It’s Book Week (August 16 to 23) and we asked some Geelong Regional Libraries librarians about their favourites books, past and present.
Nikki – Ocean Grove Library
What are you currently reading?
I have always an avid reader from adult fiction to biographies but ever since I have been in my current role as Children and Youth Services Librarian I tend to focus mainly on young adult books. I am currently reading the shortlisted CBCA Older readers books one of them being ‘Birdy’ by Sharon Kernot. This novel deals with themes of friendship, family, grief and connections to community and place, and it gently touches on heavier issues, including consent, bullying and trauma.
Favourite childhood book?
Throughout my childhood I was always encouraged to read and there were many children’s books that I loved from the Faraway Tree series, all of the Beatrix Potter books and the Little House on Prairie series but I always remember the school librarian reading ‘George’s Marvellous Medicine’ by Roald Dahl and the librarian did such a fabulous job that I have loved reading and libraries ever since.
Favourite book of all time?
This was hard to narrow it down to one, so I am giving you three. I really enjoy reading young adult books so here some of my favourite authors and the some of the books I enjoyed by them. Claire Atkins ‘Between Us’, Vikki Wakefield ‘Friday Brown’, Sue Lawson ‘Freedom Ride’.
Charlotte – Geelong Library & Heritage Centre
What are you currently reading?
‘Of Monsters and Mainframes’ by Barbara Truelove and ‘To The Moon’ by Jang Ryujin. I usually have at least two books on the go at one time, as I am a mood reader and it really depends on what mood I am currently in as to what I am reading.
Favourite childhood book?
‘Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy’ by Lynley Dodd. Have memories of my mum reading this to me when I was little, and its still one of her favourite books too.
Favourite book of all time?
‘The Last Dragon Lord’ by Joanne Bertin. I first read this in high school and just fell in love with it, the writing, the story, the dragons.
Julie – Geelong Library & Heritage Centre
What are you currently reading?
‘Wolfsong’ by TJ Klune. I’m making my way through all the TJ Klune books. They’re almost comfort reads – inclusive, heartfelt and often joyful.
Favourite childhood book?
I adored the Tomorrow series by John Marsden when I was in secondary school. I’d often be reading instead of getting ready for school….I couldn’t put them down. (Also during lunchtime and recess, much to my friends’ dismay.)
Favourite book of all time?
Phwoah. Tough question. I keep thinking about ‘At Home’ by Bill Bryson. It’s so full of amazing and interesting facts and stories that I could never remember, so I think I could just about read it every year and never get sick of it.
Kirstie – Geelong Library & Heritage Centre
What are you currently reading?
I am currently reading ‘Comes the Night’ by Isabelle Carmody. This was on the CBCA Older Readers Shortlist for 2025 and I’m loving it! I also just finished (and enjoyed) one of the Honour titles, ‘Birdy’ by Sharon Kernot.
Favourite childhood book?
‘Where is the Green Sheep’ by Mem Fox. One of the few books I read a billion and one times to my children and never tired of, ‘Where is the Green Sheep’ is an absolute classic. We even translated it into German when we lived in Germany.
Favourite book of all time?
Oh goodness – what a terrible question to ask a librarian. My current favourite is ‘Still Life’ by Sarah Winman.
