Join us to chat about Mona Arshi's Small Hands, followed by writing activities inspired by the book.
GOBS Collective invites you to chat and scribble your heart away at our Poetry Book Club, hosted at Nottingham Central Library and via Zoom.
GOBS Poetry Book Club provides a space for poets, writers, readers, performers and artists to meet over a cuppa and have a good chinwag over our poetry collection of the month. For the first half of the session we'll talk about the book, and in the second half we'll do some focused writing exercises based on our favourite poems.
It's preferable that you read the book before you come along, but if you don't get chance and fancy heading down anyway, just pop along – there's sure to be something for you to say, listen to or write. No judgement.
October 2026's Book
Mona Arshi – Small Hands
Hosted by Sarah Wheatley.
In Small Hands, Mona Arshi explores memory, migration, family, longing and belonging through vivid imagery and beautifully crafted language. The poems balance intimacy with precision, creating space for reflection on identity, history and the complexities of human relationships. It's a rich, thought-provoking collection that invites readers to return to its poems again and again.
Get 15% off this book at Five Leaves Bookshop by using the code GOBS online or in-store.
GOBS Poetry Book Club is also available to attend via Zoom.
Please note we have limited places available both in person and online, so booking is essential.
GOBS Poetry Book Club is Pay What You Can (suggested donation: £5).
Event Information
When: Saturday 24 October, 11am–1pm
Where: Meeting Room 2, Nottingham Central Library, 1 Carrington Street, Nottingham, NG1 7FH
Who: Hosted by Sarah Wheatley
Any enquiries can be directed to Bridie at info@gobscollective.org
At previous events, we've looked at:
Caleb Femi – Poor
Tolu Agbelusi – Locating Strongwoman
Caroline Bird – The Air Year
Ella Frears – I am the Mother Cat
Kae Tempest – Running Upon the Wires
Roger Robinson – A Portable Paradise
Malika Booker, Sharon Olds & Warsan Shire – Your Family, Your Body (Modern Poets Three)
Inua Ellams – The Actual
Cecilia Knapp – Peach Pig
Yomi Ṣode – Manorisms
Will Harris – Rendang
Anthony Anaxagorou – Heritage Aesthetics
Hannah Lowe – Chick
Warsan Shire – Blessed is the Daughter Raised by a Voice in her Head
Gboyega Odubanjo – Adam
Brian Bilston – Alexa, What Is There to Know About Love?
Amy Acre – Mothersong
Amanda Gorman – Call Us What We Carry
Ted Kooser & Connie Wanek – Marshmallow Clouds
Vanessa Kisuule – A Recipe for Sorcery
Haifa Mohammed – The Age of Olive Trees
Adam Kammerling – Seder
Kostya Tsolakis – Greekling
Alex Mazey – Ghost Lives: Cursed Edition
Keith Jarrett – Hide Me Under the Blood and I Shall Be Satisfied
Sharon Creech – Love That Dog
Hannah Silva – Crow Pirate Fly