Explore the World of Books with Us

Join Our Club Today
Year’s End by Richard Wilbur

Year’s End by Richard Wilbur

by | Jan 1, 2025 | Emerald Book Club, Poetic Flows Podcast, Poetry

Year’s End by Richard Wilbur

Now winter downs the dying of the year,   

And night is all a settlement of snow;

From the soft street the rooms of houses show   

A gathered light, a shapen atmosphere,   

Like frozen-over lakes whose ice is thin   

And still allows some stirring down within.

I’ve known the wind by water banks to shake

The late leaves down, which frozen where they fell   

And held in ice as dancers in a spell   

Fluttered all winter long into a lake;   

Graved on the dark in gestures of descent,   

They seemed their own most perfect monument.

There was perfection in the death of ferns   

Which laid their fragile cheeks against the stone   

A million years. Great mammoths overthrown   

Composedly have made their long sojourns,   

Like palaces of patience, in the gray

And changeless lands of ice. And at Pompeii

The little dog lay curled and did not rise   

But slept the deeper as the ashes rose

And found the people incomplete, and froze   

The random hands, the loose unready eyes   

Of men expecting yet another sun

To do the shapely thing they had not done.

These sudden ends of time must give us pause.   

We fray into the future, rarely wrought

Save in the tapestries of afterthought.

More time, more time. Barrages of applause   

Come muffled from a buried radio.

The New-year bells are wrangling with the snow.

Copyright Credit: Richard Wilbur, “Year’s End” from Collected Poems 1943-2004

December by Thomas Parsons

December by Thomas Parsons

by | Dec 3, 2024 | Poetic Flows Podcast, Poetry

December by Thomas Parsons

You have again made your way in,
Cold and beautiful.
You are December,
And I love you.
Despite the seasonal celebration,
I know you to be more.
You are calm,
You allow me to slow,
To envelope the tranquility I crave.
Your winds, December, though cold,
Allow me to feel the life in my cheeks,
And if I’m lucky,
It too will bring the sweetness
Of some distant firewood.
I welcome your snow, December.
So that I may sit wrapped in wool,
By candlelight,
The dog having nestled in as well,
Watching the frozen rain accumulate
On the branches of the birch and oak.
Though I live in the city,
I dream of loving you December,
Even more – if I were in nature.
Then I would feel closer to you,
As a lover may feel,
Or perhaps a mother to a child.
I would know, I think, how to
More fully know why I am in love
With you.
And being with you, December,
Brings me to life.

Written by Thomas Parsons

People’s Day at Warwick Arts Centre

People’s Day at Warwick Arts Centre

by | Nov 21, 2024 | Community Events, Coventry, Emerald Book Club, Events

A festival celebrating 50 years of activism at Warwick Arts Centre.

As part of Warwick Arts Centre 50th anniversary celebrations, the local community takes over their spaces with a day of creativity all inspired by our ‘Rebels With A Cause’ season theme. 

From performances across music, spoken word and dance, to pop-up theatre, to workshops in poetry and visual arts workshops there is something for everyone to enjoy! 

All events are drop-in and suitable for all ages. We encourage you to explore our spaces and take part in as many things as you can. Get creative and channel your inner activist! 

Artists & Performers:

Canley Samba Band, Butterworth Hall

Join Canley Samba Band on the stage of the Butterworth Hall for a rhythmic workshop and experience some classic Samba Band beats! Band leader Dave Barrett will share the origins of Samba Band as one that brings people together through joy, connection and solidarity as he introduces each piece you’ll play.

Dotti Sallis and Nor Aziz, Uniting Communities, Upper Foyer

Our friends in Canley take over the Upper Foyer with an installation that celebrates key Canley spaces and the importance these have in bringing the community together.  Take part in a lantern making workshop in the morning and have a photo taken with performers from this year’s Canley Parade dressed in their illuminated costumes! 

Emerald Book Club, Upper Cinema Foyer

Emerald Book Club is a vibrant community of readers and creatives, passionate about promoting literacy, culture, and thought-provoking discussions. Join them throughout the day for storytelling and reading sessions, creative writing sessions and the opportunity to share your words from the sessions.

