Here, we welcome silent readers, to gather in person to read in quiet camaraderie, and to share a bookish moment or two.
[Silent Book Club ~ Ottawa Chapter] "Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose..."
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The winds of change are forever blowing. And, Reader, I don't do well with change. The expression, "plus ça change..." has often been an underlying thought in my mind when things change and I am not ready for it. Though I've learned that this idiom is considered pessimistic, I used to think that it simply meant what a famous Greek philosopher said: “the only constant in life is change.”* I would murmur that French phrase quietly to remind myself that clinging to the way things are is not only pointless, it can also be unhealthy. It helps me to navigate change that feels overwhelming... and sometimes seems preventable. The same old Greek dude also said, “You cannot step twice into the same river, for fresh waters are ever flowing in upon you.”* Now this I understand. We have a cottage on an old logging river and standing in its strong current, feeling the sometimes dangerous undertow, drives home the reality of that saying. The blow dealt by lockdowns that started in 2020, suffered by restaurants and breweries, by theatres, stores and concert halls, meant many were forced to close. Change like that was prevalent and merciless. Other venues are still hanging on six years later albeit tenuously... and some are only now succumbing to the effects of the shutdowns that may have kept our health safe, but left many businesses and individuals afloat. Reader, when we invite you and other sbc613 members to meetups (gathering in restaurants or breweries and the like) you'll hear us ask, "if your means permit please support the venue by ordering something off the menu." We do this because all of our venues welcome us at no cost. So... like holding onto a water-worn log, let's do our best to hold onto each other, supporting those who support what we do. Just this past week, we learned that our Bells Corners meetup location has had to make the no doubt extremely difficult decision to close its doors within days of my writing this. In navigating this change and in knowing that “everything changes, everything moves,”** we will be finding another area venue to meet at. Through all this, I also realise that although hanging on might sometimes mean resisting change... other times it simply means helping each other survive. Warm wishes, · · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · · 🌸Spring 2026 Book Swap!🌸 Saturday, March 21, 2026 ~ 2pm to 4pm Beyond the Pale Brewing Company Come swap out your old reads and welcome in some new ones at SBC613's Spring 2026 Book Swap! A minimum of 2 books for swapping is required, but please bring as many as you wish! Books will be sorted in genres between 1:30-2pm with the swap starting at 2pm. 🌸 · · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · · MARCH 2026 EVENTS 📆 Rather than a list of meetups, perhaps you'd prefer a calendar page. 📝 All meetups are available for signup here. ⭐ = NEW!
· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · · How does a reading meetup work?
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· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · · Silent Book Club ~ Ottawa Chapter If you received this email from a friend and would like to subscribe, please click here. |
Silent Book Club ~ Ottawa Chapter
Here, we welcome silent readers, to gather in person to read in quiet camaraderie, and to share a bookish moment or two.
October 2026 Hello again, Reader ~ Please forgive the second email at the outset of this month.In listing the meetup information, I was a bit quick on the 'Enter' key and the 'Send' button. A couple of small errors slipped in and the list below has them corrected.Warmly, and of course as always, bookishly, ~ nicole · · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · · Please note... Our meetup list is growing,so please make sure to scroll down the the list of meetups below,to take note of the time and date changes...
October 2026 photo cr: UnSplash (Roman Khramov) Greetings, Reader ~ Fall colours are peeking into view and, as many say, they'll soon be peaking too! For now, in our part of the world, yellows are stealing the show, along with whispers of red. Soon, there will be a burst of golds, reds, and oranges too, from the green belt to the Gatineau hills, and everywhere in between. For some, Autumn is all about the colours. For others, it's about being the true New Year. We're one month in (as...
September 2026 ph. cr.: UnSplash (Heather Newsom) Hello, Reader! Short and sweet for this month's newsletter: I wanted to share that I have been thinking about cheerleading, championing and supporting, when it comes to the things we take on, both in our life in general and specifically in our creative lives. We express deep respect by our supportive actions, when those we care for dive into big dreams and big plans. First, if they have chosen to share those plans and dreams with us, we take...