Books with Friends
Books with Friends is a monthly free and informal book group open to anyone, but we especially welcome people who are over 55 and who find themselves a bit socially isolated or lonely for whatever reason.
Books with Friends is extremely well run by wonderful caring people who go out of their way to make each meeting an enjoyable experience. I can’t praise them enough.
Books with Friends Member
The group is led by an enthusiastic, experienced book-lover and offers members the chance to chat about that month’s book with like-minded people and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. There is no pressure to produce amazing literary insights, rather the focus is on a shared enjoyment of books. Meetings are friendly, informal and fun, so it’s also a great way to meet new people.
The book group started in 2015 as a way to tackle loneliness and isolation in the local community and bring together fellow book-lovers in a fun, sociable activity. Each month’s book is available at the library and, thanks to the generous support of funders, Books with Friends is free to join.
Joining the group
Books with Friends is now near capacity but please do get in touch if you would like to join or find out more information, especially if you have difficulties reading and need audiobooks.
To join the group, email us or call us on 01789 470185.
(Please let us know before you attend a meeting to ensure we have enough space!)
Venue: We meet at the White Swan, Rother Market
When: On the last Thursday of every month (daytime) with some special events during the Literary Festival in spring and before Christmas
BWF has been a brilliant focus point for us all throughout this oh-so-difficult year. It has given structure and purpose to our reading and, most importantly, given us a sense of sharing in a warm, funny and often feisty community. Thank you for keeping us going.
Books with Friends Member
I started attending at a very difficult time personally and it really helped me to see that there is more to life.
Books with Friends Member
This group is a very important part of my life. Long may it continue.
Books with Friends Member
I cannot imagine life without Books with Friends. It is really, really important to me. I try very hard to avoid other commitments on BWF day.
Books with Friends Member
West Midlands Readers' Network Partnership
In 2025 we were approached by the West Midlands Readers' Network to be part of an anthology. The author Nicola Jones came to a Books with Friends meeting and the members brainstormed ideas with her for a story. The result was Hermione.
From Nicola Jones:
I was so delighted to be paired with ‘Books With Friends’ in Stratford. I discovered from their website that the book club was originally set up to help combat social isolation and, arriving to meet some of their members on a glorious September day, I couldn’t have been made to feel more welcome. They certainly live up to their name! What a lovely group of people.
Liz, the club’s organiser, had asked for ideas and the group brought a huge variety from crime and ghost stories to tales of espionage, love, tourism, something set behind the scenes at the theatre, to a contemporary take on a Shakespeare play, plus many more.
However, the one idea that everyone kept circling back to was that of a Living Statue, several of whom entertain visitors in the town’s streets. We discussed the idea of the ‘silent observer’ and of how this device could be used to look at everyday life in Stratford. The group were also interested in the backstory of such a performer, and we wondered why someone might choose a profession where they can remain anonymous and are not required to speak.
Researching the subject, I was happy to discover that the National Living Statue Championships have been held in Stratford’s Bancroft Gardens next to the theatre, and I decided to set my story in this location. I also remembered that Shakespeare has a living statue of his very own. The Winter’s Tale, part of the RSC’s 2025 season, tells the story of Hermione, wrongly accused of infidelity by her husband and left for dead, who returns disguised as a statue which ‘miraculously’ comes back to life.
A huge thank you to ‘Books with Friends’ for such a great suggestion, and to all the Living Statues out there who have shared their experiences online.
We’re working in partnership with RNIB and Warwickshire Libraries Service. Get in touch if you’d like to help.
