On Events, with Chris Gordon
Over the summer, I reread Susan Cooper’s 1964 thriller Mandrake. Set in an Orwellian future, England is under the thumb of a power-hungry Prime Minister who engineers a society of isolation that forces people back to their places of origin. (Sound familiar?) Standing against him is Dr David Queston. In an early scene, Queston waits for a train on a quiet platform and sees a sign; it reads: ‘Is your journey necessary?’
I have been asking myself this very same question as I balance my need to interact with friends and family with my deep desire to not become ill. It turns out, though, that connection is vital for my wellbeing and without engagement in the wider world, I feel stranded. I imagine I am not alone in feeling this way. And so, with a triumphant swing of my arm, I declare the Readings 2022 events program both imperative for wellbeing and open for business. Of course, given the landscape, there are changes. We will keep events online for the last month of summer, but as the shadows lengthen, we will slowly and carefully invite you into our well-ventilated, spacious, beautiful shops and ask that you remember how wonderful it is when we are together.
During February, join us to hear Dr Richard Denniss, Chief Economist at The Australia Institute and renowned for his ability to clearly explain complicated economic ideas and develop creative, fresh solutions. He’ll be discussing his latest essay, Big: The Role of the State in the Modern Economy, which tells us why it’s important that our government concentrate on keeping us all educated, healthy and housed. It turns out that purchasing a huge tank does little for our wellbeing.
Want more fuel for your outrage? Hear good friends Jeff Sparrow and Tony Birch discuss the very nature of capitalism and the environmental crisis on Wednesday, 16 February. Using Sparrow’s excellent book Crimes Against Nature as a springboard, these two authors will illuminate all the reasons why we should be very alarmed.
And if you need something to take your mind off, well, everything, settle into your own comfortable couch and listen to two wonderful authors chat about writing, the call of a rural landscape and how characters can take over your life. Michael Burge’s bestselling debut novel Tank Water is an exceptional coming-of-age story and crime thriller with a large and gentle heart. Michael will be in conversation with Rosalie Ham, the award-winning author of The Dressmaker and many other books, about the cost of keeping quiet – and the joy of being outside (Thursday 3 February).
There are plenty of events coming to you, both online and hopefully in-person. As I write this, I am thrilled to be organising opportunities for you to hear from Omar Musa, Jane Caro, Omar Sakr and so many other exciting authors. Do keep checking the events page on the our website for updates, and I hope it will spark in you a reminder of all the wonderful reasons to be pleased to live in Melbourne. Once the Covid dust has settled, we will be back in full swing. After all, this journey is necessary.
