host the club. Spots are filled first pay, first goes. There are only 15 spots.
Pay on your own for your meal (bring small unmarked 🤪 bills to make payment easier!).
HOW TO PAY: Use Friends and Family! Do not use the business option because it charges me a fee. Please note the event name or date on your payment. If your payment name is different than your Meetup name please make sure you note your Meetup name.
Venmo - @audrey-Heller1 (phone ends in 4478)
PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/AudreyBug***
FICTION: The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Genre: Historical fiction, Mystery, Fantasy"Anyone who enjoys novels that are scary, erotic, touching, tragic and thrilling should rush right out to the nearest bookstore and pick up The Shadow of the Wind. Really, you should." —Michael Dirda, The Washington Post
Barcelona, 1945: A city slowly heals in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, and Daniel, an antiquarian book dealer’s son who mourns the loss of his mother, finds solace in a mysterious book entitled The Shadow of the Wind, by one Julián Carax. But when he sets out to find the author’s other works, he makes a shocking discovery: someone has been systematically destroying every copy of every book Carax has written. In fact, Daniel may have the last of Carax’s books in existence. Soon Daniel’s seemingly innocent quest opens a door into one of Barcelona’s darkest secrets—an epic story of murder, madness, and doomed love.
Psst. Purchase of the book through this link supports the club at no additionial cost to you. Yay us!
Happy Reading!
Audrey
Housekeeping!**
- Here are the Club’s Basic Rules and Liability Release. You should read them because by signing up for an event you agree to them.
Affiliate notice. Some of the links above are affiliate links, which means that if you make your purchase through that link, it supports the Club at no cost to you. Thanks!
—————-You can ignore all this part. It’s just for the Meetup algorithm. To make sure our Book Club events get seen. The Novel Tourist Book Club is a fantastic book club where people can get to know each other meet new friends have fun, exploring hobbies dining out at restaurants. We read books. Make new friends. Lots of fun with Book Club. Socializing. Social event. Lots of hobbies dining out is great fun. We read a lot of fun books. we visit libraries and eat food at restaurants. love to explore and meet new people to try out hobbie. socializing is great.
- Sold out - NOVEL: "Titanic Survivors Book Club” and TOUR: Laurel Hill CemeteryLaurel Hill EAST Cemetery , PHILADELPHIA, PA
Obsessed with the Titanic or just curious about the who's-who that met their tragic end at sea (or didn't)? Join Jeanette at Laurel Hill Cemetery for a BYO lunch to discuss the novel: Titanic Survivors Book Club and take the "Unsinkable to Unthinkable: Titanic Passengers" guided tour of the cemetery where the guide will share the tales of some of the victims—and survivors—who now rest in Laurel Hill East and West Cemeteries.
FEE: $17 ($15 for adults over 65) Purchase using this link and pay directly to the cemetery. Do not delay, I'm told this will sell out!
12:00pm LUNCH: Picnic and Novel-Tourists-Only book discussion
Bring your own lunch. There is a picnic table, but you may want to bring a light blanket to sit on.1:00pm TOUR: "Unsinkable to Unthinkable: Titanic Passengers"
Where: Laurel Hill Cemetery
April 15, 1912. Newspapers across the globe spread the tragic news; the unsinkable Titanic, on her maiden voyage, had sunk. On that morning, the world tried to comprehend how such a fate could have claimed that modern marvel! We know the numbers: approximately 1,500 perished and 700 survived. To this day, her sinking still fascinates the masses. Join us as we tell the tales of some of the victims—and survivors—who now rest in Laurel Hill East and West Cemeteries.
This tour will begin at Laurel Hill East and then participants will drive to Laurel Hill West to reconvene with the tour guide to do the second portion of the tour.PARKING:
Laurel HIll East: Parking is allowed along the roads in the cemeteries for general visitation and tours.When we move to Laurel Hill West there is also free parking outside the conservatory.
NOVEL: *Titanic Survivors Book Club *by Timothy Schaffert
Genre: FictionFor weeks after the sinking of the Titanic, Yorick spots his own name among the list of those lost at sea. As an apprentice librarian for the White Star Line, his job was to curate the ship’s second-class library. But the day the Titanic set sail he was left stranded at the dock.
After the ship’s sinking, Yorick takes this twist of fate as a sign to follow his lifelong dream of owning a bookshop in Paris. Soon after, he receives an invitation to a secret society of survivors where he encounters other ticket holders who didn’t board the ship. Haunted by their good fortune, they decide to form a book society, where they can grapple with their own anxieties through heated discussions of The Awakening or The Picture of Dorian Gray.
Of this ragtag group, Yorick finds himself particularly drawn to the glamorous Zinnia and the mysterious Haze, and a tangled triangle of love and friendship forms among them. Yet with the Great War on the horizon and the unexpected death of one of their own, the surviving book club members are left wondering what fate might have in store.
Elegant and elegiac, The Titanic Survivors Book Club is a dazzling ode to love, chance, and the transformative power of books to bring people together.
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Housekeeping!
Here are the Club’s Basic Rules and Liability Release. You should read them because by signing up for an event you agree to them! 🙂