Shoppers and readers are signing up for a lively July Zoom meet-up , the LGBTQ+ Book Club will read Queer Villains of Myth and Legend, exploring queer-coded rogues from myth to pop culture, and why these characters still spark fascination and debate. Registration is free and open to all; solidarity donations welcome.

  • What it is: A monthly LGBTQ+ Book Club meet-up on Zoom, reading Dan Jones’s Queer Villains of Myth and Legend.
  • When: Fourth Saturday of every month, 10:00–11:30 AM Eastern (July session focused on this title).
  • Tone and feel: Thought-provoking, celebratory, and a little mischievous , expect spirited discussion about identity, history, and cultural coding.
  • Accessibility: Free event aimed at inclusivity; organisers encourage solidarity donations to Charis Circle but welcome people with low or no income.
  • Readability: The book mixes short illustrated profiles and cultural commentary, making it an easy yet rich pick for a single-session read or a paced discussion.

Why this book club pick feels timely and fun

There’s something delightfully subversive about choosing villains for a queer reading group, and the contrast gives conversations an immediate spark. Dan Jones collects 50 profiles , from mythic figures like Circe and Medusa to modern icons such as Jareth from Labyrinth , and the book’s tone leans playful as it teases out queer readings and coded subtexts. That mix makes it perfect for a one-hour-and-a-half Zoom slot: short enough to digest, deep enough to debate.

The book’s illustrated portraits and bite-sized entries mean readers don’t have to commit to dense chapters to arrive prepared, which helps attendance and keeps the chat lively. If you like a little theatricality in your reading list, this is that: dark glamour, complex motives, and the chance to rethink who we call a villain and why.

Who organises the club and why it matters

The LGBTQ+ Book Club is run by Charis Circle, a nonprofit focused on feminist community and marginalised voices. Their events aim to be accessible and harassment-free, and they explicitly welcome LGBTQ+ people and allies. That framework matters because it shapes the conversation: participants can expect a space that foregrounds safety, mutual respect, and thoughtful critique.

The club’s calendar shows a diverse set of picks across genres , memoir, speculative fiction, essays , so this choice slots into a broader commitment to varied perspectives and topical themes. If you’ve never been to an online book club, this is a gentle way in: the organisers require registration so they can manage the Zoom room and keep the environment welcoming.

How to prepare and what to bring to the Zoom session

Read at your own pace , the book’s format supports skim-and-discuss as well as line-by-line close reading. Bring a favourite villain to introduce, or a specific chapter you liked, and be ready to explain why a character’s queerness (real or coded) resonates or complicates the story. Moderators often ask for readings that touch on identity, power, and cultural context, so think about examples that highlight those themes.

Practically, register ahead using the provided Zoom link so you get the meeting details and any prompts the organiser shares. If you need a copy, the book is available from multiple sellers and indie shops; a quick look shows print and electronic options, plus illustrated plates that make it an attractive physical object if you like books that feel a bit theatrical on your shelf.

How the conversation can shift how you see characters

Discussing villains through a queer lens does more than rebrand antagonists: it invites us to interrogate storytelling conventions and who decides which behaviours are villainous. The club format encourages a multiplicity of takes , someone might read Medusa as a monster, another as a symbol of revenge against patriarchal control, and someone else might point to how costume and performance shaped modern queer aesthetics.

Expect debates that range from literary analysis to pop culture nostalgia. These chats often reveal how queer publics have long reclaimed campy or transgressive figures as mirrors of their own survival strategies. If you enjoy a little cultural archaeology , unpicking how communities read clues across centuries , this session will be rewarding.

What to expect next and how to stay involved

If you enjoy the July discussion, the club’s schedule lists monthly picks through the year, from memoir and essays to speculative fiction. Joining regularly can build a small community of readers who bring fresh perspectives and recommendations, and you’ll find the meetings a warm space for discovery.

If you can, consider a solidarity donation to Charis Circle; the group explicitly supports low-income attendees and keeps programming running that prioritises accessibility. Either way, drop in, listen, and if you like, speak up , book clubs are where private reflections meet public joy.

It's a small change in your reading list that can open up surprising conversations and new favourites.

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