Reading Together Extravaganzas
Join us for (not so) silent reading gatherings as part of the Summer Reading Challenge
Location
Refund Policy
Agenda
Get comfortable and start reading as people arrive
Introduce yourself and the book your brought - approx ~30 minutes after start
Flip those pages, log those hours - time for some serious reading!
Closing: share your favorite passage from your reading
About this event
With new themes at both familiar and exotic locales, the Summer Reading Challenge group reading activities are turning up to 11. Join Friends and Neighbors at local landmarks - bring the books you're reading or try to fit the theme (costumes encouraged). We'll meet and greet, then hunker down for some reading, and wrap up by sharing some of our favorite excerpts.
This event is part of the Summer Reading Challenge, a reading contest for readers 18+ hosted by Friends & Neighbors and Green Apple Books. Attend a Summer Reading Challenge event and get a stamp on your Mini Challenge Log, worth an additional hour.
Round 1: Ready, Set, BEACH READ!
When: Thursday 6/26, 5-7 pm
Where: Bazaar Cafe - 5927 California Street (at 21st)
Dress Code: Layers for clouds, sunscreen for sun, prepare for anything! Maybe a big beachy hat for style and vibes!
About: It’s the first week of the Summer Reading Challenge, presented by Friends & Neighbors + Green Apple Books. Start it off right with a fun, easy read (or whatever you want to read, no rules) in a peaceful, plant-filled patio near the beach (not quite at it...). We’ll have reading logs if you haven’t picked one up yet! Bazaar has great treats!
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Round 2: Summer Reading Challenge Formal
When: Thursday, 7/17, 5:30-7:30 pm - moved up one day due to library hours!
Where: San Francisco Library Main Branch, 5th Floor (with a stroll over to Salt and Straw in Hayes Valley at 6:30 pm)
Dress Code: Black tie gowns and suits. Bundle up for the stroll!
About: Join Friends & Neighbors for a Conspicuous Reading Event full of glamour. Lounge in the library with a book you brought or one you’re checking out. Reading is classy, reading is fancy, reading is elegant, reading is chic.
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Round 3: Lord of the Reads
When: Friday, 8/15, 5-7 pm
Where: Conservatory of Flowers, on the little hill near the statue of Garfield and the block letters
Dress Code: Fantasy robes, medieval dress, wings and horns
About: Millions of people began their passion for reading with fantasy books. Most of them continued in the same vein. Join Friends & Neighbors in your most mystical outfits to read together - whatever genre you’re into.
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Round 4: Classical Classics
When: Thursday, 8/28, 5-7 pm
Where: SFMOMA Roman Steps (free entry to this part of the building!)
Dress Code: Toga
About: Join Friends & Neighbors for a Conspicuous Reading Event at the Museum of Modern Art. Did you know SFMOMA is open until 8pm on Thursdays? You don’t have to buy a ticket to hang out on the Roman Steps. Be inspired by the atmosphere of creativity and art to immerse yourself in the written word. BYOBook - maybe classical literature to fit the theme? Cicero or Plato? Zhuangzi or Rumi? Toga Experts will be on hand to help you tie your bedsheet properly, and limited extras will be available.
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Round 5: Finish Line Thriller
When: Sunday, 9/21, 9am -12 pm
Where: The front lawn of the Richmond Branch Library (9th street side).
Dress code: Trench coats (or other detective garb - blending in with the Farmers Market crowd counts as spycraft.)
About: Get in your last 3 hours of reading before the Summer Reading Challenge comes to a close. If you don’t have a book to finish, consider starting a mystery or thriller to contribute to the tense and competitive atmosphere. We’ll walk to Green Apple Books to turn in logs together <3 and get some treats somewhere to celebrate!
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Please note:
- Friends & Neighbors is a phone-free community. We kindly ask that you refrain from taking photos and videos during the event.
- Donations help a lot! Donations go towards our overhead costs, such as rent and printing and putting up flyers. We love analog marketing to bring in new friends and neighbors.
- Half of life is showing up. Due to our limited capacity, please RSVP only if you can attend. In the case your plans change, please cancel your ticket so we can accommodate more guests. Thank you!
H osted by neighbor Julia Selker and Friends & Neighbors, a creative gathering space in the Inner Richmond
Instagram @friendsandneighborssf