About us
We are a community of readers who discuss books over paired outings. Like to explore? Like to read? You’ve found your people! Join us here in-person and for online discussions wherever you are on the socials! FB, Insta, TikTok, Website
Newsletter/FB group: Meetup isn’t great at sending out notifications, so to stay up to date with the latest book and activity pairings, sign up for the newsletter at https://mailchi.mp/fc5e0725650d/thenoveltourist and join the community on our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ I also post regularly on books and book pairings on Instagram via @thenoveltourist
What the Club Will Do for You
The purpose of all NTBC events is to give you the opportunity to socialize with likeminded readers who are life long learners and love to try new experiences. If your goal is read more books, do more stuff and meet more friends, being part of NTBC can be a life-changing experience!
What You Can Do for the Club
Bring your fun-loving, healthy attitude. Be committed to reading, showing up when promised, and being respectful of other members. We require that your profile includes a clear picture of yourself so others can identify you at our events.
Terms and Conditions
By joining the Novel Tourist Book Club or signing up for or attending any event offered by the Novel Tourist Book Club, you agree to the following terms and conditions:
- Readers please: NTBC is, first and foremost, a book club. We do a lot of amazing activities tied to the books. There are lots of Meetup groups that also do these fun activities. So, if you don’t like to read or don’t plan to read, we are sure there is another group out there that is more suited to your interests. Now, that said, it doesn’t mean you have to read the book or finish the book every time. Sometimes, you try and the book just doesn’t resonate with you. That’s okay! Come and tell us how much you didn’t like it! All we ask is that you try.
- No Guests: Sadness, we know! We are all about the more the merrier, but there must be a limit to the number of attendees at any one event. Events fill up really fast and so unless the event allows you to add a guest (which will be very rare) your guest must create a Meetup account and rsvp for themselves as a member. Yay new members!
- Liability Waiver: By signing up for an event, all members take full responsibility for their own actions and agree to adhere to the following terms and conditions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ZE-yUJEcHUnXF_A8MUsfxWhEmrKxZEcojrHh8FjQzc/edit; and further agree to hold harmless the Novel Tourists Book Club organizers and members of this Meetup book club from any and all claims and liability in case of possible injuries as stated in Paragraph 6 of the Meetup Terms of Service Agreement ( https://help.meetup.com/hc/en-us/articles/360027447252-Terms-of-Service#h_9e385395-a405-4361-8afc-854a4f586c82 ). When attending an event, you acknowledge that you are doing this at your own risk.
- Event Payments:
- Name: If your name on your Meetup profile is different than your name on your payment profile (PayPal, Venmo), please provide your meetup name when you make your payment;
- Include Date or Event Title: Please include the date of the event or an indication of the event title (e.g. if we are going to a restaurant put the name of the restaurant not just “restaurant” or “book club.”)
- Be Open-minded, Kind and Courteous: We can’t imagine anyone who loves to read being anything but open-minded, kind and courteous. However, I also know we bibliophiles can have some pretty strong opinions about books! Whether you agree with someone or not, no doubt you came here for a welcoming environment. Healthy debates are natural, but kindness is required.
- No bullies: Personal attacks of any kind are not allowed. Period. I have zero tolerance for any bullying, degrading comments about another member’s race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, gender or identity. We are an open and inclusive community and to keep it that way a$$holes will be removed from the group.
- Photos/Videos: Joining the group and attending an event means you’re a-okay with being photographed/video recorded during events. We always takes pics: for the memories and for promotion of future events and NTBC.
- Communication settings: This is just helpful guidance. Events fill up really fast. Make sure your settings are set to maximize communication: Click on your profile pic in Meetup, click Settings, under General select Email Updates, scroll down and find The Novel Tourists Book Club under “Updates about your Group”, click Edit next to The Novel Tourists Book Club and then make your choices. I suggest checking “New Event Announcements,” “Changes to Event Time or Locations,” “My RSVP is confirmed,” and, most importantly: "Announcements to Members About the Group" and “Event updates from Organizer.” Also, you may want to download the Meetup app.
- Carpooling: It’s great for the planet! However, any arrangements are between you and the person driving. The Novel Tourists Book Club organizers and hosts do not provide, endorse, sponsor or take responsibility for any carpool arrangements pertaining to any event. Please use your good judgment when deciding whether or not to carpool with other participants of the book club event you are attending.
