Ben’s Book Club

Maya Linnell

Maya Linnell lives in country Victoria with her family and a menagerie of farm animals. She describes herself as a Writer, Baker and Green Thumb. She is also the bestselling author of the rural fiction books, Wildflower Ridge, Bottlebrush Creek and Magpie’s Bend. A former country journalist and radio host, Maya also blogs for Romance Writers Australia, loves baking up a storm, tending to her rambling garden and raising three young bookworms. Her new novel, Paperbark Hill, was published with Allen & Unwin in June.

Ben Hobson

Ben Hobson is a teacher, and an author, based in Brisbane. To Become a Whale, his debut novel, was released in 2017. It was longlisted for the ABIA Debut Fiction award and shortlisted for the Courier-Mail’s People’s Choice Award. His second novel, Snake Island, a literary thriller, was released in 2019. The Death of John Lacey, which will be released in February 2023, will be his third novel.

Rebecca Noble

Rebecca Noble grew up in the South Island of New Zealand, where she spent her holidays roaming the family’s high country sheep station with her siblings and cousins. Discovering nature and inventing new ways to dam up the creeks surrounding the homestead. Fast forward a few years and the Yarra Valley, Victoria, is now home. Rebecca is the owner and head designer at LLB, a floral design business that promotes and advocates for locally grown and seasonal flowers. Specialising in retail, event and installation flowers. With a style that is wild and abundant and reflecting moments in time.

Through her floristry work Rebecca realised a gap in the market between florists and farmers. To help grow connections, she started a podcast called “Dish the Dirt” in which a different flower farmer throughout Australia is interviewed every week sharing their stories, knowledge and insights into the industry.

Kristi Brooks

Kristi Books has been with Mount Gambier Library for more than 12 years. She is the Team Leader Library Programs, working with a diverse team to provide events, programs and services for children youth and adults as well as ensuring the library remains relevant and an exciting community place for people to visit, engage, discover and enjoy!

One of Kristi’s favourite roles is working with authors to host live events: whether it’s a debut author or returning favourite, and she says it’s a great excuse to curl up with a book at home (and glass of vino!) all in the name of work! Kristi is currently the acting Manager Library & Community Development for Mount Gambier Library.