This a book club based around the Persephone Books series from the UK (for more info: http://www.persephonebooks.co.uk/). If you're not familiar with Persephone Books, they are fiction and non-fiction books written by forgotten female authors of the twentieth century and they are amazing! If you are into feminism, literature, history and/or anglophilia, you should join us! PLEASE NOTE: Participation in the club will probably require a small investment in purchasing the books each month (they are …

The Chicago Africentric Book Club is dedicated to the celebration of African, Caribbean, Afro-Latino and African-American culture, history and politics through spirited and idea-generating discussions of the classical authors (e.g., Carter G. Woodson, Cheikh Anta Diop and Frantz Fanon), book titles testing new intellectual ground and film works that address the issues, concerns, hopes and power of Black people across the Diaspora.

Join us at the Chicago Self-Publishing Meetup Group as we explore the dynamic world of self-publishing and indie publishing. We meet every month and we welcome anyone interested in learning about self-publishing: self-published authors who want to learn more or share their experiences writers looking for information on how to self-publish professionals who are not writers but want to publish material related to their work book designers, graphic designers, and ebook formatters publishing indust …

Love good wine, reading books, & discussing ideas with other friendly people? Then come join us at our monthly discussions while enjoying wine at House Red! The goal is to have fun discussing & sharing our thoughts & ideas on the literature we've read over glasses of wine. The group is new (Spring 2012) & was started with a small group that met at a wine bar. We're growing now & would like to welcome new members. I've noticed many groups are women only; we aren't gender restrictive, but you must …

We all have those books we love and want to share with others. We all have those books we have heard about but just haven't gotten around to reading. Meet other locals to discuss the books and authors related to the Queer Experience. Actually we will read anything that strikes our collective fancy. This meetup is for ANYONE who is interested in learning more about GLBTQ authors and books, and about queer themes in mainstream literature. We will also share tips about where to find/buy queer boo …

Taught by Bob and Cheryl Moeller, married for 32 years with 6 kids, one daughter-in-law, one son-in-law, and one grandson. www.forkeepsministries.com. A group of Christian Singles together to learn about what the Bible has to say about Christian relationships whether you are single or single again. Singles attend that are unattached or attached (dating, courting, engaged).  Topics may vary but are always from God's Word (The Bible). It usually begins with a dinner at a restaurant where you can g …

This is a group for people who are working on writing a novel, short story, and poem. We'll get together once a week at different locations in Chicago, depending on what's most convenient and give each other constructive criticism and ideas on our literary pieces. Looking forward to meeting all of you!

We meet twice a month to discuss designated during the taping of Insight Radio.  (If you have not listened, here is the last show:  Insight Radio is looking for guests for our next show on current events.  Here are recent shows: Guest: Fran Hawthorne, Author of Ethical Chic: The Inside Story of the Companies We Think We Love. Award-winning journalist Fran Hawthorne has been a writer or editor at Fortune, BusinessWeek, Institutional Investor, Crane's and other publications. She is the author of …

In this group, we discuss where the church is or should be going in the 21st century. We will explore numerous authors, worship expressions, and ideas for the church. We will read and discuss one book per month from authors in the Emergent Church movement. If you are interested in learning and sharing input on what you think the church should be, then come join us! All faith backgrounds are welcome!

You're invited to join like minds in preserving what our founding fathers established in the Constitution. If you're unsettled, uneasy or just disgusted with the direction our country is headed...we're here for you. 9/12 stands for the day after Sept. 11, 2001 when we as a country came together putting aside our political affiliations for the betterment of the United States of America. It also represents the following... THE 9 PRINCIPLES 1. America is good. 2. I believe in God and He is the c …

ADHD is as prevalent among grown-ups as children - and it's just as essential to manage the condition with a range of behavioral, organizational and other techniques. This is a support group for adults with ADD/ADHD and people who suspect they might have ADHD due to issues with procrastination, organization and time management. We usually meet 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month to discuss challenges and share information and experiences in a supportive environment. …

First and foremost: We are not a critique group. We are not a workshop group. We are a group of writers who get together to...just write. This is a group that meets to WRITE, to socialize, and to offer encouragement and inspiration to others as we practice our craft. We're focused on the process, not the product.  Writing can be a solitary activity...but it doesn't have to be. This is a group where the focus is actually on DOING the work as opposed to critiquing already finished works. I found s …

The Chicago Tao Cultivators seeks to explore the ironic, absurb and penetratingly insightful gentle "way" of wisdom - and hopefully in the process reach the end of logic and enjoy a really good laugh. Taoism can signify an unknowable and emphemeral cosmology - the "Void" - out of which every experience and being is born. But it can also reflect the smaller notion of understanding one's own nature as captured by the concept of "the uncarved block." Seemingly both simple and enigmatic, the writing …

A book club for mystery lovers! We will read new authors as well as the classics. Explore what makes a great mystery. Socialize and have fun.

