FALS Book Club

The Foundation of Australian Literary Studies launched our book club in November 2019 with an overwhelming show of support from the Townsville community. Our aim is to celebrate Australian writers across a vast genre of works.

The club reads a range of Australian literature including titles from the Margaret and Colin Roderick Literary Award long and shortlists, recent Roderick award submissions, and old favourites.

This is a no-shame book club - we aim to engage with Australian literature, however expertly or inexpertly. We encourage you to grab a drink and prepare for some friendly banter. Whether you read the book or the blurb, liked it or loathed it, we would love to see you there.

The FALS book club will be held on the last Friday of the month (except on Public Holidays) at the Townsville Yacht Club.  The book club is facilitated by Tenille McDermott, PhD candidate, College of Arts, Society and Education, James Cook University.  Reading list for first half of 2025 is as follows:

Date & Time & Location

Book

Friday 31st January, 7 pm at Townsville Yacht Club

Edenglassie by Melissa Lucashenko (winner of the 2024 Margaret and Colin Roderick Award)

Friday 28th February, 7 pm at Townsville Yacht Club

Lola in the Mirror by Trent Dalton

Friday 4th April, 7 pm at Townsville Yacht Club

Bedtime Story by Chloe Hooper

Friday 2nd May, 7 pm at Townsville Yacht Club

The Watch Tower by Elizabeth Harrower

Friday 30th May, 7 pm at Townsville Yacht Club

A Brilliant Life by Rachelle Unreich

Friday 27th June, 7 pm at Townsville Yacht Club

The Conversion by Amanda Lohrey

Can't make a meeting? You can share your reading experiences with us on Facebook  @FoundationAustralianLiteraryStudies.

Joining the FALS Book Club is easy. A FALS Book Club Membership costs just $22 per year.

As a member you'll get to participate in all our book club events as well as other FALS events like the annual lecture. You'll get to hear from authors, meet new friends, and go to bed at night knowing that you are the cultural lifeblood this country needs!

If you would like more information about the FALS Book Club please email fals@jcu.edu.au