Shelf Therapy

Welcome to Shelf Therapy, the book club where literature meets inspiration. We are passionate about bringing the magic of books to the young generation especially in Indonesia.

By fostering a space where literature serves as catalyst for personal and collective liberation, Shelf Therapy invites you to explore the transformative power of reading.

About the Host

Laksmi DeNeefe Suardana is the heart and mind behind Shelf Therapy Book Club. Born in Ubud, Bali, she grew up surrounded by stories, art, and culture. She later lived in Melbourne and Florence, shaping a global perspective that fuels her passion for books and ideas.

In 2020, she launched the first Ubud Writers & Readers Festival Book Club on Instagram Live, bringing readers together across borders and engaging with the younger audience.

Crowned Bali’s first Puteri Indonesia and Miss Universe Indonesia, Laksmi used her platform to champion literacy, education, and empowerment. As the ambassador of Yayasan Mudra Swari Saraswati, she continues to elevate voices and stories that matter. With a Business of Fashion degree and a deep love for creativity, she blends literature, culture, and community.

Through Shelf Therapy, she sparks conversations in hope to inspire, challenge, and transform.

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Shelf Therapy Events

31 August 2026

Shelf Therapy Livestream Book Club : Cantik itu Luka

Shelf Therapy Discord Channel

What does it mean to understand Indonesia beyond its official history?This August, our Shelfmates on Discord voted for Eka Kurniawan’s Cantik itu Luka (Beauty Is a Wound) as our Shelf Therapy book pick — and we’re taking the conversation one step...

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It's more than a book club, it's a liberation movement.

Laksmi DeNeefe Suardana

Podcast Episodes

In each episode, Laksmi dives into books and how they profoundly influence lives.

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Shanghai, Cross Cultural Kid, and Finding a Voice: A Deep Dive with Aubrey Lescure

In this episode of Shelf Therapy Book Club Podcast, we chat with Aubrey Lescure, a French Chinese-American novelist and author of River East, River West.

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Shoukei Matsumoto on Cleaning, Rituals, and the Path to a Quiet Mind

In this episode of Book Club Podcast, we are honored to host Shoukei Matsumoto, a Japanese Buddhist monk and author of A Monk's Guide to a Clean House and Mind.

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Hanako Footman & Laura Woollett on Writing, Beauty, and Societal Expectations

In this episode of Book Club Podcast, we sit down with British-Japanese actress and novelist Hanako Footman and Australian author Laura Elizabeth Woollett.

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From Pages to Netflix: Ratih Kumala on Cigarette Girl, Sinetron, History & Fiction

In this episode of Book Club Podcast, we welcome acclaimed Indonesian author Ratih Kumala, known for her bestselling novel Cigarette Girl, recently adapted into a popular Netflix series.

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Cursed Bunny & Shanghailanders: Horror & Fiction Help Us Understand Better | Bora Chung & Juli Min

In this episode of Book Club Podcast, we dive into a thought-provoking discussion with renowned South Korean author Bora Chung and Korean American author Juli Min.