Alpine Shire Council is encouraging families to take part in Children's Week 2026, running from 24 October to 1 November, through themed Story Time and Rhyme Time sessions at local libraries. The week's theme centres on children's rights to use their own language, enjoy their culture and practise their religion, with stories, songs and activities built around respecting the varied identities and traditions of all young people. Every child attending a session during the week will receive a free storybook to keep.
Logan Bookfest will bring readers, writers and book lovers together at the Beenleigh Events Centre on Saturday 24 October. The free event runs from 9am to 4pm and is aimed at readers of all ages, aspiring writers and families. Organiser Kathy Shanks, owner of Turtle Publishing, said the festival gives local authors a chance to meet their audience. Local authors taking part include Laura Morris, Andrew Henderson, Cam Shaw and 17-year-old Siobhan Wilson, who wrote Our Pixie Friends.
Lifeline's Big Book Fair is back at the Illawarra Sports & Community Precinct in Berkeley, with more than 80,000 pre-loved books on sale over four days from 22 to 25 October 2026. A Tough Guy Book Club member marks the event with reflections on his reading habits. He says books offer a cheap way to learn and travel without leaving home, and he defends writing in margins and abandoning books he dislikes. He also urges readers to approach self-help titles with scepticism and to read outside their interests.
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Tim Winton's 1991 novel Cloudstreet has topped ABC Radio National's Top 100 Australian Books countdown, based on more than 280,000 votes. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton, Burial Rites by Hannah Kent and A Fortunate Life by AB Facey complete the top five. The list includes titles from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. A quiz invites readers to test their knowledge by placing the books on a timeline.
The digital edition for this week is now available, with readers advised to allow time for the page to load when accessing the content. This update was published on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 9:00 am.
Ten Canberra cafés have been recommended as ideal spots for reading and writing. Each venue offers a unique atmosphere, with some suited to mysteries, others to romance, and some to serious coffee and short reading sessions. The cafés include Cafe Alibi, Fav Cup, Bloom Room, Li’l Brew Espresso Bar, East Row Cafe, Pressed Coffee Co, Močan & Green Grout, The Cupping Room, Roy Jr. and Two Before Ten.
Canberrans are encouraged to visit local bookshops this Saturday for Love Your Bookshop Day. The event features 23 participating stores, author events, children's activities, and special offers. The theme 'Ask a bookseller. Shake up your shelf' promotes personalised book recommendations. The Canberra Bookshop Trail will also launch, with a physical map guiding visitors to bookshops across the city and region.
