An incomplete list of book groups and book clubs in nipaluna, lutruwita (Hobart, Tasmania). There are more. Some are private, amongst friends. Others I don’t know about yet. Drop me a line if you want yours mentioned here.
If you’re interested in attending any of those listed here, check the links included in the details sections below for how to RSVP.
I’ve been to each of these book groups and attend two or three each month (sometimes more – in June 2023 when I’m writing this, it will be four, not counting the Silent Book Group).
It’s one of my favourite ways to socialise, read works I might not ordinarily encounter, and engage in discussions of a deeper quality than the default small talk of most social interactions.
The stack of books pictured above is a sample of those I have read for book groups.
The Pseudo Intellectuals Book Group
Details
Hobart Pseudo-Intellectuals Book Club (Hobart, Australia) | Meetup
One of the great things about this book group is that the books are chosen by poll, the list based on suggestions from attendees. RSVP via the meetup site in link above.
When and where
Evening meetings once a month, towards the end of the month, usually upstairs at the New Sydney Hotel. This is great for having a drink, a bite to eat, whilst discussing the books. The group also has some meetings outdoors during summer, and an annual Christmas party at the home of one of the regulars.
Genre
Initially the focus of the Pseudo-Intellectuals Book Group was twentieth century and contemporary literature. Recently, works from earlier periods have also been included, such as The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky and Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley.
Recent Books
- Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr
- Autumn of the Patriarch by Gabriel García Márquez
- The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka
- The Leopard by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa
- Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami (June 2023)
The Hobart Bookshop Sci-Fi Book Club
Details
Book Club (hobartbookshop.com.au)
Books are chosen by the bookshop, the list put up on the website at the start of each year, with a ten percent discount on book club books purchased from the bookshop.
One of the things I love about this book group is the chat at the end on the subject of ‘what has everyone been reading lately?’ This is also a practice at the Translated Japanese Fiction Book Club, also at The Hobart Bookshop.
When and where
5.30pm, first Tuesday of each month, at The Hobart Bookshop, Salamanca Square.
Genre
Predominantly science fiction, with some works verging into fantasy or horror territory, though that’s not really a surprising tendency for works in this genre (e.g., retro I Am Legend cover below next to fantasy work The Blacktongue Thief).
Recent Books
- Solaris by Stanislaw Lem
- The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman
- I am Legend by Richard Matheson
- What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher
- The Terraformers by Annalee Newitz (July 2023)
- The Signal Line by Brendan Colley (Local writer. August 2023)
Fuller’s Bookshop Philosophy Cafe
Details
A presentation on the book is given by University of Tasmania Professor of Philosophy Ingo Farin. This is followed by an open floor discussion amongst attendees. Some of us sneak down the road for a drink and continued exchange of ideas afterwards.
When and where
Roughly bi-monthly on a Friday 5.30pm, Fullers Bookshop, Hobart. Wine and beer available for purchase in Fullers’ cafe.
After a hiatus, this event resumed in 2023 and is still going at time of this update, May 2024, roughly every two months.
Genre
This group seeks to read contemporary works of philosophy published in the last two years or so.
Books
- Homo Deus by Yuval Noah Harari
- Identity by Francis Fukuyama
- The Tyranny of Merit by Michael J. Sandel
- Reality+ by David Chalmers
Philosophy Salon
In addition to the philosophy cafe at Fullers, TopSpace Studio also regularly hold philosophy salons presented by Ingo, sometimes along with guest philosophers. These run for roughly five weeks on a specific theme. Topics so far have included the Philosophy of Art and Philosophy as a Way of Life.
Contact: Get in touch — TopSpace Studio
Salon for May 2024: Philosophy Salon: Philosophy as a Way of Life | Humanitix
What the Dickens Book Group
Details
What The Dickens Book Club (Hobart, Australia) | Meetup
Books are chosen by club founder Dan, with suggestions taken from attendees. RSVP via the meetup site in link above.
When and where
Usually upstairs at The State Cinema, 6.30pm Thursday once a month.
Genre
Literary fiction with an emphasis on C19th century literature, but more recent C20th century works such as Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut and The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus have made appearances.
Books
- Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev
- Hard Times by Charles Dickens
- Madame Bovary by Gustav Flaubert
- The Dubliners by James Joyce
- Howards End by E. M. Forster
- The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot (July 2023)
Fuller’s Bookshop Reading Group
Details
Fullers Bookshop Reading Group
When and where
There are a number of sessions for this book group at various times and locations, including Fullers Bookshop and Hadley’s Hotel. Books are selected by Fullers, the list announced via their website, email list and in-store signage. Each session commences with an insightful and well-researched talk by Fullers’ resident literary expert, Rayne, followed by group discussion. To register interest in attending, follow details via the link above.
Genre
Usually literary fiction, a mix of current and classic.
Books
- The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
- A Perfect Spy by John Le Carré
- The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway (June 2023)
- Greek Lessons by Han Kang (September 2023)
- The Colony by Audrey Magee (November 2023)
The Hobart Bookshop Translated Japanese Fiction Book Club
Details
Book Club (hobartbookshop.com.au)
When and where
5.30pm, first Wednesday of each month, at The Hobart Bookshop, Salamanca Square.
Genre
The name says it all. As with the Hobart Bookshop Sci-Fi Book Club, works are selected by the bookshop, with a ten percent discount on book club books purchased from the shop, and discussion of what everyone has been reading at the end.
Books
- The Box Man by Kobo Abe
- Beautiful Star by Yukio Mishima
- Idol, Burning by Rin Usami (July 2023)
- Night Train to the Stars by Kenji Miyazawa (August 2023)
- The Decagon House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji
Hobart Silent Book Club
Details
Bring a book, or buy one there, and enjoy an hour of reading in silence. Drinks available for purchase from the cafe.
When and where
Last Friday of the month, 5.30pm, Fullers Bookshop, Hobart.
Genre
Your choice of book of any genre.
Hobart Bushcare Walking Book Club
Details
https://www.facebook.com/groups/159587037917696/
When and where
Locations advised via the Facebook group, usually a short bushwalk within the nipaluna/Hobart municipality with tea, coffee, and snacks provided at the end, discussion of the book during the walk and over a cuppa at the end.
Genre
Environmental themed works, often literary fiction but also sometimes non-fiction and poetry.
Books
- Call of the Reed Warbler by Charles Massy
- Barkskins by Annie Proulx
- Flight Behaviour by Barbara Kingsolver
- Flames by Robbie Arnott
- Birdsong: A Celebration of Bruny Island Birds by Andrew Wisles
Other book groups
As mentioned, this is an incomplete list. If you are a member of a book group in nipaluna/Hobart and would like to see your book group listed here, contact me via the form below.
I’ve been to all book groups listed above.
Fullers and The Hobart Bookshop also have other book groups (see their websites in links above), as does Dymocks Hobart. There are other Hobart / nipaluna based book groups on meetup.com.
Whilst I’m unaware of any book groups associated with local bookstore Cracked and Spineless, I feel it would be remiss of me not to mention this fine providore of new and used books, and genius in the art of the consistently hilarious Facebook post.