Book Clubs Melbourne

📚 #InPursuit – A Book Club for Builders, Thinkers, and Doers

📚 #InPursuit is a book club for entrepreneurs, creatives, and curious minds who know personal growth fuels business growth. **See a lot of RSPVPs and wonder how it works? We'll break up into groups of 6-8 to share our insights, then swap groups after 30-45min so you can maximise learning from everybody!** *Note: this even is not organised by or affiliated with The State Library of Victoria* **That's what #InPursuit is all about** It’s not a traditional book club, it’s a space for people who are actively designing a better life through the pursuit of business, creativity, and personal growth. This event is for anyone #InPursuit of better business, life and relationships. Instead of reading the same book, we each come prepared to share one powerful insight from something we’ve read in the past 3-months. Anything non-fiction that’s moved us forward. Whether it’s a mindset shift, a productivity system, a new philosophy, or just a truth that punched us in the gut. This is a place to unpack it together and hear what others are learning too. We’re not just here to *read*. We’re here to *integrate*. Because when we grow, our business and our lives grow too. **🔍 Why Join? You'll leave with:** * 5–10 fresh insights from books you may never have picked up * Deeper awareness of how others think, lead, and evolve * New connections with people walking a similar path toward purpose, results, and impact This isn’t a lecture. It’s a room full of people building themselves while they build the thing. **📖 How It Works** First time? No pressure to share, just come curious. We'll break up into groups of 6-8 and share our insights, then swap groups so you can maximise the learning! Returning? Bring one idea you’ve read about in the last 3-months and be ready to speak on: 1. What did you learn? 2. How did it shift your perspective about the world or yourself? 3. How has it changed the way you show up or behave? We keep it structured, but flexible. After sharing, we open up to Q&A, personal stories, challenges, and deep dives. Some of the best insights come from the conversations *after* the share. **🧠 Who This Is For** * Entrepreneurs or side-hustlers finding their footing * Business owners, and doers building toward better * Curious minds who love ideas but care more about action * People tired of shallow conversations and hungry for growth If you’re working on something—or becoming someone—this space is for you. It’s a practice ground for people who want to grow forward. We’re all #InPursuit of mastery, momentum, and the kind of success that starts from within. **Map on how to get there** We're in the Create Quarter on the ground level (back right of the Quad as you enter from Swanson St). We'll likely be on a long table together. https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/SLV-EnglishMap_Jan25.pdf

SILENT BOOK CLUB @ STATE LIBRARY

Welcome! **HOW TO FIND US** We'll be at Guild Cafe inside the State Library. Guild Cafe is opposite Readings bookshop closest to the Russell St entrance. If you enter from the main entrance on Swanston Street, you will need to walk right through the foyer and public reading area, up one flight of steps, enter the Redmond Barry Reading Room and walk through the glass doors out the other end - and you'll find the Guild Cafe (and Readings bookshop). The concierge in the foyer will be able to help you find your way. **ITINERARY** 11am: Meet at Guild Cafe. Choose your seat. Order a drink to support the cafe. (They have a range of sweet and savoury snacks.) Enjoy your book. 12.15pm: Let's chat about what we read, what we loved, and why. 1pm: End of event. [OPTIONAL EXTRA] For those who are not too tired, we can go for lunch together after the event. **COST:** There is an organizer fee of $5 for this event. You can bring cash on the day or PayID me at 0403 413 056 (Serena Low). **GETTING THERE:** The closest train stations are Melbourne Central and State Library.

Melbourne Horror Book Club

Come and join our friendly group of horror fans as we talk about horror books and movies. You don't need to read or watch everything to come and participate! I kindly ask that everyone purchases dinner and/or a drink to cover the room hire costs. If you're new, we meet in the function rooms on the left hand side of the dining area. The books and film for this meetup are: **Contemporary Book** Angel Down by Daniel Kraus https://www.simonandschuster.com.au/books/Angel-Down/Daniel-Kraus/9781835415382 **Classic Book** The Accursed by Joyce Carol Oates https://harpercollins.com.au/products/9780007494217 **Film** Alien: Resurrection

