Join us and share your passion for reading!
Every two months we will meet virtually over tea and biscuits to discuss some of the best works in contemporary literature. We’ll explore short stories, novels, non-fiction, poetry, and works in translation, making these informal and friendly sessions the perfect way to meet like-minded readers and to discover exciting new reads. We’ll always choose books that are easy to purchase in hard copy online or via Kindle.
Virtual Book Club #1: A Line Made By Walking
Our first virtual book club will discuss Sara Baume’s remarkable Goldsmiths Prize-shortlisted novel, A Line Made By Walking – the story of a young artist’s search for meaning and healing in rural Ireland. The Guardian described it as ‘fascinating, because of the cumulative power of the precise, pleasingly rhythmic sentences, and the unpredictable intelligence of the narrator’s mind. . . there is a reminder of the beauty that can be found when you allow yourself to look slowly and sadly at the world.’
There are plenty of ways for you to get involved with the book club from home:
Subscribe and listen to the Writing Life podcast
Tune into episode 91 of The Writing Life podcast (coming soon) where we give a brief introduction to A Line Made By Walking, then make sure to subscribe as we’ll be going into a more in-depth discussion in later episodes! Here’s an introduction:
Join our new online community
We’ve launched a new community space on Discord to help readers and writers connect in these unusual times. Book Club members were the first to be invited, so come and join the discussion! Click here to claim your free spot.
Take part in a virtual book club discussion via Zoom
If you’re looking for something a little more interactive, you can join us on 21 May or 2 June for a virtual book club discussion by video! Just sign-up for free and we will send you instructions ahead of time.
Sign-up for 6.30 – 7.30pm, Thursday 21 May
Sign-up for 4.30 – 5.30pm, Tuesday 26 May
Spaces are limited so we recommend booking your place in advance.
Try our questions and suggested activities based on the book
Once you’ve finished the book, we have compiled some questions that you might like to consider or discuss with friends, family and fellow members of the Book Club. We even have some suggested activities that you might like to try out. Read more
Further recommended reads
If you’ve finished the book and would love something similarly brilliant to sink your teeth into, why not try one of these recommended reads from your local bookshop, library or online? With a mixture of novels, poetry, memoir, essays, and work in translation, we’ve got recommendations for every taste which continue to explore Sara Baume’s themes of memory, art and the natural world. Read more
Send us your thoughts via social media or email
We’d love to hear what you thought of the book. You can email us any time at info@nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk or contact us via Twitter, Facebook or Instagram to share your comments – and if you’re happy for us to do so, we can read them aloud on the Writing Life podcast.
Where can I buy the book?
Many of your favourite independent bookshops are continuing their business online or by phone and will deliver anywhere in the UK. Why not give them a shout?
Norwich – The Book Hive, Jarrold, Tombland Books, Bookbugs and Dragon Tales, Abstract Sprockett, Norfolk Children’s Book Centre
London – Burley Fisher Books, Daunt Books, Brick Lane Bookshop, Pages of Hackney, Dulwich Books, Stoke Newington Bookshop, South Kensington Books, Newham Bookshop, Pages of Cheshire Street, The All Good Bookshop, Pickled Pepper Books, Owl Bookshop, Persephone Books
Edinburgh – Golden Hare Books, Typewronger Books
Wadhurst – Barnetts Books
York – Ken Spelman Books
Petersfield – The Petersfield Bookshop
Stockton-on-Tees – Drake the Bookshop
Arundel and Chichester – Kim’s Bookshop
Nottingham – Five Leaves Bookshop
Hexham, Northumberland – Cogito Books
Explore The Bookseller’s list of independent bookshops and the services they can offer
A Line Made By Walking is also available for purchase as an eBook and Audiobook. Visit the Penguin website for details.