The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

We read together, we review together. We never said anything about finishing. For a month we've been reading over Sybil's shoulder, and on Sunday 25 October we finally get to say it all out loud. This page is only for one thing: claim your seat at The Book Review, so we know you're coming. Finished it, half-finished it, still stuck around page 50 where half of us were? You're in either way. We're a social club disguised as a book club, and the book is mostly an excuse, babe. HOW THE REVIEW GOES 15:00 – 15:15: You walk in and get to know each other. And of course nobody has to prove they've done the reading. We don't do numbers here: no pages, no age, nothing ;) There's time to scribble your first thoughts into the Book Review template. 15:15 – 15:30: The Letter Match. Everyone who wrote a letter gets paired up and hands theirs over. Your letter should reflect your partner's reading process and opinions, whether you picked that up in the chat or actively chased them for it. Didn't write one? No problem, you'll sit with the others who didn't. Though I can't tell you how many that will be! 15:30 – 15:45: The review. Guided by some talking points. A whole life told in letters, what people only dare to say on paper, who Sybil really is once you've read her post, and the ones she never gets an answer from. We bring the questions, you bring the opinions. 15:45 – 16:00: The verdict. One big question, everyone answers: is this book worth a finish or not? 16:00: Done, officially. Most of us stay for another drink. No pressure either way, but the good bits usually happen here. The summary goes out the day before, so you'll know exactly what's up even if your bookmark doesn't. DON'T FORGET YOUR LETTER A book made of letters deserves a letter, so this month we're writing to each other. You've been matched with someone in the group: the overview is in the chat, so check who you're writing to before the 25th. Nothing long, 50 words is more than enough. How you found the book, what you think your match thought of it, how you read it, what you appreciate about them. Channel your inner Sybil. Handwritten is perfect, but send it to me upfront and I'll print it for you. And no, you don't need to have finished the book: it's simply a personal letter from you to your match. One thing: your RSVP and your letter go together. Someone's writing one for you, so it would be a shame if they didn't get one back. A FEW PRACTICAL THINGS One hour, one table, one review. All consumptions are on your own tab and paid before you'll leave. Ebook, paperback, audiobook, library copy: all of it counts. We're here for the story, not for how you got it into your head. Read it in English or Dutch, whichever you prefer. The talk itself is usually in English. Come alone. Almost all of us do, and after a month in the group you're really not new anymore.