Book Swaps Melbourne

Book swap brunch meet up

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).

Yarra and Botanics Walk discussing 'Medea' by Rosie Hewlett

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 'Medea' by Rosie Hewlett. The blurb: "Shunned by her mother. Beaten by her father. Separated from her sister. Medea has never fit in because she possesses a unique and dangerous power - witchcraft. When the dashing young hero and leader on the famed Argonauts, Jason, arrives to claim the Golden Fleece that her father fiercely protects, Medea takes her opportunity to escape. Her offer to help Jason overcome the trials set by her father sets in motion a journey that will test see her battle monsters, dethrone kings, fall in love and reclaim her power. But when faced with the ultimate betrayal, just what will Medea be prepared to do for love?" Goodreads rating: 4.04 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).

Book Review Group - September 2026 (includes book swap!)

Hi all, Welcome to our September book club and our book swap night! We are a friendly group of avid readers that enjoy a variety of books and great conversation, over a meal. New members are welcome, but spaces are limited. For the book swap, please bring along any books you no longer want on your shelf. We will add them to the centre of the table, and then everyone can choose a book (or 3!) that interests them. Any uncollected books will be donated to Traveller's Aid at Southern Cross Station. The books for Thursday 17 September 2026 are: **Science Fiction** The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein [The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein | Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16690.The_Moon_Is_a_Harsh_Mistress) **Fantasy** The Devils by Joe Abercrombie [The Devils (The Devils, #1) by Joe Abercrombie | Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/233800039-the-devils) **Urban Fantasy** Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman [Dungeon Crawler Carl (Dungeon Crawler Carl, #1) by Matt Dinniman | Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/211721806-dungeon-crawler-carl) You don't have to read all the books. However, the more you read, the more robust the conversation will be with multiple people discussing each book. Don't forget to bring along some Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Urban Fantasy suggestions for the following meet-up! If you would like to see all the books (excluding bonus books) that we have read before, click [here](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1K96OI_w3AIBzkDVWXenQNc6mYbZ2cMvfRnzVehkp9Bo/edit#gid=0) to have a look. Since there are so many authors out there, we try not to repeat authors, however, I am relaxing this slightly moving forward. If you are new(ish) to the group, check out the back catalogue for some inspiration if you are stuck for something to read. Numbers are limited. If you can’t make it, please change your RSVP to a NO as a courtesy to the organiser and to let any wait-listed people into the meet-up. If you have time, stay back for a social catch up with your fellow book club members (or arrive early to chat prior to the meeting). Of course, you can go as soon as the book club finishes, but if you have time, then this is a great opportunity to find out all the news and what books people have been reading over the last couple of months. Happy Reading!!! 🤓😊

