Melbourne Library Service

Walk 1: More by Land than Water by City of Melbourne Libraries

Walk 2: Off the Grid by City of Melbourne Libraries

Walk 3: Complete with Aspidistra by City of Melbourne Libraries

Rediscover Melbourne as we innovate and evolve, see secret spaces under lockdown and meet community champions in the latest edition of Melbourne magazine. This audio magazine has been recorded by Vision Australia on behalf of the City of Melbourne in the interests of information accessibility. Your narrator is David Tredinnick.

Find out how we’ve helped 1200 local businesses innovate with grants, meet the owner of Carlton’s Milk the Cow fromagerie, and hear some top tips for winter wellbeing in the latest edition of Melbourne magazine. This audio magazine has been recorded by Vision Australia on behalf of the City of Melbourne in the interests of information accessibility. Your narrator is Jenny Seedsman.

Find out how to help stop the spread of COVID-19, how we’re supporting local businesses, and ways to enjoy Melbourne from home in the latest edition of Melbourne magazine. This audio magazine has been recorded by Vision Australia on behalf of the City of Melbourne in the interests of information accessibility. Your narrator is David Tredinnick.

Meet the tobacco-free crusader named Melburnian of the Year and discover five powerful actions you can take against climate change in the latest edition of Melbourne magazine. This audio magazine has been recorded by Vision Australia on behalf of the City of Melbourne in the interests of information accessibility. Your narrator is Jenny Seedsman.

Discover seven top tips to reduce your waste, and be inspired by zero-waste living expert Erin Rhoads in the latest edition of Melbourne magazine. This audio magazine has been recorded by Vision Australia on behalf of the City of Melbourne in the interests of information accessibility. Your narrator is Jenny Seedsman.

Peggy Frew, author and musician, reveals her Desert Island Books in conversation with librarian and host, Natalie Mason.

Melanie Cheng, author and GP, reveals her Desert Island Books in conversation with librarian and host, Natalie Mason.

Ellen van Neerven, writer of poetry and fiction, reveals their Desert Island Books in conversation with librarian and host, Natalie Mason.

Santilla Chingaipe, journalist and filmmaker, reveals her Desert Island Books in conversation with librarian and host, Natalie Mason.

David Astle, crossword maker, broadcaster and author of Rewording the Brain, reveals his Desert Island Books in conversation with librarian and host, Natalie Mason.

Carly Findlay, appearance activist, speaker and author of Say Hello, reveals her Desert Island Books in conversation with librarian and host, Natalie Mason.

Find out about city transport, winter well-being and Southbank's new communal garden in the latest edition of Melbourne magazine. This audio magazine has been recorded by Vision Australia on behalf of the City of Melbourne in the interests of information accessibility. Your narrator is Jenny Seedsman.

Nevo Zisin, non binary activist, public speaker and author of Finding Nevo, reveals their Desert Island Books in conversation with librarian and host, Natalie Mason.

Sophie Cunningham, author of Melbourne, Geography and City of Trees, reveals her Desert Island Books in conversation with librarian and host, Natalie Mason.

Virginia Trioli, Walkley Award winning journalist and anchor of ABC TV's News Breakfast, reveals her Desert Island Books in conversation with librarian and host, Natalie Mason. This podcast was recorded in front of a live audience in November 2018.

Learn how to grow a wildlife garden on your balcony, and find out what's in store at YIRRAMBOI First Nations Festival and Moomba in the latest edition of the City of Melbourne’s Melbourne magazine. This audio magazine has been recorded by Vision Australia on behalf of the City of Melbourne in the interests of information accessibility. Your narrator is Jenny Seedsman.

Summer is here and it isn't only hot on the streets...it's hot in between the pages as well! Bern and Louise discuss erotic tales, from fiction to nonfiction and the compilations in between. Can you handle the heat? Bern's Books: Little Birds / Anaïs Nin Bad Behaviour / Mary Gaitskill Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure (Fanny Hill) / John Cleland Louise's Books: Erotic Stories (Everyman's Pocket Classics) / by Rowan Pelling (Editor) Why Is Sex Fun?: The Evolution of Human Sexuality / Jared Diamond Dangerous / Jax (Jacquelyn Frank)

Learn how to shop mindfully, help protect our waterways and take an urban safari in our parks this summer in the latest edition of the City of Melbourne’s Melbourne magazine. This audio magazine has been recorded by Vision Australia on behalf of the City of Melbourne in the interests of information accessibility. Your narrator is Julie Horton.

Claire Hooper, comedian and co-host of The Great Australian Bake Off, reveals her Desert Island Books in conversation with librarian and host, Natalie Mason.

Kate Torney, CEO of State Library Victoria, reveals her Desert Island Books in conversation with librarian and host, Natalie Mason.

Sarah Bailey, best-selling crime author, reveals her Desert Island Books in conversation with librarian and host, Natalie Mason.

