ABOUT KING ST BOOK CLUB
KING ST X AVID READER
Welcome to the King St Book Club, a literary community unlike any other! Established in 2017, the King St Book Club has quickly become a beloved destination for book lovers and avid readers in the community.
Our unique and exciting experience combines engaging literary discussions with delightful culinary adventures. Members can enjoy delicious food and a glass of wine at various venues along King St while discussing contemporary fiction from Australia and around the world.
Jennifer Stephens, the Book Clubs Manager at Avid Reader, expertly curates the club's reading list and is committed to fostering meaningful book discussions. With 9 years at Avid Reader and previous experience managing an international bookstore in Prague, Jennifer is a passionate advocate for independent bookshops and has a deep appreciation for literature's ability to bring people together. Under her guidance, the King St Book Club has become a thriving community of book lovers where members share their thoughts in a warm and inclusive environment.
Whether you're an avid reader or simply looking for a fun and intellectually stimulating social activity, the King St Book Club is the perfect choice. Embrace the chance to expand your literary horizons, enjoy good food and wine, and connect with like-minded individuals.
So why not join us for an exciting literary adventure? Whether you're a long-time member or new to the club, we invite you to experience the enriching and welcoming environment of the King St Book Club.
UPCOMING SESSIONS
The Minstry of Time by Kaliane Bradley - 12 November
Come along to the King St Book Club and join us for an evening of lively and in-depth discussion of The Minstry of Time by Kaliane Bradley.
Included on Barack Obama's 2024 Summer Reading list, The Ministry of Time is a romance, comedy, sci-fi thriller and historical novel all rolled into one.
Date and Time: Starts on Tue, 12 Nov 2024 6:00 PM AEST
Location: 3 Bros Korean Bistro & Kimbab - 45 King Street #Shop 2 Bowen Hills, QLD 4006
Dusk by Robbie Arnott - 10 December
Come along to the King St Book Club and join us for an evening of lively and in-depth discussion of Dusk by Robbie Arnott.
Robbie Arnott, author of Limberlost, The Rain Heron and Flames is a two-time winner of The Age Book of the Year, he has been awarded the Voss Literary Prize and named a Sydney Morning Herald Best Young Novelist.
Date and Time: Starts on Tue, 10 Dec 2024 6:00 PM AEST
Location: Bar Gusto - 601 Gregory Terrace Bowen Hills, QLD 4006
THE BOOKS WE'VE READ...
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2024
February: North Woods by Daniel Mason
March: Question 7 by Richard Flanagan
April: Edenglassie by Melissa Lucashenko
May: The Wren by Anne Enright
June: The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
July: The Postcard by Anne Berest
August: James by Percival Everett
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2023
February: The Sun Walks Down by Fiona McFarlane
March: Stoner by John Williams
April: Hungry Ghosts by Kevin Jared Hosein
May: Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton.
June: Dust Child - Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai,
July: Aphrodite’s Breath: A Mother and Daughter’s Greek Island Adventure - Susan Johnson - AUTHOR EVENT @Rydges
August: The House of Doors - Tan Twan Eng.
September: The Memory of Animals - Claire Fuller
October: Black Butterflies - Priscilla Morris
Spring Book Chat Event (October): Sunbirds - Mirandi Riwoe
December: Immaculate by Anna McGahan
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2022
February: The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki
March: The Promise by Damon Galgut
April: Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy
May: The Sorrow Stone by Kari Gislason - AUTHOR EVENT @artisan
June: The Mandarins by Simone de Beauvoir
July: Bone Memories by Sally Piper - AUTHOR EVENT @Rydges
August: Love Marriage by Monica Ali
September: Faithless by Alice Nelson
October: This Devastating Fever by Sophie Cunningham
November: Best of Friends by Kamila Shamsie
December: Before You Knew My Name by Jacqueline Bublitz
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2021
February: No meeting at King St due to Covid restrictions
March: No meeting at King St due to Covid restrictions
April: Against the Loveless World by Susan Abulhawa
May: From Where I Fell by Susan Johnson AUTHOR EVENT @artisan
June: Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller
July: Fragile Monsters by Catherine Menon
August: The Three Burials of Lotty Kneen (A Memoir) by Krissy Kneen AUTHOR EVENT @artisan
September: China Room by Sunjeev Sahota
October: When Things Are Alive They Hum by Hannah Bent
November: Intimacies by Katie Kitamura
December: Scary Monsters by Michelle de Kretser
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2020
January: Small Days and Nights by Tishani Doshi
February: The Weekend by Charlotte Wood
March: Bruny by Heather Rose Online
April: The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel Online
May: No meeting at King St due to Covid restrictions
June: No meeting at King St due to Covid restrictions
July: No meeting at King St due to Covid restrictions
August: No meeting at King St due to Covid restrictions
September: No meeting at King St due to Covid restrictions
October: No meeting at St due to Covid restrictions
November: No meeting at King St due to Covid restrictions
December: No meeting at King St due to Covid restrictions
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2019
February: Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver
March: The Children's House, by Alice Nelson
April: Preservation by Jock Serong
May: Improvement by Joan Silber
June: Daughter of Bad Times by Rohan Wilson AUTHOR EVENT @Rydges
July: My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
August: The Electric Hotel by Dominic Smith
September: The War Artist by Simon Cleary
October: The Yield by Tara June Winch
November: Shell by Kristina Olsson Author Event @Rydges
December: Maybe the Horse Will Talk by Elliot Perlman
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2018
February: Force of Nature by Jane Harper
March: The Secrets at Ocean's Edge by Kali Napier AUTHOR EVENT @Rydges
April: Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie
May: Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
June: The Shepherd's Hut by Tim Winto
July: The Only Story by Julian Barnes
August: The Way Things Should Be by Bridie Jabour
September: Prague Spring by Simon Mawer
October: Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton
November: Normal People by Sally Rooney
December: The Geography of Friendship by Sally Piper AUTHOR EVENT @Atelier
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2017
May: The Memory Stones by Caroline Brothers
June: Between a Wolf and a Dog by Georgia Blain
July: Swimming Lessons by Claire Fuller
August: To Become a Whale by Ben Hobson *Author event at Rydges
September: The Scandal (Beartown) by Fredrik Backman
October: Parting Words by Cass Moriarty AUTHOR EVENT @Fat Dumpling
November: Taboo by Kim Scott
December: Atlantic Black by AS Patric
WHAT ARE PEOPLE SAYING...
