Chris Gordon, Readings' community engagement and programming manager, shares a first look at the 2026 event program.
The very last Readings event held in 2025 was hosted at one of Readings’ unofficial headquarters and was titled ‘Jimmy Watson’s Bedtime Stories’. It was part of the wonderful A Day in Carlton festivities and at this event there were four authors reading bits and bobs they had written in the past. All the authors walked to the event. The audience was cosy, upstairs there at Jimmy Watson’s, and the sound wasn’t great, not all the seats were comfortable, and a few members of the audience had to stand. But when those authors read their works there was no movement: we fell still – all of us – because of other people’s stories. Yes, we cried and we laughed, but, most of all, we did not care that we were uncomfortable because we felt as though we belonged to a particular moment in time. An audience member told me the night felt magical and I understood immediately what she meant. Therefore, from now on, ‘a spell of storytellers’ is my favoured collective noun for those clever, brave people who write.
This year, I want to celebrate that bravery with another full programme of launches, poetry, walking tours, workshops, book clubs, and discussions. If you enjoy a walk-and-talk experience, Sean Reynolds of Melbourne Ghost Signs has plotted out exclusive tours for our readers, leaving from both our Carlton and Hawthorn shops. And if you are truly feeling like you want more, we are thrilled to have author Raeden Richardson leading aspiring writers in a short course on Saturdays at our Hawthorn shop. Please do check the events page on our website for dates and tickets. (And see you there!)
I was fortunate enough to spend my summer with many advanced reading copies by Melbourne authors. I do love a novel set in Marvellous Melbourne and don’t tell anyone yet, but the one and only Dervla McTiernan’s latest story, Three Reasons for Revenge, spans locations from Spotswood to Hawthorn. You can find out more at our event with her in April. And I did also manage to watch the film adaptation of Addition at my local theatre. You may remember Addition is by local author Toni Jordan, one of the generous women in our literary landscape who often appears in our programme.
My extensive reading research over the long summer days has led me to tell you that this year, there is a riot of good stories coming your way. I am delighted to have already lined up events with authors Fiona Hardy, J.P. Pomare, Louise Milligan, Sarah Bailey, Jane Caro, Kate Holden and many more. My favourite part of any event is when the author reads from their work and then later, I head home with my copy, and when I open it to read, I can hear their voice. It makes their words just a little more immediate and powerful. Honestly, I feel like we need stories right now: stories that make us forget where we are, ones that remind us of our origins, and that inspire us to change.
My hope this year is for everyone to fall under the spell of someone else’s story. It might just make this year easier.
A note from Mark Rubbo
Bonjour Readings customers,
In September 2026, Readings will be hosting A Reading Retreat at La Gonette, a stunning 14th-century château in Provence – and we’d love you to join us.
I’ll be there alongside Lou Ryan (manager of our Carlton shop) and a small group of 12 guests for a week created especially for readers: long stretches of reading, stimulating workshops, lively conversations, and exceptional food and wine, all set against the beauty of the French countryside. La Gonette itself is something special – generous, gentle, and deeply restorative.
You’ll find all the details, including the programme brochure, here.
The places are filling, so don’t miss out. We’d love to spend time there with you.
Au revoir,
Mark Rubbo