Emilie Lauren, Lower Foyer

Explore protest poetry with Coventry’s first Poet Laureate Emilie Lauren! Create your own poems and share them on our collective poetry blackboards to share your words with all. 

Foleshill Creates, Theatre Bar

Our friends at Foleshill Creates lead a day long drop-in workshop of craft activities in our Theatre Bar, with a focus on reusable and recyclable materials. 

Good Neighbours, Lower Foyer

Discover more about befriending, speak to the team, and take part in activities that celebrate the joy of friendship! 

Imagination Reading Cafés, Helen Martin Studio 

An hour-long pop-up theatre experience led by Pru Poretta (Coventry’s Lady Godiva) and Jah Man Aggrey, with interactive props, unique puppets, live music and audience participation!

Ode Creatives, Foyer Stage 

Enjoy this hour-long showcase set on our Foyer Stage featuring 4 local artists, each performing their own original songs that resonate with the ‘Rebels With A Cause’ theme. A celebration of local talent and amplifying voices. 

Out of Whack, Studio

Join Out of Whack, our Elders Dance Company, and choreographer Liz Agiss as they present a new work made specifically to celebrate ‘Rebels With A Cause’ and what dance means to them. A Q&A will follow their performance. 

Reign The Girl Band, Foyer Stage

Siân Jessica Lewis and Lily Smith from Reign, a multi-instrumentalist girlband, join us for an intimate, dynamic set showcasing original music from their upcoming EP. Blending acoustic and electronic elements the set will demonstrate the power of collaborative female musicianship. The performance will be followed by a short interactive workshop discussing barriers for women in the music industry, encouraging dialogue on how we can collectively rebel against these obstacles.

Sing for Change, Foyer Stage 

Sing For Change is a Coventry based community choir that meets to sing songs for peace, social justice, equality and the environment. Their set includes songs as well as performance poetry, written by poets with experience of the British asylum system. You’ll have the opportunity to learn and sing-along to two protest songs and participate in a Q&A. 

Tarla Patel, Creative Learning Space 

Join artist Tarla Patel for a zine and postcard making workshop that explores the theme of rebellion! Using collage making, drawing, text and colour, you’ll make your own mini-zine booklets based on the ‘Rebels With A Cause’ theme. 

Youth Leadership Collective with DASH Arts, Foyer Stage 

Members of our Youth Leadership Collective take to the stage to share powerful and persuasive speeches on topics they feel passionate about created as part of a workshop with DASH Arts. Amplifying voices and hearing what matters to the young people in our community. 

LEARN MORE
Peoples Day Wariwck Arts Centre

Schedule:

Across our foyers 
11am – 1pm:Lantern Making, Uniting Communities, Upper Foyer
11am – 4pm:Poetry Workshop with Emilie Lauren, Lower Foyer
 Befriending Stall and Activities, Good Neighbours, Lower Foyer
 Reuse and Recycle Craft Workshops, Foleshill Creates, Theatre Bar
 Creative Writing and Storytelling, Emerald Book Club, Cinema Foyer
Helen Martin Studio 
11.30am – 12.30pm:  Pop-up Theatre with Imagination Reading Cafes
1pm – 2pm:Pop-up Theatre with Imagination Reading Cafes
2.45pm – 3.15pm:Reign Workshop
Foyer Stage 
12pm – 1.30pm:Sing for Change
1.40pm – 2.10pm:Reign
2.20pm – 3.20pm:Ode Creatives
3.30pm – 4pm:Youth Leadership Collective and DASH Arts
Butterworth Hall Stage 
1.30pm – 3pm:Canley Samba Band workshop
Creative Learning Space 
1.30pm – 4pm:Zine-making workshop with Tarla Patel
Studio 
3pm – 4pm:Out of Whack, Elders Dance Performance and Q&A
Peoples Day Schedule Warwirck Arts Centre

Find us

Warwick Arts Centre
University of Warwick
Coventry
CV4 7AL


View on Google Maps(opens in a new tab)

Box Office – 024 7649 6000

Box office opening hours:

Mon-Sun
from 30mins before the first event of the day
until 15mins after the final event of the day.
If you wish to email us: ticketing@warwick.ac.uk

