August 28th, 2026Love of books changing lives worldwide
A growing community of readers across Victoria is proving that a love of books can change lives far beyond the page.
These avid bookworms are supporting families who’ve been forced to flee their homes due to disaster or conflict – with every book they read as part of a charity book club.
Carol Forrest, from Fryerstown, pictured, joined the ShelterBox Australia Book Club three years ago, becoming part of a nationwide community of readers committed to making a difference.
Since launching six years ago, the club has helped ShelterBox deliver emergency shelter and essential supplies – including water filters, solar lights, and mosquito nets – to people in crisis around the world.
Carol is a registered nurse turned bookshop owner. She created the Alpine Book Trail, involving 18 second-hand bookshops on the Victorian Alpine circuit and currently has a Street Library.
“I purposely stock global authors and their stories, as I love how a book can transport us to someone else’s reality, simultaneously altering my perspective.
“Joining ShelterBox Book Club made a difference to me as my eyes were opened to the realities of survival and how everyday families’ lives can turn so quickly into chaos. I feel privileged to live where I do and for my families and friends to be safe.”
Members make a small monthly donation to join the club, then choose their own copy of each shortlisted title – borrowing it, buying it, listening to it, or downloading it in whatever format they love.
Every six weeks, the group votes on a new book and comes together online to share reflections, ideas, and conversation.
“All our books have enriched my life and allowed me to deepen my knowledge and understanding. It’s certainly very invigorating to have one’s perspective gently and respectfully turned upside down when another’s perspective is completely different. This is a safe community where I feel empowered to speak and listen.”
Carol’s favourite read so far? Mornings in Jenin by Susan Abulhawa.
“Few books have had such a profound effect on me. Discussing a book this raw and politically charged, requires an immense amount of trust, the ShelterBox Australia Book Club provides a safe and respectful space to do this.”
Recent selections have included powerful voices from Myanmar, and Sudan, mirroring ShelterBox’s work in those regions. After the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, they explored the continent-spanning novel, Latitudes of Longing by Shubhangi Swarup. While ShelterBox responded to displacement in Sudan and neighbouring Chad, readers were immersed in Reem Gaafar’s spectacular Sudanese novel, A Mouth Full of Salt.
ShelterBox specialises in emergency shelter and has supported over three million people in nearly 100 countries. It is currently supporting families displaced by earthquakes in Venezuela and supporting people with shelter and other essential items in Cameroon, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Burkina Faso.
Link: www.shelterboxaustralia.org.au/reading-room/
