General News
26 May, 2026
Men’s reading habits: why, what and how?
Community members are invited to an informative yet humorous Words in Winter panel on men and reading this weekend.
Words in Winter will bring a light-hearted discussion on men’s reading habits to Maryborough this weekend.
Leading this year’s Words in Winter program is a conversation which promises to be both informative and funny — men and their reading habits.
The panellists include John Carruthers, Shay Leighton, Janice Simpson and librarian of almost three decades Maree Stephenson.
The panel will look at how men start to read, what gets in the way, and why books matter.
Ms Stephenson said the panel will encourage men to read, both widely and socially through book clubs, to benefit themselves and those around them.
“There’s probably stuff out there you’ll really enjoy but you haven’t picked up because you don’t think you’ll like it,” she said.
“That’s where book clubs are really good because it’s not always the same thing.”
Ms Stephenson’s expertise comes from her long-standing experience amongst the book stacks, helping the public, and seeing how reading habits change between generations.
While the reading choices of older community members may be guided by outside expectation, Ms Stephenson said the younger generation are breaking those barriers.
“They don’t care as long as it’s a good story,” she said.
Ms Stephenson encouraged the community to rethink what counts as reading — including both audio books and graphic novels.
“There’s so many ways you can access literature even when you’re busy,” she said.
Community members are invited to enjoy a casual panel, unpacking myths and the quiet joy of reading, with tickets and further information available at wiwcg.com.au