Bangkok International Book Club
WELCOME TO BANGKOK INTERNATIONAL BOOK CLUB
The group is made up of people from different nationalities and backgrounds and there are men and women in the group.
Books that have been chosen for discussion in the past have covered a number of subjects and from authors from around the world. All books chosen are in English.
The meetings are very relaxed and informal. Members come and go, as often they have to miss our meetings due to work and other commitments. There is no application form or fees involved, though we ask for a 50baht donation, as there is tea/coffee available from the coffee shop and wine at the meetings. Each meeting is focused around one book that has previously been chosen by the members attending earlier meetings. Please do join us for any of our meetings; we are always looking for new members. All you need do is attend any of our meetings.
Location : Book@53, a large bookstore just 200m on the left as you turn into
Soi 53 from Sukhumvit. The nearest skytrain is BTS Thonglor.
Parking is also available.
Time : last Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm
*There is a 10% discount for books purchased by bookclub members.
For any queries, please contact Sharda by email : shardas@mac.com
Book of the month
January 25th, 2012: The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula le Guin
The Left Hand of Darkness is a 1969 science fiction novel by Ursula K. Le Guin. It is part of the Hainish Cycle, a series of books by Le Guin all set in the fictional Hainish universe.
Harold Bloom wrote in the introduction to his anthology of criticism on the book that “Le Guin, more than Tolkien, has raised fantasy into high literature, for our time”.[1] It won the 1969 Nebula Award for Best Novel[2] and 1970 Hugo[3] award, and is considered by some to be one of the first major works of feminist science fiction.
The story of human civilization out in the future, sprawled across the cosmos and actually doing quite a bit better than most of us anticipated. There is one unique little world out on the fringe of everything, weather included, called Winter. It is the Siberia of planets, and the people are tough as nails with the little quirk of being kind of hermaphroditic. This is the story of an Observer who becomes involved in the life and politics of the planet, and is a study of human nature, of affection, of emotional paralysis, of tragedy. Science fiction is the backdrop used to make a study of human nature at once more vivid and less biased.
David said
When can I join – at the next meeting?
David
David said
you can any of our meetings – there is no need to give advanced warning that you are coming – the bookclub meetings are informal and relaxed and take place at Books @ 53, the bookstore in Sukhumvit Soi 53 on the last Wednesday of the month at 7:30pm
Terri + Sharda
Cittasamvaro said
Great to see you set up with your own blog, so there is a reference place for the bookclub meetings. WordPress is pretty versatile when you get the hang of it. A few of us will be coming to the Geography of Thought meeting in October.
Ab said
Hi, What is the book selection for December 2008? My wife and I just moved to Bangkok and would love to come to the book club meeting
Sharda said
The book for December is “Absolute Friends” by John le Carre. In December we meet earlier in the month, and this month it will be Wednesday, December 17th (same time and place…7:30 pm at Books@53).
Sharda
Arty said
What’s the book for May 2009?
bangkokbookclub said
Hi Arty,
The book for this month is “Far From the Madding Crowd” by Thomas Hardy…we try to sneak a classic in once in a while!
Best,
Sharda
Arty said
Thanks Sharda! Unfortunately can’t make it tonight as I am travelling. But I am very much interested and hope to join the club next month. Please post what’s the next book as soon as you can.
Happy bookclubbing!
Candice Rafferty said
Hi,
I will be moving to Bangkok in late June and would like to attend the book club starting in July. What will be the book for that month?
Thanks,
Candice
bangkokbookclub said
Hi Candice,
The book for July is “His Illegal Self” by Peter Carey. I will put you on the mailing list, and send you the list of books for the next few months.
We look forward to seeing you in July!
Best,
Sharda
Candice Rafferty said
Hi Shara,
Thanks for the response. As an Aussie myself I highly approve of the July book chosen!
See you soon,
Candice
jib said
hi . I ‘d like to join your club in the future and mailing list as well.
I order MiddleSex by Jeffrey Eugenides from a book store and hope to get it soon.
I heard it’s a good one. Have you discuss this novel yet?
Sharda said
Hi Jib,
Middlesex is a good read, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it very much. We discussed it a couple of years ago…
We will be discussing “His Illegal Self” by Peter Carey at the next meeting (July 29th), and perhaps we’ll see you there.
I will add you to the mailing list.
Best,
Sharda
Claudia said
Hi!
) I’ll see if I can pick up the book today and get busy reading! Please add me to the mailing list.
I would also like to join the book club meeting next Wednesday to discuss “His Illegal Self”. Wow, great timing that I just found this link in time and only have to wait one week for the 1st meeting.
Thanks!
Claudia
Rachel Mackintosh said
Hi
I would like to attend the book club from August. Could you let me know what the book is, and perhaps put me on the mailing list?
Thanks a lot
Rachel
claudialarsson said
Hi Rachel
I just joined as well! The book for August is:
AUGUST 2009
The Enchantress of Florence by Salman Rushdie
Claudia
bangkokbookclub said
Hi All,
You could always click and refer to page “books for the coming months”. Unless The Bookclub decided to change the book, this will be updated accordingly.
Best Regards,
Admin
Nat said
Hi, i’m very interested in joining. Could you please add me to your mailing list?
Thanks
Nat said
I just noticed the post above…sorry
Sarah said
Really interested to join – can you let me know when the next meeting is and what I should be reading?
Thanks
LaTarsha Forbes said
Book Suggestion
jenny said
hi! I am really interested in joining the club! But I am a student and currently 17 yrs old in my senior. Is there any age restrictions or any other specific requirements needed to join the book club? If so, can u kindly reply me back?
Sincerely,
Jenny Jin
Ali Haji said
I see that your book club read The Writing on My Forehead by Nafisa Haji. Her second nove; The Sweetness of Tears was recently published and is receiving great reviews….check it out at nafisahaji.com