Book Drives Melbourne

October Meeting: MRS Show and Tell

Join us for a special presentation showcasing award-winning bookbinding from the Melbourne Royal Show, with an opportunity to hear about the ideas, techniques, and craftsmanship behind the work. Visitors welcome.

Book swap brunch meet up

October Book of the month - Dungeon Crawler Carl

Book Club: [Dungeon Crawler Carl](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/211721806) by Matt Dinniman What if the apocalypse didn't end with a whimper or a nuclear blast, but with a galaxy-wide broadcast and a glowing corporate notification? In Dungeon Crawler Carl, Matt Dinniman weaves a wildly inventive, darkly hilarious, and surprisingly layered story about survival, corporate exploitation, consumerism, and finding humanity in the most absurdly inhumane of circumstances. The novel follows Carl, a normal guy whose life is upended when an alien corporation flattens Earth to clear space for an intergalactic reality game show. Left with nothing—not even his pants—except his ex-girlfriend’s prize-winning Persian show cat, Princess Donut, Carl has no choice but to step into the world-spanning, 18-level dungeon to stay alive. Forced to battle mutated monsters, psychotic rivals, and rigged game mechanics, Carl and Donut must learn to play for an audience of billions of alien viewers who treat human tragedy as prime-time entertainment. At the heart of the story is an unlikely partnership. Carl transitions from a reluctant survivor into a calculating, defiant folk hero, while Donut gains sapience, a growing vocabulary, and a fiercely loyal fan base. As they navigate deadly floors filled with exploding goblins and drug-dealing llamas, the boundaries between a tactical game and a horrifying reality blur. The dungeon becomes more than just an obstacle course; it becomes a brutal mirror reflecting the worst excesses of corporate greed, media sensationalism, and a society that turns suffering into content. Dinniman combines relentless, laugh-out-loud comedy with a genuinely chilling critique of modern capitalism and systemic cruelty, creating a story that is both wildly entertaining and unexpectedly poignant. Dungeon Crawler Carl explores how people hold onto their morals when a system is explicitly designed to reward brutality, how trauma is masked by humor, and whether it is possible to beat a game that was never meant to be won. Discussion Points * How does Dungeon Crawler Carl use humor as a coping mechanism for trauma? Where does the line blur between laughing at the absurdity and confronting the actual horror of the situation? * What does the relationship between Carl and Princess Donut reveal about loyalty, companionship, and chosen family under extreme pressure? How does Donut's character evolution challenge traditional tropes of animal sidekicks? * The dungeon is fundamentally a televised reality show. How does the novel critique our own society's obsession with ratings, clout, views, and turning real-life suffering into public entertainment? * How does Carl's definition of heroism change as he descends deeper into the dungeon? Is his defiance a genuine threat to the system, or just another form of entertainment for the elites? * What role does the System AI play in the narrative? Is it merely a background game engine, or does it develop a personality and agenda that complicates the ethics of the crawl? * How does the novel handle moral compromise? The dungeon rewards ruthlessness and penalizes compassion—how do Carl and other crawlers try to maintain their humanity in a system rigged against them? * In what ways do the corporate structures of the Borant Corporation mirror real-world monopolies, bureaucracies, and unchecked power dynamics? * How does the loot box and leveling mechanic act as a metaphor for consumer addiction and the illusion of upward mobility? * Were there moments where the tonal shifts—swinging wildly from laugh-out-loud slapstick to devastating tragedy—caught you off guard? How did that affect your reading experience? * Ultimately, is Dungeon Crawler Carl a story about helpless subjugation to an uncaring universe, or does it offer a genuine message of hope and resistance against impossible odds? If your group enjoys discussing dystopian power structures, sharp satirical social commentary, LitRPG/sci-fi tropes, unconventional found families, and stories where heroes fight back against rigged systems, Dungeon Crawler Carl offers an absolute mountain of material to unpack. It is also a fantastic entry point for exploring how modern speculative fiction uses absurdity and gamification to hold a mirror up to our own world!

Dirt Music, Tim Winton (Miles Franklin, 2002)

Shortlisted for the Booker and turned into a film (not great), Tim Winton's Dirt Music is his eighth novel and the second of his three Miles Franklin wins. The story centres on two broken characters living in a coastal town North of Perth. Some critics complain about cliched rough blokes and sheilas and a slowish plot. But others claim Winton is the "most important writer of his generation." I wouldn't go that far, but this is a beautifully written novel evoking cinematic landscapes. And I know a few members are looking forward to going back to Tim Winton again after Cloud Street. 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.

Tough Guy Book Club - Eltham VIC

Join us for the Eltham Chapter of Tough Guy Book Club. You can find out this month's book here [https://toughguybookclub.com/books](https://toughguybookclub.com/books?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExcTVleWRsd0ZYSWdqZXV4QXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5aL8E3xpn05czDIaY5kEiHH3oABs4hICFLOrNXUsW-0gY5HePBTW1ni0SYzw_aem_qNxAzG9ij-sVr5-Rf8Uw3Q) If you have the chance, try to pick up the book and read a couple of pages before the night. If you haven’t, come anyway, no one gives a damn. We are not your boss. If you got one, make sure to bring your copy of the books down, it’ll help you talk about bits of it, we suggest underlining stuff that sticks out to you as important. Also like all months, we will be announcing next month’s book at the meeting and handing them out to those of you who were wise enough to pre-order last month. See you there. Want to know more about Tough Guy Book Club? Read this - [http://toughguybookclub.com/about-us](http://toughguybookclub.com/about-us?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExcTVleWRsd0ZYSWdqZXV4QXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5QrDxxQmsaiuIfgbomTP4b6948UogKCm9U4Dudq5-VU_8aUx5RnTiUjO_R1Q_aem_n5AIic3b6NMTZ5TUJGTLkw)

