On events, with Chris Gordon
To escape doom scrolling, national disasters and news of the pending election, I’m treating this month like it’s 2019. And to be perfectly frank, this month of wonderful events makes my quest very easy. We burst into March with the pure elation of being able to hold live events again, and long may it continue. If that was you on the MPavilion lawn listening to hip-hop, or you squeezed into a corner listening to poetry at the Carlton or St Kilda shop, or you sympathising with authors at Readings Hawthorn or our sweet State Library shop, or you dancing to jazz in Readings Emporium and waiting to get a book signed, thank you. There has not been a sweeter gift than seeing you there.
I’m delighted to introduce our April program, ducking here and there as it does around Easter and long weekends, allowing us valuable moments for reflection. Many of this month’s authors’ works centre on this very theme of contemplation. For example, Chloe Hooper’s Bedtime Story. When Hooper’s partner was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive illness, she had to find a way to tell their two young sons. By instinct, she turned to the bookshelf and to children’s literature. Bedtime Story is her memoir of this time and features stunning illustrations by the award-winning Anna Walker. Join us at Readings Carlton on Thursday 28 April at 6:30pm to launch this profound and moving exploration of the dark and light of storytelling.
I’m delighted to announce we’ll be holding more and more poetry evenings and this month’s offering includes poet Asiel Adán Sánchez reading of their stunning debut, m//otherland at Readings Carlton on Wednesday 20 April (6:30pm). In the words of the publisher, who puts it best, Asiel’s poems ‘explore the nooks of Mexican roots, family, queerness, sanctity and memory, weaving restlessly peering between borders, bodies and liminal spaces.’
And if you haven’t danced in one of our shops yet, here is your chance. Lisa Mitchell has spent the last six years quietly perfecting what many consider ‘the best songs of her entire career’. These new songs are wide, transformative, and tap into the power of the Australian landscape to allow us to feel alive again. Join us for the release of her fifth and most accomplished album, A Place to Fall Apart (Readings Carlton, 8pm, Friday 22 April) where Lisa will discuss what inspired the songs, sign fresh-off -the-presses vinyl, and of course sing us a song or two.
Do keep up to date by checking our events webpage often – we are hosting an ever-increasing number of exciting events across so many of our shops. And don’t forget, for those who aren’t able to attend in-person events, we bring you a fresh podcast from our still-running online events every fortnight. It’s perfect listening for commuting to your workplace on a Tuesday or Thursday.
