Join us upstairs at Gleebooks for the launch of A.D. Hope: A Life by Susan Lever.

Susan Lever will be in conversation with Peter Kirkpatrick on her new book – The first biography of Alec Derwent Hope (1907–2000), one of Australia's greatest poets.

This biography recounts Hope's early life in rural Tasmania, the influences of his education at Sydney and Oxford universities, his notoriety as a critic and wit in the 1940s and '50s, and his career as a poet and academic, which placed him at the centre of Australian literary life for over fifty years.

Drawing on Hope's poetry, notebooks and surviving letters to friends, biographer Susan Lever examines the many contrasts and contradictions of Hope's life: a polite, softly spoken man with a savage wit; a professor who refused to confine himself to the narrow specialisations of the academy; an intellectual with an emotionally complex inner life who lived in an outwardly conventional way in ordinary Australian suburbia; a poet responding to the major cultural shifts of the twentieth century and concluding that the contemporary poet's task was the renewal of tradition.

‘... a book everyone interested in modern literature will want to read.’ —Kevin Hart, author of Poetry and Revelation

Susan Lever taught literature for many years at the University of New South Wales, Canberra, and she is the author and editor of several books, including The Oxford Book of Australian Women's Verse and A Question of Commitment: Australian Literature in the Twenty Years after the War.

Peter Kirkpatrick has published widely in Australian literary studies and cultural history, and is an honorary associate professor in the discipline of English and Writing at the University of Sydney. He is the author of three poetry collections. His The Wild Reciter: Poetry and Popular Culture in Australia 1890–2020 was shortlisted for the 2025 Prime Minister’s literary award for Australian History in 2025.

Susan Lever will be in conversation with Robert Hefner on her new book A.D. Hope. A Life, the first biography one of Australia's greatest poets.

Alec Derwent Hope (1907–2000), with a long association with the Australian National University, was one of Australia's most acclaimed poets. His first collection was not published until he was forty-eight years old, mainly because of its sexual nature and fears of censorship, but its release cemented his reputation as the pre-eminent Australian poet of his time.This biography recounts Hope's early life in rural Tasmania, the influences of his education at Sydney and Oxford universities, his notoriety as a critic and wit in the 1940s and '50s, and his career as a poet and academic, which placed him at the centre of Australian literary life for over fifty years.

Drawing on Hope's poetry, notebooks and surviving letters to friends, biographer Susan Lever examines the many contrasts and contradictions of Hope's life: a polite, softly spoken man with a savage wit; a professor who refused to confine himself to the narrow specialisations of the academy; an intellectual with an emotionally complex inner life who lived in an outwardly conventional way in ordinary Australian suburbia; a poet responding to the major cultural shifts of the twentieth century and concluding that the contemporary poet's task was the renewal of tradition.

'In this highly engaging biography, Susan Lever provides invaluable insight into one of Australia's most important cultural figures, revealing A. D. Hope to be a poet of complexity, a generous promoter of other writers and an early advocate of Australian literary studies. This finely-researched book should generate much-needed fresh readings of Hope and his work.' —Ann Vickery,

Dr Susan Lever OAM, a graduate of the ANU and Sydney University, taught literature for many years at the University of New South Wales, Canberra, and she is the author and editor of several books, including The Oxford Book of Australian Women's Verse and A Question of Commitment: Australian Literature in the Twenty Years after the War.

Robert Hefner is a former Acting Editor and Assistant Editor of Eureka Street. He was Literary Editor of The Canberra Times from 1988 to 2000 and currently works as a freelance writer, editor and musician.

The vote of thanks will be given by Emeritus Professor Paul Hetherington.

Books will be available for signing from 5.30pm and again after the event.

Join us for the launch of The Ruin of Magic: Longing and Belonging in Strange Times by Kate Holden.

A poetic, roaming work of creativity and intellect

Is it possible to live wondrously by fluorescent light?

In The Ruin of Magic, award-winning writer Kate Holden follows in the footsteps of Katherine May, Maggie Nelson and André Aciman, crafting essays of intimate personal experience and sharply informed rumination on life in strange times.

Kate Holden will be in conversation with Sarah Hamilton

Meet us at 6:30pm for 7:00pm start at Ryan's Hotel Thirroul.

Readings Carlton are delighted to host the launch of award–winning author Kate Holden's The Ruin of Magic.

Kate Holden will be in-conversation with Chloe Hooper to discuss the book.

In gorgeous prose Holden meditates on her instinctive yearning for long-ago Europe versus the natural belonging she feels to the Australian landscape, and asks, What is a home? The strongest shelter or the most lethal trap, a museum of ourselves or a showcase of fashions? What, then, does it mean to make ourselves at home in an Australia still finding its way amidst old and avoided truths? Is nostalgia a reasonable mourning of timeless lore lost or a dangerous fantasy? And what has happened to magic and beauty in the glare of modern life?

Tony Abbott and Mark McKenna with Sally Warhaft

Books about Australia’s past continue to engage readers and dominate non-fiction bestseller lists. Tony Abbott, Rhodes Scholar, history buff, former parliamentarian and Australia’s 28^th Prime Minister, and Emeritus Professor Mark McKenna, of the University of Sydney (author of The Shortest History of Australia), will discuss their new books with anthropologist and broadcaster Sally Warhaft.

