Readers Retreat

05/09/2026

04/09/2026

Readers Retreat is delighted to announce that Port Stephens is one of 31 successful communities who will host events with Australian authors and illustrators in 2027, as part of the expanded LitUp author touring program! We'll be working with Soldiers Point Public School Tomaree Public School and Port Stephens Libraries. Stay tuned to find out which authors are coming to town!
LitUp encourages a lifelong love of books and reading through in-person connections with Australia’s world-class authors and illustrators.
LitUp is a partnership with Writing Australia, Creative Australia, the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund, and with Create NSW joining the program this year. Port Stephens is benefitting from this support that doubles the number of regional NSW communities that have the opportunity to host an Australian creator.
.australia Creative Australia Copyright Agency Create NSW Australia Reads

04/09/2026

I was very happy to welcome Legacy into Readers Retreat this morning and support a great organisation.

03/09/2026

New stock just arrived from local creative Robyn Lawson. She's created more cushions with book holders from Japanese fabrics.

02/09/2026

Artist of the month at Readers Retreat: Kay Hathway. An exhibition of her work is on display at Artisan Collective Port Stephens. It is called Salt & Petal and you can meet the artists on Saturday 5 September. I am looking forward to having a look. Congratulations Kay!

01/09/2026

Here are the podcasts that I've been listening to on my way to my morning ocean swim... Curious Readers and The Book Review. These recent episodes are book lovers discussing their love for book shops! The New York Times podcasters interviewed Jen from Brooklyn and asked her about the development of the Global Book Crawl. Wonderful to think that such a great idea has flowed directly to our little local bookshop in Port Stephens.
https://www.nytimes.com/column/book-review-podcast
https://shows.acast.com/curious-readers

01/09/2026

Things are getting philosophical at Readers Retreat.