Creative Maven Presents
The Hedda’s Mix Tape Reading Circle
A salon-style gathering for women who love books, ideas, and good conversation.
The First Gathering
The first gathering will begin virtually in June, followed by a Los Angeles (Westside), California salon for those who want to continue the conversation in person.
We’ll begin with: In Defense of Witches — Mona Chollet
A fascinating cultural history of women who refused the roles society tried to confine them to:
widows
healers
unmarried women
independent thinkers
women who lived outside sanctioned structures
Women who were often labeled as dangerous simply because they were ungovernable.
A conversation about women, autonomy, mythology, and the stories history tells about us.
If you like an audiobook, the narrator for this one — Alix Dunmore — is fantastic.
Where to get the book?
Your local library. Your favorite local bookstore of course. Or...
Bookshop.org - Tie your purchase to your favorite independent bookstore.
Or Libro.fm if you prefer audiobooks.
The Idea
A book club, a circle of women reading in a room and thinking out loud together.
That’s the idea.
The Hedda’s Mix Tape Book Club is a gathering for women who love ideas.
Reading.
Questioning.
Disagreeing.
Connecting.
Think:
• living room salon energy
• thoughtful conversation
• women around a table (in person or virtually)
The "room" to start will be a virtual one in the United States, in the Pacific Time Zone, in June.
An in-person gathering will be planned after our founding circle, perhaps around a long table somewhere, like Solidarity in Santa Monica, where conversations stretch a little longer than expected.
Join the Founding Circle
No homework required. Just curiosity and a love of good conversation.
Guidelines for the Circle
The Hedda’s Mix Tape Book Club is designed to be a thoughtful and respectful space for conversation about books, culture, history, and ideas.
To keep the gatherings meaningful and welcoming, we ask participants to follow a few simple principles.
1. Respectful conversation
We encourage curiosity, disagreement, and lively discussion. Please engage with ideas thoughtfully and treat other participants with respect.
2. Listen as much as you speak
A good salon works because everyone contributes and everyone listens. Please help make space for multiple voices.
3. No promotion or recruiting
The reading circle is a space for ideas and conversation, not self-promotion, business pitching, or recruiting.
4. Confidentiality and trust
Participants may share personal stories or perspectives. Please respect others' privacy and keep conversations within the group.
5. Kindness and good faith
We assume good intentions and encourage thoughtful, generous dialogue.
About Participation
The Hedda’s Mix Tape Book Club is a curated conversational gathering.
Participation is open to individuals interested in the reading circle's themes and willing to contribute to a respectful and engaging discussion.
Space is intentionally limited so conversations remain intimate and meaningful.
Attendance may be moderated to maintain the group's tone and purpose.
Circle Etiquette and Conduct
Creative Maven reserves the right to remove participants whose behavior disrupts the conversation or violates the spirit of the gathering.
The circle will not tolerate behavior that undermines respectful conversation. Curiosity, generosity of thought, and mutual respect are the foundation of the gathering.