Is it just us, or is reading having a moment? Whether it’s more book chats at work, Booktok taking over your social feed or simply walking past a new book shop or cafe, all signs are pointing to yes.

If you’re looking for a way to get into reading, from reading on a budget to joining a book community, there is something for everyone in Canberra.

Head to your local library:

Canberra is home to many libraries with one in every region.

Libraries are a great way to read without over-consuming and enjoy books for free.  There are also home library services to deliver books to your door and multicultural services available in select libraries.

Find your nearest ACT library.

Check out the Lifeline Bookfair: 

The Lifeline Bookfair is a book-lovers dream event. Not only are you getting second-hand books, but you are also donating to Lifeline.

There are multiple events throughout the year at EPIC and at Tuggeranong, but if you can't wait you can always check out Lifeline’s permanent store, Book Lovers Lane at the Fyshwick Markets. Lifeline also accepts book donations at their warehouse in Mitchell. Just make sure you read the checklist to ensure your books are resalable.

Stay up-to-date on when the next Lifeline Bookfair is.

Join or create a book club:

Canberra has some amazing book clubs to join, you can find them through Facebook, or you can join and create one through ACT Libraries.

Café Stepping Stone host a monthly silent book club at its Strathnairn cafe. This isn’t your ordinary book club. It is silent, and there is also no assigned reading. Participants simply bring along whatever they like and read along quietly with fellow readers. Hours of uninterrupted reading time? Yes please! Find out when the next event is.

Tough Guy Book Club is a network of men’s book clubs in local pubs. They are scattered all over Australia, with Canberra home to a few different meet ups. They get together, read, chat and have a good meal at a pub. See when and where they are meeting next.

Popular Fiction Book Club loves a good casual chat about books. They read popular books that are floating around and will often have two or more books selected to read. Find the next meeting location and register to attend.

Canberra Fantasy Book Club is all about reading fantasy! If you love dragons, witches, fairies and all things mythical, then this might be the group for you. Join the Facebook page here.

ACT Libraries allows you to register and create a book club at your preferred branch. You can access 12 copies of the same book from their collection of 375 titles, create an online account and membership card, and get discussion guides. Sign up for a book club or learn more.

Follow and find a street library:

Did you know you can find libraries on several Canberra streets? Street libraries allow you to bring a book and swap it with one already in the library.

If a street library is missing from your suburb, you can create your own!

Learn more about street libraries and where to find them.

Read from Canberra authors:

Civic Library regularly showcases Canberra authors and their books. You can find copies of recent books, and all can be borrowed from the library. Books from local authors are held for two years in the showcase before getting added to the ACT Heritage library or placed in the general lending collection within libraries ACT.

Check out the list of ACT authors.

Book cafes: 

Wanting to sip on a delicious drink or enjoy a tasty treat while indulging in a new book? Pulp Book Café is a cosy coffee shop with an added focus on books!

Check out Pulp Cafe.