Literary Lunch - Meet Dolores Bellemo, author of Crazy for Italy

Dolores Bellemo was born in Malta and arrived in Australia at the age of seven. Whilst Australia is home she has a love affair with Italy. Dolores studied Italian at university and first visited that country in 1975. Since then she has been back many times and her book Crazy for Italy celebrates her love for the country its inhabitants. The book is illustrated by her husband architect and artist, Aldo Bellemo.

Dolores is the author of a number of other works and currently teaches Italian at Emerald U3A

When: Thursday 24th November 12:30pm
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: $10 includes lunch
Bookings essential phone 97547266

Cheers, Maryanne

Literary Lunch - Author Adrian Hyland discusses the heroes of the 2009 bushfires

"This is a masterpiece of storytelling about the most terrifying natural disaster in Australia’s recorded history."

Kerry O’Brien

Adrian Hyland’s latest book Kinglake-350 records the experiences and heroism of those caught in the 2009 bushfires. The book has garnered warm praise from readers and reviewers alike.

Adrian’s two previous books, Diamond Dove and Gunshot Road are set in Central Australia and feature Aboriginal sleuth Emily Tempest. Diamond Dove was the winner of the Ned Kelly Award for First Fiction in 2007.

Adrian is a lecturer at La Trobe University.

When: Thursday 27 October 12:30pm
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: $10 includes lunch
Bookings essential phone 97547266

Cheers, Maryanne

Belgrave's Literary Lunch - Enter the World of Jane Austen

To recreate the world of Jane Austen actor Lise Rodgers has undertaken considerable research. Lise will share her knowledge and love of Jane Austen’s works in this enjoyable lunch.

Lise Rodgers has worked in theatre, film and television in addition to winning awards for her audio book readings. Lise will be performing as Jane Austen in a series of presentations for the Johnston Collection later this year.

When: Thursday 29th September 12:30pm
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: $10 includes lunch
Bookings essential phone 97547266 or book online - Jane Austen

Cheers, Maryanne

Meet author Toni Jordan at Belgrave's Literary Lunch

Sometimes we all need a little escape from our own mundane lives and with Toni Jordan; one is in very safe hands.

Readings Review

Born in Brisbane, Toni has a science degree and after various jobs enrolled to study Creative Writing at RMIT. Her work attracted the attention of publisher Michael Heyward from Text Publishing and the rest as they say is history.

Toni Jordan’s first book Addition (2008) was published to critical acclaim and the publication rights have been sold around the world. Her second book Fall Girl (2010) has received similar positive responses.

Please join us for an entertaining lunch.

When: Thursday 26th May 12:30pm
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: $10 includes lunch
Bookings essential phone 97547266

Cheers, Maryanne

Literary Lunch – Meet actor, comedienne, musician and author Jane Clifton

Actor, comedienne, musician and author Jane Clifton is all of these things in one unique person. With her third book about to be published in May 2011, Jane will share with us the books she loves, her reflections on the writing process and some of the experiences that have formed part of her fascinating life.

Please join us for a very enjoyable lunch.

When: Thursday 28th April 12:30pm
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 97547266

Cheers, Maryanne

Literary Lunch - Author Donna Williams' personal experience with autism

Remarkable...an eloquent, disturbing account of harrowing transition from severely withdrawn autistic child to college-educated writer.

This was the Boston Globe's reaction to the first of Donna William's books Nobody Nowhere, a worldwide bestseller which dealt with her personal experience of autism.

When: Thursday 25th November 12:30pm
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: $10 includes lunch
Bookings essential phone 97547266

Cheers, Maryanne

Join author and publisher Nick Anchen at our Literary Lunch to share his love of the Dandenong Ranges

Since his childhood in Croydon Nick Anchen has always had a love of the Dandenong Ranges. He has explored the area extensively and his publications testament to that knowledge and attachment. In addition to his own work Nick has published two books by Macarthur Job, the second of which, Into Oblivion is a change of format and geography being concerned with the loss of the aircraft Southern Cloud in the Snowy Mountains.

Please join us for a fascinating literary lunch.

