Join us at the library for a special Live & Local event, where you can soak up big‑city literary energy without leaving town. Hear from some of Australia’s most brilliant writers and thinkers, experience thought‑provoking conversations, and feel that electric festival buzz, all from the comfort of your local library.
Grab a seat, bring some snacks, settle in, and enjoy the next best thing to being there in person.
Please book for each session you’re interested in so we can manage numbers.
Sessions:
Thursday 21 May
The Future of Democracy: Fighting Authoritarianism with A.C. Grayling 10:00am - 10:55am
Hear how Professor of Philosophy A.C. Grayling outlines the fragility of democracy in the face of rising authoritarianism in For The People, followed by a discussion chaired by Nick Bryant and Rosalind Dixon.
Yann Martel: Son of Nobody 12:00pm - 12:55pm
Unravel ancient traditions of storytelling with the Booker Prize–winning author of Life of Pi, Yann Martel, as he discusses his new novel, Son of Nobody with ABC Radio National’s Claire Nichols.
Stephanie Alexander: The Cook's Companion 30th Anniversary 2:00pm - 2:55pm
Hear from Australia’s beloved chef Stephanie Alexander on the 30th anniversary of her essential kitchen resource and one of our favourite cookbooks, The Cook’s Companion. With chef Adam Liaw.
Bringing the Past to Life 4:00pm - 4:55pm
Sink into stories from near and far in this Festival favourite event with Robbie Arnott, YannMartel and TasmaWalton, in conversation with ABC Radio National’s KateEvans.
David Szalay: Flesh 6:00pm - 6:55pm
Hear 2025 Booker Prize winner David Szalay trace the evolution of his singular, propulsive novel Flesh and the slowly unravelling life of its protagonist. With Michelle de Kretser.
Friday 22 May
Big Histories 10:00am - 10:55am
Revisit the past to find solutions for the present and future with bestselling author Amitav Ghosh and existential risk researcher Luke Kemp, with host Clare Wright.
Susan Choi: Flashlight 12:00pm - 12:55pm
Louise goes for a walk along the beach with her father, but only she returns.
Trent Dalton: Gravity Let Me Go 2:00pm - 2:55pm
Join multi-award-winning writer Trent Dalton to discuss his latest novel, Gravity Let Me Go, and its themes of love, family, ambition and deception. In conversation with Cassie McCullagh.
Great Adaptations 4:00pm - 4:55pm
Get behind-the-scenes insight into adapting stories from page to screen with writers Mick Herron (Slow Horses) and Suzie Miller (Prima Facie) in conversation with Benjamin Law.
Florence Knapp: The Names 6:00 6:55pm
Explore the profound force of family and the life-defining act of naming a child with bestselling debutauthor of The Names, Florence Knapp, in conversation with ABC Radio National’s Claire Nichols