Discover fun ways to keep fit, health tech with heart and the secret life of urban butterflies in the latest edition of the City of Melbourne’s Melbourne Magazine. This audio magazine has been recorded by Vision Australia on behalf of the City of Melbourne in the interests of information accessibility. Your narrator is James Wright.

Benjamin Law, journalist, author and broadcaster, reveals his Desert Island Books in conversation with librarian and host, Natalie Mason.

It's cold outside and even colder between the pages as Bern and Louise delve into Scandinavian crime novels. Rug up, grab a hot chocolate and make sure the door is locked cause these are sure to give you the chills... Bern's Books: The Snowman / Jo Nesbo Night Rounds / Helene Tursten Jar City / Arnaldur Indriðason Louise's books: The Snowman / Jo Nesbo Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow/Smilla's Sense of Snow / Peter Høeg The Return of the Dancing Master / Henning Mankell Music by Flapjack Industry Records (milesrecommends.com/label)

Beverley Wang, journalist, broadcaster at Radio National host of 'It's Not A Race' podcast, reveals her Desert Island Books in conversation with librarian and host, Natalie Mason.

Oslo Davis, drawer of the 'Overheard' column in the Sunday Age, reveals his Desert Island Books in conversation with librarian and host, Natalie Mason.

Discover art on the wild side, library card superpowers and the women that shaped our city in the latest edition of Melbourne Magazine. This audio magazine has been recorded by Vision Australia on behalf of the City of Melbourne in the interests of information accessibility. Narrated by David Tredinnick. For more information, visit magazine.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Ever had a book reduce you to tears? Bern and Louise have, which is why they talk tearjerkers in this episode of Dear Reader. Get the tissues ready... Bern’s books: My Sister’s Keeper / Jodi Picoult Tell the wolves I’m Home / Carol Rifka Brunt The Fault in Our Stars / John Green Louise’s books: The Book Thief / Markus Zusak Atonement / Ian McEwan Their Eyes Were Watching God / Zora Neale Hurston Music by Flapjack Industry Records (milesrecommends.com/label)

Regrets; we've got a few! In this episode Bern and Louise talk books they wish they hadn't read. And not just because they didn't like them... Bern’s books: Flowers for Algenon / Daniel Keyes Lord of the Flies / William Golding The Little Prince / Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Louise’s books: The Corrections / Jonathan Franzen Girl on a Train / Paula Hawkins M Train / Patti Smith Music by Flapjack Industry Records (milesrecommends.com/label)

Melbourne musicians The Orbweavers performed a live set at Library at the Dock in March 2018. Their musical compositions reflect the changes industrialisation brought to local creek and river environments across Melbourne’s history. Listen to them speak about their research and hear them perform songs about our local waterways.

Michael Williams, director of the Wheeler Centre, reveals his Desert Island Books in conversation with librarian and host, Natalie Mason.

Robyn Annear, writer and historian, reveals her Desert Island Books in conversation with librarian and host, Natalie Mason.

This podcast was recorded by Vision Australia, read by David Treddinick. For more information, visit magazine.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Bern and Louise are looking to be the best version of themselves, but isn't everyone? Tune into this episode of Dear Reader as our hosts trek into Self Help territory and discuss personal illuminations, books that help, and of course, sloths! Bern’s books: All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten / Robert Fulghum The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People / Stephen R. Covey Sloth: The Seven Deadly Sins / Wendy Wasserstein Louise’s books: Ice Cream for Breakfast: How Rediscovering You Inner Child Can Make You Calmer, Happier, and Solve Your Bullsh*t Adult Problems / Laura Jane Williams How to Win Friends and Influence People / Dale Carnegie Get Your Sh!t Together / Ruth Field Music by Flapjack Industry Records (milesrecommends.com/label)

Episode 33 – Banned Books They're controversial, thought-provoking and downright dubious. What else could Bern and Louise be talking about but banned but banned books? Bern’s books: The Hunger Games trilogy / Suzanne Collins All Quiet on the Western Front / Erich Maria Remarque The Catcher in the Rye / J. D. Salinger Louise’s books: Brave New World / Aldous Huxley 1984 / George Orwell American Psycho / Bret Easton Ellis Children's Books that have been banned: Where's Wally / Martin Handford The Giving Tree / Shel Silverstein Winnie the Pooh / A. A. Milne James and The Giant Peach / Harriet the Spy / Louise Fitzhugh Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl / Anne Frank Bridge to Terabithia / Katherine Paterson Charlotte's Web / E. B. White Alice's Adventures in Wonderland / Lewis Carroll Where the Wild Things Are / Maurice Sendak The Lorax / Dr. Seuss Harry Potter (series) / J. K Rowling Music by Flapjack Industry Records (milesrecommends.com/label)

Jane Harper, author of The Dry and Force of Nature, reveals her Desert Island Books in conversation with librarian and host, Natalie Mason.

Marieke Hardy reveals her Desert Island Books in conversation with librarian and host, Natalie Mason.

