As we approach ChiassoLetteraria 2026, one of the most popular side events is taking shape: the BookCHLub meeting, the reading group born within the festival. On Thursday, April 23, at 6:30 pm, Spazio L'Ove in Lugano will host a literary aperitif, open to the public (registration required), dedicated to discussing Veronica Raimo 's latest novel.
The initiative is part of a well-established dynamic: creating a space for direct dialogue between readers and authors before the official meeting during the festival. This opportunity, according to the organizers, aims to transform reading into a shared and participatory experience.
An open and growing book club
BookCHLub returns for the second consecutive year following the positive response to the previous edition. The format remains unchanged: no limit on the number of participants and open to last-minute registrations, with the goal of encouraging the widest possible participation.
The appointment on April 23 will focus on Non scrivere di me (2026), published by Einaudi , a novel chosen to accompany the public towards the meeting with the author, scheduled for May 10 at 11.15 am as part of the festival.
The novel at the centre of the debate
Raimo's book has attracted significant interest among readers, as demonstrated by the large turnout at the meeting. The narrative follows the protagonist, S., as she grapples with a relationship marked by power dynamics, emotional dependence, and violence. The story unfolds as an intimate investigation into memory, the ambiguity of feelings, and the difficulty of processing traumatic experiences.
Beyond the personal dimension, the novel explores a broader scope, interrogating contemporary themes such as toxic narratives, the role of the victim, the construction of identity, and the possibility of rewriting one's own story. These elements make the text particularly suited to a collective discussion, such as the one proposed by BookCHLub.
Towards the twentieth edition
The meeting in Lugano represents one of the preparatory moments for the twentieth edition of ChiassoLetteraria , scheduled for May 6 to 10, 2026. The chosen theme, “Twenty,” plays on a double meaning: on the one hand, it recalls the festival's numerical milestone, on the other, it evokes the winds of change blowing through the present.
An image that lends itself to various interpretations: from winds of conflict and global tension to the hoped-for winds of renewal, solidarity, and cultural openness. In this context, literature is proposed as a tool for interpreting and engaging with the complexity of the contemporary world.
The author's profile
Born in Rome in 1978, Veronica Raimo is a well-established figure in the Italian literary scene. A writer, translator, and contributor to various publications, she has built up a diverse body of work, ranging from fiction to translations of international authors.
Among his most recent works are Niente di vero , which won the Strega Giovani Prize and the Viareggio-Rèpaci award, as well as the collection La vita è breve, eccetera . At the same time, Raimo has also worked in film, co-writing the screenplay for Marco Bellocchio's film Bella addormentata .
With Don't Write About Me , the author continues a narrative research that combines irony, lucidity and critical tension, tackling complex themes without renouncing a strong stylistic imprint.
A shared path towards the festival
The April 23rd event is therefore a significant milestone on the journey towards the festival: not just a preview of the content, but a moment of collective cultural dialogue.
Through initiatives like BookCHLub, ChiassoLetteraria strengthens its identity as a participatory space, where literature is not limited to presentation but becomes an opportunity for active discussion between authors and the public.
To participate in the meeting, registration is required by email ( bookclub.chiassoletteraria@gmail.com ), but access remains free, in line with the inclusive philosophy that characterizes the entire project.
