SOCIETY EX LIBRIS

Fall/Winter 2026 Reading Programme​

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First Reading: The 33 Strategies of War by Robert Greene
Programme: 20 September – 27 December 2026
Gatherings: Bi-weekly, Sundays | 5:00–6:00 p.m. EST
Format: Virtual/ Hybird | Members Only

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The Programme

Society Ex Libris convenes fortnightly for an hour of considered discussion surrounding our selected reading.

Our gatherings are intended to move beyond conventional book-club conversation, inviting members to examine the ideas, principles, contemporary relevance, and practical applications contained within each work.

 

Participation & Discussion

Members are not expected to attend every meeting, though regular attendance is warmly encouraged. The Society is, after all, enriched by the continuity of its discussions and by the familiarity and intellectual rapport that develop amongst members over time.

Members are expected to complete the designated reading in advance of each meeting and are encouraged to arrive with considered notes, reflections, or passages that have particularly resonated with them. Each gathering will take the form of a seminar-style discussion, providing a cultivated setting in which members may exchange interpretations, share passages of particular interest, and critically examine the text’s principal arguments, themes, and wider implications.

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Our purpose is not merely to complete a reading list, but to read with discernment, think with intellectual rigour, and engage generously with the perspectives of others. The Society seeks to foster conversations that extend beyond the page, encouraging members to interrogate ideas, refine their own thinking, and leave each discussion with something worth contemplating.

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Meeting Schedule

Robert Greene, The 33 Strategies of War
20 September – 27 December 2026

All Society Ex Libris reading discussions will be held virtually on Sundays from 5:00–6:00 p.m. EST.

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Sunday, 20 September; Virtual | 5:00–6:00 p.m. EST | Opening Gathering | Introduction to the Society, the reading programme and The 33 Strategies of War. Read pp. 1–55

Sunday, 4 October; Virtual | 5:00–6:00 p.m. EST | Discussion I | Read pp. 56–110

Sunday, 18 October; Virtual | 5:00–6:00 p.m. EST | Discussion II | Read pp. 111–165

Sunday, 1 November; Virtual | 5:00–6:00 p.m. EST | Discussion III | Read pp. 166–220

Sunday, 15 November; Virtual | 5:00–6:00 p.m. EST | Discussion IV | Read pp. 221–275

Sunday, 29 November; Virtual | 5:00–6:00 p.m. EST | Discussion V | Read pp. 276–330

Sunday, 13 December; Virtual | 5:00–6:00 p.m. EST | Discussion VI | Read pp. 331–385

Sunday, 27 December; Virtual |  5:00–6:00 p.m. EST | Final Discussion of 2026 | Read pp. 386–449; concluding discussion, reflections and applications

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Reading Rhythm

The programme has been deliberately structured around approximately 50–55 pages between each virtual gathering, allowing members sufficient time to read attentively, reflect upon the material and arrive prepared for substantive discussion.

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Members are encouraged to make notes throughout their reading and may submit synopses, critical reviews, reflections or original essays for consideration by The Elegant Brief. Selected contributions may be featured in the journal, allowing members to extend their participation in Society Ex Libris beyond the monthly discussion itself.

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Note: Page numbering can vary slightly between printings and editions. The schedule above follows the 449-page standard edition; members using another edition should follow the corresponding chapter/section divisions where pagination differs.

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Between Gatherings

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The Society Group Chat

Members will have access to a private group chat for continued conversation between meetings, including observations, questions, recommendations, and reflections arising from the reading.

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The Elegant Brief

Members may also submit synopses, critical reviews, reading reflections, and essays inspired by our programme. Selected contributions may be featured in The Elegant Brief, our affiliated online journal, providing members with an opportunity to develop their intellectual voice and contribute to the Society's editorial life.

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Café Gatherings

From time to time, Society Ex Libris may host informal in-person gatherings at a local café within Toronto, Canada & York region. These gatherings are entirely optional and offer members an opportunity to continue discussions in person, network, and cultivate meaningful professional connections beyond our virtual meetings.

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Society Gatherings

Friday, 30 October | The Autumn Café Gathering
An intimate gathering reserved for Society members, offering an opportunity to continue our intellectual exchange beyond the virtual setting over coffee, tea, or a latte, accompanied by considered conversation and conviviality. These in-person gatherings provide members with the opportunity to meet one another beyond the screen, exchange ideas, and connect through a shared appreciation for academic thought, intellectual curiosity, and meaningful conversation. Venue and arrangements will be disclosed privately via the Society Group Chat.

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Friday, 18 December | The Christmas Café Gathering
A distinguished seasonal gathering to bring our autumn/winter sessions to a close, bringing members together for thoughtful conversation, festive conviviality, and an opportunity to exchange ideas and strengthen the intellectual connections cultivated throughout the programme. Members will also take part in a Secret Santa exchange, adding a charming festive tradition to our final in-person gathering of the season. The gathering will offer a graceful conclusion to the programme before members reconvene virtually for our final discussion. Venue and arrangements will be disclosed privately via the Society Group Chat.

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Our Ethos

Society Ex Libris is a space for young professionals and academics who value intellectual curiosity, considered conversation, and substantive connection.

We believe that meaningful networking should extend beyond introductions and small talk. Our gatherings are designed to foster genuine exchange through shared reading, thoughtful discussion, and a mutual interest in personal, professional, and intellectual development.

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Read deliberately. Discuss intelligently. Connect meaningfully.