BRICKS Book Club: How To Stay Sane In A House Share

This month, we’re breaking down how to navigate housemate crises with author Alice Wilkinson for the BRICKS Book Club, free for Learner Platform members.

Last week, we hosted the second instalment of the BRICKS Book Club: a brand new club sharing cult stories & creative classics with our BRICKS community. Each month, we’ll pick a book to discuss in a virtual club meeting, hosted by our Contributing Editor, Hannah Bertolino (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre). In March, we read Alastair Gray’s fantastical fiction ‘Poor Things’, which satirises men’s desire and unpacks women's independence, all through the hilarious and scandalous story of “monster” Bella Baxter.

We all know by now that the UK is in a housing crisis, and with more young people entering house shares than ever before, this month’s book breaks down everything you need to know about navigating flatmates, landlords, and housing-related anxiety.

For our April BRICKS Book Club meeting, we’ll be chatting about Alice Wilkinson’s ‘How To Stay Sane In A House Share’, breaking down how to navigate the housing crisis, and sharing our own house share horror stories. Excitingly, Alice will also be joining us for the start of this session – so make sure you join on time! 

⁠Join us on Monday 28th April at 7PM BST (2PM ET) to chat about the book, break down how to navigate the housing crisis, and share our own house-share horror stories. 

Tickets are available to purchase for £5 on Eventbrite (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre), and BRICKS Learner Platform members can attend for free by adding the free ticket discount code available via Steady. Sign up for your 30-day free trial to join, and – to chat as you read – be sure to log onto our BRICKS Book Club Community Discord (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre). 

To get your copy of the book, you can buy it from book stores (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre), listen on Audible (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre), or you can order the audiobook or e-book from the DK website (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre). 

Below, we’ve included some further information regarding how the virtual book club will work. Any further questions, please drop them in our new Discord channel (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre). Please scroll to the end of this email to access your free ticket discount code.

In the meantime, if you find yourself enjoying the book, you can also listen to Alice’s podcast Playing House here (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre).

WHEN IS OUR NEXT MEETING? 

Monday 28th April at 7PM BST (2PM ET)

WHERE IS IT? 

This event will take place in a virtual Zoom webinar. You’ll receive the Zoom link in your email once you sign up. 

HOW DO I SIGN UP?

Tickets are available to purchase for £5 on Eventbrite here (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre).

BRICKS Learner Platform members can attend for free by adding the free ticket discount code available via Steady. Check your email inbox or directly on our Steady page to find your free ticket discount code – Learner Platform members must still register via Eventbrite to gain access to the Zoom webinar link.

WHAT IS THIS MONTH’S BOOK?

For our April BRICKS Book Club meeting, we’ll be chatting about Alice Wilkinson’s ‘How To Stay Sane In A House Share’, breaking down how to navigate the housing crisis, and sharing our own house share horror stories.

WHERE CAN I GET THE BOOK?

If you’re looking for a physical copy and would like independent bookseller recommendations, we’ve started a Master Doc (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) to share recommendations of where to support. If you’d like to add a recommendation to the Master Doc, please drop us a message on the Discord channel (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) – this is being regularly updated.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM THE CLUB MEETING? 

This isn’t a book club where you have to come prepared with talking points, or even finish the book (but if you want to, that’s great!). Come chat and ask questions or just listen and enjoy the discussions – everyone is welcome to join in and feel creative, in whatever way feels most comfortable. 

UNDERSTANDING ZOOM WEBINARS

To allow everyone to join the virtual book club and get involved as much as they would like to, Hannah Bertolino will be managing the call via Zoom Webinars. Webinars allow hosts (Hannah) as well as extend permission for attendees to speak. Attendees' microphones are muted by default – Hannah will ask the chat if you would like to share your thoughts, and you will be promoted to a panellist to speak to the group.

Attendees who would not like to speak can still get involved via the Chat and can engage with polls and surveys created by Hannah.