Resilience is the theme for our Autumn 2025 selection of books
Do read along with us, and maybe even join one of our discussions
I do hope you're enjoying a wonderful summer!
Many people have told me how worn down they feel by world events and the relentless news cycle. So, when I was thinking about which books to suggest for our Autumn reading, I chose "Resilience" as an organising theme. I hope you find some interest and inspiration here - whether in the books themselves or in the reviews and podcasts I have linked to. And I hope to see you on one of our calls over the coming months.
The books we will be discussing are:
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus - Tuesday 23rd September 2025
Slow Productivity by Cal Newport - Tuesday 21st October 2025
The Happiness of Dogs by Mark Rowlands - Tuesday 25th November 2025
--> Sign up for our discussions here: https://calendly.com/setforth/notanotherbookclub
If you're interested, here is a guide to ethical consumption of books
And the first two titles are available on audiobooks, for which, please consider xigxag if you're looking for an alternative to Audible/Amazon
You can find more information about these books here (and at the end of this email)
And the full set of books we have discussed here.
In other news, I am (very slowly) moving Not Another Book Club across here to Substack to have a home for the write-ups of our discussions and a better way to communicate with everyone. Thank you for subscribing. If you are also on the email list you may receive this information twice.
Wishing you a restful and regenerative remainder of your summer - happy reading and speak soon!
Richard @ Not Another Book Club
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Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
https://www.bonniegarmus.com/lessons-in-chemistry
This novel explores multiple dimensions of resilience through Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant chemist who rebuilds her life after professional setbacks, personal loss, and societal barriers in 1960s America. The book combines humour with serious themes about gender resilience, career pivots, and single parenthood, offering a perfect balance of entertainment and substance.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/apr/19/lessons-in-chemistry-by-bonnie-garmus-review-the-right-comic-formula
https://pagesandcoffeecups.com/2023/12/27/review-lessons-in-chemistry/
https://www.weareegg.co.uk/podcast-episodes/bonnie-garmus-lessons-in-chemistry
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Slow Productivity by Cal Newport
https://calnewport.com/slow/
This book explores resilience by advocating for a sustainable approach to work that combats burnout through three core principles: doing fewer things, working at a natural pace, and obsessing over quality. Newport's focus is on long-term accomplishment without overwhelm, and he offering strategies that enhance mental and relational resilience while critiquing modern hustle culture.
https://curtismchale.ca/2024/06/04/slow-productivity-review/
https://tim.blog/2024/02/21/cal-newport-slow-productivity/
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The Happiness of Dogs by Mark Rowlands
https://granta.com/products/the-happiness-of-dogs/
This book offers a fresh philosophical approach to resilience by exploring how dogs live fully in the present moment without the burden of existential anxiety that plagues humans. Rowlands combines personal memoir with rigorous philosophical inquiry, examining how our canine companions approach suffering, joy, and mortality with a wisdom that could transform our own relationship to life's challenges.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/article/2024/sep/11/the-happiness-of-dogs-by-mark-rowlands-review-a-masterclass-in-canine-philosophy
https://entertainment-focus.com/2024/09/05/mark-rowlands-the-happiness-of-dogs-why-the-unexamined-life-is-most-worth-living-review/