BRICKS Virtual Book Club: ‘The Year of Magical Thinking’ by Joan Didion

This month, we’re chatting all about ‘The Year of Magical Thinking’ by Joan Didion, for BRICKS Book Club, free for Learner Platform members.

Our BRICKS Book Club pick for September & October is ‘The Year of Magical Thinking’ by Joan Didion. “Life changes fast. Life changes in the instant,” Didion says in the opening of ‘The Year of Magical Thinking’. “You sit down to dinner and life as you know it ends.”

In her memoir, Didion explores the realities of life after the sudden passing of her husband, and later, her daughter, reflecting on themes of grief and control while unpacking untold memories of her marriage.

Together, we’ll discuss Joan’s legendary razor-sharp writing style, cultural critiques, and reflections on loss and love.

Join us on Monday 27th October at our virtual Zoom club meeting to discuss the book and chat with other emerging creatives. Plus our Contributing Editor and Book Club host Hannah Bertolino will be sticking around for 30-minutes of mentoring after the call!

Tickets are available to purchase for £5 on Eventbrite (Opens in a new window), and BRICKS Learner Platform members can attend for free by adding the free ticket discount code available via Steady. Sign up for your 30-day free trial to join, and – to chat as you read – be sure to sign up to our new Book Club group chat on Whatsapp by filling in this form (Opens in a new window).

Please scroll to the end of this email to access your free ticket discount code.

Below, we’ve included some further information regarding how our virtual book club can benefit you.

FAQs

WHAT HAS CHANGED?

We’ve made some recent changes to how we run the BRICKS Book Club – you can hear all about it here. We have switched from monthly to bi-monthly, giving our members two months to read each book, so there’s plenty of time to get stuck in.

Additionally, we have moved away from our Discord chat to a Whatsapp group chat to discuss as we read throughout the months. To join, simply fill in this form (Opens in a new window).

WHEN IS OUR NEXT MEETING? 

Monday 27th October at 7PM GMT (3PM ET) – this is the day after the clocks change.

WHERE IS IT? 

This event will take place in a virtual Zoom webinar. You’ll receive the Zoom link in your email once you sign up. 

HOW DO I SIGN UP?

Tickets are available to purchase for £5 on Eventbrite here (Opens in a new window).

BRICKS Learner Platform members can attend for free by adding the free ticket discount code available via Steady. Check your email inbox or directly on our Steady page to find your free ticket discount code – Learner Platform members must still register via Eventbrite to gain access to the Zoom webinar link.

WHAT IS THIS MONTH’S BOOK?

Our BRICKS Book Club pick for September & October is ‘The Year of Magical Thinking’ by Joan Didion.

WHERE CAN I GET THE BOOK?

If you’re looking for a physical copy and would like independent bookseller recommendations, we’ve started a Master Doc (Opens in a new window)to share recommendations of where to support. If you’d like to add a recommendation to the Master Doc, please drop us a message in the Whatsapp group chat – this is being regularly updated.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM THE CLUB MEETING? 

This isn’t a book club where you have to come prepared with talking points, or even finish the book (but if you want to, that’s great!). Come chat and ask questions or just listen and enjoy the discussions – everyone is welcome to join in and feel creative, in whatever way feels most comfortable. 

UNDERSTANDING ZOOM WEBINARS

To allow everyone to join the virtual book club and get involved as much as they would like to, Hannah Bertolino will be managing the call via Zoom Webinars. Webinars allow hosts (Hannah) as well as extend permission for attendees to speak. Attendees' microphones are muted by default – Hannah will ask the chat if you would like to share your thoughts, and you will be promoted to a panellist to speak to the group.

Attendees who would not like to speak can still get involved via the Chat and can engage with polls and surveys created by Hannah.