How to join a free Australian monthly book club (and meet the authors!)

Book clubs are IN for 2026 (ok they were never out, but still). If your idea of a perfect book club is one you can do from home in your pyjamas, we’ve got good news. Many libraries across Australia offer free monthly book clubs in Libby, complete with no‑wait borrowing and a free live Zoom event with the featured author.

Each month, you can borrow the selected title in Libby, then join readers from around the country for a virtual author interview and chat. In 2025 alone, thousands of readers joined in, racking up more than 90,000 checkouts of featured book club titles.

You might have heard of these as Ben’s Book Club or Libby Book Club for WA. In 2026, they’re back with a fresh look and new names: Libby Reads with Ben Hobson and Libby Reads with David Allan‑Petale. Same great reads for free and same access to brilliant Australian authors.  

Libby Reads with Ben Hobson

This book club is offered by many libraries across Australia, which means you can borrow the featured title on Libby with no wait throughout the month. Popular authors from previous book clubs include Jane Harper, Chris Hammer, Jane Caro, Christine Gregory and more.

For February, the Libby Reads with Ben Hobson title is The Long Night by critically acclaimed author and screenwriter, Christian White. It’s available as an ebook and audiobook all month long. On 24 February at 7.30 pm AEDT, join host Ben Hobson for a free live Zoom discussion with Christian White. Expect plenty of book talk, behind‑the‑scenes insights, and the chance to ask your own burning questions.

You can register for February’s book club and see the upcoming monthly picks here: https://pages.libbylife.com/Ben-Hobson. There is also an active community for Libby Reads with Ben Hobson on the book club’s Facebook group to keep conversation going between events.

*Don’t see Libby Reads with Ben Hobson in Libby? Ask your local library if they will participate. 

Libby Reads with David Allan-Petale

This book club began as an offering for our West Australia readers as it takes place at 7.30 PM AWST, but it’s now open to any readers across Australia that fancy a late-night book club. Many libraries, including ones outside West Australia offer this monthly book club. Previous featured authors include Chris Hammer, Dave Warner, Anna Dowens, Michael Brissenden and more.

February’s featured title is Hot Ground by Lisa Ellery, available as an ebook all month long.  

David Allan-Petale will host an evening discussion with Lisa Ellery about Hot Ground and you’re invited to join in the conversation! You can register for the free Zoom event and browse upcoming monthly picks here: https://pages.libbylife.com/David-Allan-Petale  

Looking for more discussion on the Libby Reads with David Allan-Petale books? Join the Facebook group to connect with other readers!  

*Don’t see Libby Reads with David Allan-Petale in Libby? Ask your local library if they will participate. 

Why join a Libby Reads book club? 

Libby Reads book clubs are a brilliant way to stay on track with your 2026 reading goals and have the added bonus of exclusive author access and lively discussion from the comfort of home. All you need is your library card and Libby!

Libby Reads with Ben Hobson Upcoming Titles

• February: The Long Night by Christian White (Zoom event: 24 February)
• March: The Empress Murders by Toby Schmitz (Zoom event: 24 March)
• April: The Great Act of Love by Heather Rose (Zoom event: 28 April)  
• May: Ruins by Amy Taylor (Zoom event: 26 May)
• June: Learned Behaviours by Zeynab Gamielden (Zoom event: 23 June)  

Libby Reads with David Allan-Petale Upcoming Titles  

• February: Hot Ground by Lisa Ellery (Zoom event: 18 February)
• March: Franz Josef by Alan Carter (Zoom event: 18 March)  
• April: The Ghost Walk by Karen Herbert (Zoom event: 15 April)  
• May: O’Keefe by David Whish-Wilson (Zoom event: 20 May)  
• June: The Names of a Hare by Bernice Barry (Zoom event: 17 June)  
• July: A Murder is Going Down by Kate Emery (Zoom event: 15 July)