Paranormal Romance Book Club and Culture

Hi all, Welcome to the August Paranormal Book Club!! If you love books that are lighter and fluffier to read, with supernatural elements (magic, vampires, werewolves, etc.) then you will enjoy this group. After book club we head off and become a tourist in our own city, by attending an exhibition or some other cultural activity. For August, we are going to meet at Time Out Fed Square for book club, then head across to ACMI for a look at their free exhibitions. The play school exhibition we were originally thought about attending, will have concluded. I've included a link to the existing exhibitions and we can discuss which one we want to go to during the meet-up. [What's on | ACMI: Your museum of screen culture](https://www.acmi.net.au/whats-on/?what=exhibition&when_start=2026-08-23&when_end=2026-08-30) The books for Sunday 23 August 2026 are: An Ancient Witches Guide to Modern Dating by Cecilia Edward [An Ancient Witch's Guide to Modern Dating by Cecilia Edward | Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/236810735-an-ancient-witch-s-guide-to-modern-dating) The Book Witch by Meg Schaffer [The Book Witch by Meg Shaffer | Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/238226952-the-book-witch) Stay for a spell by Amy Coombe [Stay for a Spell by Amy Coombe | Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/238766958-stay-for-a-spell) If you would like to look at all the books that we have read so far, click [here](https://1drv.ms/x/s!Am2wjNpl1c1ijCNvt-hrWM8gPaem?e=riV48x). Finally, if you can't make it, please change your RSVP to a NO. Spaces are limited, so it will give other people a chance to attend. Happy reading until then!! 🤓

Attention as Currency with Professor Katherine Johnson — North Fitzroy Library

Join me for a fascinating free talk on one of the most valuable things we own: our attention. Professor Katherine Johnson draws on developmental neuroscience to explain how attention works, why it's so easily taxed in an information-saturated world, and what we can actually do to protect and restore our focus in everyday life. It's a family-friendly evening talk hosted by Yarra Libraries as part of National Science Week, and it's a lovely low-key way to spend a Thursday evening learning something genuinely useful. We'll meet at the gates of the library at 5:45pm for a quick hello, then head in together for the 6pm start. The talk wraps up around 7:30pm, and anyone who'd like to keep the conversation going is welcome to join us for a casual bite nearby afterwards. Just so it's clear: this is a casual social meetup arranged so we can head along together — it isn't run by, affiliated with, or endorsed by Yarra Libraries or Professor Johnson. Please grab your own free ticket directly through Eventbrite; an RSVP here doesn't include entry. **Who this is for** * Anyone curious about how the brain works, focus, and the science of attention — no background needed. * It's family-friendly, so all ages are welcome. * Coming solo? You'll fit right in — lots of people come along on their own, and meeting at the gates first makes it easy. **Links** * Meetup start point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/iwfhPG14S4D1t6zM8 * Free ticket (book your own): https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/attention-as-currency-with-professor-katherine-johnson-tickets-1992329016721 **Timeline** * 5:45pm – Meet at the gates of the library and say hello * 6:00pm – Talk begins * 7:30pm – Talk wraps up and meetup ends * 7:30pm onwards – Optional casual bite nearby for anyone keen (the meetup officially finishes here) **Tickets / cost** Free, but you'll need to book your own ticket through the Eventbrite link above. These talks can fill up, so it's worth grabbing yours in advance. **Transport** The library is at 182 St Georges Road, North Fitzroy. It's well served by tram along St Georges Road, and there's some street parking around if you're driving — please allow a little extra time to find a spot. **Bring** * Your booked Eventbrite ticket * Your curiosity (and maybe a notebook if you like to jot things down) **Expect** * Vibe: relaxed, friendly, and curious * Pace: an easy evening — sit back and enjoy the talk * Group style: a casual social group heading along together **Important notes** * A Meetup RSVP is not a ticket — please book your free spot on Eventbrite separately. * If your plans change, please update your RSVP so numbers stay clear for everyone.

📚 #InPursuit – A Book Club for Builders, Thinkers, and Doers

📚 #InPursuit is a book club for entrepreneurs, creatives, and curious minds who know personal growth fuels business growth. **See a lot of RSPVPs and wonder how it works? We'll break up into groups of 6-8 to share our insights, then swap groups after 30-45min so you can maximise learning from everybody!** *Note: this even is not organised by or affiliated with The State Library of Victoria* **That's what #InPursuit is all about** It’s not a traditional book club, it’s a space for people who are actively designing a better life through the pursuit of business, creativity, and personal growth. This event is for anyone #InPursuit of better business, life and relationships. Instead of reading the same book, we each come prepared to share one powerful insight from something we’ve read in the past 3-months. Anything non-fiction that’s moved us forward. Whether it’s a mindset shift, a productivity system, a new philosophy, or just a truth that punched us in the gut. This is a place to unpack it together and hear what others are learning too. We’re not just here to *read*. We’re here to *integrate*. Because when we grow, our business and our lives grow too. **🔍 Why Join? You'll leave with:** * 5–10 fresh insights from books you may never have picked up * Deeper awareness of how others think, lead, and evolve * New connections with people walking a similar path toward purpose, results, and impact This isn’t a lecture. It’s a room full of people building themselves while they build the thing. **📖 How It Works** First time? No pressure to share, just come curious. We'll break up into groups of 6-8 and share our insights, then swap groups so you can maximise the learning! Returning? Bring one idea you’ve read about in the last 3-months and be ready to speak on: 1. What did you learn? 2. How did it shift your perspective about the world or yourself? 3. How has it changed the way you show up or behave? We keep it structured, but flexible. After sharing, we open up to Q&A, personal stories, challenges, and deep dives. Some of the best insights come from the conversations *after* the share. **🧠 Who This Is For** * Entrepreneurs or side-hustlers finding their footing * Business owners, and doers building toward better * Curious minds who love ideas but care more about action * People tired of shallow conversations and hungry for growth If you’re working on something—or becoming someone—this space is for you. It’s a practice ground for people who want to grow forward. We’re all #InPursuit of mastery, momentum, and the kind of success that starts from within. **Map on how to get there** We're in the Create Quarter on the ground level (back right of the Quad as you enter from Swanson St). We'll likely be on a long table together. https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/SLV-EnglishMap_Jan25.pdf

