[Silent Book Club ~ Ottawa Chapter] (CORRECTION) Adding missing meetups... Kanata and Findlay Creek!


Hi there, Reader!

Being the messenger of questionably favoured news is not always a bad thing, I'd say. The questionably favoured news in this case is: the days are getting shorter. And with this we begin to return to darkness.

Don't get me wrong ~ I am absolutely delighted that we have lots of sunny, Summer days left to enjoy; long and lazy days to languish along shores and beaches, reading beach reads and cozy mysteries; stolen moments under mottled sunshine through dancing leaves, catching up on our latest, captivating non-fiction tome; or, even, many weeks left when we can make our way in sunshine to our nearest sbc613 meetup, and leave when there's still a touch of light in the sky.

Yet... the return to darkness that touched our seasonal souls when the Summer Solstice came and went, is as worthy of celebration as was the coming of the light. Sarah Faith Gottesdiener remarks in her podcast, Moonbeaming, that for us ~ as seasonal creatures ~ this is a powerful time for reflection, a time to reconnect with [our] deeper intentions, and to move into the second half of the year with greater purpose. And as natural creatures, science also reminds us of earth’s dynamic relationship with the Sun, shaping everything from weather patterns to cultural traditions. How can it not help shape us?

So the slow, slow return to shorter days and longer nights is a time to be honoured. Linda Geddes tells us that "our biology is set up to work in partnership with the sun." It follows that it is deeply affected by the dark, too.

What does this have to do with reading?

Well, obliquely, everything has something to do with reading when, like me, you are a voracious reader, chasing more, more, more to read about what is fascinating and compelling. There is an abundance of books about seasonal living and tons of science that tells us, get out into the sun when you can (without burning!), curl up and be intentional when the days get shorter, and look to nature when it comes to seasons and what's good for us.

And since reading can weave itself into the ebbs and flows of any season, whether it's the advent of long, sunny days or the coming of shorter days and longer nights, join me in doing our best to welcome what the seasons bring!

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What are some ways in which you find yourself living seasonally, Reader, or even sometimes, resisting what the seasons usher in? I'd love to know... as it might just help me on my seasonal path.

Warmly, seasonally, and as always, bookishly,

~ nicole (& the whole SBC613 team)

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📣 🍂 2026 Fall Book Swap 🍂 📣

Join us for our SBC613 2026 Fall Book Swap, where book lovers of all kinds can gather to exchange their gently-loved reads and
discover new favorites. Whether you're into thrillers, romance, historical fiction, or fantasy, there’s something for everyone!

Here’s how it works:

  • Register before the event.
  • Bring a book (or more!): Choose something you’d love to pass on to someone else. No need to bring a new book—gently-used titles are perfect!
  • Swap and Explore: Browse the selection, chat with fellow book lovers, and take home a new book (or two!) to enjoy this season.
  • Stay for the Vibes: Enjoy some refreshments and a snack, and the company of fellow readers. Let’s celebrate the magic of books and the joy of discovering new stories.

Just bring a couple of books and an open mind! We can’t wait to see you there and share the joy of reading!

🍂

Silent Book Club ~ Ottawa Chapter 2026 Fall Book Swap
Tuesday, September 15, 2026 ~ 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Calabogie Brewing Company
105 Schneider Rd., Kanata ON

🍂


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Reminders...

For the Summer season (speaking of seasonal rhythms)
The
East End meetup is still meeting on the fourth TUESDAY of each month (rather than the Wednesday)
The
Downtown meetup is still meeting outside. Please remember to check the website and the calendar for up-to-date information.

The Stittsville meetup on the fourth Saturday of each month, is cancelled for the month of August, on the 22nd.

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AUGUST 2026 MEETUPS

📆 Rather than a list of meetups, perhaps you'd prefer a calendar page.
You can view the calendar by going to our website, here and scrolling to the bottom.
Maybe you'd like to add our events to your Google calendar: click here and subscribe!

📝 All meetups are available for signup here.
Your signing up to each meetup you wish to attend helps our hosts know how many people to expect. Thank you!

⭐ = NEW!
⚠️ = Check the day/time information before signing up as some things have changed!
‼️ = Paused, postponed or cancelled

  • Almonte hosts: Jennifer Fryer, Donna Falcon
    First Tuesday
    7-9pm sign up
    The Barley Mow Almonte,
    79 Little Bridge St., Almonte ON
    Tuesday, August 4, 2026, 7-9pm
  • Kanata Brunch host: Fred Aubin
    First Wednesday 9:30-11:30am sign up
    Luna Crepes & Cafe,
    329 March Rd #110, Kanata, ON
    Wednesday, August 5, 2026, 9:30-11:30am
  • Wellington West host: Natalie Millan
    First Thursday 6:30-8:30pm sign up
    Sweet Pâtisserie, 128 Smirle Avenue
    Thursday, August 6, 2026, 6:30-8:30PM
  • Stittsville #1 host: Benny Deng
    Second Saturday 1-3pm sign up
    Kung Fu Bistro*, 1110 Carp Rd. Unit #150, Ottawa ON (Stittsville)
    Saturday, August 8, 2026, 1-3pm
    *This meetup happens during this venue's off-hours
    - they open specially just for us!
    Please sign up and see you there!

