What's on
May 27: Harrison Craig won The Voice in 2013 but for many years he struggled to find his own voice. He battled with a stutter for most of his younger life, which made everyday conversation very difficult for him. Often the subject of bullying, he turned to his love of singing, which is how the story behind Harrison's Song began. The book will be launched at Paperchain Bookstore, Manuka, at 10.45am. Details: 6295 6723
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May 28: Fellowship of Australian Writers May Meeting. 1-4pm. National Library. Please check at the front desk to see which room we are allocated. All welcome. This month's topic is "Believe Me". Shared afternoon tea. Gold coin donation. Details: Adrienne Johns 62312470 or Chris Burt 62311937.
May 28: A Brush with Poetry. Enjoy an eclectic mix of poetic styles and genres in the cosy atmosphere of the historic Black Swan Gallery, Binalong. Easy drive from Canberra for coffee, cake and conversation sprinkled with metaphors and sometimes music. A mix of traditional and contemporary voices. Free open mike event, donations appreciated. 1.30 for 2pm. Details: 02 6227 4377.
May 29: At 6pm at the Copland Lecture Theatre, ANU in an ANU/ Canberra Times meet the author event, Robert Dessaix will be in conversation with Professor Nicholas Brown on Dessaix's new book, The Pleasures of Leisure. Free event. Bookings at anu.edu.au/events or 6125 4144. Book signings at 5.30pm.
May 30: Then join Robert Dessaix over lunch at Muse in the second The Long Table gathering. 12-1.30pm; $75 includes two course lunch and copy of Robert's latest book, The Pleasures of Leisure.
May 30: At 6.30pm in the Copland Lecture Theatre, ANU in a free ANU/Canberra Times meet the author event, Chloe Shorten will be in conversation with Anna-Maria Arabia on Shorten's new book, Take Heart: A Story for Modern Stepfamilies. Bookings at anu.edu.au/events or 6125 4144. Book signings at 6pm.
May 30: Time Traveller's Book Club at the National Museum of Australia. Take a romp through history, led by Dr Mike Smith, archaeologist and honorary senior research fellow at the National Museum. This month's book is The Second World War, by Antony Beevor, Orion Publishing, 2014. Beevor provides a grand sweep of this 20th century conflict, while also focusing on the local dimensions of the unfolding tragedy. The fate of ordinary soldiers and civilisations also informs the narrative. Exclusive to Friends full members. Bookings essential at Eventbrite
May 31: The oral history book Australian Lives: An Intimate History by Anisa Puri and Alistair Thomson will be launched at 6pm in the National Library of Australia Conference Room, Level 4. Admission free (includes refreshments) Bookings: nla.gov.au.
June 6: Hugh Mackay will talk about his satire Selling the Dream in the National Library of Australia Theatre at 6pm. Admission $20. Bookings: nla.gov.au.
June 7: At 6.30 pm in the Copland Lecture Theatre in a free ANU/Canberra Times meet the author event John Safran will be in conversation with Kim Hunyh on Safran's new book Depends What You Mean by Extremist.Going Rogue with Australian Deplorables. Bookings: anu.edu.au/events or 6125 4144. Pre-book signings at 6pm.
June 27: At 6.15 for 7pm in the Great Hall, University House, ANU at the Eat Drink and Be Literary dinner Julia Baird will be in conversation with Alex Sloan on Baird's biography of Queen Victoria. Tickets $72 per person for two-course meal and wine. Bookings at anu.edu.au/events or 6125 4144.
July 5: Clancy's Hat: The Story of Tim's Lone Journey from Canberra to Kosciuszko and a Special Hat by Phillip A. Moses will be launched at the National Library of Australia Bookshop at 6pm. Admission free. Bookings: nla.gov.au.
* Contributions to Litbits are welcome. Please email litbits@canberratimes.com.au by COB on the Monday prior to publication. Publication is not guaranteed.
