So what's the worst part of most book groups? Being forced to read a book you simply don't want to read. And what's the best part: getting all those great book recommendations! In this meet up, we're going to dispense with the book *reading* and go straight to the recommending ... and we'll do it with a game I call the "Book Auction". Each participant brings 2 of their favorite books (1 fiction, 1 non-fiction) -- these can be books off your shelf, or new purchases from a store. At the door, ever …

There are several Meetup book clubs in the East Bay, but many of them are specialized (e.g., women-only, we only read such-and-such books, etc.), or their meetings fill to capacity so fast that I never get a chance to rsvp - so I decided to start this one. I previously participated in a fantastic book club in Chicago, which gave me the opportunity to read some great books that I probably wouldn't have found on my own. I hope to continue that trend here! This is a mixed-gender book club for anyon …

Have you ever heard of Naked Girls Reading? It’s a group of ladies who enjoy giving readings of various works to a large audience au naturel. The group originated in Chicago two years ago when the founder’s husband caught his naked wife lying in repose focused intently on her book. At that moment, both agreed that there was something amazingly powerful about reading sans culottes. As a PhD literature grad student and a nudist, I have been doing this for years! And now, I think it’s the perfect t …

The purpose of this group is to bring together people who are single, over 55, and would love to discuss their favorite, or even someone else's favorite book or movie.  On the way to doing this we could discuss the issues raised in the book/movie, become a community of friends and enjoy each other's company. Any single senior interested in meeting new friends and forming a loose knit community with whom to discuss books and movies should consider joining us. When we live alone, we can't turn to …

I am new to Berkeley via San Diego (via Bay Area, via Seattle, via Philadelphia, via Santa Barbara :) and looking to meet some new girlfriends. I started and was a member of a book club in San Diego and had a blast. We actually had a great group of girls who ended up being friends- reading, going out, running races, together, etc! I'd like to recreate something similar here in Berkeley/Oakland! This group is for ladies only (sorry boys) in their mid 20s/mid 30s (roughly!) who are looking to meet …

Hi there fellow 40-somethings, I created this group when I first moved to Marin County from Southern California and it was a great way to make friends. Now I'm in Berkeley and wanted to start one here. The name of the group speaks for itself, I don't stick with a theme of books to read; one month we may read a mystery, another month a classic, the next...well, you get the idea! We'll have one scheduled book club meeting each month and I'll also schedule meetups in between to attend a literature …

This get-together is for individuals looking for a place to re-center after a busy week, participate in a discussion about an inspirational book, and enjoy some good food. I reside in a rather cozy apartment with minimal furniture, so be prepared to sit on the floor! Instead of asking for donations, I thought it would be much more enjoyable if members arrived with a small dish (nothing fancy) or beverage (no alcohol, please). Book recommendations are welcomed with open arms. I look forward to me …

Welcome to our Meetup! The book club is structured around reading and discussing one non-fiction book each month, typically on the second Sunday of the month but rescheduled as needed based on holidays or other special events. Meetups are facilitated by the organizer (or an occasional guest) to provide structure and direction to the discussion. All members are encouraged to provide their opinions, and all opinions are valued and respected. At the end of the meeting members will vote on a list of …

Are you a queer theory nerd? Let's meet up to read and talk about queer theory, drink wine/coffee/kombucha/beverage of your choice and meet new friends.  All genders and sexualities welcome.  Meetings will be in the East Bay.

This is for people interested in writing one chapter of a novel. The overall narrative has been loosely thought out, but how you want to tell your piece of the story is entirely up to you. When we finish, we will have completed a book, and each of us can be proud of having accomplished something big together. If it is any good, the next step could be working together on getting it published! I came up with the idea of shared novel writing (I'm sure I'm not the first!) after thinking for years ab …

Meet other singles who are intellectual yet physically active, who have a wide range of interests including but not limited to tea, coffee, food, drinks, conversation, politics, the arts, nature, outdoor sports, travel, books, dating, and people in general, and who are looking for ongoing friendship and relationship as well as just hanging out with a cool bunch of individuals. RUGFAINTS = Random Unfocused Group for Active Intellectual Not Too-geeky Singles

Inspired by the book The 4-Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss, we are bringing together "like-minded" individuals that share the dream of living out a Digital Lifestyle. One of the biggest challenges after reading the book is finding or developing your "Muse". Everybody falls in love with the idea of traveling the world while making money online but the question is, how exactley do you do it? Our goal is to teach people the systems, tools, training and resources needed to exploit their inner-tale …

This group is for anyone who likes the horror and/or sci-fi genres. The members shape the group. There will be a book club, movie nights, new/classic/indie film outings, genre themed game nights and anything else that others may want to do.

