Join us to chat about Martín Espada's Jailbreak of Sparrows, 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.

November 2026's Book

Martín Espada – Jailbreak of Sparrows

Hosted by Ioney Smallhorne.

Jailbreak of Sparrows is a powerful collection celebrating resilience, justice, love and the extraordinary lives of ordinary people. Martín Espada combines lyrical storytelling with political insight and warmth, offering poems that are both deeply personal and universally resonant. His work reminds us of poetry's ability to bear witness, build compassion and imagine a more hopeful world.

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 21 November, 11am–1pm

Where: Meeting Room 2, Nottingham Central Library, 1 Carrington Street, Nottingham, NG1 7FH

Who: Hosted by Ioney Smallhorne

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

Mona Arshi – Small Hands

Description supplied by the event organiser.