Reading lists and book club

It’s that time of year again where the Listmaker of our book club receives the list for the year. In December, we all bring our suggestions to our Christmas dinner gathering. The Listmaker carefully writes each one down as we sit in a circle enjoying our sweets after our book-themed Kris Kringle. It’s a tough job for her as she always ends up with a list of over 50 odd books. Some of us come prepared with a basket of books to help influence by the look of the book, others have a paper list that they hand over. We leave having eaten, drunk and talked to our hearts content.

In January, the Listmaker brings a draft list to the annual picnic and over drinks and food in the Women’s Peace Gardens, the titles are debated – sometimes more fiercely than others – until it is too dark. Then before January is done, the list is sent out.

What to read in 2016

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Oh my goodness, there is so much to read this year! For a start there are the new releases from the likes of Tania Chandler, Kate Mildenhall, Olga Lorenzo and Jennifer Down to name a few (full disclosure and boasting moment: I know them all, studied with three at RMIT, and taught by one and they are all awesome writers).

Are you an ereader or paper reader?

I know we are meant to be embracing this wonderful new technology, but I am struggling.

A friend has lent me her ereader so I can read the next book on the list for our book club and she thinks it would be good for me to give a try with the idea that I may get one as well.  I’m the last one in my book club to move onto the new technology and I am at least ten years younger than the rest. In fact, I am meant to the age that is embracing new technology. As it turns out, the half generation above me is.

I am surprised how difficult I am finding it and I don’t know if it is just because I spend most of my working/studying time staring at a screen.