At Melbourne’s Wheeler Centre May Next Big Thing event, step inside the stories and experiences of four writers whose work explores very different realms. 

Emily Spurr’s novel A Million Things ruminates on the secrets houses and families can conceal, Veronica Heritage-Gorrie’s memoir Black and Blue offers an insider’s perspective on justice, racism and the police force; Sam van Zweden’s Eating With My Mouth Open digests the personal and cultural aspects of food and bodies and Sar Fegan’s piece ‘Root Rot’, published in the latest issue of Voiceworks, is a personal dissection of the realities and flaws of the medical system.

Join these writers and the Wheeler Centre at the Moat restaurant and bar to explore these physical, emotional and structural spaces: their ins, outs and in-betweens.

Join Krissy Kneen, in conversation with Beejay Silcox, for the launch of The Three Burials of Lotty Kneen.

In her 2010 memoir, Affection, Krissy Kneen introduced readers to her unique family and the towering matriarchal figure of her grandmother. Stern, domineering, fiercely loving, Lotty Kneen—born Dragica—was always tight-lipped about her early life and family history. She rebuffed Krissy’s curiosity and forbade her from taking the trip back to the old country that might have satisfied it.

When her grandmother died recently, Krissy finally felt at liberty to explore the questions that had nagged at her for so long. In The Three Burials of Lotty Kneen Krissy sets out with a box containing her grandmother’s ashes, intending to trace the old woman’s early life in Slovenia and Egypt, and perhaps locate some remnants of family. Along the way she uncovers the extraordinary story of the colony of Slovene women who became the nannies of choice for the wealthy Italians of pre-war Alexandria — and identifies as best she can the places where Lotty’s restless, demanding spirit will be at peace.

Please click here to register - instore tickets are limited.

Readings are thrilled to celebrate the new edition of one of the world’s oldest novels - Apuleius’ The Golden Ass, now edited by renowned Australian philosopher Peter Singer in our beautiful Readings St Kilda shop.

The Golden Ass is a rollicking, erotic adventure story about a young man who is transformed into a donkey. Singer presents this novel as not just an entertaining story, but also an incredibly insightful example of ancient empathy for animals and their suffering. This is a wonderful opportunity to hear Peter Singer talk about ethics and empathy and the importance of both.

Peter will be in conversation with Ramona Koval, writer, journalist, broadcaster and editor. Her most recent book is A Letter to Layla.

This event is free to attend but bookings are essential as places are strictly limited.

Described by the Sydney Morning Herald as the ‘quiet giant of Australian crime fiction’, Garry Disher has written over fifty books and is the recipient of many awards, including the 2018 Ned Kelly Lifetime Achievement Award. Among his works are the seven books (and counting) in the popular Peninsula Crimes series, set on the Mornington Peninsula – where Disher himself lives.

What draws him to this darkest of genres? What inspires his tales of gothic secrets lurking beneath the sunny surface of the coastal community? Join Disher over lunch on the Mornington Peninsula at Montalto, as he discusses his extensive career – including his most recent book, Consolation.

Join celebrated philosopher Hugh Breakey for the launch of his debut novel, The Beautiful Fall, a cinematic, page-turning romance.

Hugh will be joined by fellow Brisbane writer Claire Christian, the beloved novelist of last year’s feel-good romance It’s Been A Pleasure, Noni Blake, to launch The Beautiful Fall.  

Breakey’s leadingman Robbie suffers from recurring memory loss. To cope, he leads a solitary, regimented life and speaks to no one if he can avoid it.

Until Julie invades his life. Beautiful, young — theonly woman he can ever remember meeting.

Hugh is a Senior Research Fellow in ethics and moral philosophy at Griffith University. He is married to New York Times betselling romance novelist Kylie Scott.

Claire is a storyteller. A playwright, author, theatre maker and facilitator. Her first novel Beautiful Mess won the Text Prize in 2017. Her play Lysa and the Freeborn Dames debuted at La Boite Theatre in 2018 and is published by Playlab. She’s had the great joy of directing Michelle Law’s smash hit play Single Asian Female since 2017. Her latest novel, It’s Been A Pleasure, Noni Blake, a contemporary adult romance, was released in October 2020 by Text Publishing. 

In The Three Burials of Lotty Kneen Krissy sets out with a box containing her grandmother’s ashes, intending to trace the old woman’s early life in Slovenia and Egypt, and perhaps locate some remnants of family.

Along the way she uncovers the extraordinary story of the colony of Slovene women who became the nannies of choice for the wealthy Italians of pre-war Alexandria —and identifies as best she can the places where Lotty’s restless, demanding spirit will be at peace.

Krissy will be joined in conversation by Transportation Press publisher and features reporter with ABC Hobart, Rachel Edwards. Join them in the Stables Room at the RACV Hotel.

Book your tickets here.

Join Sarah Krasnostein, award-winning author of The Trauma Cleaner as she discusses her new book The Believer at Glen Eira library.

Please note this is a free online event. Bookings are essential.

Join Readings for an evening as Sarah Sentilles and Kate Mildenhall as they discuss Stranger Care over Zoom.

Stranger Care is a devastating memoir about motherhood, from the award-winning author of Draw Your Weapons. After deciding not to have a biological child, American author Sarah Sentilles and her husband, Eric, try to adopt a baby through foster care. Knowing that the system aims for reunification with the birth family, they open their home to social workers who evaluate and prepare them to welcome a child into their family—even if it most likely means giving that child up. The call finally comes: a baby girl in urgent need of a foster family. They bring this newborn stranger home—but for how long?

In The Three Burials of Lotty Kneen, Krissy Kneen sets out with a box containing her grandmother's ashes, intending to trace the old woman's early life in Slovenia and Egypt, and perhaps locate some remnants of family.

Krissy will be in conversation with fellow author Toni Jordan.

Please RSVP to ellen@brunswickbound.com.au. A Zoom link will be sent to you on the day of the event.

Two Steps Onward is the wise, witty and wine-filled follow-up to Two Steps Forward, Graeme Simsion and Anne Buist’s bestselling novel about walking the Camino. It’s about helping the people you love, and knowing when to let go. Figuring out what you really want in life. And seizing your chances, before it’s too late. Three years after life got in the way of their long-distance relationship, Californian artist Zoe and English engineer Martin have an unexpected opportunity to reunite: a second chance to follow in the footsteps of pilgrims in Europe. This time, they won’t be walking the famous Camino de Santiago to north-west Spain but the less-travelled Chemin d’Assise and Via Francigena to Rome, along the mountainous paths from rural France.

This event is free to attend but bookings are essential as places are strictly limited.