📚 #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

Instant Audio book from your epub file

We will look at a website site that lets you create an audio book from your e.pub book file-- with a star quality voice actor--for free --for early users! We can look at the process together, and within 15-30 minutes you can have a professional audio book produced --and on sale- online \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Event Title:** Turn Any EPUB into a Professional Audiobook in Under 30 Minutes **Event Subtitle:** Unlock instant global publishing and creator-controlled monetisation for your digital books. ### **Event Description** Stop letting your digital books sit undiscovered. Join us for a game-changing workshop where you'll witness the future of audiobook creation. We’ll show you, step-by-step, how to take any standard EPUB file and transform it into a fully produced, high-quality audiobook in under 15 minutes. Forget expensive studio rentals, months of production, and complicated distribution deals. This is the fastest, most cost-effective way to: * **Open a massive new revenue stream:** Tap into the exploding audiobook market. * **Reach a global audience:** Publish instantly to a revolutionary new platform. * **Take control of your earnings:** Benefit from direct, instant creator payouts. * **Enhance your credibility:** Offer your audience professional-grade audio content. **What You'll Learn:** * **The EPUB-to-Audio workflow:** See how simple it is to convert your digital books. * **Instant audiobook generation:** Witness the magic of cutting-edge technology. * **Access to professional voices:** Discover how to leverage expressive AI voices that rival star-level talent. * **Free publishing & monetization:** Get exclusive access to a platform that pays you instantly. This event is essential for all authors, content creators, publishers, and anyone looking to maximize the value of their written work. **Limited Time Offer:** First-time users will receive free access to the audiobook creation tools and platform! ### **Step-by-Step Agenda** * **5.30 PM - 6:15 PM:** Welcome & Networking * **6:15 PM - 6:30 PM:** Introduction to the EPUB-to-Audiobook Revolution * The growing audiobook market and the challenge of traditional production. * How our platform makes it accessible and profitable for everyone. * **6:30 PM - 6:45 PM:** Live Demonstration: EPUB to Audiobook in < 15 Minutes * Watch as we upload an EPUB file and convert it into a finished audiobook. * Experience the quality and expressiveness of the AI voice actors. * **6:45 PM - 7:00 PM:** Key Features Deep Dive: Professional Voices & Publishing * Exploring the range of expressive, studio-quality voices available. * Understanding the free global publishing and distribution process. * **7:00 PM - 7:15 PM:** Monetization and Instant Payouts Explained * How the innovative creator payout system works. * Case studies and success stories. * **7:15 PM - 7:30 PM:** How to Get Started for Free & Q&A * Guide to accessing the free tools and platform for first-time users. * Open floor for questions and individual project discussions. * **7:30 PM - 8:00 PM:** Networking & Hands-On Workshop (Optional) * Connect with fellow creators and publishers. * Get help starting your own audiobook conversion process.

October City Meetup

**PLEASE NOTE: We're now starting our city meetup at 11am, so it's the same time as our suburb meetup.** Come to our city book club in October! We'll be at the Dymocks Melbourne cafe sitting upstairs in the mezzanine level and we want to hear about what you like to read! For those of you who haven't joined us before, we're a book club with no set book, no homework and no judgement! Come along and tell us what you enjoy reading and what's on your to read list. We ask that you bring no more than four books in total, being a couple you've recently read and/or a couple that are on your to-read list. Given the often adult topics discussed, our meetups aren't suitable for children under the age of 14. **Please note that as advised in our email and post of November 14th 2024 our fees have increased from $5.00 to $6.50 per person per meetup. This is due to Meetup.com doubling the organiser fees for meetup groups. We now pay at least $50 a month to have a Meetup site (unfortunately this cost fluctuates due to Meetup charging us in USD). All fees go towards paying the meetup fees. This can only be accepted via the Meetup site and we do not accept cash on the day.** Similarly, if you are planning to attend, please RSVP on the Meetup site. RSVPs can be made right up until the moment the event starts, we are unable to accept cash on the day or attendances from those who have not RSVPd as we need to plan for attendance numbers and space.

October Book Club: Always Home, Always Homesick by Hannah Kent

October 2026 - Cat's Cradle

Hello book lovers, Our book for October 2026 is "Cat's Cradle" by Kurt Vonnegut A brilliant science-fiction satire from one of the best writers of the twentieth century Dr Felix Hoenikker - a father of the atomic bomb - has another creation. Far more dangerous than that which levelled Hiroshima is ice-nine, a chemical that could freeze the world’s oceans solid. The search for Hoenikker leads first to his three children, each in possession of the chemical, and then to the Republic of San Lorenzo, a mysterious island in thrall to a bizarre religion. First published a year after the Cuban Missile Crisis, Cat’s Cradle is shot through with a nauseous anxiety about the nuclear apocalypse. Yet Vonnegut’s darkly hilarious dissection of apathy and selfishness on the edge of the abyss speaks clearly to our own environmental angst and to the fragility of civilization. https://www.readings.com.au/product/9780241467985/cats-cradle--kurt-vonnegut--2020--9780241467985

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).

Beauty and Horror: Rouge by Mona Awad vs. New Skin by Sarah Wang