- Refund Policy:
- Events with a fee of less than $5: No refunds, even if someone takes your spot. The events fill fast and the only way to really try to make sure that those who are truly interested and able to come get a seat, is a nominal fee. This fee is offered to the event host to pay for their entrance/meal/etc as a way of saying thank you for your time and for putting this together for us.
- Events with a fee greater than $5: The general policy is if the Organizer/Host can get their money back, you’ll get your money back - if you timely cancelled. Once an event location has been paid, however, many times they won’t issue a refund. If they don’t refund us, we can’t refund you regardless of how far in advance you cancelled. That said, sometimes a refund can be issued IF you cancel at least a week in advance AND someone takes your spot. If you want to request a refund, message Audrey via Meetup to discuss. Please note, if you cancel the day before or the day of an event, there are refunds - regardless of the reason and regardless if someone takes your spot.
- If you do not agree to the above terms and conditions, do not sign up for the club. There is probably a different club out there that will better meet your needs.
Happy reading and adventuring!
- Audrey
Upcoming events
6
- $10.00
The Big & Little Free Library History Crawl
Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine Street,, Philadelphia, PA, USJoin Audrey for a Little (and Big) Free Library Crawl unlike any other - this time we're bringing in the big momma library! This LFL crawl will trace the history of the Free Library of Philadelphia - from its humble 1894 beginnings in City Hall to its grand home on the Parkway - and we're doing it with a mission inspired by the Free Library's One Book One Philadelphia 2026 read: Our Missing Hearts and the OBO BINGO Challenge!
Join us online on May 23 to discuss the book! RSVP here
Big thanks to the Free Library Foundation for its generous donation of books to support us on our community service mission to get literature into as many hands as possible**!**
NOTE: Please be prepared to walk - A LOT!
Attendance is limited to 25 people.💰DONATION: $10-$20 - Pay what you want - 100% will go to the Free Library Foundation as a donation to support literacy!
(No refund if you cancel) First pay goes.
HOW TO PAY: Use friends and family option/non-business option please.- Venmo - @audrey-Heller1 (Last four digits of my phone # are 4478)
- PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/AudreyBug
THE CRAWL:
Distance: approximately 3.4 miles
As we hop from historic Free Library sites (it had three before it found its present home) to the quirky, charming LFLs hidden in the Center City area, we'll be stocking the LFLs with copies of Our Missing Hearts and other books (bring one or more from your own shelf to share). It's a morning of local library history, building friendships, and a little bit of "guerrilla" literary distribution.I plotted out a delightful, flat 3.5ish mile loop starting and ending at the Free Library's Parkway Central location. And, if we're too pooped to walk the whole thing we can knock off a mile by taking the Philly Phlash back to the library.
Bring**:**
- A book (new or used) or two to stock the LFLs
- A bag to carry them and the new ones you pick up to take home
- Bottle of water
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The Free Library Foundation's One Book One Philadelphia 2026 choice is Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng. Now in its 24th Year, One Book One Philadelphia is an outstanding literacy and civic dialogue initiative that encourages the greater Philadelphia region to come together through reading and conversation. Managed by the The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation, programming in 2026 runs from April 7 through May 28 and includes a series of FREE events, online and in-person at Free Library locations across the city, exploring themes from the selected work and youth companion titles. Visit their Calendar of Events to learn more, and stay connected by following The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
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📚*********Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng***
Genre: Fiction, Dystopia, Contemporary
From the #1 bestselling author of Little Fires Everywhere, comes the inspiring new novel about a mother’s unshakeable love.
Twelve-year-old Bird Gardner lives a quiet existence with his loving father, a former linguist who now shelves books in a university library. His mother, Margaret, a Chinese American poet, left without a trace when he was nine years old. He doesn’t know what happened to her—only that her books have been banned—and he resents that she cared more about her work than about him. Read more...🎉Follow for more bookish adventures:
i📽️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenoveltourist
📸Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/thenoveltourist/
🌟Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNovelTourist
❓Event Review Guidance:
Meetup reviews are now public. Did you love the event? Tell the world with a 5-star rating AND a comment!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟Housekeeping!
- Here are the Club’s Basic Rules and Liability Release. You should read them because by signing up for an event you agree to them! 🙂
- Some links above are affiliate links which means when you use them to buy your book they help support the club at no cost to you!