It is November by Elizabeth Shield

It is November by Elizabeth Shield

by | Nov 19, 2024 | Emerald Book Club, Poetry

It Is November

It is November
And all the leaves face my way
Overlapping tussocks of grass
Like long forgotten hills
Dwelling in the overhang of fall

It is November
Orange ribbons hand in tatters
Patched up yellow cloaks are draped
And whisking in the wind
Then drifting to the earth
And becoming winters pillow

It is November
And there stands a lonely tower
Base adorned with red bushes
Flags no longer flying
Crouched and crippled by the frost

It is November
My feet bear down on acorns
A thousand fold
All left and forgotten
Even to the squirrels
Just a layer ‘neath my feet

It is November
The solitary pines stand solid
Near the ivy covered wall
Their boughs raise and hail the heavens
And their needles fall
As the autumn wind dances a mournful dance

It is November
Bare branches rake the cloudy skies
And scratch out their heartfelt pleas
Against cold glass windows
Seeking what they have lost and will not find

It is November
An old gate stands ajar
Beckoning to no one
Standing solidly open
Despite the cruel fall wind

It is November
Trees make colored circles
A fading gold on fading green
A fireworks display
Now falling to the ground

It is November
Cold air fills my body
Cruel wind tosses my hair
I seek a shelter from autumn
My door is open
Now I am home

Elizabeth Shield

A Psalm of Life

A Psalm of Life

by | Oct 14, 2024 | Emerald Book Club, Poetic Flows Podcast, Poetry

A Psalm of Life By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Tell me not, in mournful numbers,

  Life is but an empty dream!

For the soul is dead that slumbers,

  And things are not what they seem.

Life is real! Life is earnest!

   And the grave is not its goal;

Dust thou art, to dust returnest,

   Was not spoken of the soul.

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,

   Is our destined end or way;

But to act, that each to-morrow

   Find us farther than to-day.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,

   And our hearts, though stout and brave,

Still, like muffled drums, are beating

   Funeral marches to the grave.

In the world’s broad field of battle,

   In the bivouac of Life,

Be not like dumb, driven cattle!

   Be a hero in the strife!

Trust no Future, howe’er pleasant!

   Let the dead Past bury its dead!

Act,— act in the living Present!

   Heart within, and God o’erhead!

Lives of great men all remind us

   We can make our lives sublime,

And, departing, leave behind us

   Footprints on the sands of time;

Footprints, that perhaps another,

   Sailing o’er life’s solemn main,

A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,

   Seeing, shall take heart again.

Let us, then, be up and doing,

   With a heart for any fate;

Still achieving, still pursuing,

   Learn to labor and to wait.

The Poetic Flows Podcast

The Poetic Flows Podcast

by | Oct 9, 2024 | Emerald Book Club, Poetic Flows Podcast, Poetry

Welcome to The Poetic Flows Podcast

poetic flows podcast emeraldbookclub.org

POETIC FLOWS PODCAST

🎙️ Poetic Flows Podcast by Emerald Book Club 🌿

Join us every Monday night at 8 PM GMT for Poetic Flows, a soothing and inspiring podcast by Emerald Book Club, where words come alive through the beauty of poetry. Hosted in a serene, reflective atmosphere, Poetic Flows showcases captivating spoken-word performances, poetic readings, and thought-provoking discussions about the art of poetry.

Each episode brings together poets, authors, and poetry lovers to share their craft, emotions, and insights. Whether you’re a seasoned poet or simply enjoy listening to the magic of words, this is the perfect space to explore the richness of language and connect with like-minded individuals.

Poetry is a form of literary art that uses aesthetic and often rhythmic qualities of language to evoke meanings in addition to, or in place of, literal or surface-level meanings. Any particular instance of poetry is called a poem and is written by a poet. Wikipedia

Poetic Flows Podcast emeraldbookclub.org

Tune in for:

  • Powerful spoken-word performances
  • Insightful discussions on classic and contemporary poetry
  • Special guest appearances from poets and literary enthusiasts
  • A deep dive into the meaning and inspiration behind featured works

Unwind, listen, and let the rhythm of words flow through you. Poetic Flows is your Monday night escape into the world of poetry.

