Reading Ourselves
Books for Being Human
A monthly reading circle for exploring the books that help us understand ourselves, our relationships and the world we live in.
Reading Ourselves
Reading Ourselves is a small, welcoming online reading circle for anyone drawn to thoughtful books about being human.
Each month, we’ll read a book that invites us to pause, reflect and see things from a different perspective, exploring themes such as identity, relationships, change, resilience, belonging, embodiment and what it means to live a meaningful life.
Our first book is The Soul’s Code: In Search of Character and Calling by James Hillman. We’ll gather online at 7pm on 19th January.
This isn’t about having the “right” interpretation of a book, or arriving with a list of clever things to say. It’s a space to be curious, listen to different perspectives and notice what a book brings up for us.
The reading is shaped by the group, too. At the end of each month, members will have the opportunity to suggest and vote on what we read next, so the books we explore together will reflect our collective curiosity.
How it works
~ One book a month, with the next book chosen by member vote.
~ One online gathering a month - generally the third Tuesday of the month, 7pm - 8.30pm
~ Thoughtful, facilitated conversation - no academic analysis or preparation required.
~ Join for one book or keep reading with us - sign up for a single month or join for the whole season.
January 2027: The Soul’s Code: In Search of Character and Calling by James Hillman.
For James Hillman it is the central and guiding force of his utterly unique and compelling 'acorn theory' which proposes that each life is formed by a particular image, an image that is the essence of that life and calls it to a destiny, just as the mighty oak's destiny is written in the tiny acorn.
Come and read with us.
Practicalities
Cost
Join for £10 a month.
Group Size
The group will be capped at 15 members. Please share if you know someone who might like to join.
We will go ahead once a minimum of six people have joined
Who This Group is For and General Group Culture
This group actively welcomes members with different spiritual / religious backgrounds (and none), sexualities, gender identities, races/ethnicities, and socioeconomic realities. Trans folks are welcome here. The expectation is that we come together to share our experiences with the themes raised by each book in a supportive container, respecting and holding each other’s diverse experiences and opinions with mutual respect and kindness. I request that we do not offer unsolicited advice, we simply witness the individual expression of our experiences.
Optional WhatsApp group
There will be an optional WhatsApp group for more sharing and community between sessions.
Type of Books Read
We’ll read across psychology, philosophy, personal development, spirituality, memoir and nature writing - books that offer new perspectives, raise interesting questions and sometimes unsettle what we thought we knew.
Future books might include The Soul’s Code by James Hillman, The Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller, Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer or The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo. The books we read will be chosen by member vote, so the reading list will evolve with the interests and curiosity of the group.
About Michelle
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Michelle Teasdale (Yeshe Lhatso) (she/they)
Michelle is a 50yr old queer Buddhist. She is an avid reader of both fiction and non-fiction, and an experienced circle holder. It is her intention that this reading group is a safer space for queers, trans folks, people of colour and those with neurodivergences. If there is anything you would like to know, or need from her to help you feel safe and better meet your needs in the session, as much as is possible, please get in touch.
Register Your Interest
If you’d like to join our upcoming cohort that starts in January 2027, fill out the form below and I’ll aim to get back to you within a couple of working days.