GTA Book club with a twist

Instead of everyone agreeing to read one book for a meeting, we each read whatever we want, then share it with the rest of the group every alternate meeting. Our discussions are always fresh and interesting! Those who don't have a book to share but want a recommendation for their next read are also welcome to join. Then we vote on the discussed books and the book with highest votes gets discussed further in the subsequent meeting.

Books we talk about cover just about anything. Some example topics include: the history of salt, a man lost at sea, why some technological developments should make us optimistic about the future, creativity at Pixar, neuroplasticity, biotechnology, American sub-cultures, biographies, the economics, geography and biology underpinning the development of the New World, the politics of mental illness, harnessing a positive mental attitude, law, the changing role of the policies in US & Canada, walking the trail, communication in the workplace, and much much much much more.

The aim here is to establish a group of independent readers in the GTA who are curious about everything. Have you read an interesting book lately? Come and tell us about it! This relaxed and friendly book group is for those who enjoy reading books, asking questions, and having thought provoking, fun discussions on a wide variety of topics. Read whatever you want, then come and spend a few minutes discussing it with us. No formal book reports required, promise :). Paper books, e-books and audio books are all considered books for the purposes of this group.

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Books discussed in previous "Bring your own book" events are here:
GTA Book Club BYOB log Google Spreadsheet

During the event, a poll will be opened for everyone to vote on the book we should all read in the subsequent event. At the end of the event, the subsequent event will be updated with the book that had the most votes from this event.

Bring a book to share or observe (find your next read) and bring an open mind! I hope to see you there.

We will meet for a discussion of the book The Big Picture: On the Origins of Life, Meaning, and the Universe Itself by Sean Carroll (one of the most upvoted books in a previous "Bring Your Own Book" event).

To attend this event, you should have read this book and be able to partake in discussions on this book.

From the publisher:
The Big Picture is an ambitious exploration of the fundamental questions that have puzzled humanity throughout history: Where did the universe come from? What is the nature of reality? How do we find meaning in a cosmos that seems indifferent to our existence? Sean Carroll, a theoretical physicist and philosopher, guides readers through the latest scientific understanding of the universe, from quantum mechanics to consciousness, and shows how these discoveries shape our understanding of meaning and purpose.

In The Big Picture, Carroll presents "poetic naturalism" - the idea that while the universe operates according to natural laws, there are many useful ways to talk about and describe reality depending on our purposes. He explores how complex phenomena like life, consciousness, and free will can emerge from simpler physical processes, and argues that accepting a scientific worldview doesn't diminish meaning but rather enhances our appreciation for the beauty and wonder of existence. The book seamlessly weaves together physics, philosophy, and human experience to provide a comprehensive vision of our place in the cosmos.

Bring an open mind and a smile! I hope to see you there.

We will meet for a discussion of the book The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York by Robert A. Caro. This is part 1 of the 2 events to discuss this book

In this event, we will discuss
Volume 1: Parts I-IV (The Rise)

• Part I: The Idealist
• Part II: The Reformer
• Part III: The Rise to Power
• Part IV: The Use of Power

To attend this event, you should have read this book and be able to partake in discussions on this book.

From the publisher:
The Power Broker is a monumental biography that chronicles the life and career of Robert Moses, the man who shaped modern New York more than any elected official. Robert A. Caro's Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece reveals how Moses amassed unprecedented power over decades, becoming the most influential unelected official in American history. Through his control of public authorities, Moses built bridges, highways, beaches, parks, and housing projects that transformed not just New York but the entire American landscape.

In The Power Broker, Caro exposes the methods Moses used to accumulate and wield power, often bypassing democratic processes and displacing entire communities in pursuit of his grand vision. The book demonstrates how Moses's projects, while impressive in scope, often came at enormous human and social costs. Caro's exhaustive research and compelling narrative reveal the complex relationship between power, progress, and democracy, showing how one man's ambitions can reshape a city and its people for generations.

Bring an open mind and a smile! I hope to see you there.

We will meet for a discussion of the book The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York by Robert A. Caro. This is part 2 of the 2 events to discuss this book

In this event, we will discuss
Volume 2: Parts V-VII (The Fall and Legacy)

• Part V: The Love of Power
• Part VI: The Lust for Power
• Part VII: The Loss of Power

To attend this event, you should have read this book and be able to partake in discussions on this book.

From the publisher:
The Power Broker is a monumental biography that chronicles the life and career of Robert Moses, the man who shaped modern New York more than any elected official. Robert A. Caro's Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece reveals how Moses amassed unprecedented power over decades, becoming the most influential unelected official in American history. Through his control of public authorities, Moses built bridges, highways, beaches, parks, and housing projects that transformed not just New York but the entire American landscape.

In The Power Broker, Caro exposes the methods Moses used to accumulate and wield power, often bypassing democratic processes and displacing entire communities in pursuit of his grand vision. The book demonstrates how Moses's projects, while impressive in scope, often came at enormous human and social costs. Caro's exhaustive research and compelling narrative reveal the complex relationship between power, progress, and democracy, showing how one man's ambitions can reshape a city and its people for generations.

Bring an open mind and a smile! I hope to see you there.