Sarah Bailey, Kate Mildenhall and Heather Rose with Jaclyn Crupi

For years, they forged successful careers in professions unrelated to the literary world. The desire to write a book  was too powerful, however. At what point can writers in Australia afford to go full-time? How do they survive financially, and how precarious/scary/rewarding/joyful is their choice?

Bob Brown, Tom McIlroy and Marian Wilkinson with Jo Dyer

This esteemed panel - former Greens leader Bob Brown, Guardian political editor Tom McIlroy and Walkley Award-winning journalist Marian Wilkinson - discuss "when did climate change politics become unsexy?"

Chris Hammer, Lee Kofman and Kate Holden with Hannie Rayson  

Three writers, each with very different writing styles and books, discuss what compelled them to write in their own voice, and capture their own thoughts on page. Playwright Hannie Rayson, who also takes workshops on memoir and biography writing, will host this event. 

Peter Doherty, Elizabeth Finkel and Corey Tutt with Libbi Gorr

What has caused some communities to doubt science’s research, findings and facts? And how much of this new scepticism is fuelled by politics? 

This session is supported by DeadlyScience  

Kate Holden, Lucinda Froomes Price and Jayne Tuttle with Peter Wilmoth

These writer guests reveal why they decided to commit their own personal stories to paper, and how cathartic (or otherwise) the process proved to be. 

Helen Trinca and Susan Wyndham with Laura Macdonald

The brilliant Australian post-war novelist and short story writer Elizabeth Harrower was private and guarded, and for many years readers knew little about her. With the arrival of two new biographies about her life, a new 21st Century fan club is emerging.

Hear from Moreno Giovannoni on his latest book, The Immigrants, a story of love, dreams, exile and tragedy, told with heartbreaking beauty.

Set in the Victorian town of Mitrefò, The Immigrants depicts a family as they build a new life in a strange land. Through love and exile, industry and tragedy, their unspoken dreams and fears unfold in this astonishing and moving book.

Moreno Giovannoni is the author of the critically acclaimed The Fireflies of Autumn and a freelance translator. The Immigrants was shortlisted for the 2026 Victorian Premier's Literary Awards.

Emma Shortis, Bruce Wolpe and Don Watson with Heather Ewart  

President Theodore Roosevelt once said: "The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any-price, peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first, the love of soft living, and the get-rich-quick theory of life.” Our panel stress-tests this theory against the backdrop of Donald Trump’s second administration and considers the country’s future as a world leader and prosperous, integrated civil democracy. 

Elizabeth Finkel, Jane Montgomery Griffiths and Sean Scalmer with Inala Cooper

In recent times, technology, sciences and technical skills have been deeply connected with jobs for the future,  while humanities were undervalued and resource-starved. With the arrival of AI, perhaps it’s time to rethink  the value of critical thinking, creativity, historical and social analysis, and clear communication. Welcome back, history, literature, philosophy and civics! Our panel discusses.

"We just have to be defiant,” says lifelong environmental activist and former Greens leader Dr Bob Brown. His new book Defiance presents challenges and provocations, ideas and new thinking, concern and optimism - and leaves the reader breathless with possibilities. We are honored to have Bob join us at Sorrento, in conversation with journalist and author Virginia Trioli.

Richard King and Toby Walsh with Seth Robinson

How humans might co-exist harmoniously with AI to achieve good is one of the most vexing questions of our age. Its positive impacts on education, science and medicine, research, climate and commerce are already part of our lives.  But what is the physical cost of digital intelligence? And how does it threaten our social and political fabric?  

Dennis Altman, Esther Anatolitis and Mark McKenna with Inala Cooper 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pretty much declared no referendum on whether Australia should become a republic - at least, not on his watch. Yet in the UK, calls for greater public scrutiny of the British Monarchy grow louder, while the Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor saga continues to tarnish reputations and harness anti-Royal public sentiment.  The panel discusses: what next for Australia and the King as our Head of State? 

Don Watson with Paul Daley

Award-winning author, historian and contributor to The Monthly, Don Watson, joins journalist and author Paul Daley for a deep-dive into The Shortest History of the United States of America, Don’s new bestselling new book. 

Helen Trinca, Nadia Wheatley, Geordie Williamson and Susan Wyndham with Jason Steger

Join these biographers as they recall the journey of researching and writing the stories of some remarkable women authors. 

Join us for a drink and hear what it’s like to have your writing work acknowledged by the literary and journalism communities – with Bri Lee, Sofie Laguna, Erik Jensen, Patrick Mullins and Pip Williams. 

Candice Fox, Rosalie Ham and Niall Williams with Kate Mildenhall

Candice Fox, Rosalie Ham and Niall Williams have experienced their books being optioned and turned into movies. They discuss with writer Kate Mildehnall the process of seeing your characters and storyline come to life on the big screen. 

