Books at the Brewery - Christmas 2025
Come and share the literary and musical love with an incredible line-up of writers, storytellers, and conversationalists at our annual Books at the Brewery Christmas event.
This year we celebrate the latest Anthology from Fremantle Press:
Rivers Flow: Reflections on the songs of Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter
To celebrate the release of this beautiful collection of stories which are a wonderful tribute to the strength, artistry and enduring spirit of two of Australia’s most cherished artists and cultural leaders, we will be asking a number of guests to do a reading from the book.
More on who those guest readers will be is to come.
We will also welcome Carmel Bird and Sofie Laguna to The Taproom to chat about their new books and as usual, we’ll have a range of ‘new release’ titles (both adult and children’s) for you to enjoy a bit of last-minute Christmas shopping.
We will be donating a percentage of revenue from book sales to Nalderun
About the authors:
Sofie Laguna
Sofie Laguna has written four novels for adults which have won numerous literary awards including the Miles Franklin Award, the Colin Roderick Award and the Indie Award. She has also been shortlisted for the Stella Prize, the ALS Gold Medal, the Voss Award, the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award and the Prime Minister’s Literary Award. Sofie’s many books for children have been published in the US and the UK and in translation in Europe and Asia, and been named Honour and Notable Books by the Children’s Book Council of Australia. The Underworld, is Sofie’s fifth adult novel and we are delighted that she’ll be chatting with Mel Fulton about this novel for this event.
The Underworld is for every reader you know; thinkers, laughers, empaths, quirky folk, queer folk, nostalgists, the young and those getting on. Readers seeking a happy ending and anyone ready to feel. Anyone who has ever been fourteen.
‘The Underworld is a wondrous novel from an author who wields her considerable powers with assuredness and grace. Funny, brave, insightful and clever, Martha will break your heart – then mend it – many times over.’
Carmel Bird
Winner of the Patrick White Literary Award, and three times short-listed for the Miles Franklin award, Carmel Bird is the author of both fiction and non-fiction. Carmel grew up in Tasmania, and has a wide reputation as an essayist, editor, and mentor.
Crimson Velvet Heart is her twelfth novel.
Crimson Velvet Heart is a visionary novel on Adélaïde’s life – both strange and enthralling –where Carmel Bird’s exquisite language and rich understanding of history and human nature capture both the spirit and the mystery of love and loss.
‘This astounding novel speaks for devotion and wisdom even as it eviscerates the monstrous glory of 17th century France. Grounded in research, Carmel Bird’s historical imagination is glitteringly bright.’ – Gregory Day
The Details
Date:
Tuesday December 16 2025
Time:
5 30pm - 8 30pm finish
Venue:
Shedshaker Brewery, The Taproom, 9 Walker Street, Castlemaine, 3450
Cost:
$40 includes a $20 book voucher to spend at the bookshop on the night.
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