When: Thursday 30th September 12:30pm
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: $10 includes lunch
Bookings essential phone 97547266 or book online - Nick Anchen

Cheers, Maryanne

Meet children's author Elizabeth Fensham at Belgrave Library's Literary Lunch

Children's Book Week is a time to celebrate all that is best in children's literature. Our guest, local writer Elizabeth Fensham has worked as an English teacher for many years. She is the author of Helicopter Man which won CBCA Book of the Year: Younger Readers in 2006, Miss McAllister's Ghost (a notable book) and Goodbye Jamie Boyd which was shortlisted for the Bologna White Raven award. Her new book, Matty Forever is shortlisted again this year.

Elizabeth is a regular visitor to the library and has started a group for young adult writers in the hills. They meet on alternate Wednesdays in the library community room from 5pm and new writers are welcome to come along and join the group.

When: Thursday 26th August 12:30 pm
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: $10 includes lunch
Bookings essential phone 97547266 or book online - Elisabeth Fensham

Cheers, Maryanne

Still a few places left for the Garry Disher Literary Lunch

Garry Disher has more than forty books to his credit, writing for both adults and children. Winner of the Ethel Turner Prize for The Divine Wind, and the Children's Book Council Award for The Bamboo Flute, he has also received numerous awards for his adult books including the Ned Kelly Award in 2007 for his crime novel Chain of Evidence.

Garry's latest book Wyatt Butterfly (2010) brings together two of Garry's crime novels featuring the adventures of Wyatt career criminal and anti hero.


When: Thursday 29th July 12:30pm
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: $10 includes lunch
Bookings essential phone 97547266 or book online - Garry Disher Literary Lunch

Cheers, Maryanne

Literary Lunch with author Sharyn Munro

We've still got a few places left for the Sharyn Munro Literary Lunch.

Sharyn Munro followed a varied career path before moving to a mountainside in the Hunter Valley. Her remote location puts her in touch with the surrounding bushland and wildlife. A keen observer, she has written two books on her life and that of the world which surrounds her, Woman on a Mountain and Animal Tails.

Sharyn's blog with its frequent updates and superb photographs is well worth a visit http://sharynmunro.com/

Join us for an interesting and enjoyable lunch.

When: Thursday 24th June 12:30pm
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: $10 includes lunch
Bookings essential phone 97547266

Book online - Sharyn Munro

Cheers, Maryanne

Literary Lunch - Meet Susan Gordon-Brown

Born and bred in Australia, Susan Gordon-Brown has close to two decades of photography experience, working at a national and international level.

Susan’s specialist area is portrait photography, where past subjects have included Stephen King, comedian Bill Cosby and blues legend BB King.

In recent years, Susan has staged well received historical photo documentary exhibitions including 56 Faces; a moving tribute to Australians who survived the 1956 Hungarian uprising and 40 Days; an exploration of cultural and religious practices of contemporary Australia.

When: Thursday 27th May 12:30pm
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: $10 includes lunch
Bookings essential phone 97547266

Cheers, Maryanne

Literary Lunch - Meet Ann Creber

Ann Creber is not only a food writer, journalist, stylist and editor, she hosts The Good Life on 3MDR. She spent many years as a regular on ABC programs and still has a slot on Radio National. The Good Life is a sought after program for authors to wanting to talk about their books. Ann attracts many of Australia’s best known names as her guests.

This talk is a must for people wanting to hear about some of the latest names on the Australian literary scene.

When: Thursday 25th March 12:30pm
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: $10 includes lunch
Bookings essential phone 97547266

Cheers, Maryanne

Literary Lunch - Meet Catherine Bateson

Catherine Bateson is an award-winning poet and writer for younger readers and young adults. The Wish Pony, her latest book for younger readers was recently awarded an Honour book in the Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards. Marriage for Beginners, her third collection of poetry has just been published by John Leonard Press. Catherine has also taught Professional Writing and Editing at TAFE colleges for the last seven years.

View the Catherine Bateson official site

When: Thursday October 29th 12:30pm
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: $10
Bookings essential phone 97547266

Cheers, Maryanne

Literary Lunch – Meet Chris Flynn

Chris Flynn is the Belfast-born Melbourne-based editor of Torpedo fiction quarterly. He has worked on magazines in Paris, London, Los Angeles and New York. He writes reviews for the ABC Book Show on Radio National and The Australian Book Review. He is currently working on a short story collection, a novel and is translating a Jules Verne novel.