Peter FitzSimons, Jock Serong and Helen Trinca with Michael Cathcart

How does a biographer deal with the ghost in the room, the person whose story you are trying to tell - creatively, engagingly and with accuracy? How do biographers navigate their way through truth, empathy, objectivity, admiration and those ”Eureka!” moments of discovery as they retell someone’s life journey? 

John Silvester, Kate Wild and Marian Wilkinson with Madeleine Grummet

An investigative journalist's anatomy of a scandal often reveals attempts to cover up, bury information, lie, blame others and fabricate stories result in more harm and more illegal or inappropriate behaviour. Our three multi award-winning journalists discuss what happens when smart people panic. 

Sean Scalmer, Sarah Wilson and Toby Walsh with Stephen Lunn

In just five years, office life for most Australians has changed beyond what anyone might have imagined 10 or 20 years ago. Our panel members will share their research and observations how the modern worker’s routine has changed, and why anxiety, stress, breakdowns in physical and mental capacities, performative productivity and the erosion of home-work boundaries are very real challenges to employers and employees.

Troy Bramston, Lucinda Holdforth and Don Watson with Libbi Gorr

Whether it’s a wedding, a funeral, a conference or a key-note, writing and delivering speeches is no easy task. Our three panel members - each speechwriters to Australian politics leaders - discuss how to take audiences on a journey they’ll never forget. 

Bri Lee, Kate Mildenhall and JP Pomare with Hannie Rayson
Where do great characters come from? Do your family or friends ever recognise themselves in your work? And why is the flawed, imperfect oddball in a novel way more interesting than someone nice? 

Geraldine Brooks, Jennifer Byrne, Annabel Crabb and Marian Wilkinson with Tom Wright 

This session is supported by Pitcher Partners

Evelyn Araluen, Maxine Beneba Clarke, Erik Jensen, Richard King, Thomas Mayo and Richard Piper with Jane Montgomery Griffiths

This session is supported by I-Nex

Madeleine Gray, Sarah Krasnostein, Michael Shmith and Georgie Williamson with Jason Steger

Elizabeth Buchanan, Bob Carr and Toby Walsh with Steve Bracks 

War, invasion and conflict are still alive and well but in 2026, there are new forces in play threaten a nation’s security, including cyberspace and data centre control, “green grabbing” and the dismantling of indigenous land sovereignty, and acquiring land to ensure supply chains function. Our panel reflects upon land’s role as ultimate superpower asset.

Konrad Marshall, Martin McKenzie-Murray with Rose Donohoe

Newspaper sports sections - and sporting books - still produce some of journalism’s best reporting and finest writing. Our panel discusses why.

Chris Kohler and Marian Wilkinson with Daniel Ziffer  

Panel member Chris Kohler’s new book How They Get You:  Sneaky Everyday Economics and Smart Ways to Hold on to Your Money is the catalyst for a conversation with investigative journalist Marian Wilkinson about businesses that behave badly - and what communities can do to fight back. 

Sean Kelly, Amy Remeikis, Don Watson with Brendan Donohoe  

At a time when political pundits are questioning the Liberal -National Party alliance and its capacity to win government, our panel dissects the past, present and future of conservative politics in Australia. 

Desmond Manderson will be in conversation with Malcolm McLeod, Anna Olsen and Carolyn Strange on his new book High Time: How Australia Changed Its Mind About Illegal Drugs, a unique look at Australia's treatment of illegal drugs from the 1980s to the present.

How did the nation change its mind about drugs? Australia's repressive treatment of illicit drugs began with racist anti-Chinese laws around 1900. Until the mid-1980s, prohibition seemed absolute and unalterable, supported by local police forces, state and federal agencies and international law.

This book tells the surprising story of what happened next: the turn to a 'harm minimisation' approach. Compelled by the AIDS crisis and medical professionals agitating for change, Australian governments began to consider whether thousands of lives could be saved – not by preventing the use of drugs, but by reducing the risks associated with their use. Along the way, what began as a pragmatic response to a health crisis morphed into something more: a moral argument for compassion and respect.

Examining such controversial issues as pill testing, injecting rooms, medicinal cannabis, the opioid crisis, and vaping , High Time traces the efforts, often faltering and provisional, to forge a new path forward. Written with clarity and elegance by one of Australia's leading authorities on drug policy and history, it presents the story of Australian drug law as one that remains unfinished but is moving in a hopeful direction.

Books will be available for signing from 5.30pm and again after the event.

Readings Carlton are delighted to host the launch of Sirens: Inside the Shadow World of First Responders Martin McKenzie-Murray.

Martin McKenzie-Murray will be in-conversation with Gideon Haigh to discuss the book. 

Three first responders - a paramedic, a police officer and a firefighter - are motivated by a desire to serve the community. But they are drawn to their work by more complicated impulses as well- a need for control, an acute awareness of danger, and childhood experiences they are still running from.

Peter, a paramedic, served at high-profile disasters including the Port Arthur massacre and the Beaconsfield mine collapse. Tara, a firefighter, experienced devastating loss at a young age. Brett, a police officer, survived childhood neglect and abuse. In telling their stories, Martin McKenzie-Murray draws on his own experience and his research into trauma and recovery to ask profound questions about human motivation and survival.

This is a free event, but bookings are essential.