Book Swaps Melbourne

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).

Book swap brunch meet up

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).

Yarra and Botanics Walk discussing 'None of this is True’ by Lisa Jewell

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 'None of this is True’ by Lisa Jewell. The blurb: "Celebrating her 45th birthday at her local pub, popular podcaster Alix Summers crosses paths with an unassuming woman called Josie Fair. Josie, it turns out, is also celebrating her 45th birthday. They are, in fact, birthday twins. A few days later, Alix and Josie bump into each other again, this time outside Alix's children's school. Josie has been listening to Alix's podcasts and thinks she might be an interesting subject for her series. She is, she tells Alix, on the cusp of great changes in her life. Josie's life appears to be strange and complicated, and although Alix finds her unsettling, she can't quite resist the temptation to keep making the podcast. Slowly Alix starts to realise that Josie has been hiding some very dark secrets, and before she knows it Josie has inveigled her way into Alix's life - and into her home. But, as quickly as she arrived, Josie disappears. Only then does Alix discover that Josie has left a terrible and terrifying legacy in her wake, and that Alix has become the subject of her own true crime podcast, her life and her family's lives under mortal threat. Who is Josie Fair? And what has she done?” Goodreads rating: 4.07 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).

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.

Books & Bites - a bookish dinner for women in Melbourne (September)

You love books. Your friends…not so much 😬 Or maybe they read, just not the way you do. Either way, you've been looking for your people — and this is where they are. 📚 Busy with Books is hosting another one of our monthly Melbourne bookish dinners: good Italian food, good conversation, and a table full of women who actually want to talk about what they've been reading. We're gathering at [Il Mercato Centrale](https://www.mercatocentrale.com.au/) — Melbourne's beautiful Italian food hall in the CBD (close to Southern Cross) — where everyone orders what they fancy from the stalls, and we spend the evening doing what we love most: Talking about books. (And eating. Obviously 💁🏼‍♀️) **What to expect:** * A relaxed, informal dinner * Great food from Il Mercato Centrale (your order, your tab) * A small goodie to take home * Good conversation with women who get it * A cap of 10 guests to keep it intimate We won't have a set book, so there's no pressure or homework. Just show up, order something delicious, and talk books with strangers who are about to become your favourite reading friends. Your ticket secures your spot and helps us keep building BWB events in Melbourne. Can't wait to meet you 📚 **About Busy with Books:** *[BWB](https://www.busywithbooks.com/) is a reading community for women across Australia & New Zealand.* *Since 2024, we've hosted sold-out reading retreats in New Zealand (coming to Australia soon!), run an online book club, and been featured in NZ Herald, Stuff, Woman's Day, and more.* *Now we're starting out in Melbourne, and this dinner club is our first step ♥️*

Book 154: The Book Censor's Library by Bothayna Al-Essa

Socialise and discuss a book over coffee

We read A Million Things, a novel by Emily Spurr, about a 10yo girl whose mother disappears so she turns to a hoarder neighbour for help.

September Book club - The Dud Avocado by Elaine Dundy

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/pfsj5v](https://justeasiertogether.com/shorty/pfsj5v) 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/pfsj5v](https://justeasiertogether.com/shorty/pfsj5v) See you there!

September Book Club: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

Doing the work - chapters 6-8

This week we'll explore ideas in chapters 6-8 of 'How to do the work' by Dr Nicole LePera in the facilitated discussion. Come share your thoughts about key ideas that spoke to you!Friendly chat, and newcomers welcome! Feel free to bring a snack for yourself and/or to share. Microwave, fridge and kettle available.