Book Swaps Melbourne

Book swap brunch meet up

Yarra and Botanics Walk discussing 'A Shipwreck in Fiji' by Nilima Rao

We'll meet at the spot where Fed Square meets the Princes Bridge over the Yarra (near the pedestrian crossing closest to the river from Flinders St, on the Fed Square side). We'll walk for about 6km along the Yarra River, through the Botanic Gardens and back along the river to Federation Square for a coffee after the walk. This month, we're reading and talking about ''A Shipwreck in Fiji' by Nilima Rao Note: this is the second in a series. The book club has previously read the first in the series. You may also wish to read the first in the series, 'A Disappearance in Fiji'. The blurb: **"Fiji, 1915: when a purported sighting of Germans on the run from WWI turns deadly, Sergeant Akal Singh must (reluctantly) take up the investigation in this vibrant follow-up to *A Disappearance in Fiji*.** Sergeant Akal Singh, an unwilling transplant to Fiji, is just starting to settle into his life in the capital city of Suva when he is sent to the neighboring island of Ovalau on a series of fool’s errands. First: investigate strange reports of Germans, thousands of miles from the front of World War I. Second: chaperone two strong-willed European ladies, Mary and Katherine, on a sight-seeing tour. And third: supervise the only police officer currently on Ovalau, an eighteen-year-old constable with a penchant for hysterics. Accompanied by his friend Taviti, who is visiting his uncle, the local chief, Akal sets off on these seemingly straightforward tasks. Instead, they become embroiled in a series of local issues: the gruesome death of an unpopular local and the imprisonment of a group of Norwegian sailors in Taviti’s uncle’s village. To add to Akal’s woes, Katherine, the charming aspiring journalist, harbors an agenda of her own. Will Akal be able to keep her—and himself—out of trouble before anybody else gets killed? Nilima Rao’s debut, A Disappearance in Fiji, was a critical darling and award-winner, ending up on multiple best-of-year roundups. This next installment in the Sergeant Akal Singh series has all the charm and sparkle of the first book, with even more fascinating historical insight into the realities of life on Fiji at the start of the twentieth century." Goodreads rating: 4.00 How does a walking bookclub work? Like a normal bookclub, we talk about the book, what else we're reading, have read, or want to read (as well as a few tangents into life outside literature!) but we do it while walking around Melbourne and then over a coffee. We often split into smaller groups as we walk, but we also regroup through the walk. Should I read the book beforehand? The conversation will be more interesting if you do, but you can still come along if you haven't finished it yet! Do I need to bring anything? **Comfy** walking shoes, drinking water, some money for coffee or a bite to eat after if you wish. No need to bring the book unless you want to. No shows No shows (RSVPing yes and not attending) mean the group waits unnecessarily for those who are not coming, thinking you are running a little late. It’s absolutely fine to change your rsvp for any reason up until the walk begins, and you don’t need to leave a comment, send a message or give a reason, but if you don't click that 'change rsvp' button, you may be removed from the group. Membership Fee Did you know that while it is free to attend most events, Meetup charges organisers about $600 a year to organise a group? Members of the Walking Book Club are asked to pay a membership fee of $10 per year (not per event) to help cover this cost. When you join the group, you'll be automatically given a three month trial so you can see what the group is like, without needing to make any payment. If you would like to continue attending events after this, please follow Meetup's instructions to pay the $6.50US/approx $10AUD fee once per year (or contact group organisers if you would prefer to make payment using paypal, payID, cash or bank transfer).

