Book Swaps Sydney

Sydney's Book Lovers Gather

430kMonthly events

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Social and Book Swap: Gay Men of Letters Sydney

Thu, Nov 19, 8:00 AM

From Gay Men of Letters Sydney

4.9

A book swap and social for the book group. Bring along your witty conversation and sparkling repartee and an optional book or two to swap.

2 attendees

Books and Bevvies

Sat, Oct 24, 1:00 AM

From Books & Bevvies — Book Swap Social Sydney

4.8

Welcome to **Books & Bevvies** — a casual book swap and drinks social in the Sydney CBD. This is not a book club with homework. It’s a simple, low-key way to meet people, chat about what you’ve been reading, and walk out with something new. **HOW IT WORKS** Bring a book you’re happy to part with. Pop it on the swap table when you arrive. Mingle, chat, and swap recommendations. When the swap opens, take a book that catches your eye. Stay for a drink and a conversation after. **WHAT TO BRING** One book, any genre and any reading level. **GOOD TO KNOW** The venue relies on accurate numbers for staffing, so if you can’t make it, please change your RSVP to “not going”. Repeated no-shows may result in removal from the group. The venue is kindly not enforcing a minimum spend, but please support them by buying a drink, soft drink, or some lunch during the swap if you can. There is no mandatory entry fee, but voluntary contributions are **very much** appreciated. The group costs around **$65 a month to keep running**, so if you enjoy the swap and are in a position to chip in, even $5 or $10 makes a real difference. Please feel free to contribute with cash or via PayID at any stage through the swap. **WHERE WE’LL BE** We’ll be in the Market Street Garden Bar, with a table full of books and bevvies.

61 attendees

Social meet-up: Western Classics Book Club

Thu, Oct 22, 8:00 AM

From Western Classics Book Club Sydney

4.9

A social meet-up for those who come along to the Western Classics Book Club. There is no set book to discuss. Just come along and chill. Meeting at 7.00pm. NB. We normally meet in the Long Room (the large room). Our socials normally get about 10 people, so we will meet in the 'Two Tables Room.' This is on the same level, but at the top of the stairs turn right, instead of left. Look out for the sign. Contact dalemills@cantab.net for any extra info.

12 attendees

Secret History of the Mongols (1252) trans. Christopher P. Atwood

Mon, Oct 19, 8:00 AM

From Really Old Books

5.0

The fourth in our **Journey to the East** reading series exploring texts from the Middle East, India, China and Japan. *Join the Really Old Books Whatsapp to see the full schedule - the Meetup site only allows me to advertise one event at a time. Message me to get the WhatsApp link as we've been getting too much spam recently.* \-\-\- *The origin of Chinggis Khan: there was Grey Wolf born with a destiny from Heaven above. His wife was Fallow Doe. They came crossing the sea.* The oldest surviving text in a Mongolic language, this book recounts the life of the man we'd know as Genghis Khan, a culture hero of Mongolia with the slightly dubious reputation for being responsible for killing 11% of the world's population in his lifetime, and for having created one of the largest empires in history. I'm really excited about this book - though the text itself is about 150 pages, Atwood's translation includes a hundred-page introduction and is loaded with footnotes and appendices. This is one for the history freaks! Scholarship aside, this book promises to be a lively and entertaining account of the world of horses, archery, horse archery, yurts and the endless steppe. Please request to join the WhatsApp ground for a digital copy - the translation is a Penguin Classic. As always, suggestions for future books go there too.

6 attendees

Book discussion: 1984 by George Orwell

Wed, Oct 21, 8:00 AM

From The Slowest Pub Crawl: Philosophical Fiction Book Club

5.0

In October we'll be reading George Orwell's 1984, one of the defining novels of the twentieth century and a work that has shaped the way we think about power, surveillance and freedom. The novel follows Winston Smith, a low-ranking bureaucrat living in a society where the government watches its citizens constantly, rewrites history and demands absolute loyalty. As Winston begins to question the world around him, he finds himself drawn into a dangerous search for truth, love and personal freedom. Often described as both a gripping dystopian novel and a timeless political classic, 1984 continues to provoke debate about authority, language, truth and the individual's place within society. Whether you're reading it for the first time or returning to it after many years, it promises to make for a lively discussion.