This lunch will interest both readers and writers alike.

When: Thursday 24th September 12:30pm
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: $10
Bookings essential phone 97547266

Cheers, Maryanne

Literary Lunch - Meet Peter Klein

Peter Klein may have been destined to become a writer, his mother Robin Klein is one of Australia’s best loved and most awarded authors.

Peter commenced work in the racing industry at age 16, and worked as a strapper with some of the best known names in Australia both human and equine. His first book the autobiographical A Strapper’s Tale was a runaway success. Punter’s Luck his first novel followed in 2007.

Peter is still connected to the industry as the racing manager for Australian Associated Press, his second novel Punter’s Turf was published by Pan Macmillan in 2009.

When: Thursday 27th August 12:30pm
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: $10 includes lunch
Bookings essential phone 97547266

Cheers, Maryanne

Literary lunch - Amra Pajalic

The main character of Amra Pajalic's coming of age novel is fifteen year old Sabiha/Sammie Oberovic, an Australian Muslim of Bosnian heritage. Sabiha has many problems to confront, identity, bullying, a mother with mental problems. The novel has been described as 'funny, sharp and insightful'.

Amra Pajalic was born in the western suburbs of Melbourne to Bosnian parents. She has written several short stories prior to this, her first novel. Tne manuscript for this book was shortlisted for the Victorian Premier's Awards.

The Good Daughter was published in May 2009.

When: Thursday 25th June 12:30pm
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: $7.50
Bookings essential phone 97547266

Cheers, Maryanne

Literary lunch - Lia Hills

Lia Hills is poet, novelist and translator. Her work has been published both here and overseas. Lia's poetry anthology, Possibility of Flight, won the IP Picks Best Poetry Award 2008. Her young adult novel, The Beginner's Guide to Living, was recently published to glowing reviews. Lia's next project a translation of Marie Darrieussecq's novel, Tom Is Dead, will be published in April 2009.

When: Thursday 30th April 12:30pm
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: $7.50 includes lunch
Bookings essential phone 97547266

Cheers, Maryanne

Literary Lunch - Meet Azhar Abidi

Azhar Abidi’s life has taken him far from his birthplace in Pakistan, university in Britain, and work in Germany to Australia where he follows a career as a funds manager.

As a child he enjoyed the works of Jules Verne and Robert Louis Stevenson and the wonderful fables of his native Urdu language. His first book Passarola Rising (2006) appeared in the US before being published in Australia, India and Canada to positive reviews.

His second book Twilight (2008) whilst not autobiographical takes experiences from his roots and combines them with aspects of Australian life. Twilight will be published in the US in April 2009 as House of the Bilqis.

When: Thursday 26th March 12:30pm
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: $7.50 includes lunch
Bookings essential phone 97547266

Cheers, Maryanne

Literary Lunch - Ilsa Evans

Since her debut novel Spin Cycle was released in 2002, Ilsa Evans has gone on to publish six further novels. Drip Dry and Odd Socks continued the Laundry Series to be followed by two stand alone novels Each Way Bet and Flying the Coop. The sixth novel Broken (2007) was a complete breakaway in style from light fiction, to a work that looks at marriage breakdown and its effects on the family. Broken was selected as an Australian Women's Weekly Good Read, and as a 'Summer Read' in the State Library of Victoria's Summer Reading list.

Her seventh novel The Family Tree will be released in February 2009.

When: Thursday 26th February 12:30pm
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: $7.50 includes lunch
Bookings essential phone 9754 7266

Cheers, Maryanne

Literary Lunch - Meet Sara Hardy

Actor, playwright and biographer Sara Hardy was the inaugural winner of the Peter Blazey Fellowship in 2004. This gave her the opportunity to complete her biography of Edna Walling which was published to much acclaim in 2005. Sara has now completed her long awaited volume on the life of Dame Joan Hammond. Join us for lunch with this fascinating author and learn more about the life of the gifted and quirky Dame Joan.

When: Thursday 27th November 12:30pm
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: $7.50 includes lunch
Bookings essential phone 97547266

Cheers, Maryanne