  • Trainyards hosts: Sahil Dhawan
    Second Sunday 1-3pm sign up
    O'Brien's Roadhouse, 730 Industrial Ave, Ottawa ON
    Sunday, August 9, 2026, 1-3pm
  • City Centre #1 host: Rick Czapelka
    Second Monday 7-9pm sign up
    Beyond the Pale Brewing Co., 250 City Centre Ave. Bay 106​, Ottawa ON
    Monday, August 10, 2026, 7-9pm
  • Bells Corners co-hosts: Andrea McDonald and Emily Lada
    Second Tuesday 6:30-8:30pm sign up
    Zola's, 2194 Robertson Rd., Ottawa ON
    Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 6:30-8:30PM
  • Beechwood host: Rachel Lipton
    Third Saturday 4-5:30pm sign up
    Café Miracle, 141 Beechwood Ave., Ottawa ON
    Saturday, August 15, 2026, 4-5:30
  • ⚠️Downtown "Outdoors!" co-hosts: Joshua Wolfsohn and Neeki Behbahani
    Third Sunday
    1:30-3:30pm sign up
    Still meeting outside during the Summer season.
    Confederation Park, Elgin St & Laurier Ave
    rain location: NAC Glass Thorsteinson Staircase, 1 Elgin St.​​
    Sunday, August 16, 2026, 1:30-3:30pm
    *Watch social media (IG & Fb) for rain updates. Also, hopefully, we'll manage an email update here.
    Otherwise, if the weather is iffy and no one's at the park, walk over to the NAC!
  • Orleans host: Jessica Webb
    Third Tuesday 6:30-8:30pm sign up
    TapRoom260,
    260 Centrum Blvd Unit 101, Ottawa ON (Orléans)
    Tuesday, August 18, 2026, 6:30-8:30pm
  • Kanata host: Natalie Millan
    Third Tuesday
    7-9pm sign up
    Three Brewers, 565 Kanata Ave., Ottawa ON (Kanata)
    Tuesday, August 18, 2026, 7-9pm
  • Findlay Creek hosts: Jill Hobin and Sierra Stanley
    Third Wednesday
    6:30-8:30pm
    Jonny Canuck's Bar & Grill
    4768 Bank St, Ottawa, ON
    Wednesday, August 19, 2026, 6:30-8:30pm
  • Hintonburg host: nicole Colbeck
    Third Thursday 2-4pm ​sign up​
    Absinthe Cafe*, 1208 Wellington St. W.​, Ottawa ON
    Thursday, August 20, 2026, 2-4pm
    *This meetup happens during this venue's off-hours
    - they open specially just for us!
    Please sign up and see you there!
  • ‼️Stittsville #2 host: Benny Deng
    Fourth Saturdays 1-3pm NO SIGNUP AVAILABLE
    Kung Fu Bistro*, 1110 Carp Rd. Unit #150, Ottawa ON (Stittsville)

    August 22: meetup CANCELLED
  • City Centre #2 host: Tim Munro and Neeki Behbahani
    Fourth Mondays 7-9pm sign up
    Beyond the Pale Brewing Co., 250 City Centre Ave. Bay 106​, Ottawa ON
    Monday, August 24, 2026, 7-9pm
  • Barrhaven host: Ashley Raymond
    Fourth Tuesday 7-9pm sign up
    Cafe Cristal, 240 Kennevale Dr., Ottawa ON (Barrhaven)
    Tuesday, August 25, 2026, 7-9pm
  • ⚠️East End co-hosts: Karen Buckshi and Emily Mann
    Fourth Tuesday 7-9pm sign up
    Still meeting on Tuesdays for the Summer season!

    Dominion City Brewing Co., 5510 Canotek Rd Unit 15, Ottawa ON
    Tuesday, August 25, 2026, 7-9pm

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How does a reading meetup work?

  • Typically, at reading meetups, 60 minutes of reading is bookended by 15-30 minutes of chit-chat and sharing, during which time you are encouraged to order something to sip or nibble, as all of the meetup spaces are provided free of charge to the chapter. Some hosts are putting their own spin on this format, so it might vary a bit... but the cornerstones of sbc613 are always present: reading, inclusiveness, and no admission cost!

Make your experience fit your vibe

  • On the sign up page, click through to the various location links and get to know our meetup spaces!
    From location to timing, choose which best suits your ideal reading meetup.
  • Come just in time for the reading then scoot at the end of reading time, or come to share and discover what others are reading.
    This is your sbc experience!
  • And please... come a little hungry or thirsty... ready to support our host venues. 💛

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Silent Book Club ~ Ottawa Chapter
silentbookclub.613@gmail.com
@silentbookclub.ottawa - Insta
http://www.silentbookclubottawa.ca

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