-------------------The below is silly babble just for the algorithm - no need for book club members to read this!-------------------------------
Walking tours through Philadelphia neighborhoods is such a fun way to make new friends and be social with book loving book club members who like to read and explore urban areas and try new activities such as hiking, reading, craft, hobbies, museums and more! It's especially fun for a book club to go on outdoor and indoor adventures with all the book club friends who like to explore and try new hobbies.27 attendees - $5.00
Kayaking in the Pine Barrens and discuss book The Barrens
Lucille's Country Cooking, 1496 Main St, Barnegat Township, NJ, USJoin Audrey in the New Jersey Pine Barrens for our 5th annual Kayaking adventure! We’ll pair our paddle with a discussion of The Barrens, a riveting debut that is “at once a white-water adventure, coming-of-age novel, and tale of tragic love—and an extraordinary father-daughter collaboration” set in the barrens in Canada.
Breakfast and the fee for kayak rental (pay that day at Mick's) are your responsibility. If you skip breakfast and are late to Mick's we may have to leave without you. Sorry. We have no choice.
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THE ADVENTURE:
1. 8:30 am Breakfast in the Pine Barrens and book discussion at Lucille's Country Cooking Cash only, but they accept Venmo and have an ATM.
Address: Rt 539, Barnegat, NJ 08005
We go every year and it’s delicious!!!2. 10:15 am Kayaking in the Pine Barrens
Micks Canoe Rental
Address: 3107 County Rd 563
3107 County Rd 563 · Chatsworth, NJ
The rivers have gentle waters and the forest has a natural beauty everyone in our group can enjoy. Be sure to have a camera ready as you drift by remnants of Colonial settlers, towering Pitch Pines and beaver dams. At some point along the way we will stop for a BYO picnic lunch.***********************
PLEASE READ ***********
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This is not a guided tour nor is anyone available to give you lessons on how to kayak. You are responsible for your own safety and decision making about your skills. The river is not a deep or fast river. It’s great for beginners and advanced paddlers alike!***********************
FEES: $5 to hold your spot. (No refund if you cancel) First pay goes.HOW TO PAY: Use friends and family option/non-business option please.
- Venmo - @audrey-Heller1 (Last four digits of my phone # are 4478)
- PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/AudreyBug
Kayaking cost: Pay at Micks-
Rates available on line but as of right now:
SINGLE KAYAK - $55 + Tax
CANOES AND DOUBLE KAYAKS - $80 + Tax
Rental Includes Canoe or Kayak, Life Vests, Paddles and Transportation To and From the River.LUNCH: Bring plenty of water/beverage and your own lunch.
***
THE NOVEL: The Barrens by
Kurt Johnson and Ellie Johnson
Genre: Adventure fiction; LGBTQTwo young women attending college decide to have a summer adventure canoeing the rapids-strewn Thelon River that runs 450 miles through the uninhabited Barren Lands of subarctic Canada. Holly made the trip once before with a group of skilled paddlers she trained with at camp, and she wants to share that experience with her friend and lover, Lee, believing it will draw them closer. But a week in, Holly, the risk-taker, falls while…[read more]
Housekeeping!
📸 Photos & Video Notice:
This event may be photographed or recorded for The Novel Tourist website and social media, including but not limited to YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. By registering and attending, you are consenting to being photographed or filmed and your image, likeness and voice being used for those purposes. Say cheese!❓Event Review Guidance:
Meetup reviews are now public. Did you love the event? Tell the world with a 5-star rating AND a comment!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🎉 STAY CONNECTED:
📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thenoveltourist
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/TheNovelTourist
▶️ YouTube: youtube.com/@thenoveltourist- Here are the Club’s Basic Rules and Liability Release. You should read them because by signing up for an event you agree to them! 🙂
- Some links above are affiliate links which means when you use them to buy your book they help support the club at no cost to you!
-------------------The below is silly babble just for the algorithm - no need for book club members to read this!-------------------------------
Kayaking on a river with book lovers and books through Philadelphia pine barrens is such a fun way to make new friends and be social with book loving book club members who like to read and explore outdoor adventures areas and try new activities such as hiking, biating, reading, craft, hobbies, museums and more! It's especially fun for a book club to go in nature on outdoor adventures with all the book club friends who like to explore and try new hobbies and be social with new friendsHappy Reading!
