​The Wild Gentleman Book Club - July

​July's pick is our first, much-needed foray into the work of John Steinbeck with Cannery Row. It's the perfect length for a mid-summer read, and the perfect book for this group — Steinbeck's Monterey is a world where friendship and idleness are treated as virtues, populated by men who have figured out something the rest of us are still chasing.

​This will be our 12th meeting, which feels like a small milestone worth noting. We'll be meeting on Tuesday, July 21st at 6 PM at Paddy's in Newton.

​Each month, our community of thoughtful men has been growing — exploring literature, wisdom, and what it means to live with purpose. These in-person meetings are an essential element of The Wild Gentleman, and so far, they've delivered the kind of supportive community of men I envisioned when I started this last summer.

​The idea behind The Wild Gentleman is to bring men together in person to engage with complex ideas through good books. Our previous meetings have created space to dive deeper into character, relationships, and growth.

​The book for this month is John Steinbeck's Cannery Row. We'll be discussing it at our July meetup.

​About This Month's Book: Cannery Row by John Steinbeck

​Steinbeck doesn't need much introduction — legendary author of Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden, and the high school/middle school favorite, Of Mice and Men. (My personal favorite is his cross-country travelogue, Travels with Charley in Search of America.)

​Cannery Row is a different beast than his better-known works. It's shorter, looser, and funnier — likely due to it being published in 1945, just after Steinbeck came back from covering the war. The tone seems lighter on purpose.

​The book is set in the packing district of Monterey, California, and follows a wide cast of characters who try, mostly poorly, to throw a party for Doc, a marine biologist. Behind the simple plot, however, Steinbeck is making a quiet argument about what a good life actually looks like — and it isn't ambition, productivity, or the accumulation of “things.” Friendship, attention, and kindness are the enriching components of life in Cannery Row.

​The broke, often drunk, and mostly unemployed folks who populate this book are some of the most fully alive people in American literature. Worth thinking about, especially in the middle of summer when most of us are running too hard.

​The Wild Gentleman Book Club brings men together for conversations that matter. Real discussion about character, purpose, and what it means to live thoughtfully.

​Our monthly gatherings have grown into something rare: A space where men can ask hard questions, challenge ideas, and build genuine community through literature.

​What to expect:

• ​Thoughtful discussion of Cannery Row

• ​Connection with men seeking wisdom and community

• ​An environment that values questions over answers

• ​Good conversation over good food and drinks

​What Past Attendees Say

​"We're starved for connection and meaning because we spend our time in the shallows. The Wild Gentleman invites us to go deeper, with people looking to do the same."

​"It starts with the books… and ends at a table of thoughtful men, sharing their own stories and ideas."

​About The Wild Gentleman

​We explore thoughtful masculinity through four core values: Love, Adventure, Wisdom, and Community. Our book club embodies all four — the adventure of tackling challenging literature and meeting new people, the wisdom found in great stories, the love required for vulnerable conversation, and the community we build together.

​Location: Paddy's Public House, Newton When: Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at 6:00 PM What to bring: An open mind and willingness to engage

​Come as you are. Let's read, think, and grow together.

​New to the group? Perfect. These conversations are designed for everyone — whether you've read every word, listened to the audiobook, or just barely skimmed the back cover. The book is the starting point. The conversation is what matters.

​Questions? Contact [email protected]