This month, it’s all about reading together at Southern Downs Regional Council libraries.
In September, Southern Downs Regional Council libraries are offering book clubs and members of the community the opportunity to participate in “Together we read”.
The title this year is “Happy Hour” by Australian author Jacquie Byron.
Jacquie Byron is a journalist who, like many women, often finds herself overwhelmed by the number of demands on her time, and although they come from lovely sources, are sometimes just more exhausting obligations. When she began daydreaming about what would have to be done to just turn her back on the world and be left alone, she came up with the premise of her first book, Happy Hour, an escape story where a woman packs her bag and drives away from her life.
Happy Hour is a refreshingly uplifting and wonderfully written story that highlights the nature of enjoying a quieter pace of life – even whilst some of us are in isolation – to demonstrate our values in community, showing how kindness, care, humour and wit are best shared and truly can bring out the best in everyone.
Gin in one hand, paintbrush in the other, Franny Calderwood has turned her back on the world, at least the world she used to know. At 65 her beloved Frank is dead, mowed down by an ice-addled driver. Franny lives a life of decadent seclusion, until the Salernos move in next door. A troubled but charming trio made up of beleaguered mother Sallyanne, angry teenager Dee and eccentric eight-year-old Josh, the family manage to breach Franny’s fortress, literally and figuratively; it’s hard to enjoy your Tanqueray when someone’s either crying or yelling over the garden fence.
Through various events, the two sides of the fence come together, though Franny fights the connection. Franny must eventually answer the question: Yes, Frank is dead, but did the woman he loved have to die with him?
The title is available through the Libby App in both eBook and eAudio format, and access to Libby is free for members of Southern Downs Regional Libraries.
Please contact your nearest branch for further details.
Southern Downs Regional Libraries also stock book club sets for local book clubs to access.
Book club sets come with 10 copies of a book title available to borrow for your next club meeting so everyone can join in on the fun.
Get in contact with your nearest local library to find out more.
If you have a book club or are looking to set up one, make sure to check out the resources available at Southern Downs Regional Council libraries.
