St Andrew’s Catholic Primary School Malabar’s book club for parents is made of the write stuff.

The book club was started in 2016 by the school’s then-Family Educator, Brenda Smith, to give parents a relaxed environment to connect with others.

It quickly became a social gathering where people who would normally not connect in the school yard could connect over a book. 

“It is always great to have commonality with others” –  Frances Addabbo

What happens in book club

St Andrew’s book club meets every six weeks to discuss a book chosen after mutual discussion.

Restaurant gatherings have turned into 40-minute Zoom sessions online while COVID-19 pandemic restrictions are in place.

What are they reading?

The group will discuss Mexican author Sofia Segovia’s novel The Murmur of Bees at their next online meeting in September.

The novel is about the impact of an adopted boy, protected by bees and with the gift of foresight, on those around him. It is set during the Mexican revolution and influenza pandemic of 1918.

St Andrews’ current Family Educator, Frances Addabbo, who now facilitates the book club, chose the book based on the recommendation of a friend.

Why join

Ms Addabbo said the main highlight of the book club was a sense of connection between parents at the school.

“Parents have appreciated taking time off their schedule, family and work responsibilities to read a book,” she said.

This year St Andrew’s book club has also read WWII love story The Lace Weaver by Lauren Chater and Geraldine Brooks’ The Secret Chord, an exploration of the life of King David in the Bible’s Old …