Newy Queer Book Club

30/05/2026

Join us this June at Goldberg’s to discuss the Gambler by J.P. Pomare

A highly charged crime-thriller - launching an electrifying new series featuring PI Vince Reid - by multi-award-winning prince of the twist, J.P. Pomare.

PI Vince Reid is visiting an old friend when he's offered a case he can't refuse. Why did a respected local woman open fire at a political rally, killing a promising young university graduate? It's easy money, he's told. A sure thing.

But as Reid delves further into the case, the stakes are higher than he imagined. There are invisible players pulling the strings. Will he walk away a winner or pay for the ultimate gamble with his life?

***rprotagonists ***rbooks

02/05/2026

We're super excited to host award-winning author Holden Sheppard to discuss his latest book, Yeah The Boys, the highly anticipated sequel to his bestselling debut Invisible Boys.

Yeah The Boys is a bold, propulsive new novel about male friendship, masculinity, modern gay life and the first gay male AFL player. Raw, brash and fiercely tender, Yeah the Boys is the story of three young men finding their way back to each other – and discovering their own complicated ways of becoming men.

Holden will be in discussion with our very own library staff superstar Danni Hilliard to unpack the many talking points this novel has to offer!

Copies will be available to purchase from MacLean's Booksellers and Holden will be sticking around to chat and sign copies of his books.

📅 Wednesday 13 May, 6-7pm
📍 Newcastle City Library
🧑 For 18+ years, 16-17 year olds can attend with a parent/guardian
🎟 $10, book now at: https://www.trybooking.com/DLAFE

02/05/2026

Join us this 30 May at Goldberg’s to discuss a classic ‘Carmilla’ by J Sheridan Le Fanu

In an isolated castle deep in the Austrian forest, Laura leads a solitary life with only her ailing father for company. Until one moonlit night, a horse-drawn carriage crashes into view, carrying an unexpected guest—the beautiful Carmilla. So begins a feverish friendship between Laura and her mysterious, entrancing companion.

But as Carmilla becomes increasingly strange and volatile, prone to eerie nocturnal wanderings, Laura finds herself tormented by nightmares and growing weaker by the day… Pre-dating Dracula by twenty-six years, Carmilla is the original vampire story, steeped in s*xual tension and gothic romance ❤️‍🔥 🫦 ***rbooks🏳️‍🌈

03/04/2026

This month’s Newy Q***r Book Club read is the Sapphic space romance “Atmosphere” by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

Fast-paced, thrilling, and emotional, Atmosphere is Taylor Jenkins Reid at her best: transporting readers to iconic times and places, creating complex protagonists, and telling a passionate and soaring story about the transformative power of love—this time among the stars.

Meet up date to be announced! Happy reading everyone!! 🚀

Joan Goodwin has been obsessed with the stars for as lo…

06/03/2026

This month Newy Q***r Book Club is reading ‘You Can’t Spell Treason without Tea’ by Rebecca Thorne.

Reyna and Kianthe dream of opening a friendly book shop together, serving the very best tea and cakes.

Worn wooden floors, plants on every table, firelight drifting between the rafters - all complemented by love and good company.

But Reyna is an elite bodyguard to a vengeful queen, and Kianthe is the most powerful mage in existence. Leaving their lives behind seems . . . impossible. Yet they flee to Tawney, a town nestled in the icy peaks of dragon country. There, they open the bookstore they’d always wanted.

What follows is a tale of mishaps, mysteries, dragons, and a murderous queen throwing the realm’s biggest temper tantrum. Through it, these two women will discover what they mean to each other - and their world.

Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne is a gorgeous treat of a book, filled with cosy adventure, sapphic romance and good feelings. The story continues in the swashbuckling A Pirate’s Life for Tea.

We’re meeting again under the orange umbrella out the back of Goldberg’s on Darby St Saturday 28th March 3pm.

You’ll still have time to see some fantastic author talks as part of Newcastle Writers Festival including Writing Q***r Lit 5:30pm NUSPACE see Newcastle Writers Festival for details

24/01/2026

Newy Q***r Book Club’s Jan/Feb book is Eros by Zoe Terakes.

A s*xy modern take on ancient Greek myths that embraces the history and endurance of q***r love, from an exciting Australian writer.

Eros is a stunning collection of short stories, grounded in truth and coloured with dazzling imagination and alluring unpredictable mystery. Revealing how q***rness, nature and myth have been intertwined for eternity, these are stories of gods and goddesses: of Zeus, of Aphrodite, of Hermaphroditus, of Icarus before he flew into the sun. Stories of q***r life, lust, revenge, wrath, passion and s*x. Of yearning, love, loss. Some stories span across a life, and others, an evening. Perspectives will shift. Houses will burn. Lovers will learn their fate.

Zoe Terakes has skilfully blended myth and modernity to illuminate the complex and enduring truth of trans lives, resisting a history of erasure and delivering a s*xy, soul-touching book to read to your lover . . . or yourself.

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ We’re meeting at Goldberg’s Coffee House out the back under the orange umbrella Saturday 28th February 3pm onwards to get down to the nitty gritty of what you thought about this life changing book.

Allies welcome

25/11/2025

Get ready for a magical discussion! Our book club meets this Saturday, 29 November, 3pm at Goldberg's on Darby St, Cooks Hill. We'll dive into the whimsical world of 'House in the Cerulean Sea' by TJ Klune. Everyone's welcome - whether you've read it or just want to join the conversation!

24/10/2025

We’ll be there at Fair Day today 🥰 big love to our Q***r and trans communities and our allies 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🤎🖤

The hits the Fair Day Main Stage at 11:30am - so much fun for the kids and good vibes all around! 🏳️‍🌈⭐️

21/10/2025

Calling all book lovers! We're devouring Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E Schwab this October with the ***rbookclub. Join the discussion at Newcastle Pride Fair Day - DM us for location and time details, or to get notified on the day! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🤎🖤

06/10/2025

In libraries we trust!!