Amsterdam Book Group

Dear Book Lovers,

In our next book club meeting, we will be discussing the thought-provoking book, "The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness" by Jonathan Haidt. This compelling read delves into the profound changes in childhood and their impact on mental health.

Alarmed by the rates of anxiety and depression in adolescents, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt wrote The Anxious Generation. The book explores these growing phenomena and attributes them to the transition from a play-based childhood to a phone-based childhood.

One of the central arguments of The Anxious Generation is that young people today are struggling with unprecedented levels of anxiety, and Haidt attributes much of this to environmental changes—particularly the rise of social media, the erosion of unstructured play, and the hyper-focus on safety and risk aversion.

Join us for an engaging discussion as we explore the insights and implications presented by Haidt. Whether you have read the book or are just curious about the topic, your presence and perspectives will enrich our conversation.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Warm regards,

Dear Book Club Members,
In our February book club meeting we will be discussing the compelling and insightful book, "Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man" by Mary L. Trump Ph.D. This gripping memoir, released on July 14, Protected content , offers a unique perspective on the Trump family dynamics and the making of one of the most controversial figures in recent history.

In this book, Mary L. Trump, a clinical psychologist and the niece of Donald J. Trump, provides an intimate and revealing account of her family, shedding light on the complex relationships and events that shaped the former and the new president of the USA. Her professional insights and personal experiences make this a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the psychological and familial factors that influence powerful individuals.

We look forward to a lively and thought-provoking discussion. Please come prepared to share your thoughts and insights on the book. Whether you agree or disagree with the author's viewpoints, your perspective will enrich our conversation.

Kindly RSVP or cancel your RSVP if you cannot attend.
Happy reading, and see you at the book club!

Dear members,
I would like to invite you to our book club meeting where we will dive into the captivating journey of "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer. This thought-provoking book chronicles the true story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who ventured into the Alaskan wilderness in search of a deeper meaning in life.

Into the Wild is a Protected content book written by Jon Krakauer. It is an expansion of an article by Krakauer on Chris McCandless which appeared in the January Protected content of Outside. The book was adapted to a film of the same name in Protected content , directed by Sean Penn. Into the Wild is an international bestseller which has been printed in 30 languages. The book is widely used as high school and college reading curriculum. Into the Wild has been lauded by many reviewers, and in Protected content listed by Slate as one of the 50 best nonfiction works of the past quarter-century.

During our discussion, we will explore the themes of adventure, self-discovery, and the human spirit's quest for freedom. Whether you have read the book, watched the movie or are just curious about the story, we welcome you to join us for an engaging and insightful conversation.

Feel free to bring a friend who might be interested in joining our book club.

Look forward to the discussion

Dear Book Enthusiasts,
We will delve into the fascinating memoir "Gweilo: Memoirs of a Hong Kong Childhood" by Martin Booth. This captivating autobiography takes us through the author's childhood in Hong Kong, offering vivid descriptions of his explorations of Kowloon and Hong Kong, his learning of Cantonese, and his numerous interactions with the local Chinese community.

The book discusses the author's childhood in Hong Kong. The term "gweilo" literally means "ghost man" in Cantonese, but has been applied as a racial epithet for Caucasians (as in white ghosts). The book is rich with vivid descriptions of the author's explorations of Kowloon and Hong Kong, his learning of Cantonese and his numerous interactions with Chinese people in Hong Kong. It also recreates dialogue in Chinese Pidgin English as it was used between expatriate families and their domestic servants.

During our discussion, we will explore the themes of cultural identity, childhood adventures, and the unique historical context of Hong Kong in the mid-20th century. Whether you have read the book or are simply curious about the story, we welcome you to join us for an engaging and insightful conversation.

We look forward to seeing you there and sharing our thoughts on this remarkable memoir!

Warm regards,