Introducing Books Beyond Borders: A New Book Club at Roots Community Café
Great books, good conversation and stories from around the world. We're delighted to announce the launch of Books Beyond Borders, a brand-new community book club at Roots Community Café, developed in partnership with Ipswich Book Festival.
Launching on Thursday 5 November, Books Beyond Borders is a welcoming space for people to come together, discover new authors, share stories and explore different cultures through books.
At Roots, we love bringing people together, whether that's over a cup of coffee, a home-cooked meal or a good conversation. Our new book club builds on that spirit, creating a relaxed and friendly space where everyone can feel part of something, meet new people and discover stories they might not otherwise have picked up.
Stories without borders
Books have a wonderful way of opening up new worlds, helping us understand different experiences and finding common ground.
Books Beyond Borders will celebrate stories from across the globe, exploring everything from historical fiction and crime novels to contemporary writing and stories that reflect the rich mix of cultures and communities here in Ipswich.
We particularly want to welcome people who enjoy reading in different languages. Whether you prefer English, Polish, Marathi or another language, we'll do our best to help you access books in the language you're most comfortable reading.
You don't need to be a confident reader or have belonged to a book club before. Whether you read every day, haven't picked up a book in years or simply fancy meeting some new people, there's a place for you.
Books, food and conversation
Each gathering will be informal, with plenty of time to chat, share thoughts and explore the ideas behind each book. There are no right or wrong answers, and you certainly don't need to be a literary expert!
We're also hoping to welcome authors to some of our sessions, giving readers the opportunity to hear directly from the people behind the stories.
And because food is such an important part of what we do at Roots, we'll occasionally bring books and food together, exploring dishes, flavours and traditions inspired by the places and cultures we read about.
Our first book: Lives Like Mine by Eva Verde
Thursday 5 November
10.30am to 12pm
We're kicking things off with Lives Like Mine by British novelist and author of Lives Like Mine, a novel exploring family, identity, belonging and the complexities of modern life.
It's a fitting first choice for a club that celebrates different perspectives and the experiences that connect us.
We're also delighted that Eva will be joining us for our launch, giving readers a chance to meet the author and hear more about the inspiration behind her writing.
Eva Verde is a writer from East London. Identity, class and female rage are recurring themes throughout her work. She has published two novels with Simon & Schuster: Lives Like Mine and In Bloom. Her third novel, Them Girls, is out in summer 2026.
Eva's love song to libraries, I Am Not Your Tituba forms part of Kit De Waal’s Common People: An Anthology of Working-Class Writers. Her words have featured in Marie Claire, Grazia, Elle and The Big Issue, also penning the new foreword for the international bestselling author Jackie Collins Goddess of Vengeance. Eva lives in Essex with her husband, children and dog. Instagram @evakinderwrites
Come along and join us
Our book club is completely free to join and open to everyone. You don't need to know anyone, and there's no pressure to speak if you'd rather listen. Just bring your curiosity and a willingness to discover something new.
Launch details
Date: Thursday 5 November 2026
Time: 10.30am to 12pm
Where: Roots Community Café, Westgate House, 1 Museum Street, Ipswich, IP1 1HQ
First book: Lives Like Mine by Eva Verde
Cost: Free
If you'd like to come along, please sign up here in advance so we can get an idea of numbers and find out which language you'd prefer to read in. We'll do our best to source books in your chosen language wherever possible.
We're really looking forward to welcoming familiar faces and new friends to Roots for what we hope will become a lovely regular gathering.
Come for the books, stay for the conversation, and travel the world through stories, people and food.
Love books? Have you checked out the best independent bookshop in the East? No, scrap that, the world!
Pop along and visit our lovely friends at Dial Lane Books for a brilliant selection of books, wonderful recommendations and a good old browse. You'll be glad you did.
8 Dial Ln, Ipswich IP1 1DL
What a wonderful initiative! Books have a unique way of bringing people together, encouraging meaningful conversations, and helping readers explore different cultures and perspectives. A book club like Books Beyond Borders creates a welcoming space for people to share ideas, discover new authors, and build connections through reading. Community reading events also highlight the importance of making literature accessible to everyone. Similarly, Book Publishing Singapore helps authors share their stories and ideas with a wider audience, encouraging a strong reading culture and connecting people through the power of books. Best wishes to everyone involved in this exciting book club!