An August events round-up
We have a bumper crop of events coming up in August and September, so we’ve highlighted some key events below for both kids and adults. Please check out our full events calendar here – there’s something for everyone!
Kids’ event pick of the month
An A–Z of Endangered Animals with Jennifer Cossins
Jennifer Cossins is a 2017 Children’s Book Council of Australia Honour Book-winning Tasmanian artist and writer with a passion for nature, the animal kingdom and all things bright and colourful. Come along for this special visit from Cossins, at which she’ll talk about her books, including the gorgeous A–Z of Endangered Animals.
Where: Readings Kids
When: 11:00am, Sunday 4 August
How much: Free, but please book here.
Adults’ event pick of the month
Annabel Crabb in conversation with Virginia Trioli
We are thrilled to be hosting the celebration of the Quarterly Essay 75 at the Melbourne Athenaeum with Annabel Crabb. As the author of the QE 75, Crabb’s essay on politics, work and gender deploys political observation, workplace research and her characteristic humour to argue that gender equity cannot be achieved until men are as free to leave the workplace (when their lives demand it) as women are to enter it. In the last half-century, women have revolutionised the way we work and live. But men’s lives have changed remarkably little in that time. Join Crabb for a conversation with journalist Virginia Trioli in which she will ask why this is the case, and what we can do about it.
Where: Melbourne Athenaeum, 188 Collins St, Melbourne CBD
When: 6:00pm, Monday 9 September
How much: Tickets are $45 per person and include a copy of Quarterly Essay 75: Annabel Crabb on Politics, Work and Gender. Bookings are essential, please click here.
And please join us at
Megan K. Stack and Mary Crooks on women’s work
When journalist Megan K. Stack was pregnant with her first child, she quit her job as a foreign correspondent to instead write books. She pictured herself pen in hand while the baby slept, but instead found herself traumatised by a difficult birth and the reality of life with a baby quite different from her expectations. Living abroad provided her with access to affordable domestic labour, and hiring a nanny gave her back the ability to work. But when Pooja, an Indian nanny, disappeared one night with no explanation, Stack was confronted by several truths: these women were not replaceable, and her life had become inextricably intertwined with theirs.
Women’s Work is her exploration of the work that is overwhelming done by women the world over, of motherhood and of privilege. Come along to hear Stack in conversation about her book, and the issues it raises, with Mary Crooks, the director of the Victorian Women’s Trust.
Where: Readings Hawthorn
When: 6:30pm, Thursday 8 August
How much: This event is free, but please book here.
Jane Sullivan in conversation with Jason Steger
In Storytime: Growing Up with Books, author and literary critic Jane Sullivan takes us from Wonderland to Narnia, Moomintroll to Mr Toad and from Winnie the Pooh to the Magic Pudding, to find out why her favourite childhood books were so vitally important, and how they shaped the woman she is today. Come along to hear Sullivan discuss with Jason Steger her emotional adventure down memory lane, during which she relives old joys and faces old fears, and discovers that the books were not what she thought they were, and she was not the child she thought she was.
Where: Readings Carlton
When: 6:30pm, Tuesday 6 August
How much: This event is free but please book here.
Uncle Jack Charles in conversation
Jack Charles has worn many hats throughout his life: actor, cat burglar, musician, heroin addict, activist, even Senior Victorian Australian of the Year. But the title he’s most proud to claim is that of Aboriginal Elder. Come along to hear him discuss his heartbreaking and hilarious new book, Jack Charles: Born-again Blakfella, in a candid and uplifting memoir from one of Australia’s most beloved actors.
Where: Readings Carlton
When: 6:30pm, Tuesday 20 August
How much: Free, but please book here.
Peter Goldsworthy in conversation with Robert Gott
Join us to hear award-winning author Peter Goldsworthy discuss his new book, Minotaur, with Robert Gott. Part laugh-out-loud comedy, party deadly serious study of revenge, part love story, this unique novel from one of our finest writers is also a slow, crabwise journey of self-discovery.
Where: Readings Carlton
When: 6:30pm, Thursday 22 August
How much: Free, but please book here.
Zine workshop with Ashley Ronning
Ashley Ronning is a Melbourne-based illustrator, artist and zine maker. Her creative endeavours began when she was five and she cut her own hair to complete a picture of a pony. Ronning travels around Australia hosting zine workshops, attending zine fairs and spreading her zines far and wide. She’ll be joining us at Readings Hawthorn for a zine workshop – come along and make your own zine.
Where: Readings Hawthorn
When: 4:30pm, Tuesday 20 August
How much: Tickets are $20 per person and include the workshop, snacks, equipment and a copy of one of Ronning’s zines. This workshop is suitable for young people aged 12–16. Please book here.
