We are excited to announce the launch of the York Georgian Book Club, organised by Dr Adam James Smith (York St John University) and Dr Jemima Hubberstey (York Georgian Society)! Whether you’re already a fan of the eighteenth century or dipping your toe for the first time into this exciting age of print, politeness, scandal, and satire, we hope there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

Join us at our first meeting, which coincides with the York Georgian Festival 2025. We’ll be marking Jane Austen’s 250th anniversary by reading and discussing her final novel, Persuasion. Described by Virginia Woolf as the novel in which Austen discovered “that the world is larger, more mysterious, and more romantic than she ever supposed”, Persuasion is both a fierce satire of vanity and a moving tale of missed opportunities and second chances.

No booking is required and this is a free event, please just come along with your book and an appetite for discussion!

All are welcome at this informal bi-monthly in-person Book Club, where we’ll alternate between reading books written in the eighteenth century and books written about the eighteenth century. If you would like to know more information, please email jemimahubberstey@hotmail.co.uk who will be happy to answer any questions.

 

Coming up in future meetings…

Reading Time	Text	Meeting
2025
July	Jane Austen, Persuasion (1817).	8th August 20253-4.30pmYork Guildhall
August
September	Helena Kelly, Jane Austen: The Secret Radical (2016).	October
October
November	Eliza Haywood, Fantomina and Other Works (1725).	December
December
2026
January	Susannah Gibson, Bluestokings: The First Women’s Movement (2024).	February
February
March	Frances Burney, Evelina Or, A Young Lady’s Entrance into the World (1778).	April
April
May	Alice Loxton, Uproar: Satire, Scandal and Print Makers in Georgian London (2023).	June
June
July	Anon, The Woman of Colour, A Tale (1808)	August
August