September Book Club Event

September Book of the month - Lola in the Mirror

Book Club: [Lola in the Mirror](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/167582092) by Trent Dalton What if the person staring back at you in the mirror could reveal a life you never imagined? In Lola in the Mirror, Trent Dalton weaves a powerful and deeply Australian story about identity, family, friendship, grief, and the possibility of reinventing yourself. The novel follows a young woman and her mother, two fugitives constantly on the move, as they navigate life on the margins of Brisbane. Their unstable existence is shaped by poverty, crime, addiction, and the ever-present fear of being caught. Yet amid the chaos, they find moments of humour, love, loyalty, and hope. At the heart of the story is a mysterious girl who appears only in a mirror—a figure who seems to offer a glimpse into another possible life. As the protagonist becomes increasingly fascinated by this stranger, the boundaries between reality, memory, and possibility begin to blur. The mirror becomes more than a reflection; it becomes a symbol of the lives we might have lived and the choices that shape who we become. Dalton combines a gritty portrayal of life on the fringes of Australian society with moments of magical realism, creating a story that is both heartbreaking and hopeful. Lola in the Mirror explores how people survive difficult circumstances, how family can both hurt and sustain us, and whether it is ever possible to escape the story written for you by your past. Discussion Points: * How does Lola in the Mirror explore the idea of identity? How much of who we become is shaped by our circumstances, and how much is within our control? * What does the mysterious girl in the mirror represent? Is she a literal character, a symbol, or something more ambiguous? * How does the relationship between the protagonist and her mother evolve throughout the novel? What do they owe each other? * The novel explores poverty, homelessness, addiction, and crime without reducing its characters to stereotypes. How effectively does Dalton achieve this? * What role do friendship and found family play in helping the characters survive? * How does Brisbane function almost as a character in the story? What does the novel reveal about the city and the people who live on its margins? * The mirror is a recurring image throughout the novel. What does it suggest about alternate lives, regret, possibility, and self-discovery? * How does Dalton balance the novel’s darker themes with humour, tenderness, and hope? * Were there moments when you questioned what was real? How did the uncertainty affect your reading of the story? * Ultimately, is Lola in the Mirror more a story about escaping your past or learning to accept and reshape it? If your group enjoys discussing identity, family dynamics, social inequality, magical realism, and the idea of alternate lives, Lola in the Mirror offers plenty to unpack. It is also a great opportunity to explore how Australian fiction portrays people living outside the conventional boundaries of society—and what it means to find hope and connection in unexpected places.

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.

The Page Turners Reading Hour

Online Reading Hour 📚🧑🏻‍💻 Based on feedback from the community we are going to try something different! We are going to do an online reading hour! We’re inviting you to bring whatever you’re currently reading, come chill out, and read quietly with us, followed by a guided discussion. Feel free to drop in and drop out! 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 🛑 Casual drop in drop out session 💬 Low-pressure discussion with guided questions. Sometimes reading is easier when someone else is reading too. We’d love to read with you. 📅 Thursday 10 September • 4:00 pm 📍 Online - We will post the link!

September Book Club

Welcome to our September 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.

September 2026 - Flesh *Note: At Standard Hotel!*

Hello book lovers, We return to the Standard Hotel in September! Our book for September is Flesh by David Szalay. David Szalay's captivating and astonishingly moving novel about the forces that make and break our lives. Through chance, luck and choice, one man's life takes him from a modest apartment in Hungary to the elite society of London – in this captivating new novel about the forces that make and break our lives. Fifteen-year-old Istvan lives with his mother in a quiet apartment complex in Hungary. New to the town and shy, he is unfamiliar with the social rituals at school and soon becomes isolated, with his neighbour – a married woman close to his mother's age – as his only companion. As these encounters shift into a clandestine relationship, Istvan's life spirals out of control. **Winner of The Booker Prize 2025** https://www.readings.com.au/product/9781529932423/flesh--david-szalay--2026--9781529932423

Free Run Club (Carlton/CBD)

IMPORTANT!: Registration required! Without registration, attendance is: $10 per person. For free entry, please register below: [https://justeasiertogether.com/shorty/tna8w9](https://justeasiertogether.com/shorty/tna8w9) Overview: We're a friendly, welcoming community of runners in Carlton/CBD, and everyone is welcome - from complete beginners to advanced runners, we all train together. First-timers are always welcome, so if it's your first time, come along and say hi! Training type: Our focus is interval training, and we keep it fun and social. Free stuff for members! We sometimes line up sponsorships that align with our comunity, someties it's stuff like: free protein drinks and shakes, or discounted meals - and we often head out for dinner together after a run, or for special events. Exact location: The exact meeting location will be emailed to you once you register, so be sure to register beforehand. Training format / structure: 1: Easy 800m warm-up lap 2: Dynamic stretching and strides (20min) 3: Main workout — this rotates each week (sometimes hills, but most often it invovles intervals) Length: The whole session runs for about 50 minutes, followed by around 10 minutes of social talking. Register for you first attendance: First timers are required to register: [https://justeasiertogether.com/shorty/tna8w9](https://justeasiertogether.com/shorty/tna8w9) See you there!

Exile from the World: A Russian and Turkish perspective on the Lonely Dreamer