A page turner and a top drop

SINCE moving to Ballarat in 2020, Sarah Currie missed being a part of a buzzing book club, full of fun, interesting conversation, ideas, and friendship.

Recently opening Sturt Street’s Midtown Cellars and Bar, alongside her partner Jonny Driver, she’s decided it’s the perfect central location for people to make new connections post-lockdown, while chatting about a book over a glass of wine.

Ms Currie has launched the Read Between the Wines book club, which will be held on the third Tuesday of each month at 6.30pm.

“I’ve got a long list of books that I want to read, have been accumulating, and that I think others will want to read too, so I have selected a few so far,” she said.

“As time goes on, it might be more collaborative, with votes on two or three options, depending on how involved people want to be. Sometimes it’s just nice to have others pick your books for you.

“We’ll be reading a large range of stuff; from fiction to non-fiction, Australian and international authors, and those of all genders. It’s non-discriminatory.”

With an aim to gradually grow the book club’s membership, Ms Currie said the meetings will generally be set up at a table at the back of the bar.

She also emphasised that any reader is encouraged to come along, whether they are a drinker or not.

“It might be called Read Between the Wines, but for people out there that don’t drink alcohol, they are of course very welcome to join,” she said.

For more information, or to express interest, visit instagram.com/readbetweenthewines_ballarat, where the monthly book announcements will be made.