What we’re about
Are you interested in reading and discussing fiction / non fiction books centred around thought provoking ideas, with discussion broadening into other topics? You do not have to have read the book, but please attend prepared to discuss the topic. Sometimes we provide links to lectures or articles about the book / topic as well. Our topics tend towards scientific and social issues and thinking about future and alternative possibilities. We have looked at a number of science fiction books, including The Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu and Touch by Claire North. All adults are welcome to join us.
After a long Covid, health and other commitments related break since February 2022, we are ready to try bookclub again. I have a pretty long backlog of suitable books I hope are still available! We are trialling a different venue, catering hopefully for most people. It has an outside covered veranda and a pretty extensive food and beverage menu for those of you with funds - see https://www.lakeclaremontgolf.com/la-cafe It is a 10 minute walk from the Claremont train station. As the veranda is open to the air, please dress appropriately for the weather.
This group is currently capped at 12, so please consider others and only RSVP yes if you are going to attend. No shows who don't change their RSVP if they can't make it, or contact me, may find themselves put on the "not going" list for future events.
We started the bookclub in August 2013. It ran pretty regularly up to March 2020 (and we all know what happened then), for most of that time at the Dome in Subiaco until it closed. A sample of our previous topics and books is listed below.
In what ways might human perception change and expand? Arrival / Stories of Your Life - Ted Chiang
What if the power to hurt were in women’s hands? The Power - Naomi Alderman
How can books, reading and writing help us in hard times? The Book Thief - Marcus Zusak
How might growing narcissism affect society? The Life of I – The New Culture of Narcissism – Anne Manne
What should the relationship be between people and technology? Digital vs human : how we'll live, love, and think in the future / Richard Watson.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Discuss: How and in what ways might living in another place change us?Teebox Cafe, Claremont
How and in what ways might living in another place change us? Why might we prefer another place to where we came from?
The recommended book is Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
available in the library as book or e-book
https://encore.slwa.wa.gov.au/iii/encore/search/C__SPiranesi__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&ivts=SNLBxDmIdLNojDpkHk0vAg%3D%3D&casts=MYHWouvMv4gir%2F%2B9I93l5g%3D%3Davailable as book from Dymocks (copies available in store Subiaco and Hay St Perth 19/03/2024)
https://www.dymocks.com.au/books/?term=Piranesiavailable from Booktopia as book or e-book
https://www.booktopia.com.au/search.ep?pn=1&productType=917504&keywords=piranesi&suggested=L
https://www.booktopia.com.au/search.ep?pn=1&productType=917504&keywords=piranesi+susanna+clarke&suggested=D&list=8Wikipedia entry
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piranesi_(novel)reviews
https://www.theringer.com/2020/10/8/21507006/piranesi-susanna-clarke-prisoner-of-our-imagination
https://www.vox.com/culture/2020/9/16/21438476/piranesi-review-susanna-clarkeinterviews with author
(at 27.56 minutes in)
https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/the-book-show/hannah-kent-and-susanna-clarke/13616618
https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/the-bookshelf/podcast-extra:-susanna-clarke/12910164
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQHhFyQbLoE - Discuss: how can fungi make our worlds and shape our futures?Teebox Cafe, Claremont
How can fungi make our worlds and shape our futures? How can it change our perceptions about individuality and intelligence?
The recommended book is Entangled life : how fungi make our worlds, change our minds and shape our futures / Merlin Sheldrake.
Available in the library as book/e-book/summary
https://encore.slwa.wa.gov.au/iii/encore/search/C__SEntangled%20life__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&ivts=UXMnnSgFnAhr2AR7Ux2UmA%3D%3D&casts=YgsvCpyHTMbF59IzTYXWJQ%3D%3Davailable as book from Dymocks
https://www.dymocks.com.au/book/entangled-life-by-merlin-sheldrake-9781784708276available as book from Boffins
https://www.boffinsbooks.com.au/books/9781784708276/entangled-lifeavailable as book, e-book and audiobook from Booktopia
https://www.booktopia.com.au/entangled-life-merlin-sheldrake/ebook/9781473554689.html?irclickid=SeBQmMS8ExyPRtx14ZXM9W76UkHWss00XQPcx00&utm_campaign=PRH2018%21&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=Impact&bk_source=1298845&bk_source_id=1298845&irgwc=1articles and video interviews from the author’s website
https://www.merlinsheldrake.com/articles
https://www.merlinsheldrake.com/videosthere is even a movie!
https://www.merlinsheldrake.com/imax-movieWikipedia entry
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entangled_Life