FOR Port Macquarie social worker and lifelong reader Kirralee Dibben, street libraries have provided a refuge from grief.
They are popping up on lawns around the country and book clubs are experiencing a resurgence in popularity, with the Romantasy genre a clear favourite.
New social media platforms such as Book Tok and Bookstagram are also at the forefront of a changed landscape where reading can become a social, shared experience as well as a digital detox.
After reading about “Blind date with a book” events, Kirralee decided to set one up locally.
Book lovers meet at a prearranged location and bring a book wrapped in brown paper with a short blurb written on the outside.
This is followed by a book swap and general book chat.
Kirralee told News Of The Area, “I started this after I lost three family members including my dad in the space of six months last year.
“I was just looking for a glimmer of hope and thought some fun events focussed on books would be great.”
Blind date with a book is held once a month on Town Green at 11am, with the next gathering on 21 March.
All reading lovers are welcome.
By Rachael THORPE
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