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

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 7 Sept. 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, 7 Sept How often - Monthly Who - Anyone who wants to stop scrolling and start reading Format - Find out Monday

The Twenty-fifth Page

Join us for the Twenty-fifth Page! Theme: **a book with a child main character** Feel fee to interpret this however you like. I'm sure we'll have some interesting choices this month! Feel free to bring along any discussion questions you can think of or theme suggestions. Happy reading :) See you there!

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.

Socialise and discuss a book over coffee.

This is September event not August. We read Michelle Wright’s novel Good Boy, about a convicted murderer who is soon to finish a 20 year sentence, who trains an unruly dog so it won’t be put down.

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.

Book 153: Ghost Station by S. A. Barnes