Read all About it: River Reads
One dynamic duo are bringing the big guns of literature to town for a series of intimate events where book lovers will revel in the chance to get up close and personal with award-winning, best-selling authors. Carlie Wacker invites you to read all about The River Read events floating our way.
The River Read series of literary luncheons and sunset soirées are yet another way local businesswomen (and sisters) Natalie Webster and Lucinda Morley are bringing the buzz to the growing hub of Noosaville.
This dynamic duo own and run The River Read which has long been a haven for booklovers. From its origin in what was sleepy Noosaville more than 20 years ago, to a much-loved book and coffee nook in the bustling riverfront shopping and dining precinct of today.
“My sister Nat and I have realised a dream of combining our varied professional experience and passion for books and coffee to create a hub for lovers of delicious coffee, great reads and beautiful gifts and paper products,” says Noosa born and bred co-owner Lucinda who bought the business from her mother-in-law 12 years ago.
In more recent years, the sisters have been proud to bring best-selling authors to Noosa, joining forces with neighbouring restaurants and publishing industry contacts to create exciting and exclusive events for the local community.
“These events have been a fantastic way to bring together book lovers, have them engage with their favourite authors, or introduce them to authors they may not have been familiar with – all while enjoying some of the best food that Noosaville has to offer,” says Lucinda. “The response from locals has been overwhelming, with the last two book launch events selling out.
“It’s great to be part of the metamorphosis of Noosaville. To be able to bring high profile authors to our town and work with our neighbouring restaurants is a true privilege.”
In the coming months there are some brilliant literary minds coming to town including Michael Robotham who returns after a sell-out luncheon in 2020 where we got to pick his brain about novel Good Girl, Bad Girl which went on to win Michael his second prestigious UK Gold Dagger Award (he is the only Australian to win this gong twice). During that lunch we found out a whole lot more about the former investigative journalist who has worked across America, Australia and Britain; and with clinical and forensic psychologists. His work has helped police investigate complex, psychologically-driven crimes.
It’s no wonder Michael’s 2004 debut thriller, The Suspect, sold more than one million copies worldwide and another book, The Secrets She Keeps, was adapted for television last year.
Michael will bring the banter and new book When You are Mine to Frenchies Brasserie. This pulse-racing standalone thriller shares the story of Philomena (Phil) McCarthy who has defied the odds to become a promising young officer with the Metropolitan Police, despite being the daughter of a notorious London gangster. Called to the scene of a domestic assault, she rescues a bloodied young woman: Tempe Brown, the mistress of a decorated detective. The incident is hushed up but Phil has unwittingly made a dangerous enemy with powerful friends. Determined to protect each other, the two women strike up a tentative friendship. Tempe is thoughtful and sweet and makes herself indispensable to Phil, but sinister things keep happening and something isn’t quite right about the stories Tempe tells. When a journalist with links to Phil’s father and to the detective is found floating in the Thames, Phil doesn’t know where to turn, who to blame or who she can trust. Word is that this is Michael finest page-turner yet!
Whisky Boy Noosa will host the next Literary Luncheon to launch Mark Brandi’s latest novel, The Others. Mark graduated with a criminal justice degree and worked extensively in the justice system, before changing direction and deciding to write. His bestselling novel, Wimmera, won the coveted British Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger and was named Best Debut at the 2018 Australian Indie Book Awards and his second novel, The Rip, was published to critical acclaim. Originally from Italy, he grew up in rural Victoria and his latest unforgettable novel explores the darkness in our world with the light only a child can find. The Others explores the life of Jacob who, on his eleventh birthday, receives a diary from his father in which he is to write about things that happen; about what he and his father do on their farm; about the sheep, the crop, the fox and the dam. But Jacob knows some things should not be written down; some things should not be remembered. All too soon, Jacob will learn that sometimes people do the most terrible things. Another thriller from this fascinating writer.
A change of pace will see The River Read host a sunset soirée to launch Sophie Green’s latest novel Thursdays at Orange Blossom House. This intimate event will be your chance to get inside the mind of this nostalgic Australian writer who has a delightful way of bringing Australian decades to light in a wistful way. Her newest novel is set in Cairns in the 1990s and is another example of her exceptional talent to reference events, flora and fauna, and social mores of the time. This is a multi-generational saga of women united by a common desire: to overcome loneliness and find friendships that will sustain them through life’s ups and downs. You may have read Sophie’s debut novel, The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Bookclub. It was a Top Ten bestseller as was The Shelly Bay Ladies Swimming Circle. We cannot wait to meet Sophie and chat about her new book praised as being “A tender, heartwarming read” with one critic claiming that “Reading this book was like snuggling beneath a warm beach towel after a bracing dip”. Indeed!
Book in for one or all of these extraordinary events brought to you by The River Read.
**UPDATE: EVENTS CANCELLED DUE TO LOCKDOWN**
