May 25: In an ANU/Canberra Times meet the author event from 6pm-7pm, ABC China correspondent Bill Birtles will be in conversation with Hugh White on Birtles' new book, The Truth about China, a compelling examination of Chinese-Australian relations. Cinema, Kambri Cultural Centre, ANU. Registrations at anu.edu.au/events.

May 22: The picture book Dr Ouchy and Nurse Piggy: Baby Shark's Troublesome Tooth Fiasco - by Canberra surgeon Tetyana Kelly with illustrations by Cat Soper - will be launched on May 22 at Civic Pub at 3pm.

May 10: The next in Geoff Page's monthly readings will feature Judith Beveridge from Sydney and Canberra's Sarah Rice. Judith Beveridge is the author of seven collections of poetry, most recently Sun Music: New and Selected Poems which won the 2019 Prime Minister's poetry prize. Sarah Rice is a widely published Canberra poet and visual artist interested in the intersection between word and image. Entry $10/$5. No open mic. Online bookings via Smiths Alternative

May 8: At 4pm will be the first in a series looking at influential people in the ACT and the books that have influenced them. The Custodians, hosted by the ABC's Dan Bourchier, features Ngunnawal elder Caroline Hughes, Magistrate Louise Taylor and Euahlayi man Bhiamie Williamson. musecanberra.com.au.

May 16: At 3pm, Anita Heiss will discuss her book Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray (River of Dreams), about a woman's search for lost family and country. musecanberra.com.au

May 23: At 3pm, Irma Gold will discuss her book The Breaking, about the bond between two women and the enduring cost of animal exploitation. musecanberra.com.au.

May 25: At 8pm, The Translations Book Club journeys to the Congo in May with Fiston Mwanza Mujila's Tram 83 (trans: Roland Glasser).musecanberra.com.au.

May 26: At 6.30pm, The OzLit Book Club will discuss Irma Gold's The Breaking. musecanberra.com.au.

June 5: At 4pm, Krissy Kreen will discuss her book The Three Burials of Lotty Kneen, tracing her grandmother's early life. musecanberra.com.au.

May 16: Text/ure is a collaboration between Canberra poet and artist Sarah Rice and community choir Oriana Chorale. Rice's poetry was the basis of six new choral compositions for the choir to sing, accompanied by visual art made in response to the music. It's on at Canberra Girls Grammar Hall at 3pm. trybooking.com

Entries are now open for the 2021 Australian Catholic University (ACU) Prize for Poetry, with a first prize of $10,000. The theme for 2021 is Resilience, reflecting on Jaeda DeWalt's supposition, "When we learn how to become resilient, we learn how to embrace the beautifully broad spectrum of the human experience," and Sharon Salzberg's thesis, "Resilience is based on compassion for ourselves as well as compassion for others." Entries close on July 5 and winners will be announced on September 7, 2021. Enquiries: prizeforpoetry@acu.edu.au. More information: artsandculture.acu.edu.au.

The Canberra chapter of the Tough Guy Book Club will meet at 7pm at King O'Malley's, 131 City Walk, Canberra, on June 2. For more information, phone Darren Saffin on 0411 089 209.

For consideration for Litbits, email litbits@canberratimes.com.au by 5pm Monday.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: