Explore the 2026 Program

Curate Your Festival | Book Club Outings

We know that the Festival has a lot of events to choose from so we’ve curated a selection of events to help you decide what to see based on your interests.

We also have multipack discounting available for when you book 4 events, 5 events or 6 or more events. Book all or some of the events in this selection to receive your discount.

For the Book Club Outings curated events, we’ve rounded up some of the biggest and buzziest books to stimulate lively discussion at your next meeting. Whether you favour romance, fantasy or something a bit weirder, there’s something for everyone here.

Bringing the Past to Life | Thursday 21 May, 4pm

Sink into stories from near and far in this Festival favourite event with Robbie Arnott, Yann Martel and Tasma Walton, in conversation with ABC Radio National’s Kate Evans. 

Found in Translation | Friday 22 May, 11am

Hear video game translator Matt Alt, South Korean writer and translator Bora Chung and Argentinian writer Mariana Enriquez share their insights into translating and being translated. In conversation with award-winning translator Daniel Hahn.

Dark Materials | Friday 22 May, 2pm

Hear novelists Michael Mohammed Ahmad, Florence Knapp and David Szalay as they discuss the dark themes that were the impetus for their new novels, with host Jacqueline Maley.

Past, Present, Emerging | Friday 22 May, 3pm

Hear from Tony Birch, Melissa Lucashenko, Bruce Pascoe and Tasma Walton as they discuss their literary lineages, in conversation with Melanie Saward.

Florence Knapp: The Names | Friday 22 May, 6pm

Explore the profound force of family and the life-defining act of naming a child with bestselling debut author of The Names, Florence Knapp, in conversation with ABC Radio National’s Claire Nichols.

Tony Tulathimutte: Rejection | Friday 22 May, 7pm

Plumb the depths of millennial malaise with Tony Tulathimutte, Thai American author of Rejection, a darkly funny and satirical novel-in-stories. In conversation with Benjamin Law.

Amitav Ghosh in Conversation | Saturday 23 May, 10am

Join acclaimed writer Amitav Ghosh to explore the themes of history, post-colonialism and environmentalism behind his rich body of work, including his new novel Ghost-Eye. In conversation with Michael Williams.

Lily King: Heart the Lover | Saturday 23 May, 8pm

Revel in this unforgettable story of love, desire, friendship and loss as New York Times–bestselling author Lily King discusses her latest novel, Heart the Lover, with Melanie Kembrey.

Rally all your book club members together to spend some time at the Festival with these exciting international guest authors.

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