Merton Book Club

Join us at the lovely Metronome Cafe for the meetup of the Merton Book Club.

We'll be discussing another timeless classic and commentary on the human condition - The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Book 1).

Douglas Adams brilliantly mixes absurdity, humor, and biting satire, to create a wildly entertaining story. With oddball characters and ridiculous situations, Adams explores complex ideas like the meaning of life, the randomness of existence, and our place in the universe.

Hope you can make it!

For our non-fiction month, we'll be discussing this book by Dr James Doty, a Clinical Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at Stanford University, and the Director of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education, which he cofounded with the Dalai Lama.

Mind Magic: The Neuroscience of Manifestation is an intriguing exploration of how our thoughts and intentions interact with the very fabric of reality. Dody takes us on a journey through the latest advancements in neuroscience, linking the power of focused intention to the brain’s ability to shape our experiences.

It delves into how belief systems, mental practices, and visualisation can influence not only our internal state but also the outcomes we seek in the external world. With clear examples and practical insights, Dody encourages readers to see the brain as a tool of creation, capable of bending the limits of what we perceive as possible.

Join us at the lovely Metronome Cafe for the meetup of the Merton Book Club.

For this fiction month, we'll be discussing Octavia E. Butler's ground-breaking masterpiece - Kindred. The choice is inspired by Percival Everett's amazing (& highly recommended) Booker shortlister - James . We explore the themes of race, identity, and power through the prism of African-American literature.

Kindred masterfully blends historical fiction with speculative science fiction. In this thought-provoking story, Dana, a Black woman from 1970s California, finds herself mysteriously transported back in time to the antebellum South, where she must navigate the brutal realities of slavery while grappling with her own identity and connections to the past.

Some reviews:

• 'A marvel of imagination, empathy and detail' NEW YORK TIMES
• 'The marker you should judge all other time-travelling narratives by' GUARDIAN
• 'One of the most significant literary artists of the twentieth century. One cannot exaggerate the impact she has had' JUNOT DIAZ

Hope you can make it!