A Blog on Life, the Universe & Stories

We hope you enjoy this collection of stories, insights and articles about reading and life from our groups members, facilitators, clients, community and friends.

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Volunteers inspire community support for Shared Reading

Christopher Smith

4 days ago2 min read

Volunteers inspire community support for Shared Reading

We would like to say a massive thank you to Springwood Uniting Church and to our very own volunteer Karon Coombs for their recent...

Doing a TED Talk when you’re socially anxious...

Christopher Smith

4 days ago5 min read

Doing a TED Talk when you’re socially anxious...

Christopher Smith reflects on his recent experience as a TEDx speaker when all of his fears came true... what's the worst that could...

Christopher Smith

Nov 284 min read

The Wisdom of Readers: On Feuds.

A reflection on short story 'The Interlopers' by Saki... Most people agree that feuds are generally a difficult thing. They cause stress,...

Citizen of Year rewarded for helping prevent loneliness through Shared Reading program

Christopher Smith

Aug 153 min read

Citizen of Year rewarded for helping prevent loneliness through Shared Reading program

I am honoured and humbled to have been recognised as Blue Mountains Citizen of the Year as reported in this article published in the Blue...

Christopher Smith

Aug 54 min read

How did we get here…?

Surprise and delight in a Shared Reading session reading A. J Alan’s short story 'My Adventure in Norfolk'... We had been talking about...

La Trobe University reports on Bibliotherapy: how reading with others can boost your wellbeing

Christopher Smith

Jul 196 min read

La Trobe University reports on Bibliotherapy: how reading with others can boost your wellbeing

Senior Lecturers from La Trobe University prompt us to consider why we’re drawn to bibliotherapy (reading for therapy) in times of crisis...

The Wisdom of Readers: Wanting more from life…

Christopher Smith

Jun 244 min read

The Wisdom of Readers: Wanting more from life…

'The Fullness of Life' is a short story by Edith Wharton that asks big questions. It was written when she was young and it bursts with...

Christopher Smith

Apr 113 min read

Too true to be good…

'Wenlock Edge' by Alice Munro prompts an observation about the power of the confessional. A participant in a reading group recommended...

Christopher Smith

Aug 14, 20234 min read

Life without achievement...

Failure is one of the things we fear the most. If we have ‘nothing to show’ for our lives then who are we, and what was the point?...

Sometimes, the more difficult the material, the more relatable the story.

Christopher Smith

Jul 8, 20233 min read

Sometimes, the more difficult the material, the more relatable the story.

A personal reflection on 'Sonny's Blues' - a short story by James Baldwin. There are some stories that take us on a journey into what it...

Christopher Smith

Jun 7, 20234 min read

If you feel lonely, you are not alone…

‘A profound sense of loneliness’ now affects more of our worldwide population than ever before. It’s impact on health and wellbeing, even...

Helping people feel less alone... why I became a Shared Reading facilitator.

Christopher Smith

Mar 22, 20233 min read

Helping people feel less alone... why I became a Shared Reading facilitator.

Chris reflects on his journey and the purpose he found in Shared Reading groups.

Whoever you are, no matter how lonely, the world offers itself to your imagination...

Alison

Mar 16, 20234 min read

Whoever you are, no matter how lonely, the world offers itself to your imagination...

Alison shares her experience of a Shared Reading group in this beautifully written piece. Thank you Alison.

The Wisdom of Readers: Self-care is an act of resistance.

Christopher Smith

Nov 21, 20225 min read

The Wisdom of Readers: Self-care is an act of resistance.

Today’s world wants more from us, and quicker. The immediacy of modern communication means we’re required to be available at the drop of...

“All I have to do is open up to the nourishment coming in”

Freda (group member)

Jul 5, 20192 min read

“All I have to do is open up to the nourishment coming in”

Freda has been attending a Shared Reading group for a couple of years now. Here, she reflects on how she came to be in the group and what...

A shared reading session can be the brightest mirror

Christopher Smith

Feb 6, 20183 min read

A shared reading session can be the brightest mirror

“It struck me that as I deny acknowledgement to someone living on the street, I deny an expression of a part of myself. As I walk past...

Christopher Smith

Jan 18, 20185 min read

Gratitude is a reward for letting go

“I am beginning to understand that my reactions to what people say and do are to do with the ways in which I have been conditioned – that...

How shared reading helped me to be near people

Sara Fawcett

Dec 5, 20177 min read

How shared reading helped me to be near people

– By Sara Fawcett – “…it made me almost feel free. Like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I found myself talking to people I hadn’t...

Mary Houghis

Nov 30, 20171 min read

Stories of change – Mary

“…I thought that I could not get back into nursing, shared reading has changed that…” Mary has been attending shared reading groups for...

Stimulating the creativity of our readers

Christopher Smith

Oct 8, 20171 min read

Stimulating the creativity of our readers

“After the reading group I feel more connected, alert and alive” Freda B Fischer is new to shared reading, but in a few short weeks has...

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