This Valentine's Day, why not make a date with a book?

After a three-year hiatus, Read Tasmania is bringing back silent reading parties and we have a new location this February.

Stábla is a cafe in Hobart who have kindly agreed to open exclusively for us so that you can enjoy a date with a book this Valentine's Day.

To ensure that their costs for opening are covered, we are charging a $12 ticket price for this event however the $12 comes straight off the first drink or food you order on the night. If you'd rather not eat or drink, the $12 contribution will help us to pay Stábla for hosting the event.

The venue will be open from 5.30pm–8pm with the silent reading part of the evening falling between 6.15pm–7.15pm. When the hour is up, you can hang around for more drinks, food, chats, more reading, or head out the door (and maybe even catch Marlon Williams at the Odeon).

What will I read? That's entirely up to you. We'll have some books that can be purchased with a gold coin if you'd like a blind date with a book (they're packaged with clues on them so it's a surprise for you when you open them) or you can bring your own material – a novel, magazine, comic, biography, collection of short stories ... it's your choice!

So there's no talking? There can be plenty of talking before and after but during 6.15pm–7.15pm when we're reading, we ask that everyone is quiet (but yes, you can go to the bar to get another drink or some food – we're not monsters!)

Can I bring a friend (or even a date)? We get a mix of people at these events, lots of people come alone and lots of people come in groups. It's up to you as long as your companion/s don't mind if you ignore them for an hour while you're reading (those are the best kind of friends).

What kind of food and drink can I get? Stábla has a lovely small bar with wine, beer and cocktails as well as lots of non-alcoholic options. They will also be putting together a special menu of snacks and tapas - enough to pull together a light dinner or keep your tummy quiet until you head elsewhere for a meal. Once confirmed, we'll promote the menu before the event.

We hope you'll join us!

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