Book Swaps Sydney

Bring your own book club

Bring yourself and your book. 1. Shoes off, kettle on. 2. Read quietly for an hour with soft lo fi music at low volume 3. Have a biscuit 4. Chat for 15 minutes at the end See you every month. *Note: this is my home, so please be respectful in the space.*

July Books and Bevvies

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. I’ll have a jar near the sign-in list on the day. Please feel free to contribute 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.

July Bookclub ✨

Hi everyone! It’s been a little while, but Sarah and I are super excited to restart bookclub :) Please join us at Blu Eatery in Hornsby at 10:30am on Sunday, 26 July for a cosy catch‑up over brunch. We can’t wait to hear what you’ve been reading and have a good chat There is free 3‑hour parking available in the Westfield car park, which is just a short walk from Blu Eatery. If you’re unable to attend, please update your RSVP. See you soon! Yalda and Sarah xx

Western Classics Book Club Social

A social for those who come along to meetings of the Western Classics Book Club. 7.00pm to late in the Two Table Rooms, and just outside, and in the stairwell, etc. See you there! Dale

'Closely Watched Trains' by Bohumil Hrabal

Please join us for an afternoon of wild discussion about a dark but short modern Czech classic!

National Populism: The Revolt Against Liberal Democray by Goodwin and Eatwell

Meeting at the usual place, the Shakespeare Hotel, 200 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills, at 7.00pm, we will be discussing National Populism: The Revolt Against Liberal Democracy (2018) by Roger Eatwell and Matthew Goodwin. The authors argue that national populism has become more popular because of four things (1) the weakening of a national culture by multiculturalism and large-scale immigration (2) fewer opportunities because of slow economic growth and globalisation (3) a growing distrust by the bulk of the population towards liberal, cosmopolitan and urban-inhabiting media and political elites (4) and greater voter volatility. The discussion has greater importance now compared to when the book was first published, given the rising popularity of Pauline Hanson's One Nation in Australia, the AdF in Germany, Le Pen's RN in France, Trump in the USA and Nigel Farage in the UK. The format of the meeting is that we talk about the book in a fairly focused way for 50 mins, and then the meeting ends. Almost everyone stays back to talk more about the book or other things bookish in smaller groups. Dissenting opinions are welcome and everyone gets to have a say. The facilitator will play Devil's Advocate when there is consensus. We will be in a semi-private room upstairs, conducive to discussion. Look for the sign or ask at the bar.

The Language of Food - Annabel Abbs

The Immigration Debate: Myths, Facts and Ethics

Immigration is one of the most emotionally charged issues in global politics today. No other issue generates as much heat, fear, or political division. But how much of what we hear about immigration is true? What are its actual effects on jobs, housing, public services, innovation and social cohesion? Has global migration actually been increasing — and do border restrictions even work? And even if we could agree on the facts, what ethical principles should guide our thinking? Do people have a right to seek a better life across borders? What do wealthy nations owe to those displaced by poverty, conflict, or climate change? How should we balance compassion, fairness, freedom and national self-determination? Join us for a thoughtful discussion as we explore one of the most important and controversial global questions of our time. **Book: *How Migration Really Works – A Factful Guide to the Most Divisive Issue in Politics* (2023) by Hein de Haas** **Companion reading:** ***[The Ethics of Migration - An Introductory Guide](https://1drv.ms/b/c/adb4f7488b2eef0a/IQDzLZM1XoUtRodgUee8p_e0AfVZZ7jILU7oNv8RFPURgV0?e=yyoHlD)*** (prepared for this meetup) For this month’s meetup we have two principal readings that approach migration from complementary angles: one examines the myths and realities of migration across the world, while the other explores its ethical dimensions. In *How Migration Really Works*, Dutch migration scholar Hein de Haas argues that much of the public debate is driven by myths and misunderstandings. Although Australia receives its share of attention, this is not a book specifically about the Australian migration debate; it is a wide-ranging account grounded in decades of international research. De Haas explores questions such as whether migration is increasing, whether immigration lowers wages, whether immigration fixes the problem of an ageing population, and whether governments can effectively control migration flows. The result is a nuanced and evidence-based account of migration. The accompanying guide to the ethics of immigration examines the deeper questions that facts alone cannot answer. Even if we agree on the evidence, what should immigration policy aim to achieve? The guide introduces the major ethical perspectives and arguments from across the political spectrum, providing a framework for thoughtful and informed discussion. As always, we strongly encourage you to do the reading before you attend. This will enrich both your experience and our collective discussion. We’ve also included some further resources below that you may find useful. So join us for a drink (and optional meal) at 6:30pm on Monday, 3rd August, on the 2nd floor of the Keg & Brew Hotel in Surrey Hills (i.e. up two flights of stairs). The venue is conveniently located near Central Station and the Light Rail. We look forward to seeing you there! P.S. Please adjust your RSVP if you have indicated that you will come but are no longer able to do so. This is courteous to others if there is a waitlist. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- These are just optional links to consider to supplement the reading of the book and document. Feel free to pass on other useful links in the discussion section. **Videos** * Two presentations by Hein de Haas on his book: [How Migration Really Works (1hr)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuwiwD67AjM) [How Migration Really Works (45mins)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89jS8FRkRCI) * A collection of short videos by de Haas: [Migration 101](https://heindehaas.org/migration-101/) * Harvard’s Michael Sandel convenes a debate on the ethics of national borders with the help of the BBC and a group of participants from over 30 countries: [The Global Philosopher - Should Borders Matter?](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03njc35) * Debating Open Borders: Carl vs Caplan (2023) Noah Carl and Bryan Caplan debate the merits of open borders: [Spotify - Open Borders Debate](https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Q8DMpZU4pUdRkA2Zv1hMo) [Apple - Open Borders Debate](https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/debating-open-borders-carl-vs-caplan/id1569224821?i=1000636401848) **Written** * Hein de Haas's substack articles: [Hans de Haas’s substack](https://heindehaas.substack.com/) * Immigration Ethics - An Overview (in 999 words!): [Immigration Ethics Summary](https://1000wordphilosophy.com/2026/04/01/immigration-ethics/) * Encyclopedia Entries: [Stanford - Arguments for Open and Closed Borders](https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/immigration/) [Wikipedia – Opposition to Migration Arguments](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opposition_to_immigration) * Reviews of How Migration Really Works: [How Migration Really Works - Review](https://www.e-ir.info/2024/09/15/review-how-migration-really-works/)

Girl Like You (2021)

July's documentary film is Girl Like You In this intimate documentary, filmed over six years, we watch a couple desperate to stay together, as they navigate the effects of new body parts, changing gender roles as well as battling their own evolving sexual identities. GIRL LIKE YOU uses the dramatic reality of changing genders while in a relationship to explore the larger thematic questions of the fluidity of gender and sexual identity, and the self sacrifice required to nurture a lover through life. [M] CC 57m 2021 *You need to be a library member to attend this event but if you aren't, 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)*

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke | Sun 2 Aug 2026

Inner West Writers Group - Write Club

Sat 18 July is an in-person event at the Library, starting at 10am. 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 messages! 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 in wider 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.

FIRST SUNDAY BOOKCLUB Author- Julia Armfield