“The King Street Book Club has read such a varied selection of books with stimulating discussions to follow. The author visits have been very special, often giving a whole new perspective to the book. It has been great to go to the different venues of King St and to taste their menu offerings. They have been so very welcoming and accommodating and King St is such a great, central location – so easy to access.”
“What attracted me to the King St Book Club was my love of books whilst trying new restaurants and meeting different people. King St offers many options to share great food, a glass of wine and conversation that starts with a book review and expands into a discussion of all manner of topics! Friendships were made which became a real comfort during the COVID-19 restrictions with a sense of solidarity. We all would love our book club to return to where we started and to re-establish our mutual support of King St.”
"I've been coming to King Street Bookclub since its inception in 2017. It's the highlight of my month - a wonderful opportunity to not only read an excellent book but to also spend time with like-minded people. Jennifer is an exceptional facilitator and has a wealth of insights and recommendations. Highly recommend coming along to the King Street Bookclub - you won't be disappointed."
“I love the concept of our King St Book Club, where we not only share opinions and thoughts on books, but we also share delicious food, in fabulous venues on King St, where we are made to feel very welcome. I first heard about King Street Book Club in a Facebook Post and have never looked back. I live just around the corner and it couldn't be more convenient.
Having a facilitated conversation makes King St Book Club quite unique. Jennifer takes great care to select a book each month, across a wide range of genres and origins. What I particularly enjoy about this club is being exposed to books that I would not choose myself. We have read some absolute gems and I love the discussion, which is facilitated by Jennifer in a relaxed way and in a safe setting. Every member brings a different perspective and finds something in a character or plot direction, that I hadn't seen myself."
"I really look forward to my monthly King St Book Club. It’s always a fun and thought-provoking evening. Our facilitator, Jennifer, is great at cracking open the intricacies of the books and I have always gotten more out of each book at the end of the evening. The King St venues always put on yummy food, and the complimentary wine is a nice little bonus."
"I have been going to King St Book Club for several years and have enjoyed the experience and the King St location immensely. Having Jennifer from Avid Reader as our facilitator has been instrumental in not only guiding us to new literary genres but has framed our discussions to reveal complexities and insights to the books. This has been enlightening to the understanding of the book and author. Another delightful aspect of book club is our facilitated authors evenings which are much-anticipated events, as the in-depth discussions with authors reveal a comprehensive journey of the development of the book.
King St Book Club has also given me the opportunity to socialise in stunning venues and wonderful restaurants in the King St precinct. I am now a frequent visitor to this area and have shared my favourable experiences with many. Also the book club has opened up new opportunities for making new friends and facilitates the sharing of ideas and discussion.
I am very appreciative of Lendlease’s ongoing community support for King St Book Club. Thank you!"
"I am a member of several book clubs, but I find the King St Book Club is unique in that having a facilitator keeps the focus on the book and prevents one person domineering the discussion. It also expands my appreciation of the book and its author.
Since joining King St Book Club I have discovered new dining and shopping experiences, including artisan (I and will definitely shop there!) and Shop For Her (which is the retail outlet for Suited To Success, where I am now volunteering).
I feel very welcomed at this book club, and have enjoyed the convivial atmosphere, the food and glass of wine – it is also great value for money! I’m yet to experience an author event at King St, but I look forward to it."
"I’ve been loving our monthly book club since August 2018. I love how I get to read books I never would have thought to pick up and read. The variety of style and topic means I’m never bored. Jennifer is always ready to guide us with her questioning, and ensures that our discussions mean that we explore new ways of understanding the book. The location, the ambience, the people in the group, it all adds up to me coming back over and over again. The wine and food tasting just completes the whole experience. I look forward to it every month."
"The King Street Book Club was an amazing find for me. Our facilitator from Avid Reader, Jennifer carefully selects books that will appeal to our members (many have been recently published) and puts a lot of time preparing for our discussion. I am reading a broader range of books, and experiencing new authors. It is also very special when the authors attend our events. Great discussion, new friends and we get to sample restaurants and galleries in King St. … Amazing! "