This is a folk singing group. Well, mainly... We also get into singer-song-writers and other music as well. Take a close look at the list of listed meetups for details. [b]TIMES[/b] The [b]1st Saturday[/b] of the month is open to hosts suggesting and providing other music (e.g., The Beatles, James Taylor, Motown...). The [b]2nd Saturday[/b] of the month is usually a sing-along using the book [u]Rise Up Singing[/u] (see note below)*.  We usually start at 6:30, begin singing at 7:00 pm, play for …

Many photographers have approached me about personal sessions and workshops. Meetup allows me to let you know about all the events I am giving, including workshops and free presentations. This group is about learning photography with master photographer Harold Davis. This group takes you to interesting places to photograph with Harold's unique perspective and guidance. About Harold: He is the author of more than ten best-selling photography books including "The Photoshop Darkroom" series from Fo …

This is a group that meets to discuss and train in memory techniques as practiced on Mnemotechnics.org. Meetups alternate between the East Bay and San Francisco. Beginners are welcome! Please read the information below to be sure that this is the group that you're looking for. About the Techniques The techniques we discuss and practice are useful for studying in school, learning languages, memorizing poetry, and for competing in memory competitions. Here is a list of some of the techniques: Met …

Are you curious about and interested in environmentalism on the planetary scale? We want to understand the Earth's ecological systems -- from a non-technical perspective -- and the crises they are now undergoing.  We include climate change, species extinction, resource depletion, economic collapse, the collapse of civilizations, and the end of industrial society in our discussions.  We want to learn how we can live with global crises and support one another through the worst of times ahead since …

We're interested in reading left political theory and discussing it with an aim towards informing our writing, activism and analysis. We're starting off with Karl Polanyi's The Great Transformation which we'll read a chapter a week and meet to discuss the book. After we've finished this text, the group will decide what book we want to read next.

What if your sense that something is wrong with what society tells you that relationships "should be" was your intuitive sense that there has to be something better and more that what the culture currently offers? What if we all got together and considered a new, upgraded format for intimate relationships? Let's do it! If you are interested in human sexual psychology and want real insights into why many relationships don't work and what you could do about it, this is the place for you. If you wa …

Imagine lively people-scaled  communities dotting the San Francisco Bay Area - places co-created by their residents for raising kids, for  retirement, for growing food or simply  living well by sharing more. The Bay Area already has  ecovillages, and cohousing neighborhoods, resident-owned housing cooperatives, and group houses -- real world places where we can live more sustainably through a more cooperative way of life. You can have both privacy and community when you know your neighbors on pu …

This group's goal is to get exercise while exploring and learning about the geology and natural science of the San Francisco Bay Area. The aim is the mid-point between the hiking groups that don't stop long enough to explore and learn about what they're passing and the nature groups that see lots of great stuff, but don't get that much exercise. Hikes will be lead by members with knowledge of unique, exotic, or otherwise fascinating features of our area. If you have a favorite hike that you'd l …

Café Aquarius is hosting, after restaurant hours, an Astrology Center where anyone interested in Astrology and other metaphysical disciplines can come for our various events. You not only learn about new models of the world, but also about yourself and the energies you're working with in your life. Events • Metaphysical Night - we have 6 readers, each of whom practice a different metaphysical tool: Vedic Astrology, Tarot, Handwriting Analysis, Numerological Astrology, Hand Analysis, and Destiny …

Hello Golf Enthusiasts, Welcome to the "Hole-In-One" Golf Club. This group is geared towards those who share the passion and desire to have fun, play golf, and improve in this game. We are here to take advantage of playing the best of the best courses in the Bay Area, from SF to East Bay to South Bay, including Stonetree, Wente, Cinnabar Hills, Bayonet/Blackhorse, Quail Lodge, Poppy Hills, Poppy Ridge, Harding, Callippe Preserve, Half Moon Bay, Spanish Bay, and Pebble (??? Hmm). This group will …

This is a group for non-fiction writers or writers creating fiction based on real-life events who want to share their work, receive feedback from one another, and get encouragement to publish. Writers working on essays, memoirs, researched articles/books, etc. are welcome. Meetings will held on Sundays in the early-evening, at 4: 30 p.m., at a Berkeley cafe.   Information about our sharing/feedback process can be found at http://www.meetup.com/East-Bay-Non-Fiction-Writers/about/.

Second Act is about creating meaningful connection with others who can make a positive difference in one and another's lives through self-discovery, sharing, and service to others. Second Act: it's about time... to embrace your future! Our community is uniquely tailored to the needs and interests of middle-aged people with a certain level of maturity and life experience. Our mission is to provide the inspiration, hands-on know-how, sharing of personal stories, as well as connections you'll need …

Exploration of themes in cognitive science and evolutionary psychology & of the implications of the research and thinking in these and related disciplines.

This group is to help support, and empower people who know about the highly sensitive trait, as described in Elaine Aron's book The Highly Sensitive Person. It is also for people who are just finding out about this trait and, others that do not know there is a term that can describe, how they have felt their entire life. Have you been called moody, shy, too or too sensitive? Perhaps people have told you, you take things way too personally. A good place to start if you do not know how if you migh …

Poetry, short stories, plays, novels, history, philosophy, science, not necessarily in that order, classics that are worthy of discussion, current and past, western and non-western, these are the works we discuss. The discussion is what is most important. We discuss these works to enlarge our understanding of the ideas that shape our culture and gain a deeper appreciation for what it means to be human.