The Book Club XL

Beyond Monogamy

The Book Club XL returns to Felix Meritis for a special edition, where we gather to reflect and learn more about ethical non-monogamy.

At a time when conservative views on love and relationships are making a popular comeback, bold individuals are exploring other ways of loving. From polyamory to open marriages and other non-traditional forms of connection, they’re challenging the norm and redefining what love can look like.

In this edition of The Book Club XL we dive into an open conversation with Deepa Paul, author of “Ask Me How It Works: Love in an Open Marriage”to discuss her experiences with open marriage. We will be joined by specialists who share their insights on the psychology of monogamy, dating trends, and queer love. Together, we explore how intimate connection, desire, and love can work beyond monogamy.

About The Book Club
The Book Club is a refreshing take on traditional book clubs, making it possible for anyone to join the conversation without having read the book. It breaks down the barriers and welcomes all curious minds and philosophers to discuss interesting topics touched upon in the books. The Book Club XL redesigns the traditional panel talk, where we centre the conversation in the middle of the room, making it conversation with the audience rather than just the panelists.

Deepa Paul

Deepa Paul is a Filipino-Indian writer based in Amsterdam. Her work spans journalism, personal essays, and copywriting for major brands like HBO, Netflix, and Disney. She’s been published in outlets such as Seventeen Philippines, Gal-Dem, Rappler, and Sky Island Journal, and has read her work at art venues like Schmutz Cinema and spoken at events including Creative Mornings and Come Alive. She was a sex and intimacy panelist at Come Alive, a large-scale exhibition on the power of pleasure, and featured speaker at the 10th anniversary celebration of De Meerminners, the longest-running polyamory community in The Netherlands. This year, she released her book Ask Me How It Works. An unexpectedly relatable and joyfully vibrant book on love in an open marriage. It details her experiences transitioning from monogamy to polyamory within an open marriage.

Suzanne Allegonda

With a background in social psychology, she blends her training as a therapist with her love for art and books, always exploring the questions that shape how we connect and understand each other. Fascinated by the ways we construct meaning, love, and relationships, Suzanne now guides people through the challenges and joys of non-monogamy, develops online programs, and hosts ENM storytelling evenings in Amsterdam called Poly Stories.

Aisha Tusa

Aisha Tusa is a conversation facilitator who works with schools, companies, prisons, and more to open up dialogue around taboo and uncomfortable social matters. Drawing on a variety of methods, among which that of the Theatre of the Oppressed, she sparks reflection and exchange with people of all ages and backgrounds. Grounded in her lived knowledge of queer life and love, she challenges the primacy of the romantic couple and explores what equality between platonic and romantic relationships can look like.

Kriticos

Kriticos is Creator and main host of the Book Club; Kriticos is of Zambian and Tanzanian descent and has been based in Belgium most of his life. He loves discussions about love, spirituality and especially loves questioning the status quo and the systems put in place in today’s society.

Would you like to attend this program, but don’t have the means to pay for a ticket? Send an email to info@felixmeritis.nl, we can work something out.