Brisbane Lifeline Bookfest 2019

Seized books aplenty

Today was day 1 of the 2019 Lifeline Brisbane Bookfest and it didn't disappoint. Sure you have to battle traffic getting into the Brisbane CBD, pay a ridiculous about of money in parking fees and at times feel either claustrophobic as your sandwiched between total strangers or anxious as you spot the book your after that's just out of reach.

A sense of achievement is always preceded by an element of risk and although its calculated, the rewards by far outweigh those risks. That's why I will be going back again before the final day on the 29th January and again next year and the year after that.

Variety is abundant

The bookfest at the Brisbane Convention Centre is split into 3 separate areas. $2.50 items on the left of the hall as you enter. High Quality in the centre and on the far right, the $1.00 section. Now, I'll admit it. I'm a bit of a book snob, so when it comes to the condition of books, sure, I could save money and spend a dollar per item but would I enjoy looking at or holding a book with dog ears, someone's graffiti'd notes or torn pages. No, I could not, hence why I bee lined straight to the high quality section first. Sure, it's a little expensive for a charity event, the books are priced between $4.00 to $8.00 or the average I saw for complete sets was usually $16.00. But it is all for a good cause - more books to read.

Easy to Navigate

Every long table of books is well signed into genres and very easy to read and while, I didn't walk along each table, I was there for between 3 to 4 hours and I only visited Young Adult (because that's what I am), Childrens (No, I'm not), Sci-Fi, and Comics/Graphic Novels. Towards the end, my shoulder was weighed down and hurting so I raced downstairs to complete a drop off at the car. I then came back to finish the job.

A Few Surprises

Everyone who loves books, respects books and this was very evident at the bookfest. I was pleasantly surprised to see everyone, regardless of age, put unwanted books back on the table, spine facing upwards so the next person could see clearly see the titles of all the books. The other surprise, the amount of millennial's I saw and the majority male, that bought classic literature. Bronte, Hemingway, Harper Lee, Steinbeck. I even saw a guy walk out with Mien Kampf.

Get Inspired

You don't have to be like me and spend a small fortune but if you love to read and don't mind investing time in a treasure hunt, then get yourself down to the bookfest next year or when it comes to your neck of the woods.

Here's my closing thought. When the dust settles after the mooted zombie apocalypse, war, infrastructure meltdown, alien invasion or whatever it may be. How will you entertain yourself? My suggestion, have a book or fifty handy. Paper ones!