Newly-minted authors, Bandra bandits and clowns from town, live bhel counters, a moderator with the best collection of bow (and beau) ties in the city: book clubs have seldom been so glamorous.

Recently launched as part of the Godrej Culture Lab, the Godrej Book Club showcases brand new titles, often before their official release; but this means that unlike conventional clubs, the audience here hasn’t read the book, which is a bit of a damper. However, they are planning on making advanced copies of featured books available a week before the event, for those who want to do their homework.

The Ode Less Taken

The Club organises at least one event a month at the swanky Godrej Industries Auditorium in Vikhroli (come on, it’s not THAT far; plus, they have brownies.), featuring author readings and Q&As, special guests and an eclectic audience of about 50 people. The events are usually moderated by Parmesh Shahani, head of Godrej Culture Lab and also an author; TED and MIT Futures of Entertainment Fellow; and one of our favorite people at the bpb office. Remember to stop by the super snack spread on your way out, a feast of chicken mayo sandwiches, lemon-ginger drinks, fat brownies and the abovementioned bhel counter.

Copy & Taste

This month, the Club hosted a pre-launch event for the very well received Jugaad Innovation with talks by all three of the book’s authors; and on Friday July 27 they will showcase Powder Room, ex-Marie Claire/ India Today editor Shefalee Vasudev’s probing account into Indian fashion, from models to Ludhiana housewives with a penchant for pretty clothes. In the mean time, here's a reading list by Parmesh, specially for bpb:

Behind The Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo - A searing account of life in India's slums.

Bhimayana by Durgabai Vyam/Subash Vyam - Brilliant. Not just for its story and message, but also the graphics.

The Beautiful & The Damned by Siddhartha Deb - Get an international version, because the critical essay on Arindham Chaudhuri has been removed from the Indian edition.

Last Man In The Tower by Aravind Adiga - Very much a Bombay book. Sad, shocking and brilliantly rendered.

Poor Economics by Abhijit Bannerjee & Esther Duflo - Very heartening, because it shows how the smallest interventions can make hugely positive changes in the lives of India's rural poor.

Getting there: RSVP at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Auditorium, Gate 2, Godrej Industries, Vikhroli (E), event on July 27 at 5pm, registration open now, free event.