Angela Purnell speaks to Zoe Ferguson about founding Sydney's new hottest club. And no, it's not a club for dancing in, it's a high culture club of reading, dining and cheersing champagne with friends, old and new alike. Welcome to the best club in town. Welcome to Books & Nooks.
 

When did you start this fantastic book club experience of Books & Nooks?
Books & Nooks was dreamed up over a year ago. I was busy juggling a marketing role and kept putting the idea on the backburner, but couldn’t shake the niggling desire to bring it to life. I started talking to publishers, jotting down my favourite nooks and after lots of planning our first book club events kick off in October.

What inspired this creation?
I was waiting for a friend in The Observatory Hotel’s Globe Bar on a bleak Friday evening. Sitting there, surrounded by mahogany bookcases and plush lounges, I couldn’t help but think it would make a perfect setting for a book club gathering. Twenty minutes later my friend was still caught in traffic and by this time I had conjured up a scene of book clubbers discussing the latest Bryce Courtenay novel with a martini in hand. The idea just grew from there. Sydney is filled with the most interesting nooks.

What do you think is most important about this love-child of sensory pleasures being let loose in Sydney, and why?
I like that our events bring together people that share similar interests – a love of reading and good food. As you get older, there are fewer opportunities to meet new people. It is easy to get caught up in your own world. At our intimate book club gatherings you get to experience the city’s best culinary haunts as well as engage in lively conversation with all sorts of people.

I hear along the grapevine that anyone can join this book-club – how do we go about doing that? Is there an intricate initiation process or a mere poetry reading to be accepted?We’ve made things nice and simple. All you need to do is visit www.booksandnooks.com.au to peruse our latest packages which include; a new novel, ticket to a hosted two hour book club event and a Books & Nooks’ bookmark. Packages start from $65 and can be purchased directly from our website. They make a great gift as they arrive at your door beautifully wrapped. New packages are being launched all the time so we recommend subscribing to our e-newsletter to be the first to find out about upcoming events. 

What is Books & Nooks getting up to now and what’s up next?
We are discussing BAFTA winning screenwriter, William Nicholson’s new book ‘All the Hopeful Lovers’ over a delicious Sunday champagne brunch at Paddington’s Ampersand Café Bookstore in October.
Next up, we are throwing a lavish High Tea party at The Victoria Room to celebrate the release of Kelly Doust’s new memoir ‘A Life in Frocks’.  It will be a lovely afternoon, with guests enjoying assorted sweeties as Kelly talks about her new book and shows off her enviable collection of gorgeous vintage frocks.

Where are your favourite places to go in Sydney:

Restaurant: The Victoria Room in Darlinghurst. When you walk up the stairs you feel like you’ve been transported back in time. I adore the mood lighting and eclectic furniture. The tapas style dishes are delicious and I also go for the Rose Petal Martinis.

Cafe: Ampersand Café Bookstore in Paddington. You could spend hours in this place. The three story terrace is filled with interesting second hand books. I recommend retreating to the lower level room lit with vintage chandeliers with a good book and coffee. Very cosy!

Bar: The Red Door at Foveaux Restaurant and Bar in Surry Hills. I love this underground drinking den. The cocktails are made with such care and the atmosphere is warm and inviting. It is easy to miss the bar when walking down the street so keep your eyes peeled for the red door.

Venue: Sydney Observatory. It is such a beautiful old historic building and the night tours are amazing.
 

So if you're hungry, don't just grab food, grab a book and chow down with Books & Nooks. Cheers to fine-reading and fine-dining...fine-rining...it works.