Book Drives Melbourne

August Book Club

Welcome to our August 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 swap brunch meet up

July Book of the month - Piranesi

Book Club: [Piranesi](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48496334-piranesi) by Susanna Clarke If you haven’t read **Piranesi** yet, you’re in for a trip. It’s basically about a guy living in an endless, massive house filled with thousands of statues and halls that literally flood with ocean tides. He’s super chill and loves the place, but as he starts digging into the mysteries of his home, he realizes his life isn’t exactly what he thought it was. It’s a total mind-bender that’s equal parts beautiful, mysterious, and a little bit unsettling. Points of Discussion Sanctuary or Cage? Piranesi loves the house, but we’d probably think it’s a prison. What’s your take? The Other What was your vibe on this guy? Did you trust him from the start? Perspective: Piranesi is so innocent and observant. Did that change how you saw the "normal" world? The Ending: Did it leave you feeling satisfied or did you have a "wait, what?" moment when you finished? I'm super keen to hear what everyone thought. When you first started reading, did you think the house was actually a good place to live, or did you get creeped out immediately?

July Book club - The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope

The Page Turners Reading Hour

Reading Hour 📚 This month, we’re doing things a little differently. Instead of everyone reading the same book, we’re inviting you to bring whatever you’re currently reading, or borrow one from our collection. We’ll spend around 30 minutes reading quietly together, followed by a relaxed, guided discussion about what everyone’s reading. 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, or borrow one of ours. ☕ Snacks and drinks provided. 💬 Low-pressure discussion with guided questions. Sometimes reading is easier when someone else is reading too. We’d love to read with you. 📅 Thursday 13 August • 5:00 pm 📍 Kathleen Syme Library - Room 3

The Twenty-fourth Page

Join us for the Twenty-fourth Page! Theme: **a book you're excited to read** Let's read something we're excited about! Hopefully this one will be an easy pick :) Feel free to bring along any discussion questions you can think of or theme suggestions. Happy reading :) See you there!

Book 152: Sky Full of Elephants by Cebo Campbell

📚 #InPursuit – A Book Club for Builders, Thinkers, and Doers

📚 #InPursuit is a book club for entrepreneurs, creatives, and curious minds who know personal growth fuels business growth. **See a lot of RSPVPs and wonder how it works? We'll break up into groups of 6-8 to share our insights, then swap groups after 30-45min so you can maximise learning from everybody!** *Note: this even is not organised by or affiliated with The State Library of Victoria* **That's what #InPursuit is all about** It’s not a traditional book club, it’s a space for people who are actively designing a better life through the pursuit of business, creativity, and personal growth. This event is for anyone #InPursuit of better business, life and relationships. Instead of reading the same book, we each come prepared to share one powerful insight from something we’ve read in the past 3-months. Anything non-fiction that’s moved us forward. Whether it’s a mindset shift, a productivity system, a new philosophy, or just a truth that punched us in the gut. This is a place to unpack it together and hear what others are learning too. We’re not just here to *read*. We’re here to *integrate*. Because when we grow, our business and our lives grow too. **🔍 Why Join? You'll leave with:** * 5–10 fresh insights from books you may never have picked up * Deeper awareness of how others think, lead, and evolve * New connections with people walking a similar path toward purpose, results, and impact This isn’t a lecture. It’s a room full of people building themselves while they build the thing. **📖 How It Works** First time? No pressure to share, just come curious. We'll break up into groups of 6-8 and share our insights, then swap groups so you can maximise the learning! Returning? Bring one idea you’ve read about in the last 3-months and be ready to speak on: 1. What did you learn? 2. How did it shift your perspective about the world or yourself? 3. How has it changed the way you show up or behave? We keep it structured, but flexible. After sharing, we open up to Q&A, personal stories, challenges, and deep dives. Some of the best insights come from the conversations *after* the share. **🧠 Who This Is For** * Entrepreneurs or side-hustlers finding their footing * Business owners, and doers building toward better * Curious minds who love ideas but care more about action * People tired of shallow conversations and hungry for growth If you’re working on something—or becoming someone—this space is for you. It’s a practice ground for people who want to grow forward. We’re all #InPursuit of mastery, momentum, and the kind of success that starts from within. **Map on how to get there** We're in the Create Quarter on the ground level (back right of the Quad as you enter from Swanson St). We'll likely be on a long table together. https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/SLV-EnglishMap_Jan25.pdf

SILENT BOOK CLUB @ STATE LIBRARY

Welcome! **HOW TO FIND US** We'll be at Guild Cafe inside the State Library. Guild Cafe is opposite Readings bookshop closest to the Russell St entrance. If you enter from the main entrance on Swanston Street, you will need to walk right through the foyer and public reading area, up one flight of steps, enter the Redmond Barry Reading Room and walk through the glass doors out the other end - and you'll find the Guild Cafe (and Readings bookshop). The concierge in the foyer will be able to help you find your way. **ITINERARY** 11am: Meet at Guild Cafe. Choose your seat. Order a drink to support the cafe. (They have a range of sweet and savoury snacks.) Enjoy your book. 12.15pm: Let's chat about what we read, what we loved, and why. 1pm: End of event. [OPTIONAL EXTRA] For those who are not too tired, we can go for lunch together after the event. **COST:** There is an organizer fee of $5 for this event. You can bring cash on the day or PayID me at 0403 413 056 (Serena Low). **GETTING THERE:** The closest train stations are Melbourne Central and State Library.

Books & Bites - a bookish dinner for women in Melbourne

You love books. Your friends…not so much 😬 Or maybe they read, just not the way you do. Either way, you've been looking for your people — and this is where they are. 📚 After the success of our first (sold-out!) event in June, Busy with Books is hosting another Melbourne bookish dinner: good Italian food, good conversation, and a table full of women who actually want to talk about what they've been reading. We're gathering at [Il Mercato Centrale](https://www.mercatocentrale.com.au/) — Melbourne's beautiful Italian food hall in the CBD (close to Southern Cross) — where everyone orders what they fancy from the stalls, and we spend the evening doing what we love most: Talking about books. (And eating. Obviously 💁🏼‍♀️) **What to expect:** * A relaxed, informal dinner * Great food from Il Mercato Centrale (your order, your tab) * A small goodie to take home * Good conversation with women who get it * A cap of 10 guests to keep it intimate We won't have a set book, so there's no pressure or homework. Just show up, order something delicious, and talk books with strangers who are about to become your favourite reading friends. **Your ticket ($10 early bird, $15 regular)** secures your spot and helps us keep building BWB events in Melbourne. Can't wait to meet you 📚 **About Busy with Books:** *[BWB](https://www.busywithbooks.com/) is a reading community for women across Australia & New Zealand.* *Since 2024, we've hosted sold-out reading retreats in New Zealand (coming to Australia soon!), run an online book club, and been featured in NZ Herald, Stuff, Woman's Day, and more.* *Now we're starting out in Melbourne, and this dinner club is our first step ♥️*

The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances by Glenn Dixon

July - Furies: Stories of the Wicked, Wild and Untamed - multiple authors