Six local books. Three months. One shared journey.
At CMET, we know the light rail does more than move people across Canberra. Every day, thousands of passengers share the same journey, travelling past the city’s suburbs, hubs, and public spaces. This year, we’re exploring whether that journey can become something more: a shared reading experience.
That’s the thinking behind Light Rail Local Reads; a new three-month community initiative supported by Libraries ACT. The program invites commuters to read a selection of books by Canberra and region authors, engage with author content and discussions, and finally join some of the local authors on the light rail for free at a special onboard event on 24 October.
Reading is already a familiar part of the daily commute for passengers. Many spend their journey with a book, eBook or audiobook in hand. Light Rail Local Reads builds on that existing behaviour by encouraging people to read the same collection of books over the same period, creating opportunities for conversation, connection and discovery.
Across August, September and October, the program will feature six books by local authors, all available at Canberra’s libraries. August introduced readers to Jack Heath’s Kill Your Boss and Robert Macklin’s The Man Who Planted Canberra. September features Sulari Gentill’s Five Found Dead and Chris Hammer’s Legacy, while October will focus on Andra Putnis’ Stories My Grandmothers Didn’t Tell Me and Karen Viggers’ Sidelines.
(Top L to R: Robert Macklin, Karen Viggers (Credit to Michelle Higgs Novel Photographic) Bottom L to R: Sulari Gentill, Chris Hammer)
The selected books were chosen not only for their quality, but also because they showcase the breadth of literary talent connected to Canberra and the surrounding region. Through the program, we hope commuters will discover new authors, explore different genres and gain a deeper appreciation for the stories being written in our own community.
An important partner in the initiative is Libraries ACT, which will help readers access the featured books through its branches and digital collections. Library membership is free, making it easy for people to participate regardless of how often they read or whether they already consider themselves regular library users.
Importantly, Light Rail Local Reads is designed to be accessible and flexible. There is no registration process, no membership fee and no expectation that participants read every title. People can choose one book, several books or simply follow along through social media content and discussion prompts – all found on our Facebook and Instagram.
The initiative concludes with a free onboard event featuring participating authors, who will join readers aboard a light rail vehicle for an evening of readings, conversation and discussion. Tickets are available now and can be reserved here.
As a pilot program, Light Rail Local Reads is an opportunity to explore how public transport can support culture and community. The light rail connect people with places every day. Through this initiative, we’re asking whether they can also connect people through ideas, experiences and stories. If commuters discover a new author, visit their local library or simply feel a stronger connection to the city around them, then Light Rail Local Reads will have achieved exactly what it set out to do.