In honour of book week Holly McGuinness caught up with Brimbank’s book experts, the librarians. Based across Deer Park, St Albans and Keilor these five librarians are well read to say the least and shared their favourite books, what they’re currently reading and something everyone should read at least once in their life.
Chelsea Barr:
What is your favourite book?
My favourite story ever is Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. I have loved it since I was a kid.
What are you reading at the moment?
Right now I am reading a book called Harrow Lake by Kat Ellis. It is a YA horror book that’s described as Scream meets the Babadook!
What is one book everyone should read?
Well, the Harry Potter series of course – there really is something for everyone there. But the book I recommend most to kids who want to read something scary is Coraline by Neil Gaiman. It is so original and evocative and creepy in the most wonderful way!
Rachel D’Arcy:
What is your favourite book?
I have so many favourites. If I had to choose one it would be Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Despite being written more than 150 years ago, the rich depiction of the 19th century and the deep bond shared between the four teenage sisters and their mother will draw you in (…year after year, if you’re like me).
What are you reading at the moment?
I am currently reading “How it Feels to Float” by Helena Fox. This book was on the shortlist for the CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers in 2020.
What is one book everyone should read?
I’m a firm believer that everyone should read (or listen to) the Harry Potter series at least once in their life!
Josephine Mifsud:
What is your favourite book?
Too hard to pick only one, but my recent favourite is Lifetime of Impossible Days by Tabitha Bird. My first introduction to magical realism – delightful and heart wrenching.
What are you reading at the moment?
Last book I read was Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy. A great COVID recovery read, couldn’t put it down!.
What is one book everyone should read?
Any book written by Tim Winton. Great insight into the Australian character and landscape. Beautiful and evocative use of language.
Scott Steensma:
What is your favourite book?
‘Watership Down’ by Richard Adams. It’s just a beautiful story that will make you look at rabbits in a different way. The animated film made me cry when I was a little boy, and I have no comment on whether the book had the same effect when I read it last year!
What are you reading at the moment?
I’m reading ‘Metal Fatigue’ by Sean Williams. It’s classic 1990s Australian Science Fiction set in a dark future. It’s a high tech detective story, and it’s pretty cool.
What is one book everyone should read?
Judging from my commute, everyone should read ‘The Victorian road rules around using your indicator’, but otherwise Stephen King’s ‘The Shining’ – the best ghost story written in the last hundred years. Bring a doona to hide under while you read it!
Kylie Prociw:
What is your favourite book?
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. I have re-read it many times over the years, and each time I do it still evokes such a strong emotional response. It’s so beautifully written, and explores topics of social injustice that are still relevant to this day.
What are you reading at the moment?
Boy Erased by Garrard Conley.
What is one book everyone should read?
Night by Ellis Wiesel
