Central Coast Reads

Literary culture has boomed in the last few years on the Central Coast. We have always had local authors, but often, they have had to travel to Sydney for events, and Coasties have been the ones travelling as well to festivals. Whilst some still do, having local independent bookshops such as Book Face at Erina Fair, and The Bookshop, Umina, which used to be the Book Bazaar, has meant more local authors being able to promote their books locally beyond libraries, which are a brilliant way to get involved in reading and book clubs.

As well as this, the Central Coast has hosted the Words on the Waves literary festival, bringing some wonderful Australian authors to the coast to share their books, and for readers to come together. Whilst there are book clubs on the coast, they’re often groups of friends. Book Face runs a book discussion group via Zoom once a month as well. But now there is a new initiative called Central Coast Reads, which is part of Words on the Waves and has a private Facebook Group as well.

But what is Central Coast Reads? Well, it is more than just a book club. It is a community-wide reading program that has book clubs and author talks, seeking to encourage reading as well as social and human interaction through a shared love of books. And it also seeks to establish the Central Coast as a reader’s region within the cultural map of Australia.

Organisations, local libraries, book clubbers and individuals are invited to, and encouraged to read the same book to help create a larger conversation about the book and literature as a whole, including important themes and encouraging engagement with the community. To help support the local community, readers can buy the book from their local bookstore, borrow it from their local library or read it online, and then meet others who have read the book at a range of events, host their own book club and even attend an author talk. If you’re going to read the book in your own book club, Central Coast Reads will have support materials available. The best part is it is free to be part of this community.

The benefits of this will be amazing – as community reading programs meet the need to read, talk and grow, and the shared book is what can start the conversation whilst encouraging community literacy. And when you engage with organisations and locals in a reading program like this through the promotion of literacy and intergenerational book-focused discussions, the benefits are clear and show the importance of connection for all ages. Other benefits include prizes, reading notes, and a chance to meet the author of the chosen book.

The campaign was launched in December 2023 and has partnered with Central Coast Libraries, businesses, community groups, adult education providers and bookstores. The first authors and books of 2024 have been announced:

Central Coast Reads Book One:

The Tea Ladies of St Jude’s Hospital by Joanna Nell

Book clubs at various venues in March 2024

Author Talk with Joanna Nell: 6 April 2024
Everglades Country Club, Woy Woy

Central Coast Reads Book 2:

Khaki Town by Judy Nunn

Book clubs at various venues in May 2024

Author Talk with Judy Nunn: 1 June 2024
The Dip (Words on the Waves Festival Venue), Peninsula Recreation Precinct

In addition to this, there is also a program aimed at seniors: Central Coast Reads – Seniors Connect, which is funded by the NSW Government with a grant for this innovative community readership project. This will allow a special stream for the seniors of the Central Coast to get involved in Central Coast Reads, which will include additional author and book club events for seniors alongside the main program. It’s pretty cool to see a book discussion initiative including books that will appeal to a wide range of readers but at the same time, are not so popular that it feels like everything has been said about them.

Sign up here for more detail:  Central Coast Reads or join the Facebook group.