This month’s book: New Skin by Sarah Wang
You’re invited. Yes, you. Whether you’re a voracious reader, a casual skimmer, or someone who just enjoys books through the effortless means of audio, this is for you.
How is the book of the month chosen?
Our book club regulars nominate and then choose the book of the month. Join the club and make your book suggestion for next month.
Where do we meet the group
Meet outside of The Canford pub, and we will walk down to the beach together. If the weather is too hot we will change the location to the park or a local venue.
Oh and don’t forget to bring your beach blanket.
-
Welcome - A gentle ease-in, because we understand socialising can sometimes feel like a high-stakes interview. Grab a drink, settle in, and meet your fellow book lovers. No pressure, no pop quizzes, just good conversation.
Book Review – A brief and lively (or possibly chaotic) discussion about this month’s book. Read the whole thing? Fabulous. Read half and then Googled the ending? Also valid. Barely made it past page 10? No one’s judging, your insight is still welcome, and honestly, we've all been there.
-
New Skin by Sarah Wang
A scalding, darkly humorous debut following an enmeshed mother-daughter duo, both best friends and enemies, and the plastic surgery addiction that warps their lives into a perilous spiral
At twenty-six, Linli Feng is still trying to escape her mother Fanny’s orbit. But after three years of estrangement, just when Linli has been accepted into a prestigious graduate program, she is dragged back by Fanny’s latest medical catastrophe and forced to return home.
For decades, Fanny has been addicted to plastic surgery, getting bargain procedures in the basements of LA’s bootleg beauty industry. Now Fanny’s disfigured face is in dangerous revolt, infected and collapsing yet again from black-market injectables.
But even as Linli wades through the wreck of family finances and juggles her mother’s medical care, Fanny has another secret in store. Fanny has won a spot on America’s Beauty Extreme, a reality television competition in which botched plastic surgery addicts compete for reconstructive surgery as riveted audiences tune in. When Linli attempts to rescue Fanny from the sinister subculture that has already claimed her mother’s face, she must at last confront the corrosive reality of American success that is at the fraught heart of their relationship.
-
If you’re a woman in your 20s or 30s and fancy an evening of book chat, cultural musings, and potentially forming lifelong friendships over a shared love of fictional characters—this is your kind of thing.
The Fine Print (Not That Fine, Really)
Booking is essential
Our venue picks have a delightful but limited capacity, and we hate turning people away. So secure your spot.
If you are unable to attend the event, please tell us as soon as possible
By signing up and attending this event, you have read, understood and agreed to our event disclaimer. View the disclaimer in the footer below.
Where applicable, dietary requirements and allergen information will be collected during the booking process. For any questions please email us. (Not all book club events will involve food and drinks.)
Tickets are non-refundable.