📅 Every Monday at 8 PM GMT
📍 Hosted by Emerald Book Club

#PoeticFlowsPodcast #EmeraldBookClub #SpokenWord #PoetryLove

Before The Throne Of Beauty by Kahlil Gibran

Before The Throne Of Beauty by Kahlil Gibran

by | Oct 9, 2024 | Emerald Book Club, Poetry

One heavy day I ran away from the grim face of society and the dizzying clamor of the city and directed my weary step to the spacious alley. I pursued the beckoning course of the rivulet and the musical sounds of the birds until I reached a lonely spot where the flowing branches of the trees prevented the sun from the touching the earth.

I stood there, and it was entertaining to my soul – my thirsty soul who had seen naught but the mirage of life instead of its sweetness.

I was engrossed deeply in thought and my spirits were sailing the firmament when a hour, wearing a sprig of grapevine that covered part of her naked body, and a wreath of poppies about her golden hair, suddenly appeared to me. As she she realized my astonishment, she greeted me saying, ‘Fear me not; I am the Nymph of the Jungle.’

‘How can beauty like yours be committed to live in this place? Please tell me who your are, and whence you come? ‘ I asked. She sat gracefully on the green grass and responded, ‘I am the symbol of nature! I am the ever virgin your forefathers worshipped, and to my honor they erected shrines and temples at Baalbek and Jbeil.’ And I dared say, ‘But those temples and shrines were laid waste and the bones of my adoring ancestors became a part of the earth; nothing was left to commemorate their goddess save a pitiful few and the forgotten pages in the book of history.’

She replied, ‘Some goddesses live in the lives of their worshippers and die in their deaths, while some live an eternal and infinite life. My life is sustained by the world of beauty which you will see where ever you rest your eyes, and this beauty is nature itself; it is the beginning of the shepherds joy among the hills, and a villagers happiness in the fields, and the pleasure of the awe filled tribes between the mountains and the plains. This Beauty promotes the wise into the throne the truth.’

Then I said, ‘Beauty is a terrible power! ‘ And she retorted, ‘Human beings fear all things, even yourselves. You fear heaven, the source of spiritual peace; you fear nature, the haven of rest and tranquility; you fear the God of goodness and accuse him of anger, while he is full of love and mercy.’

After a deep silence, mingled with sweet dreams, I asked, ‘Speak to me of that beauty which the people interpret and define, each one according to his own conception; I have seen her honored and worshipped in different ways and manners.’

She answered, ‘Beauty is that which attracts your soul, and that which loves to give and not to receive. When you meet Beauty, you feel that the hands deep within your inner self are stretched forth to bring her into the domain of your heart. It is the magnificence combined of sorrow and joy; it is the Unseen which you see, and the Vague which you understand, and the Mute which you hear – it is the Holy of Holies that begins in yourself and ends vastly beyond your earthly imagination.’

Then the Nymph of the Jungle approached me and laid her scented hands upon my eyes. And as she withdrew, I found me alone in the valley. When I returned to the city, whose turbulence no longer vexed me, I repeated her words:

‘Beauty is that which attracts your soul, and that which loves to give and not to receive.’

The Road Not Taken

The Road Not Taken

by | Sep 30, 2024 | Emerald Book Club, Poetry

The Road Not Taken By Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

50 Superb Reasons to Read Books

50 Superb Reasons to Read Books

by | Sep 25, 2024 | Books, Emerald Book Club

50 Superb Reasons to Read Books

1. Books help to feel more confident.
2. Books help to travel around the world in the cheapest way.
3. Books develop your personality.
4. Books provide food for thought.
5. Books make you laugh and think.
6. Books draw you towards perfection.
7. Books stimulate creativity.
8. Books bring out writing talent.
9. Books help in communicating.
10. Books clear your vision.

adventures in coloring emeraldbookclub.org
Big A alphabet word search for adults emeraldbookclub.org


11. Books satisfy your curiosity.
12. Books help you make more choices.
13. Books help you build literary talent.
14. Books do not require any special device to teach.
15. Books increase your attention span.
16. Books are fruitful pastime.
17. Books can be used anytime, anywhere.
18. Books provide entertainment, when others fail.
19. Books make you powerful.
20. Books help you know the ‘Whys’ and ‘Hows’ of everything.