12 attendees

Queer Reads

Wed, Oct 21, 7:30 AM

From Queer Reads and Queer Cinema

4.7

Reading list for 2026: * Feb: Queer Heroes of Myth and Legend by Dan Jones * Mar: Everyone In This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily Austin * Apr: Invisible Boys by Holden Sheppard * May: In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado * Jun: Just by Looking at Him by Ryan O'Connell * Jul: Pageboy by Elliot Page * Aug: Milk Fed by Melissa Broder * Sep: Jack Charles: Born-again Blakfella by Jack Charles * Oct: We Are Never Meeting In Real Life by Samantha Irby * Nov: Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar * Dec: Carol by Patricia Highsmith

3 attendees

The Curious Mum: Baby-Friendly Books & Ideas Circle (Book via Humanitix)

Thu, Oct 29, 11:00 PM

From The Curious Mum

Have you ever wished there was a space where you could reconnect with the part of yourself that existed before motherhood? I created The Curious Mum after searching for a community where I could discuss books, explore new ideas and connect with like-minded mums—all while bringing my baby along. When I couldn’t find it, I decided to create it. This is a relaxed, baby-friendly gathering for mums with babies and young toddlers (approximately 0–3 years) who enjoy meaningful conversation and lifelong learning. 📖 Our October book: The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter. No pressure to finish the book—come along even if you’ve only read a chapter or listened to part of the audiobook. Expect thoughtful conversation, curious minds, and a welcoming space where babies are part of the experience. 🎟️ Places are limited, so registration is essential. Please register via Humanitix using the link in this event. https://events.humanitix.com/the-curious-mum-a-baby-friendly-books-and-ideas-circle-6rt7psrk

1 attendee

Queer Cinema: Vale Tim Curry

Fri, Oct 16, 7:15 AM

From Queer Reads and Queer Cinema

4.7

October's film cannot be named due to copyright restrictions however here is a description of the film to give you a clue. I would like, if I may, to take you on a strange journey. Brad and Janet have just got engaged and are on their way to share the good news with their old teacher Dr. Scott, when they break down near an old house. Owned by a sweet transvestite from transsexual Transylvania, Dr Frank-N-Furter, who has been making a man with blond hair and a tan. Get ready to do the time warp again and celebrate the incredible life of Tim Curry in arguably his most iconic role. There will be call and response with props so expect noise and mess! Don't dream it, be it Run time: 1h 40m M CC *You need to be a library member to attend this event, if you haven't joined yet, we value your membership and would love you to join. Discover everything the library has to offer including free e-books, audiobooks, e-magazines, movie streaming and so much more. Access our e-library 24/7. Join our library [here](https://library.waverley.nsw.gov.au/libero/WebOpac.cls?VERSION=2&ACTION=SIGNUPAGREE&RSN=&DATA=DWL&TOKEN=75KA1hXWhx6590&Z=1&NewBreadCrumb=1)*

6 attendees

The Builder's Stone by Melanie Phillips

Thu, Oct 29, 8:00 AM

From The Politically Incorrect Book Club Sydney

4.7

**Meeting at the usual place, The Shakespeare Hotel, 200 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills, we will be discussing *The Builder's Stone* by Melanie Phillips.** *The Builder's Stone* argues that Western Civilisation is built on an uneasy alliance between Athens and Jerusalem - a fusion of Greek reason and Biblical morality. Phillips contends that the modern West is abandoning the moral and spiritual foundations that once gave it coherence and concludes with a 10-point 'rescue plan' for the West. The format of the meeting is that we talk about the book in a focused way for about 45 mins and then the meeting formally ends. The purpose of the discussion is to explore ideas and minority opinions are given a lot of space. After the meeting, almost all of us stay behind and speak informally about the book or anything else. The book is available from the usual places and the local library system. Otherwise, contact me if you are having issues getting a copy at dalemills@cantab.net

10 attendees

Social meeting of The Politically Incorrect Book Club

Thu, Oct 15, 8:00 AM

From The Politically Incorrect Book Club Sydney

4.7

This is a social for members of The Politically Incorrect Book Club. There is no set book to discuss. Just turn up ready to chat! 7:00pm till whenever.

