On Events, with Chris Gordon
Honestly, I’m delighted winter is over. I find the last weeks of that bitter frigid wind unpleasant. I yearn to sit outside surrounded by friends on a balmy afternoon and talk about how we are going to change the world, one book at a time. The wonderful Melbourne Writers Festival, which has chosen ambition as its theme this year, is thinking along the same lines. Speak up and often. Listen together.
The authors in our events calendar this month will knock the beanie off your head. Let us start with respected journalist Kristine Ziwica, who has written the book Leaning Out as part of The Crikey Read series. It maps a decade of stasis on the gender equality front in Australia and explores why the pandemic has led to a breakthrough. Ziwica will discuss her book on Tuesday 20 September.
I’m always inspired by authors who share lessons from their own life, especially those who have their feet on the ground and their heart filled with hope. Sally Rippin is one such woman and her first book for adults, Wild Things, is based on her experiences of her son’s dyslexia and what can happen when reading does not come easily. My brilliant daughter also has dyslexia, and reading this book allowed me to feel part of a larger conversation. It made me feel lighter, like that radiating glow you get when you position yourself so the sun warms your back. Join Sally on Thursday 22 September if you want to be part of that feeling too.
Speaking of warmth, I am also thrilled to announce Hetty Lui McKinnon is flying in from New York to chat with Jess Ho about food, family, culture and why it is important to be honest, kind and generous, always (Thursday 29 September). You may already follow both of these brilliant authors. Jess Ho’s memoir, Raised by Wolves, is causing ripples throughout the food and literary scenes; and Hetty’s recipes are always a source of nourishment. Her new book, Tenderheart, is a cookbook about vegetables, but since it’s Hetty writing the recipes, each dish becomes about so much more.
I do think listening to Hetty chat with Jess will be one of the treats of the year. This is how the evening could pan out. You meet your friends at Readings in the late afternoon, and pick out a novel to read over the weekend. (Something juicy like Jane Harper’s new mystery Exiles, which will be out by then.) Afterwards, you find a seat outdoors at a bar and order something light and dry. You finish your drink, and head towards the Church of All Nations, settled as it is among the community flats in Carlton. There you receive the signed copy of Hetty’s book that was included with your ticket purchase, and you take a seat. On either side of you is someone you love. Outside the sun is starting to move away, but through the open doors you can smell the jasmine. Spring is here.
