GOBS Poetry Book Club: Martín Espada's Jailbreak of Sparrows

Join us to chat about Martín Espada's Jailbreak of Sparrows, followed by writing activities inspired by the book. GOBS Collective invites you to chat and scribble your heart away at our Poetry Book Club, hosted at Nottingham Central Library and via Zoom. GOBS Poetry Book Club provides a space for poets, writers, readers, performers and artists to meet over a cuppa and have a good chinwag over our poetry collection of the month. For the first half of the session we'll talk about the book, and in the second half we'll do some focused writing exercises based on our favourite poems. It's preferable that you read the book before you come along, but if you don't get chance and fancy heading down anyway, just pop along – there's sure to be something for you to say, listen to or write. No judgement. November 2026's Book Martín Espada – Jailbreak of Sparrows Hosted by Ioney Smallhorne. Jailbreak of Sparrows is a powerful collection celebrating resilience, justice, love and the extraordinary lives of ordinary people. Martín Espada combines lyrical storytelling with political insight and warmth, offering poems that are both deeply personal and universally resonant. His work reminds us of poetry's ability to bear witness, build compassion and imagine a more hopeful world. Get 15% off this book at Five Leaves Bookshop by using the code GOBS online or in-store. GOBS Poetry Book Club is also available to attend via Zoom. Please note we have limited places available both in person and online, so booking is essential. GOBS Poetry Book Club is Pay What You Can (suggested donation: £5). Event Information When: Saturday 21 November, 11am–1pm Where: Meeting Room 2, Nottingham Central Library, 1 Carrington Street, Nottingham, NG1 7FH Who: Hosted by Ioney Smallhorne Any enquiries can be directed to Bridie at [email protected] At previous events, we've looked at: Caleb Femi – Poor Tolu Agbelusi – Locating Strongwoman Caroline Bird – The Air Year Ella Frears – I am the Mother Cat Kae Tempest – Running Upon the Wires Roger Robinson – A Portable Paradise Malika Booker, Sharon Olds & Warsan Shire – Your Family, Your Body (Modern Poets Three) Inua Ellams – The Actual Cecilia Knapp – Peach Pig Yomi Ṣode – Manorisms Will Harris – Rendang Anthony Anaxagorou – Heritage Aesthetics Hannah Lowe – Chick Warsan Shire – Blessed is the Daughter Raised by a Voice in her Head Gboyega Odubanjo – Adam Brian Bilston – Alexa, What Is There to Know About Love? Amy Acre – Mothersong Amanda Gorman – Call Us What We Carry Ted Kooser & Connie Wanek – Marshmallow Clouds Vanessa Kisuule – A Recipe for Sorcery Haifa Mohammed – The Age of Olive Trees Adam Kammerling – Seder Kostya Tsolakis – Greekling Alex Mazey – Ghost Lives: Cursed Edition Keith Jarrett – Hide Me Under the Blood and I Shall Be Satisfied Sharon Creech – Love That Dog Hannah Silva – Crow Pirate Fly Mona Arshi – Small Hands