Brisbane Aussie Readers Catch-Up - Sun, Oct 17th

[Kathryn]

We are getting together on Sunday, October 17th at a venue yet to be decided, but it will be somewhere in Brisbane's South Bank area.

If you are interested, please put your names down in this thread, and I will advise you by private message with details of the venue once the numbers are confirmed. Please DON'T mention any questions about location details here in the thread for security reasons - you can private message me with questions.

Date - Sunday, 17th October 2021
Time – 12 noon for lunch
Location - South Brisbane
RSVP – 14th October 2021

The Mystery Book Swap is always fun, so we'll do it again.

Mystery Book Swap

1. Bring along one book to the venue to give away – any genre, it can be a new book but a gently-loved book in good condition is also perfectly acceptable.

2. Wrap the book in whatever paper you have at home.

3. Place a tag on the wrapping with the description of the genre.

4. Each participant's name will be placed in a hat, and when your name is drawn, you can select a mystery book from the pile.

And feel free to bring along any books that you’d like to find a new home for. You are very welcome to ask other people for books even if you don't have any to actually swap - most of us just want to clear our shelves so there's room to buy more books! If you want to list books here to see if anyone's interested so you don't have to lug them all in, you're very welcome to do that as well!

Definites:
Kathryn
Alda
Jane
Lynne

Maybe
Deborah

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I'm very envious Kathryn that you're able to have an actual get together! I know you'll all have a wonderful time :)

[Kathryn]

Brenda wrote: "I'm very envious Kathryn that you're able to have an actual get together! I know you'll all have a wonderful time :)"

I know, Brenda! I was hoping as I posted it that no one in NSW or VIC would notice it...! But it's far from guaranteed - it's still 8 whole days away - and a lot can happen in 8 days!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Haha in covid land it sure can! You've been doing really well up there so I'm sure it'll go ahead. We'll just have to live vicariously through you guys 😁

[Angela]

What a wonderful idea. I'm busy on the 17th unfortunately, but would be keen to attend one at some point in the future. Have fun everyone!

[Kathryn]

Angela wrote: "What a wonderful idea. I'm busy on the 17th unfortunately, but would be keen to attend one at some point in the future. Have fun everyone!"

Hey Angela, we have catch-ups somewhat regularly, although it's all a bit less certain now with COVID and changing restrictions etc!! We probably won't manage another one this year, but will probably start thinking about one by late summer or autumn next year, so keep an eye out!

[Deb]

I am so sorry! I was a definite, but I think I am now a definitely-maybe. I have been given a shift that morning. I work casually now, so I can't really refuse. If I manage to I will still make it, but it is not a sure thing.

[Kathryn]

Deborah wrote: "I am so sorry! I was a definite, but I think I am now a definitely-maybe. I have been given a shift that morning. I work casually now, so I can't really refuse. If I manage to I will still make it,..."

That's a shame, Deborah!! But never mind - we'll just see how you go!

[Alda]

I'm writing here a few books that I have read and that I am happy to share or give a second home if anyone is interested :)

- The Secret History by Donna Tartt
- The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
- The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood
- The Crucible by Arthur Miller

[Kathryn]

Alda wrote: "I'm writing here a few books that I have read and that I am happy to share or give a second home if anyone is interested :)

- The Secret History by Donna Tartt..."

You're doing better than me, Alda! I think I have read some books I own since our last catch-up, but not many!! And I think I may have given some books away to lifeline in the middle of the year when I had a clean-up, but if anyone would like Araluen by Judy Nunn, that's one I seem to still have around!

I have read some of my own ebooks, but obviously can't share those!!

[Kathryn]

And it’s today!! I’ve got my book wrapped and looking forward to catching up over lunch on what looks like it will be a glorious Sunday in October!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Have fun everyone!!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

So envious!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Me too :(

[Diana]

Hope you have had a good day. As a Melburnian I’m also envious of your opportunity to get together.

[Kathryn]

Thanks, all!! We did have a great time, lovely lunch, excellent company!!

We even remembered to take a photo - Brenda's going to put it up for me!!

We were thinking of all of you in lockdown!

[Kathryn]

And I brought home Piranesi by Susanna Clarke for my surprise book swap which I am simultaneously intrigued by and feeling a bit apprehensive about! It's not my usual sort of read...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

From Left - Lynne, Jane, Alda, Kathryn :)

[Kathryn]

Thank you, Brenda!! You're a legend!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

You're welcome :) It looks like a lovely place - different to the one time I was with you..

[Kathryn]

Brenda wrote: "You're welcome :) It looks like a lovely place - different to the one time I was with you.."

Yes, we've moved around a bit! That place is currently only open as a pop-up cafe since COVID, so doesn't have as much choice as previously :-( But South Bank is central for everyone to get to, and has a plethora of restaurants/cafes, so we're spoilt for choice, really (although not everything has a good range of foods at reasonable prices to cater for everyone's taste/budgets, so it can still be tricky to find somewhere suitable!), but we did enjoy this place - apart from the noise emanating from a festival happening nearby!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Haha! What are the chances!! Glad you enjoyed yourselves though. I'd like to think I'll make it again one day - who can tell!

[Em__Jay]

Food, books and company . . . looks like a great day.

[Kathryn]

Brenda wrote: "Haha! What are the chances!! Glad you enjoyed yourselves though. I'd like to think I'll make it again one day - who can tell!"

You would always be welcome once our border is open again, Brenda!!

As would anyone from interstate - if you're visiting Brisbane, and would like to catch up with some bookish friends, let me know and I'll see if we can organise something for when you're here!!

[Kathryn]

Em__Jay wrote: "Food, books and company . . . looks like a great day."

It's always lovely, Em__Jay!! We do enjoy our times together!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kathryn wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Haha! What are the chances!! Glad you enjoyed yourselves though. I'd like to think I'll make it again one day - who can tell!"

You would always be welcome once our border is open ag..."

Thanks Kathryn, yes hopefully next year will see more normality in the country again..