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A 7am start is not every boy’s idea of fun, but for Scotch Library’s annual event, Books Blokes and Brekky, 100 keen readers were more than happy to make an exception.  Judging by the number of excited students, Fathers and Grandfathers who arrived at the Cardinal Pavilion on Thursday, Books Blokes and Brekky is an occasion not to be missed.

A delicious breakfast of fruit smoothies, eggs florentine, tea, coffee and mini-muffins filled the stomachs of the hungry guests, while the eight guest authors filled the minds of the “blokes” with their recommendations of books every boy should read.

Paul Collins, Brendan Gullifer, Leigh Hobbs, Michael Hyde, Sofie Laguna, Vikki Petraitis, James Phelan and Nick Place completed the varied line-up of special guests and all impressed the audience with their suggestions from varied genres.

Paul encouraged boys of all ages to read Philip Reeve’s Mortal Engines, Brendan suggested the American classic, Catcher in the Rye as his most unmissable book for boys, Leigh Hobbs cited cartoonist Ronald Searle, noted for his St. Trinians illustrations, as an early influence, while Michael Hyde spoke of the importance of Australian classics , specifically Alan Marshall’s I can jump puddles.

Sofie Laguna chose Nick Hornby’s most recent novel Slam as a book for every boy, while crime writer Vikki Petraitis summarised Randolph Stowe’s 1967 comic story, Midnite : the story of a wild colonial boy and recommended it as another Aussie classic.

Action author James Phelan, familiar to many Scotch boys due to his appearance at last year’s Literature Festival, spoke highly of Orson Scott Card’s Sci-Fi award winner Ender’s game. The final word of the morning went to Nick Place who recommended books by both Elmore Leonard and Michael Chabon, but ultimately chose The Princess Bride by William Goldman as his “best book for boys”.

A lively morning of great literary discussion and delicious food delighted all those who attended. Bring on the next BBB!

Madame Librarian