Italian teacher by day, enthusiastic reader by night, Lavaselli has turned her passion for reading into an opportunity for cultural and linguistic sharing.

A graduate in foreign languages and literature with a focus on language mediation, Lavaselli has read more than a hundred books in the space of a single year, an impressive record that attests to her dedication.

The Book Club involves members of the Italian Language Group, a group made up for the most part of second-generation Italians and Australians eager to learn the Italian language.

They have already discussed two popular books, La vita bugiarda degli adulti by Elena Ferrante and Il silenzio dell’onda by Carofiglio.

Their next meetup is set for December 2, when they will discuss Baricco’s book Senza sangue (Without Blood), and starting from next year, the Five Dock library will be where the group calls home.

One of the distinguishing features of this particular book club is the way in which the books of the month are selected.

Lavaselli tries to ensure that participants are able to see themselves in the culture within the books, so for the most part she presents works by contemporary authors.

The final choice, however, is open to all, and the final decision is often made collectively.

Club meetings are structured in such a way as to allow in-depth discussions regarding book highlights, expectations and surprises.

Given Lavaselli’s linguistic expertise, time is also set aside to discuss more complex aspects of the language.

As a teacher of Italian, Lavaselli offers her knowledge to clarify doubts and enrich the group’s understanding. In addition, she has made the club more accessible by using the audio-book platform, which also helps her reach the extraordinary goal of reading over one hundred books per year.

Her hope is that the club will continue to grow and inspire the community to share the pleasure of reading.

In a time when cultural sharing and connection are more important than ever, Manuela Lavaselli’s book club is a beacon of inspiration and a meeting point for book lovers.