Every two months we organise an evening in which we discuss a particular book. Works include fiction and other literary texts as well as non-fiction. So far, we’ve read about a wide range of themes, like the quest for equality and independent spaces, ecology, displacement, the struggle for housing, migration and decolonisation. The overall focus is on works that deal with social-political issues which are relevant in the context of our present-day lives as citizens. We choose books that are critical of predominant systems in society, that offer alternative visions to those systems or that are otherwise empowering for people who are marginalised in some way.

In the next session we’ll discuss No One Is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood. The book follows an unnamed protagonist’s interactions with a virtual platform called ‘the portal’. The character is a writer who is celebrated for her good tweets and is invited to cities all over the world to speak about the portal. The novel is divided into two parts, each made up of tightly composed fragments. Lockwood uses stream of consciousness and other modernist, poetic and experimental techniques to explore the dangers of being ‘extremely online’ and the power of the internet to dilute the individual mind.

There will be no central presentation of the themes in the book. Instead, you’ll discuss your views, thoughts, favourite passages, points of critique and further suggestions informally in a small group.
The last 20 minutes of the evening are spent in deciding collectively which book we will read next. You’re welcome to join this discussion and to propose a book.

The discussion of ‘No One Is Talking About This’ will take place on Wednesday 15th December at 20:00 hrs. If you want to participate, please send an email to readinggroup@amsterdamalternative.nl