Riverbend Book Clubs

Welcome to the Riverbend Book Club Hub! Whether you are already a member of our numerous official book clubs, or whether you are interested in joining, this is where you start. Our book clubs are listed below - please click through to their pages to find out more or to express your interest. For current book club members, you will find this month's book and your calendar for future meetings. 

The Riverbend Readers

Riverbend Readers meet in the second week of each month (subject to change depending on public holidays) from February to November. Each month, three books are selected by the facilitator, Vicky Tosh, for the members to vote on. The fee is $120 for the year, paid up front to secure registration. Please click above for more information.

R CLUB ONLINE is an online extension of Riverbend Readers for those who are either immunocompromised who may not wish to join a crowd, or for those living in remote places who do not otherwise have access to a physical bookclub.

Teacher Librarians

The Riverbend Teacher Librarians Book Club is reserved for teachers and teacher librarians. They meet once a month from March to October. The books are selected each month by our Children's and YA specialist, Pauline McLeod. At the end of the year, certificates are given to count toward professional development - the fee is $100, paid up front to secure registration. Click above for more information. 

Classics

The enormous success of our classics book chats in 2018 revealed our community’s appetite for literature that due to its quality and longevity of readership is categorised as ‘classic’. 

Here at Riverbend we believe that reading these superbly written stories that have stood the test of time and sharing our insights and understanding of them with other literature lovers will elevate our hearts and minds, reveal essential truths about our shared humanity, help us navigate our way through a world that is changing at an ever accelerating pace, and be great fun!

There are only four sessions for our classics bookclub for the year. The fee to join is $130, which includes all four books.

Knits & Novels

Knits & Novels meet in the fourth week of every month (subject to change depending on public holidays) from February to November. Each month, three books are selected by the facilitator, Britt Owens, for the members to vote on. The fee is $120 for the year, paid up front to secure registration. Click above for more information.

Down the Rabbit Hole

In fantasy we often find tropes that send characters through magic doors or spiraling down magic rabbit holes. When they emerge on the other side they are greeted by a fantastical world so unlike their own, they can only stare and gape in wonder and amazement - or confusion and fear, depending on the situation. Regardless, they are torn out of the real world and thrust into adventure. Every book is a door into another world, and every time we open a book’s pages and begin to read we are thrust into adventure and wonderment. If pure escapism is what you need in your life, we recommend joining Riverbend’s Fantasy Bookclub. Take that step, slip down the Rabbit Hole!

The fee is $120 for the year, and the club is held every month, starting in February.

The Bloody Crime Bookclub

We love good crime. Simple.

Come along and discuss the latest crime - from Aussie thrillers to Scandi noir, and everything in between! The Bloody Crime bookclub is facilitated by Fiona Stager, and runs at 10am on the first Saturday of every month at 10am. The annual fee is $120.00, which includes 10% off your booklcub book, and anything you buy on bookclub day.

The Young & Bookish Bookclub

Riverbend Books is happy to announce its brand new Young & Bookish Bookclub. Set up for readers aged between 18 and 40, we gather around the store drinking wine and discussing new titles. Come along, meet some new people and discover your new favourite author.

Young & Bookish is held on the third Tuesday of each month at 6.30pm. The membership fee is $120, and you will recieve 10% off your bookclub book, and any other books you purchase on the night.

The Hidden Gems Bookclub

There are so many books in our back catalogue that, for one reason or another, did not make the best seller list, but touched our hearts and stayed in our memories just the same. The Hidden Gems bookclub seeks to uncover these fantastic tomes. Each month, a different book-seller will meet to share their hidden gem with you on the first Thursday of the month at 6.30pm. The annual fee is $120.00, which includes 10% off your bookclub book, and anything you buy on bookclub day. Hidden gems begins on Thursday February 6th - our first convenor is Vicky and we will be discussing Brother of The More Famous Jack by Barbara Trapido.

The Seasonal Bookclub

Want some feel good reads, but are not ready to commit to a monthly bookclub? The Seasonal bookclub could be for you! Meeting in March, June, September, and December, this bookclub focuses on books that will leave you with a smile on your face.  The cost is $130 which includes all four books for the year. More Details coming soon!

Fiona’s Favourites Bookclub

Riverbend Co-owner Fiona is a prolific reader and loves to share her new discoveries. Each month, Fiona will share her current favourite read - the perfect way to build up an eclectic reading list! This bookclub meets on the second Saturday of each month from March - December. The annual fee is $120.00, which includes 10% off your bookclub book, and anything you buy on bookclub day. More details coming soon!