Introducing our event program for May
We have a very special event planned for this month. On Monday 11 May we’re delighted to have Readings’ managing director Mark Rubbo in conversation with author Helen Garner at the Church of all Nations. These two people have changed the way Australians appreciate writers and writing, and it’s sure to be a fascinating conversation. Plus, all proceeds from this event will be donated to the Readings Foundation.
Kids will be keen to join beloved children’s author Sally Rippin for story time at Readings St Kilda on Saturday 9 May, or bring their teddy along to the launch of Nicki Greenberg’s new picture book (Teddy Took the Train) at Readings Hawthorn on Sunday 10 May. We also have the wonderful Elizabeth Honey joining us at Readings Carlton’s story time on Saturday 23 May.
May is also a great month for memoirs. Ramona Koval will discuss Bloodhound: Searching For My Father, her moving tale of family secrets, this Thursday 7 May at Readings Hawthorn. And on Monday 18 May at Readings St Kilda, Luke Ryan will be in conversation with Oliver Mol about Mol’s debut memoir Lion Attack! – a funny, affecting and accessible coming-of-age narrative that is unlike anything you’ve ever read before and sure to entertain.
Foodies will love Michelle Crawford’s gorgeous new memoir and cookbook, A Table in the Orchard and at lunchtime on Wednesday 13 May at Readings Hawthorn, they can join Michelle in conversation with Chris Gordon, our resident foodie and event manager. Similarly to Michelle (who moves to a little farmhouse in Tasmania), Helga Leunig moved to a farm in north-east Victoria to live with the beauty, simplicity and peace of country life. Helga will share her beautiful book of photographs (Mother Country: Reflections of Australian Rural Life) with Cate Kennedy at Readings St Kilda on Thursday 21 May.
Our fiction highlight for May sees Krissy Kneen in conversation with Christos Tsiolkas on Thursday 14 May at Readings Carlton. Join Krissy and Christos to talk about the philosophy of sex, sexuality in literature, and Kneen’s new novel The Adventures of Holly White and the Incredible Sex Machine. On Thursday 28 May the third instalment of the Kill Your Darling First Book Club will be looking at Abigail Ulman’s Hot Little Hands, a fresh, funny short story collection.
Finally, in May Readings are proud to partner with some wonderful Festivals including Readings Matters and the Melbourne Jewish Writers Festival. We’re also hosting two events at Readings St Kilda in association with our friends at the Emerging Writers Festival. Join us on Wednesday 27 May to hear Andy Griffith talk to aspiring writers about his grassroots approach to writing, or on Thursday 4 June to hear fiction authors (and Readings staff!) Miles Allinson, Leanne Hall, and Alec Patric discuss how they got published with Readings book buyer and spotter of the next big thing in local publishing, Martin Shaw.
