About us
Books & Us is a vibrant book club based in Melbourne for those who love to dive deep into thought-provoking literature and engage in stimulating discussions. We are a diverse group of passionate readers who come together to share our insights and opinions on a wide range of books. Whether you're a long-time bookworm or just starting to explore the world of literature, Books & Us welcomes you to join our friendly and welcoming community. Let's explore new perspectives, delve into intriguing plots, and connect over our shared love for all things literary. Come and join us for lively debates and enriching conversations!
Book Club Policies & Procedures
Purpose:
To provide a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable environment for all members, ensuring equitable access, respectful interaction, and clear guidelines for participation.
1. Access & Participation
The book club is open to all members, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or background.
Meetings will be accessible wherever possible (e.g., wheelchair access, virtual options, large-print materials if requested).
Members are encouraged to notify the organiser in advance if they require accommodations.
2. Equality & Inclusion
Every member has an equal right to contribute to discussions.
No member should be excluded or treated unfairly based on identity, opinion, or experience.
Diverse perspectives are valued and welcomed; constructive discussion is encouraged.
Guidelines for respectful discussion:
Listen without interrupting.
Avoid personal attacks or belittling comments.
Focus on ideas, not individuals.
Agree to disagree respectfully.
3. Harassment & Safety
Harassment of any kind is not tolerated, including:
Verbal abuse, threats, or intimidation
Offensive jokes or comments
Unwanted physical contact
Repeated unwelcome communication outside meetings
3A. Privacy & Personal Boundaries
Members must respect each other’s personal boundaries at all times.
Excessive or unwelcome private messages (DMs, emails, texts, social media) to any member are considered harassment.
No member should attempt to isolate, pressure, or repeatedly contact another member outside official group communications.
Procedure for reporting harassment or boundary violations:
Notify the organiser or a designated officer immediately.
The club leadership will investigate confidentially.
Possible consequences may include: warning, restricted access, temporary suspension, or removal from the club.
Safety Note:
Members may request restricted contact, and the organiser will enforce protections to maintain comfort and safety in the group.
4. Meeting Conduct
Arrive on time and prepared, respecting others’ time.
Avoid dominating conversations; allow everyone a chance to speak.
Keep phones silent and minimize distractions.
Respect the meeting space and materials.
5. Digital & Online Spaces
Online discussions (email, social media groups, chat platforms) follow the same rules of conduct.
Do not post harassing, discriminatory, or offensive content.
Members should report any inappropriate behaviour to the organiser.
6. Consequences for Policy Breach
Minor breaches: private discussion and reminder of guidelines.
Repeated or severe breaches: formal warning and potential suspension.
Serious breaches (harassment, threats, unwanted messaging): immediate removal from the club and, if necessary, notification to relevant authorities.
7. Review & Updates
Policies will be reviewed annually or as needed to reflect best practices.
Members will be notified of any changes in advance.
Member Agreement
By joining/being part of the book club, I agree to the following:
1. Access & Inclusion
I understand the club is open to everyone, regardless of background.
I will respect all members’ contributions and perspectives.
2. Respectful Participation
I will listen, share, and engage respectfully during discussions.
I will focus on ideas, not individuals, and allow others to speak.
I will avoid language or behaviour that could be considered offensive, discriminatory, or harassing.
3. Harassment & Privacy
I will not harass, intimidate, or threaten any member, in-person or online.
I will respect all members’ personal boundaries and will not send repeated or unwelcome private messages.
I understand that fixating on another member or attempting to pressure them outside group meetings is not tolerated.
I understand that violating this clause may result in warning, suspension, or removal from the club.
4. Meeting Conduct
I will arrive on time and participate thoughtfully.
I will respect the meeting space and materials.
I will follow the same rules online as in meetings.
5. Acknowledgement
All current and new members agree to follow these guidelines and contribute to a safe and welcoming environment for all members.
Upcoming events
1
August Book of the month - Pachinko
Corner Hotel, 57 Swan St, Richmond VIC 3121, Melbourne, AUBook Club: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
Spanning four generations and nearly a century of history, Pachinko is an epic family saga that explores identity, resilience, and the enduring search for belonging. Beginning in a small Korean fishing village in the early 1900s, Min Jin Lee follows the life of Sunja, whose unexpected choices set her family on a journey that stretches across decades and into Japan, where they face discrimination, hardship, and impossible sacrifices simply for being Korean.
As the family navigates war, occupation, poverty, and social prejudice, each generation wrestles with questions of duty, ambition, love, and what it means to build a life in a place that refuses to fully accept them. Through intimate character portraits and sweeping historical events, Lee reveals how personal decisions echo through generations, shaping lives in ways both profound and unexpected.
Written with warmth, compassion, and extraordinary emotional depth, Pachinko is a powerful meditation on family, survival, and the invisible forces—history, culture, and circumstance—that influence our destinies. It reminds us that while we cannot always choose the world we are born into, we can choose how we endure, love, and leave our mark upon it.
Discussion Points:
- How does Pachinko explore the relationship between personal choice and historical circumstance?
- In what ways do the different generations of the family define success, identity, and belonging?
- How does discrimination shape the characters’ opportunities, relationships, and sense of self throughout the novel?
- What role do family loyalty, sacrifice, and resilience play in helping the characters navigate adversity?
- The title refers to a popular Japanese pinball-like game often associated with chance. How does the metaphor of pachinko reflect the novel’s themes of luck, perseverance, and the unpredictable paths of life?
If your group enjoys discussing historical and cultural context, Pachinko also offers rich opportunities to explore the experiences of Koreans living in Japan, intergenerational trauma, and how historical events continue to shape individual lives today.
6 attendees
Past events
26