This podcast was recorded by Vision Australia, read by David Treddinick. For more information, visit magazine.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Episode 32 – Summer Sizzlers It's hot outside and in between the covers - it's our summer sizzlers edition! Bern and Louise discuss books that will kick-start your summer and get your mind and heart sizzling. With books ranging in topic, from death, history, crime, and Australian food to gangsters, friendships and trauma cleaning, this episode of Dear Reader is packed full of heat! Bern’s books: The Trauma Cleaner: One Woman’s Extraordinary Life in Death, Decay & Disaster / Sarah Krasnostein The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter / Margareta Magnusson Turtles All the Way Down / John Green Louise’s books: Manhattan Beach / Jennifer Egan The Oldest Foods on Earth: A History of Australian Native Foods with Recipes / John Newton The Broken Shore / Peter Temple Music by Flapjack Industry Records (milesrecommends.com/label)

Melbourne Magazine December January 2018 This podcast was recorded by Vision Australia, read by David Treddinick. For more information, visit magazine.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Melbourne Magazine October November 2017 This podcast was recorded by Vision Australia, read by David Treddinick. For more information, visit magazine.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Melbourne Magazine August September 2017 This podcast was recorded by Vision Australia, read by David Treddinick. For more information, visit magazine.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Episode 31 – Spectres and Ghouls Bern and Louise discuss books that are spooky, creepy, and scary - never mind Halloween is over, the chills are still coming in episode 31 of Dear Reader! Louise’s books: The Bloody Chamber / Angela Carter The Road / Cormac McCarthy The Long Goodbye: Coral, Coal and Australia's Climate Deadlock, The (Quarterly Essay)/ Anna Krien Bern’s books: The Ghost Stories of Edith Wharton / Edith Wharton The Haunting of Hill House / Shirley Jackson The Travelling Bag and Other Stories / Susan Hill Music by Flapjack Industry Records (milesrecommends.com/label)

Episode 30 – Train Trash Bern and Louise discuss books to commute with in their first full episode of Dear Reader! Louise’s books: The Bus Driver Who Wanted to Be God & Other Stories / Etgar Keret Goodbye, Vitamin / Rachel Khong Media Control: The Spectacular Achievements of Propaganda / Noam Chomsky Bern’s books: Anything is Possible / Elizabeth Strout Life in a Fishbowl / Len Vlahos Museum of Modern Love / Heather Rose Music by Flapjack Industry Records (http://milesrecommends.com/label)

Episode 29 - New kids on the books Justine and Natalie have retired from Dear Reader, but Natalie gives new hosts Bernadine and Louise a quick tour of the studio and hands over the keys. Bernadine's book: Our souls at night / Ken Haruf Louise's book: South and west / Joan Didion Natalie's book: Woman no. 17 / Edan Lepucki

Episode 28 - Books we love (Justine & Natalie's final episode!) Justine and Natalie talk about their reading habits and some of their all time favourite books, in this, their final episode as Dear Reader hosts. Stay tuned for new host announcement! Justine’s all time favourite books and authors: The Lord of the Rings / J R R Tolkien Alanna, the First Adventure (series) / Tamora Pearce The Magician Trilogy / Raymond E Feist The PERN series, anything by Anne McCa ffrey The Man in the High Castle / Phillip K Dick Farenheit 451 / Ray Bradbury Neuromancer / William Gibson Snow Crash and The Diamond Age / Neal Stephenson The Importance of Being Earnest / Oscar Wilde Ancillary Justice series / Ann Lecke Anne of Green Gables series / L M Montgomery Harry Potter series / JK Rowling The Unbearable Lightness of Being / Milan Kundera Natalie’s all time favourite books and authors: Lincoln in the Bardo / George Saunders all books by Lidia Yuknavitch History of Love / Nicole Krauss all books by Elizabeth Strout My Brilliant Friend / Elena Ferrante any biography about Dusty Springfield Rosemary’s Baby / Ira Levin all books by Elizabeth Strout all books by Tom Wolfe The Godfather / Mario Puzo all books by Jeanette Winterson most books by Stephen King Music by Ben Mason (www.benmason.com.au)

Panel discussion held at City Library on Wednesday 26 July, facilitated by Christine Gordon (Readings) with: Lucasz Dziadkiewicz (overall winner of the 2015 Lord Mayor's Creative Writing Award), Lee Kofman (author and writing teacher), Veronica Sullivan (Prize Manager of the Stella Prize) and Alan Vaarwerk (online editor at Kill Your Darlings).

Episode 27 - Page to screen Justine and Natalie talk about book adaptations to the big (or small) screen. Justine's books: Cat on a hot tin roof / Tennessee Williams A Walk to remember / Nicholas Sparks Me and Earl and the dying girl / Jesse Andrews Natalie's books: The girl on the train / Paula Hawkins Room / Emma Donoghue Phryne Fisher series / Kerry Greenwood Olive Kitteridge / Elizabeth Strout Music by Ben Mason (www.benmason.com.au)