Gather round for reads and eats

PICNIC and pick up some summer reading at Minerva’s Books’ riverside sale this Saturday, 5 December.

From 11am to 2pm, booksellers Amy Tsilemanis and Julian Potter are inviting Ballarat to their “book-sale picnic” in the Black Hill Flat Native Garden along the Yarrowee River.

“We will have lots of interesting second-hand books available just in time for Christmas,” Ms Tsilemanis said.

“There will be kids book readings and sanitised face painting with the Travelling Face Painter. Minerva’s gift vouchers and gift-wrapping service will also be available.

“The book picnic will be on the green just behind Webb Avenue, near the Newman Street Bridge, Ballarat East. Friends of Black Hill Reserve volunteers have been working on the area…and this will be a lovely setting.”

Attendees are asked to bring their own picnic rugs and snacks to ensure COVID-safety.

The picnic is an opportunity to celebrate a new podcast, Gather produced by Ms Tsilemanis, formerly of Tinderbox Radio.

The first episode, Booksellers & Storytellers launches on Friday, 4 December.

“This episode explores Cole’s Books Arcade, an amazing bookshop that opened in Melbourne in 1883 run by E.W Cole, creator of Cole’s Funny Picture Book,” she said.

“It also looks at Ewin’s Bookshop in Ballarat and showcases local creativity and culture.”

Those who listen to the first podcast episode and leave a review are eligible for a Minerva’s  December book shopping deal. Head to minervasbooks.com/gather-podcast to listen.

Minerva’s Books moved from their Sturt Street shopfront earlier this year. They run the business online from their home and have adapted it slightly, now known as Minerva’s Books and Ideas.

Visit facebook.com/minervasbooks.