Join us as we explore the question of the century - "Where Is Your Village?" We'll share how we can surthrive here in The Age of Climate Crisis...live the beautiful life, the conservation lifestyle...give our whole selves to the people and places you love most...and forge a new way forward, past the tipping point of "400 ppm ghg." Don't know what that means? Come discover its critical importance to your life. BIG™ is an award-winning economic development organization based in West Woodlawn …

Mystery, Thriller, Romantic Suspense and Dark Fiction Conference. The Coolest Crime Scene Happens Every February in Chicago - Plead Guilty and Be There. For writers - February in Chicago is the hottest time of the year! Agents, publishers, Master Classes, forensic professionals, weapons experts, essential panels, presentations, and elbows to rub--the perfect antidote for whatever ails writers at every level. Love is Murder--be freezin' for a reason and come ready to advance your career and …

A Meditation Group based on the Kriya Yoga Teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda, author of the spiritual classic Autobiography of a Yogi, and inspired by the core spirituality found at the heart of all faith traditions. Our meditation group is for those seeking... -To learn how to meditate, using ancient, proven techniques -To share spiritual fellowship, friendship and support with others -To have a deeper understanding of the universal science of yoga -Greater energy, health, success and poise in …

Are you ready to have some fun? This group is for women interested in getting out of the house and getting together to participate in a number of activities including karaoke nights, dance classes, dinners and movies, comedy shows, plays or concerts, shopping trips, fitness classes; you name it!  The opportunities are limitless to the journeys we can unlock and discover as a positive group of freespirited, diverse women. If you are looking for fun and adventure, let the good times roll. Members …

The Evanston Writers Group is an eclectic mix of writers, ranging from beginners to long time professionals, and reflect all ages, genders and backgrounds. We have members who publish literary fiction, creative non-fiction, children's literature, romance, hard-boiled crime, memoir, travel, poetry, humor and assorted forms of the unclassifiable. Because we are fearless and a little nuts, we open our minds to anyone and any thing. We'll bend and stretch ourselves like soft licorice to dig your s …

“You are one connection away from being able to change your life.” Think about that. Whatever it is you want in life, someone has or will be able to get for you. Knowledge, power, love, “stuff”… someone has it. You just have to figure out how you can help them get what they want in return for getting what you want. And that's what this Meetup.com group is about - Networking with others and seeing how we can help each other out. Key Concept Networking is simply that... a Business Networking …

SSS is an energetic group of fun, self-aware women and men aged approximately 25-40 from Chicago and the Suburbs who love life, enjoy meeting and connecting with people and embrace personal growth. Our group mission is to create a community of young, energetic minds for fun, friendship, travel, sports, volunteering, learning and adventure. Please note: this is not a "dating" group, though many amazing and powerful connections have been made through our community - girl friendships, guy friendsh …

Anyone can join, whether or not you're a vegan, vegetarian, animal welfare activist, green environmentalist, intellectual, or nerd.  All you need is an interest in what we do. You can see our calendar for animal welfare / animal rights relevant events and nerdy and veg*n stuff: http://www.meetup.com/vegNerds/#calendar We get together for a variety of events. They can be for social, ethical, and / or intellectual purposes. We encourage all members to suggest event ideas, on the Message board, o …

If you want to live a more fulfilled life, first you will want to know your potential, who you really are. Meditation is the route to that knowing. It is the methodology of the science of awareness. The beauty of the inner science is that it enables whoever wants to explore and to experiment within, to do so alone. This eliminates dependence on an outer authority, the need to be affiliated with any organization and the obligation to accept a certain ideology. Once you understand the steps, you …

¡OJO! Este grupo es para lectores comprometidos, activos, y voraces. El Círculo de Lectores Chicago fue creado para discutir libros contemporáneos populares en español. Eso significa que nos enfocamos en novelas recién publicadas (últimos dos o tres años) en español (nada de traducciones) de toda América Latina y España.  El objetivo es divertirse, leer una variedad de libros populares y utilizar el español. Nos reunimos en restaurantes conectados con el libro escogido (ambiente del libro o na …

Calling all inspired memoir writers who need a community of writers to put their inspiration into action. Procrastination can be our enemy. Often we need deadlines to kick us into gear to put the pen to paper. All levels are welcome from novice memoirists to published authors. The only requirement is to actually turn in work and respectfully comment on each other's manuscripts.

This is a group for parents and singles who choose to promote health with real food: Organic, raw, and whole. We choose fresh air and sunshine as our medicine. We encourage positive attitudes and loving caring family values. Topics discussed will include: Raising healthy children without drugs, boosting the immune system naturally, your rights concerning vaccinations, water filters, supplements, the safety of raw milk, etc. and anything YOU wish to add. I am a chiropractor, nutritionist, acupunc …

For millennia people all over the world have argued, fought, and killed over religion, faith and worldview. It is my opinion much of this hostility is caused by misunderstanding and prejudice. In the spirit of better understanding and new friendship Interfaith Chicago will be a space to share good information, positive discussion and informal community among people of different faiths. It is not our goal to convince one another to change or to argue about who is right. While I have studied sever …

The  Chicago Business Blogging Academy - is where small business owners, local business SEOs, internet marketers, Social Media players, entrepreneurs, start uppers, bloggers and writers gather...online and in person to learn and do things right. Ask your self these questions - How much would you pay for 1. A website evaluation from an SEO, traffic and business blogging expert? Read what people pay me for website evaluations. (The earlier you get in the higher the likelihood of getting an evaluat …