Yarra and Botanics Walk discussing 'My Friends' by Fredrik Backman

We'll meet at the spot where Fed Square meets the Princes Bridge over the Yarra (near the pedestrian crossing closest to the river from Flinders St, on the Fed Square side). We'll walk for about 6km along the Yarra River, through the Botanic Gardens and back along the river to Federation Square for a coffee after the walk. This month, we're reading and talking about 'My Friends' by Fredrik Backman. **The Blurb:** **"#1 *New York Times* bestselling author Fredrik Backman returns with an unforgettably funny, deeply moving tale of four teenagers whose friendship creates a bond so powerful that it changes a complete stranger’s life twenty-five years later.** Most people don’t even notice them—three tiny figures sitting at the end of a long pier in the corner of one of the most famous paintings in the world. Most people think it’s just a depiction of the sea. But Louisa, an aspiring artist herself, knows otherwise, and she is determined to find out the story of these three enigmatic figures. Twenty-five years earlier, in a distant seaside town, a group of teenagers find refuge from their bruising home lives by spending long summer days on an abandoned pier, telling silly jokes, sharing secrets, and committing small acts of rebellion. These lost souls find in each other a reason to get up each morning, a reason to dream, a reason to love. Out of that summer emerges a transcendent work of art, a painting that will unexpectedly be placed into eighteen-year-old Louisa’s care. She embarks on a surprise-filled cross-country journey to learn how the painting came to be and to decide what to do with it. The closer she gets to the painting’s birthplace, the more nervous she becomes about what she’ll find. Louisa is proof that happy endings don’t always take the form we expect in this stunning testament to the transformative, timeless power of friendship and art." Goodreads rating: 4.35 How does a walking bookclub work? Like a normal bookclub, we talk about the book, what else we're reading, have read, or want to read (as well as a few tangents into life outside literature!) but we do it while walking around Melbourne and then over a coffee. We often split into smaller groups as we walk, but we also regroup through the walk. Should I read the book beforehand? The conversation will be more interesting if you do, but you can still come along if you haven't finished it yet! Do I need to bring anything? **Comfy** walking shoes, drinking water, some money for coffee or a bite to eat after if you wish. No need to bring the book unless you want to. No shows No shows (RSVPing yes and not attending) mean the group waits unnecessarily for those who are not coming, thinking you are running a little late. It’s absolutely fine to change your rsvp for any reason up until the walk begins, and you don’t need to leave a comment, send a message or give a reason, but if you don't click that 'change rsvp' button, you may be removed from the group. Membership Fee Did you know that while it is free to attend most events, Meetup charges organisers about $600 a year to organise a group? Members of the Walking Book Club are asked to pay a membership fee of $10 per year (not per event) to help cover this cost. When you join the group, you'll be automatically given a three month trial so you can see what the group is like, without needing to make any payment. If you would like to continue attending events after this, please follow Meetup's instructions to pay the $6.50US/approx $10AUD fee once per year (or contact group organisers if you would prefer to make payment using paypal, payID, cash or bank transfer).

August Book Club

Welcome to our August gathering of Melbourne Women's Big Ideas Book Club! If you love discovering great books and discussing the ideas they spark, we'd love to have you join us. This is a relaxed monthly lunch where every member brings along a book they've recently enjoyed. There are no set reads and no genre restrictions—just thoughtful books and interesting women. Each member has the opportunity to share what they've been reading, what resonated, what challenged them, or what fell short. From there, the conversation naturally evolves as we explore new perspectives, exchange recommendations, and connect through a shared love of reading. Whether you're a regular attendee or joining us for the first time, you'll find a welcoming group of curious, intelligent women who enjoy meaningful conversation and genuine connection. I can't wait to hear what you've been reading this month.

August Book Club Event

Book Club at Iddy Biddy

Bookaholics Anonymous - stop scrolling and start reading Calling all book lovers and enthusiasts to a new monthly pub book club at Iddy Bar in St Kilda at 7.30pm sharp on Monday 3 August. Hosted by author Annie Lawson, we will chat about our favourite books of all time this month. What - Bookaholics Anonymous Where - Iddy Biddy Bar When - 7.30pm, 3 August How often - Monthly Who - Anyone who wants to stop scrolling and start reading Format - Find out Monday

Doing the work - winter book club event

This week we'll explore ideas in chapters 3 and 4 of 'How to do the work' by Dr Nicole LePera. Discussion will be facilitated by an academic as we have a friendly chat about chapters 3 and 4 and our personal progress with chapter 1 and 2 exercises/further thoughts. Newcomers welcome!

The Twenty-fourth Page

Join us for the Twenty-fourth Page! Theme: **a book you're excited to read** Let's read something we're excited about! Hopefully this one will be an easy pick :) Feel free to bring along any discussion questions you can think of or theme suggestions. Happy reading :) See you there!

The Page Turners Reading Hour

Reading Hour 📚 This month, we’re doing things a little differently. Instead of everyone reading the same book, we’re inviting you to bring whatever you’re currently reading, or borrow one from our collection. We’ll spend around 30 minutes reading quietly together, followed by a relaxed, guided discussion about what everyone’s reading. Whether you’ve just started a new book, you’re halfway through, or you’ve been on the same chapter for three weeks (we’ve all been there 😅), you’re welcome. 📚 Bring your own book, or borrow one of ours. ☕ Snacks and drinks provided. 💬 Low-pressure discussion with guided questions. Sometimes reading is easier when someone else is reading too. We’d love to read with you. 📅 Thursday 13 August • 5:00 pm 📍 Kathleen Syme Library - Room 3

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 152: Sky Full of Elephants by Cebo Campbell

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.