What we’re about
This group is for queer and/or feminist folks who like to read and talk about things and want to meet like-minded people in New Orleans! We meet up on the 2nd Wednesday of the month to talk about a designated queer/feminist book and anything else we feel like talking about! This is also meant to be a space for folks new to New Orleans (or not so new) looking to meet people!
Do I have to read the book to come to a meeting?
I ask that you make a good faith effort to read the book if you’re attending a book club meeting. If you give it a try and don’t like it enough to finish the book, please come and discuss what you didn’t like about the book. (We definitely have read some books that were not popular.). If you are reading but don't have time to finish it in time, you are welcome to join us as long as you don’t mind having the ending spoiled.
Generally in the book club meetings we actually discuss the book for at least 90 minutes. I also try to host social activities every month or so and those events don’t come with homework so look for those if you’re not a reader.
What books do we read?
We read books by authors who are not CIS men and that are not about CIS men.
I think about 70% of what the club reads might fall in the queer books category, but we also read books that fall under intersectional feminism. I try to make sure that the books have a good mix of authors of color, and trans, non-binary, and gender queer authors.
I try to alternate fiction and non-fiction. The non-fiction we read is usually a memoir or occasionally an autobiography or biography,
I usually select books under 350 pages. In December and around Mardi Gras (if we hold a meeting around Mardi Gras), I try to select shorter reads like novellas (the Monk & Robot series), a short story ("Recitatif" by Toni Morrison), or graphic novels.
I also check to make sure that a book is available for sale for a reasonable price and hopefully available at the NOPL before selecting it.
How are the books selected?
I pick the books. I look at the Lambda Literary Award winners, and book reviews. I poll the club. I take suggestions from folks. Sometimes I pick something I’ve read, loved and want to discuss. Other times I take a chance and pick something I haven’t read yet but want to.
Upcoming events (4)
See all- November 2025 Book Club: We Will Plant Birds of Paradise by Genevieve RheamsSecond Line Brewing, New Orleans, LA
We’re meeting on November 12th, 2025 (back to the second Wednesday of the month) to discuss We Will Plant Birds of Paradise by local author, storyteller, and friend of the book club Genevieve Rheams. It is a poignant and uplifting journey of love, family, and self-acceptance that spans generations.
Love blooms where courage is planted.
In 1995, 15-year-old Jess witnesses a moment that will define her future—a grandmother’s regret, a mother’s judgment, and an estranged aunt’s resilience. Fast forward to 2014, Jess is now a single mom working for her beloved Aunt Louanne and Louanne’s wife, Vivienne. As Jess navigates her divorce and newfound love for her neighbor, Pam, she grapples with the legacy of familial rejection and the courage it takes to live authentically.
This beautifully woven tale explores the rippling effects of homophobia, the complexities of parenting, and the transformative power of love. From the delicate beginnings of Jess and Pam’s romance to the vibrant celebration of marriage equality, We Will Plant Birds of Paradise celebrates the strength it takes to heal wounds across generations and create a chosen family.
Set against the backdrop of historic moments, this novel crescendos into a heartwarming conclusion, where love triumphs, acceptance blooms, and Jess finds herself surrounded by a family reshaped by bravery and understanding. Genevieve Rheams delivers a moving portrait of what it means to sow seeds of love and watch them flourish into a paradise of hope and joy.
We Will Plant Birds of Paradise is being published in September 2025. Look for it in local book shops and at the publisher's website. https://rattlinggoodyarns.com/authors/genevieve-rheams/
Author Info: Genevieve Rheams writes LGTBQ+ romance, comedy, literature, and personal essays. She received her MFA in Fiction from the University of New Orleans, teaches fiction writing workshops, and is an Academic Advisor at Loyola University. You can find her telling stories onstage at her local chapter of The Moth or Greetings, From Queer Mountain. She delights in having conversations with her three adult children and going for absurdly long walks. She lives with her wife in her hometown of New Orleans with their two cats and a dog. As you read this, she is most likely out of coffee and litter. For more information and stories, you can find her at https://www.genevieverheams.com/
Social half-hour starts at 6:30 and the book discussion starts around 7:00. We will be inside in the usual room - the tasting room. It's inside, past the bar, up the stairs, left through the door, and past the restrooms. Ask at the bar for directions. Second Line should have a food truck/ vendor out there or you can bring your own.
