Bondi Bang Gang Book Club - A Manifesto

Manifesto for the Bondi Book Bang Gang

Translated from the Greek, Itis Dire, 97AD

The raison d’etre of the Bondi Book Bang Gang is to bring together like minds and unlikely types to consume food, imbibe drink and ingest ideas from artists of the written word to see what collective wisdom can be brought forth.

The BBBG monthly book will be the foundation from which discussions of life, love, loss and other profundities will be launched. Each meeting must have a recognised Chairperson and note‐taker whose role will be to produce minutes from the meeting and to keep conversations relevant to the book, the author and any other criticism, observation or appropriate impulse. Above all the BBBG will be a forum for discussions centred on the joy of reading, the art of writing and the capacity to imbibe, argue and converse with levity, wisdom and consideration.

The BBBG will compile a list of books from which the monthly novel is selected. Each member of the BBBG will, as a rule, provide a list of their Top Five Books on the first night of attendance and may be asked to justify their selection. Mockery or celebration may ensue.

The BBBG will not condone: mediocrity, misogyny, misandry. The BBBG will condone: honesty, controversy, irreverence. The BBBG accepts that nothing is sacred and all will be well.

 

ROLE OF THE CHAIRPERSON: the Chairperson for each meeting will be chosen at the previous meeting and will receive the full anointment ceremony, which will usually involve the mixing of alcohol and other libations to prepare the selected being for their task ahead. This task involves leading the discussion of their chosen book which they must not have read previously. It is the Chairperson’s express purpose to:

Keep the frivolities moving in a timely manner Make the carving up of the novel as interesting and provocative as possible Provide an opening speech, brief or elongated, about what they gained from the novel and any books it reminds them of

A summary of likes/ dislikes A reading of their favourite passage for the book (it cannot exceed 5 lines or they will be punished with lines)

Any monologue not to exceed 5 minutes Provide a list of ideas, objects, topics or questions that should guide the discussion

 

The Chairperson must commence proceedings by reciting their favourite quote that they feel embodies the novel followed by the imbibing of their favourite shot, others may choose to partake in imbibitions or pour scorn upon the consumption of that shot in good measure. Bang Gangers who become too boisterous will be shouted down at will by the Chairperson and even banned from further mouth‐opening if too much squealing is observed, unless it for further imbibitions.

Role of the Bang Gang members: All members should add some Bang to the discussion or they face the humiliation of being told to ‘neck up you parrot’ and forced to slug a shot of something terrible which assists the vocal chords in correct motion. Or they can be asked to recite their own favourite quote from the book and justify their predilection for such irrelevant drivel if that in fact was what they chose.

Attendance: Members must make every effort to read the monthly book and attend the monthly meeting. If a member fails in his or her endeavours they must come equipped with a quote and a concept with which to base their conversational input upon, or, if absent provide a verisimilitudinous excuse for their non‐attendance for the humour of the BBG. Mockery, punishment or mirth may ensue.

Role of the note‐taker: this important role will be assumed by the chairperson from the previous month and will be responsible for recording all funny, witty, rude, awkward and memorable moments so that people unable to attend can bathe in the joyful wisdom and flamboyant gregariousness of the attendant Bang Gangers, and those who did attend can remember how wonderful or creepy they were.

Bang Gang Journal: Used to keep track of the books read, plot summaries, discussion highlights, and member’s opinions, critiques and failures. It is the Chairperson’s responsibility to print out relevant pieces for inclusion in the notebook prior to the meeting, during which it will be given to the note taker to update and passed onto the upcoming chairperson at the end of the meeting.

 

Venue: The Rum Diaries, 288 Bondi Road (note the Hunter S Thompson reference: BBBG uphold the ideals and values of the Gonzo journalist, and the general behaviour that it celebrates).

Timing: Book club meetings will run from 6:30 to 9:00pm

•                    6:30 – 7:00: Social time (consume, imbibe, be mirthful) •                    7:00: Official beginning of discussions •                    9:00 Next book and Chair decided

Regularity of Meetings: To be held on the first Tuesday of each month.

Rules will be added as they become necessary upon election by a majority of the Bang Gangers. The organisation shall not be an anarchic state but a liberal democracy with a clear separation of powers, checks and balances on the amount of alcohol consumed by a central institution with only a small number of bean counters, and all attempts to impose a President or monarchy will be fought by a Unified Creative Front for the People of Bondi.

BBBG Monthly Mascot: Herman Hesse is the first literary mascot and if so inclined members can provide an anecdote that they have discovered about the Bondi Book Bang Gang monthly mascot. The more lascivious the better.

“Haven’t you heard? A life of carnal riot is one of the surest paths to sanctity”