Jan 05 2025 to Jan 05 2025 5:30 p.m.

Where

Bangalore International Centre

7 4th Main Rd, Stage 2, Domlur 560071

Event Description

Join us for Books aur Baatein – an intimate gathering at the BIC Library where stories come alive through thoughtful discussion and warm conversation. Once every two months, we’ll share selected short works of fiction and non-fiction in advance, allowing participants to read and reflect before we meet. We’ll dive deep into these carefully chosen texts, exploring themes, sharing perspectives, and discovering new insights together.

To ensure rich and meaningful discussions, we encourage you to read the selected material beforehand – it’s a small commitment that greatly enhances our collective experience. Our aim is to build connections through literature, one thoughtful conversation at a time.

Fiction: The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula K Le Guin (around 3000 words)
In this powerful allegory, Le Guin introduces a seemingly idyllic city whose happiness depends on the perpetual suffering of a single child. The story probes the ethical compromises of societal structures and leaves readers grappling with the haunting decision of whether to accept or reject such a world.

Non-fiction companion: The Empathy Exams by Leslie Jamison (around 6000 words)
In this deeply introspective essay, Jamison recounts her experience as a medical actor tasked with simulating patients’ pain for student doctors. Using this lens, she examines the intricacies of empathy—its power, limitations, and moral obligations—challenging readers to reconsider how they connect with others’ suffering.