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How Castlemaine's book champion found her people

Welcome to The Nugget, a 24k gold newsletter about Castlemaine's people and events

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The Nugget
December 12, 2025

★ How Castlemaine's book champion found her people ★

Kristen Gill with Amy & Shelley at MainFM

Ten years ago, Kristen Gill was flying high in publishing at Penguin Random House and her husband, Graham, was deep in corporate life at IBM.

One kid had already left home, the other was fully qualified to leave home and just needed a reason/push.

The pair started looking for a new way to live.

“I knew Castlemaine had this reputation for being a really artistic community,” Kristen says.

“And I knew Graham, who grew up in bayside Melbourne, would adjust to the fact there’s very little water to be seen here.”

So they moved, and for six years, Kristen kept commuting to Melbourne. But in the background, a different life was taking shape. One that combined their skillsets to curate literary events and bring authors to regional audiences.

Northern Books was born. Their very first event — Books at the Brewery, nine years ago — changed everything.

“It was so integral to our segue into the community. We found our tribe,” Kristen says of that first book talk at Shedshaker.

“Book-loving people who were happy to come out, have a drink, something to eat, talk about books and have those storytelling conversations.”

From that moment, they knew they’d made the right move.

Now, the Books at the Brewery Christmas Extravaganza is a December institution, equal parts literary celebration and musical homage.

This year honours the songs of Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter, with people who knew them well: Derek Gill and Doug Falconer from Shedshaker (Falconer also being the Hunters & Collectors drummer who played with Archie). Sofie Laguna and Tony Birch will also speak about their latest books.

Kristen and Graham haul in all the new releases so you can blitz your gift shopping and stack your summer reads. Your $40 ticket even comes with a $20 book voucher, a small but brilliant touch.

And yes, the Christmas event is sold out. It always does. But if you’re keen, hop onto TryBooking and get on the waitlist. Plans always change at this time of year.

The good news is that 2026 is shaping up huge for Northern Books.

Grace Tame is on the calendar.

Louise Milligan returns with her new psychological thriller about buried secrets called Shellybanks.

Stephanie Alexander marks 30 years of The Cook’s Companion. Cross fingers and toes that Kristen can woo her to Castlemaine for a food plus stories event.

And with any luck, Lisa Wilkinson will visit to talk about her upcoming book about the sole Australian who survived the Titanic.

Northern Books has left a real mark on Castlemaine and it’s transformed Kristen and Graham too. They’ve made lifelong friends, and they keep a folder of emails from people who say the events have mattered to them.

“One day, when we maybe don’t do this anymore, we’ll look back and say we made people’s lives a little bit exciting, because we brought interesting people to town to talk about stories and language and characters. We pinch ourselves that we get to do this.”

Even when the events are big, Kristen and Graham have a knack for making everyone feel like they are part of the convo.

“We welcome people into our space. Come on in, have a big conversation around the table with a couple of glasses of wine. Ask questions, meet the authors. Just come on in.”

Until the next event rolls around, Kristen’s Christmas and summer reading picks will more than keep you busy.

Kristen’s Picks

The Hiding Place by Kate Mildenhall — She’s visiting in February. Her fourth book is “White Lotus meets The Slap.” Yesssssss.

Average at Best by Astrid Jorgensen — A joyful memoir from the creator of Pub Choir — full of her personality and the magic she brings to people’s lives.

The Underworld by Sofie Laguna — For thinkers, laughers, empaths, quirky folk, queer folk, nostalgists, the young, the getting-on. Martha, the protagonist, leans on ancient mythology as she navigates life. *Amy bought this for her oldest kid and her mum so they can book club together.

White Male Stand-Up by Alan Davies — This book wasn't on Kristen's radar until she encountered it for work. After hearing the author speak, it’s near the top of her holiday reading stack.

Mushroom Tapes by Helen Garner, Sarah Krasnostein, Chloe Hooper — Very big brains and a wild story. You can’t go wrong.

Anything and everything by Elizabeth Strout — She has a new book coming out in mid-2026.

Wild by Design by Tim Pilgrim — A stunning work from the Newstead landscaper, published by Thames & Hudson. Would look ace on a coffee table.

Baking & the Meaning of Life by Helen Goh — Part recipe book, part memoir, 100 dishes threaded through her reflections. Beautifully written.

❀ Kick a footy for the Falcs ❀

Never have I ever… kicked the footy.

I’ve been told this is not a deal breaker.

The Falcs invites women and gender diverse people, including those who are totally new to AFL, to check out their Come and Try session on 15 Dec.

If you’ve always wanted to part of a team and an inclusive community, I think it’s totally worth stepping out of your comfort zone to give this a go.

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♡˖ EVENTS ˖♡

𖥔 TALK TO MOI PLOISE 𖥔

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