22/02/2024
Meet fellow book lovers and discuss works by LGBTQI+ authors for an enriching literary experience during Mardi Gras week at Georges River Council’s third quarterly Pride Book Club at Clive James Library Kogarah on Thursday 29 February from 5:30pm.
Proudly facilitated by award winning Sydney author and journalist Will Kostakis, this special edition of the Pride Book Club coincides with the upcoming festivities of Mardi Gras week and will focus on the theme of LGBTQI+ Australian authors.
The Pride Book Club aims to promote LGBTQIA+ literature by showcasing books and graphic novels by diverse writers.
The Pride Book Club initiative aims to encourage a supportive and inclusive atmosphere for the discussion of LGBTQIA+ authors’ stories, perspectives, and themes and provide participants an opportunity to explore texts from the Georges River Libraries Pride Collection in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Led by Kostakis, participants will navigate through different historical moments and perspectives presented in the texts and consider the representation of LGBTQIA+ people and perspectives in Australian society and culture.
“The Georges River Libraries’ Pride Collection features books that will inspire, delight, enlighten and entertain. But reading can feel a little solitary sometimes,” said Kostakis, who lived in Sans Souci in his teens and whose first novel is about growing up in a ‘small but potent Greek family’ in Kogarah.
Kostakis highlighted the potentially transformative power of the Pride Book Club in fostering a sense of community and facilitating the exchange of literary ideas and recommendations.
“The Pride Book Club allows us to come together and exchange recommendations. The club is for everyone. Whether you're a voracious reader, or simply looking to get back into the habit, your next favourite read is waiting for you.”
The General Manager of Georges River Council, emphasised the importance of fostering inclusive spaces within the community, stating,
"The Pride Book Club initiative reflects our commitment to embracing diversity and providing platforms for open and inclusive discussions. We believe in the power of literature to unite and educate, and the Pride Collection at Georges River Libraries serves as a testament to our dedication to celebrating diverse voices and stories."
When asked to pick some standout works from the Pride Collection that resonated particularly with him, Kostakis listed several works available to borrow by Georges River Libraries library card holders.
“Queerstories is a fantastic memoir anthology, featuring LGBTQIA+ writers from across the country. It is based on the acclaimed podcast of the same name, and focuses less on coming out stories, and more on other human experiences informed and affected by queerness.
“Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan is an American young author (YA) that helped establish ‘queer YA’, which is so popular now. It's so wonderful to look back at texts from the recent past and see how far we've come, even in so short a time.
“Stars in their Eyes is an Australian graphic novel from Jessica Walton and Aśka that recently won a Stonewall Honor in the US, which explores the intersection of queerness and disability beautifully.
Browse the Pride Collection in the Georges River Libraries online catalogue.
Image Credit: Photo taken by Dion Nucifora.