Audrey
22 attendees - $25.00
Author-led B&B Tour and Discuss Book: Bed, Breakfast and Beyond
Fairwinds Farm & Stables, Inc, 41 Tailwinds Lane, North East, MD, USEver wondered what it’s really like to run a Bed & Breakfast?
Come find out for yourself! Join Diane and Kelly for a catered lunch, and behind-the-scenes tour of Fairwinds Farm B&B. On our tour, owner/author Jo Ann S. Dawson will share stories from her life at the inn and her memoir for all those who have ever dreamed of operating a B&B!: Bed, Breakfast and Beyond!ADVENTURE: Lunch/book discussion, author presentation and tour
Time: 12:30pm
Menu: Everything is homemade!
Tea sandwiches: Egg salad, Chicken salad, Cucumber, and Maraschino cherries and cream cheese
Desserts: Chocolate chip cookies, chocolate covered strawberries, and cheesecake
TeaLOCATION: Fairwind Farms
41 Tailwinds Lane, North East, MD
410.658.8187FEE: $25.00 Includes lunch and tour
Venmo: @Diane-Flemming-2 - Last 4 of phone number: 0137
PayPal: @DianeFlemming
Please select “Friends & Family” or "Pay a Person" (not Goods & Services)BOOK: Bed, Breakfast & Beyond: Twenty Years of Kooky Guests, Gentle Ghosts, and Horses in Between by Jo Ann S. Dawson
Genre: NonfictionIn September of 1998, Ted and JoAnn Dawson purchased the property to fulfill their lifelong dream of owning a bed & breakfast. Little did they know what they were getting themselves into! Restoring a filthy, dilapidated, nearly condemned Victorian house to a charming and welcoming country inn while raising two rowdy young boys was only the first of their challenges. Dealing with shady former owners, a string of ghostly events, and a wide variety of colorful guests opened their eyes to... Read More
Happy Reading,
Diane and Kelly
**
Let’s be social!:**
🎉Follow for more bookish adventures:
📸Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/thenoveltourist/
🌟Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNovelTourist❓Event Review Guidance:
Meetup reviews are now public. Did you love the event? Tell the world with a 5-star rating AND a comment!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I love putting together fun literary adventures and your comments feed my soul. But, if you didn't like something, please don’t submit a negative review — instead, message me (Audrey) directly with your suggestions so we can improve the club together!18 attendees 
Our Missing Hearts - May's Winner! Online 📚Book Discussion
·OnlineOnlineWe have a winner! May's online book will be Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng. I know you're probably saying, but waaaaiiittt when was the vote? Well...we didn't have one. Instead I selected the book that was chosen by the Philadelphia Free Library as the One Book One Philadelphia title. Talk about a cred!
Online discussion as always on the last Monday of the month at 7pm.
⭐️☝️Ohhhh, hey! Did I tell you I finally started a YouTube channel full of books and our adventures inspired by books? I'd love it if you took a moment to subscribe and share! https://www.youtube.com/@thenoveltourist
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‼️Stay tuned for the paired in-person adventure! Of course we're going to make life as fun as fiction!
***
Google Meets link will be posted on the day of the event.
🎉Want more ideas for bookish fun? Join the Novel Tourist online community:
📸Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/thenoveltourist/
🌟Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNovelTourist📚**NOVEL: Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng
Genre: Fiction, Dystopia, ContemporaryFrom the #1 bestselling author of Little Fires Everywhere, comes the inspiring new novel about a mother’s unshakeable love.
Twelve-year-old Bird Gardner lives a quiet existence with his loving father, a former linguist who now shelves books in a university library. His mother, Margaret, a Chinese American poet, left without a trace when he was nine years old. He doesn’t know what happened to her—only that her books have been banned—and he resents that she cared more about her work than about him. Read more...
❓Event Review Guidance:
Meetup reviews are now public. Did you love the event? Tell the world with a 5-star rating AND a comment!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟--------------------------------------------------------
-------------------The below is silly babble just for the algorithm - no need for book club members to read this!-------------------------------
Reading books everywhere including in Philadelphia and New Jersey and thecworkd’s neighborhoods is such a fun way to make new friends and be social with book loving book club members who like to read and explore urban areas and try new activities such as hiking, reading, craft, hobbies, museums and more! It's especially fun for a book club to go on outdoor and indoor adventures with all the book club friends who like to explore and try new hobbies and discuss books and be always9 attendees
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