Fateless, Imre Kertesz (Nobel 2002)

After enjoying a Hungarian (Krasznahorkai), last meeting, we are rolling straight onto another! Kertesz won the Nobel "for writing that upholds the fragile experience of the individual against the barbaric arbitrariness of history." *Fateless* (also called *Fatelessness* in another edition) fits this theme. It is about a young boy from Budapest and his experiences in concentration camps. The dispassionate narration of heart-rending events and the character's struggle in adjusting to cruelty and back to kindness is "astonishing". There is also a film adaptation (Alex) from 2005. Since starting this book club a few years ago we have formed a nice core membership. If you haven't come yet, please look out for the books on the table, pull up a chair, order a wine and join us. We like to hear what everyone has to say and enjoy the conversation, we're not cliquey at all! Oh, and to defray the Meetup monthly bill I will accept gold coin contributions or wine if you want to pay for multiple in one hit. I hope to see everyone again at this one with some new faces.

A Horse Walks into a Bar, David Grossman (International Booker, 2017)

With only 9 Booker prize winners left to read, most from the '70s, we have expanded to include International Booker prize winners. This is our first. Grossman has won the Israeli Prize, that country's highest literary award for his lifetime literary contribution including children's novels, poetry and a novel drawing on his sons' experiences in the Israeli Defense Forces, one of whom was killed on the last day of the 2006 Lebanon War. Last year he called his country's campaign in Gaza a "genocide". Despite being an "unexpected delight" about a comic *A Horse Walks into a Bar* is not an easy read. It has been described as a parable about the losses of parents and nation. Through the narrator, a judge in the audience, it explores our roles as spectators and participants as he listens to the offensive comic. For those that have had enough Magic Realism lately, looks like we're dropping the "Magic" out this month! Since starting this book club a few years ago we have formed a nice core membership. If you haven't come yet, please look out for the books on the table, pull up a chair, order a wine and join us. We like to hear what everyone has to say and enjoy the conversation, we're not cliquey at all! Oh, and to defray the Meetup monthly bill I will accept gold coin contributions or wine if you want to pay for multiple in one hit. I hope to see everyone again at this one with some new faces.

August 2026 - I Want Everything

Hello book lovers, Our book for August is I Want Everything by Dominic Amerena. It starts with a lie. One small lie to get everything he wants. But one lie leads to another, and another. Caught in his own web of deception, how can he recognise the truth? And what is it going to cost him? The legendary career of reclusive cult author Brenda Shales remains one of Australia’s last unsolved literary mysteries. Her books took the literary world by storm before she disappeared from the public eye, after a mysterious plagiarism case. But when an ambitious young writer stumbles across Brenda at a Melbourne pool, he realises the scoop of a lifetime is floating in front of him: the truth behind why she vanished without a trace. The only problem? He must pretend to be someone he’s not to trick the story out of her. **Winner of The Readings New Australian Fiction Prize 2025** **Shortlisted for the 2026 ABIA Literary Fiction Book of the Year** https://www.readings.com.au/product/9781761631733/i-want-everything--dominic-amerena--2025--9781761631733

Book swap brunch meet up

Wellbeing Workshop: Meet Your Monster

Some of us experience our inner critics as real monsters, so we've designed this workshop for people who are looking for a fresh perspective on interacting with that part of themselves. Through a mix of storytelling and creative expression, we'll meet our monsters and explore their role within our life's story. This workshops is therapist designed and facilitated, and welcomes all queer humans aged 18+. **Tickets:** [https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1993109234373?aff=oddtdtcreator](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1993109234373?aff=oddtdtcreator)

The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances by Glenn Dixon