Book Clubs and Moderator Courses

Why do we read popular science books?
Reading and comprehending acclaimed popular science books can certainly help you to stand out in a conversation, but that’s not the most important aspect!
When we discuss books such as Nikolai Epple’s The Inconvenient Past (about states manipulating national memory) or Rob Dunn’s Never Home Alone (about the numerous microbes involved in human life), we are actually searching for truth.

We are searching for truth in everything that surrounds us. This pursuit helps us understand the nature of things and live our lives differently — better and with greater confidence in our abilities. To be objective, you need to consider strongly opposing views, be knowledgeable about various scientific theories, and use critical thinking. Ultimately, this also helps you become happy, thanks to the ability to move forward on the path illuminated by knowledge rather than at random.
You tried to read popular science but found it dull. That’s normal.
At school, we were all taught to read fiction. However, popular science books require a completely different approach to reading. We need to develop a new strategy to make reading popular science both useful and enjoyable. Our goal isn’t to guide you through a specific set of books––we don’t believe in book lists like “The World’s Best 100 Books.”. Instead, we aim to teach you a new reading method and help you connect with others people who will support you on this journey.

How do we read books?
Each month, we choose one Russian-language popular science book from any field of knowledge, whether it’s history, physics, chemistry, sociology, or biology. We find all subjects intriguing. Over the course of four weeks, we read the book together and share our thoughts in the club’s Telegram chat. At the end of the month, we gather online via Zoom for an in-depth discussion.
Working with an experienced moderator who not only guides the conversation but also offers tips on how to make reading enjoyable rather than a chore, we strive to uncover the truth. We believe that no matter how established the author or renowned the book, it’s not just our right but our duty to disagree and ask challenging questions. We share our impressions, trust in the power of critical thinking, and cherish engaging discussions.

Why do we know how to read such books?
Because for the past 15 years, we have been organizing the Enlightener Prize for the best Russian-language popular science book. Each year, we receive over 400 applications from around the world, and we must read each book to assess its quality and content. You can be sure of one thing: we are professionals, and we definitely know what to read and how to read it to gain knowledge and enjoy it.

You can join our book club, and it doesn’t matter how many books you’ve read before today.
Do you devour a new bestseller every week? That’s incredible!
Have you read just one book over the past year, and it was a self-help one? That’s even better!
Every club participant will have the chance to speak during discussions and our moderator will ensure that happens.

Who hosts our meetings?
Our moderators are professional readers.

Alexander Gavrilov
A professional reader and Russian literature teacher by training, Alexander has dedicated the past 30 years to work closely related to his field. He served as the editor-in-chief of the weekly Book Review and has spent over 20 years organizing literary awards, including the Enlightener Prize. He is a member of the Expert Council of the non/fiction book fair and reads more than 50 books a year, sometimes reaching as many as 500 — and no, that’s not a typo.

Ekaterina Aksenova
A book blogger and author of the prometa.pro Telegram channel about non-fiction books, Ekaterina discusses new Russian- and English-language popular science books. She is a member of the Panel of Judges for the Enlightener, Best Translation Prize. Ekaterina reads more than 60 books a year and is known for her ability to appreciate even the most tedious books, as she can quickly scan them for the most interesting and important facts — and deliver engaging talks about her discoveries.

What books are we reading?
We select the most significant recently published non-fiction books and discuss them with you.
Book club meetings are held monthly.