9 attendees

Short Story Club: 'Bright Hearts' by Kaaron Warren

Sat, Oct 31, 1:00 AM

From Sydney Speculative Scribes

4.8

Short Story Club is a reading club for time-poor people who love speculative fiction. Just like other clubs we read the story and discuss it... though expect to go deeper into craft as writers. This session we're reading Ditmar finalist '[Bright Hearts](https://reactormag.com/bright-hearts-kaaron-warren/)' by Kaaron Warren. Kaaron Warren published her first short story in 1993 and has had fiction in print every year since. She has published six multi-award winning novels (*Slights*, *Walking the Tree*, *Mistification*, *The Grief Hole*, *Tide of Stone*, and *The Underhistory*) and eight short story collections, the most recent being *Calvaria Fell*, with Cat Sparks. No need to bring anything but your thoughts, having read the story.

6 attendees

Inner West Writers Group - Write Club

Fri, Oct 16, 11:00 PM

From Inner West Writers Group - Write Club

4.8

Saturday 17 October is an in-person event at Marrickville Library. RSVP to secure a place! This group started in January 2020 in a beautiful private room granted by Marrickville Library. We have continued to meet in person fortnightly at the Library, with alternate weeks via Zoom. To keep up to date - sign up and receive our notifications. The group is flourishing! You will need to RSVP each week for the following Saturday so we can organise the right number of Zoom rooms and Library space to ensure good quality feedback. RSVP's will receive the link. The intention is to give a supportive environment to get traction on your writing project, gain useful feedback, and exchange writing and publishing information with each other. Please note that if you are attending for the first time - you are welcome to observe and listen to how we work. Your turn to read and be critiqued will be invited in the second session. So come along, bring up to 1500 words of your latest writing - fiction writers of all types, memoirists, biographers, graphic novelists, bloggists, poets - all writers welcome. You will have up to eight minutes to read out your work, an equal time of constructive critique and feedback from the rest of the group. If you want a tribe of fellow writers to be with you as you finish your writing project, build your author profile, want to get inspired by other writers, or want to just listen and give constructive feedback (we all need beta readers), you are very welcome. This is a free event, but membership is essential to attend. Many thanks to Marrickville Library! For more information, contact Maria, mariaissaris@icloud.com, or Jamie Ramjan (jamie.ramjan@gmail.com) or Sunnie Mosphilis via DM.

15 attendees

Social and Book Swap: Gay Men of Letters Sydney

Thu, Nov 19, 8:00 AM

From Gay Men of Letters Sydney

4.9

A book swap and social for the book group. Bring along your witty conversation and sparkling repartee and an optional book or two to swap.

2 attendees

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Frequently asked questions

Meetup is utilized for discovering and joining local groups and events based on shared interests. It enables users to participate in activities that match their hobbies, facilitating community connections.

Yes, you can find book swap events in Sydney using Meetup. Simply search for local groups focusing on book exchanges and join in to swap books with fellow enthusiasts.

Book swaps are events where participants exchange their books with others, allowing them to discover new reads and share recommendations. It's a social event for book lovers.

To join a book swap group, search for relevant groups on Meetup, and RSVP to their events. By participating, you get to meet other book enthusiasts and swap books.

While joining Meetup is free, individual group events might have fees depending on the organizer. Check event descriptions for any potential costs before attending.

The frequency of book swaps in Sydney varies based on the organizers. Some groups may meet monthly, while others could have events more sporadically.

Yes, many book exchanges are open to anyone interested, even if you're not swapping books. It's a great way to meet new people and explore literary interests.

Book swaps generally cater to adult audiences, but some events may be family-friendly. Always check with the event organizer for age suitability.

Bring a few books you're willing to part with, and a willingness to engage with the community. It's also good practice to bring a bag to carry any new finds.

Meetup is not a dating platform. It focuses on group activities and events, allowing individuals to connect over shared interests rather than dating one-on-one.

While many people do discover new books, availability and variety depend on the attendees and what they bring to swap.

No, events are organized by individual groups and hosts, not directly by Meetup. Meetup provides the platform to facilitate these events.

You're not obligated to attend every event. RSVP to those you can attend. This flexibility allows you to participate based on your schedule.

Some groups might host online book discussions or digital swaps, depending on the organizer. Explore each group's offerings on Meetup.

If there's no existing group, consider starting your own. Meetup offers tools to create and manage your own group, attracting other local book lovers.

Book Swaps Sydney