50 reasons to read books emeraldbookclub.org

50 Reasons To Read Books


21. Books help you to create and spread fun.
22. Books help you travel across time intelligently.
23. Books keep you updated with facts and figures.
24. Books spread love, affection and knowledge.
25. Books make the best of friends.
26. Books take you to intellectual environment.
27. Books help you feel the world around you.
28. Books entertain your mind.
29. Books broaden your horizon.
30. Books bring Nature to your doorstep.

The Ultimate Executive Journal emeraldbookclub.org
The Debt Tracker Journal: Your Roadmap to Financial Freedom and Debt-Free Living emeraldbookclub.org
The Self Examination Journal: 130 Prompts for Deepening Self-Awareness and Personal Growth emeraldbookclub.org


31. Books bring about a ‘personality change’.
32. Books increase comprehension.
33. Books do not require company.
34. Books are stress-busters.
35. Books develop a sense of belonging to people around you.
36. Books provide mental and physical relaxation.
37. Books act as a communication tool.
38. Books are intellectually satisfying activity.
39. Books provide spiritual experience.
40. Books provide emotional strength.


41. Books build your self-esteem.
42. Books help and encourage your imagination to soar.
43. Books make you smarter and wiser.
44. Books help you grow.
45. Books take you to a ‘world of dreams’.
46. Books can change your life and vision.
47. Books help in achieving ‘life goals’.
48. Books develop wonderful experience.
49. Books transform lives.
50. Books inspire, books motivate, books build nations

Summary

Hope you enjoyed the 50 superb reasons to read books. Do you have a reason to add to the list? let us know in the comments below

Recommended

Adventures in Coloring: A Kid’s Creative Quest: The Ultimate Coloring Book for Kids

Adventures in Coloring: A Kid’s Creative Quest: The Ultimate Coloring Book for Kids

by | Aug 15, 2024 | Book Reviews, Colouring Books, Emerald Book Club, Kids Books

Embark on an exciting journey of creativity and imagination with “Adventures in Coloring” — the ultimate coloring book for kids! Packed with over 50 delightful illustrations and whimsical scenes, this book promises hours of fun and exploration for young artists of all skill levels.

From enchanting fairy tales and magical creatures to thrilling adventures in faraway lands, each page of “Adventures in Coloring” invites children to bring their favorite stories and characters to life in vibrant colors. Whether they’re coloring a brave knight on a quest to rescue a princess or a friendly dragon soaring through the clouds, the possibilities for creative expression are endless.

Adventures in Coloring: A Kid’s Creative Quest: The Ultimate Coloring Book for Kids

Designed with kids in mind, “Adventures in Coloring” features large, easy-to-color illustrations and bold outlines that help build fine motor skills and boost confidence. With plenty of room for creativity and personalization, this coloring book encourages children to let their imaginations run wild and create their own colorful masterpieces.

Perfect for rainy days, quiet afternoons, or creative playtime with friends, “Adventures in Coloring” is sure to spark joy and ignite a love for art in children of all ages. Whether they’re coloring solo or sharing their creations with others, this book provides a fun and engaging outlet for self-expression and creativity.

Join the adventure and let your imagination soar with “Adventures in Coloring” — where every page is a new opportunity for fun, discovery, and colorful adventures!

SUMMARY

Adventures in Coloring: A Kid’s Creative Quest: The Ultimate Coloring Book for Kids

  • Author: Emerald Book Club
  • Genre: Kids Coloring Book
  • Price: $15.99
  • Description: Embark on an exciting journey of creativity and imagination with “Adventures in Coloring” — the ultimate coloring book for kids! Packed with over 50 delightful illustrations and whimsical scenes, this book promises hours of fun and exploration for young artists of all skill levels. From enchanting fairy tales and magical creatures to thrilling adventures in faraway lands, each page of “Adventures in Coloring” invites children to bring their favorite stories and characters to life in vibrant colors. Whether they’re coloring a brave knight on a quest to rescue a princess or a friendly dragon soaring through the clouds, the possibilities for creative expression are endless.
  • Formats Available: Paperback
  • Purchase Options: