The Big Book Balagan: Books We Love

Sunday August 2, 2026 — 4:45 pm

General Admission: $30

Elise Esther Hearst, Sarah Krasnostein, Dani Valent, Alice Zaslavsky – moderator Bram Presser

A riotous discussion of Jewish books with some of Melbourne’s brightest book stars who will share their favourite recent reads, some hidden gems and all the books they can’t wait to read. You’ll be in for a wide-ranging and totally unpredictable book balagan with wild opinions, laughs and a dangerous increase to the height of your bedside book stack.

As promised, here’s the reading list!

A BOOK FOR GOOD TIMES AND BAD

Alice Zaslavsky: The Blessing of a Skinned Knee by Wendy Mogel PhD

Bram Presser: Fracture by Andres Neuman

Dani Valent: The Book of Jewish Food by Claudia Roden

Elise Esther Hearst: My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout

Sarah Krasnostein: The History of Love by Nicole Krauss

A BOOK OR AUTHOR YOU WISH MORE PEOPLE WOULD READ

Alice: Living in an Upside Down World by Rabbi Ralph Genende

Bram: Elaine Kraf (especially The Princess of 72nd Street)

Dani: The Dark Room by Susan Faludi

Elise: The Position of Spoons and Other Intimacies by Deborah Levy

Sarah: Janet Malcolm

BIG BOOK/LITTLE BOOK

Alice: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabriel Zevin / Transcription by Ben Lerner

Bram: Homebound by Portia Elan / The Last Movement by Robert Seethaler

Dani: Chess by Stefan Zweig

Elise: Famesick by Lena Dunham / Heartburn by Nora Ephron

Sarah: The Power Broker by Robert Caro / The Shawl by Cynthia Ozick

THE BOOK YOU’RE MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO READING

Alice: My Family by David Baddiel

Bram: Dead Herzls by Joshua Cohen (February 2027)

Dani: Howl by Howard Jacobson

Elise: Pan Tadeusz by Adam Mickiewcz

Sarah: The Last Best Place on the Internet by Richard Cooke

Artists

Elise Esther Hearst

Elise Esther Hearst is an award-winning Melbourne-based playwright, author and performer, working and living on Boon Wurrung country. Her debut novel, One Day We’re All Going to Die, was published by Harper Collins in 2023 and was shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award 2024. Her theatre work has appeared at various theatres around Australia, most recently including ‘A Very Jewish Christmas Carol’ (Melbourne Theatre Company) and ‘Yentl’, which won the Green Room Award for Outstanding Writing 2023 (Malthouse Theatre and Arts Centre Melbourne).
Sarah Krasnostein

Sarah Krasnostein is a multi-award winning writer and critic. She is the best-selling author of The Trauma Cleaner, The Believer, the Quarterly Essay, ‘Not Waving, Drowning’ and ‘On Peter Carey’. She holds a doctorate in criminal law and is admitted to legal practice in Australia and America. Her awards include the Victorian Prize for Literature, the Australian Book Industry Award for Non-Fiction and the Walkley’s Pascall Prize for Arts Criticism. She is a regular contributor to The Monthly and The Saturday Paper.
Dani Valent

Dani Valent is a journalist, restaurant critic, cookbook author, travel writer and screenwriter with a passion for storytelling. She wrote World Food Turkey for Lonely Planet and has authored three successful cookbooks. Her career spans interviews with actors, politicians and an astronaut, always exploring the people behind food and travel. Dani hosts the Dirty Linen food podcast, sharing untold restaurant industry stories, and co-hosts The Producers, celebrating the farmers and makers behind great food.
Alice Zaslavsky

Alice Zaslavsky is an award-winning author, broadcaster, and taste-maker, known for bringing vibrancy and vitality to every plate through great produce and clever cooking. Alice is the author of 4 internationally bestselling cookbooks including global phenomenon ‘In Praise of Veg’. Her 5th book, ‘Weeknights with Alice’ is due for release late September 2026. As host of hit TV show ‘A Bite to Eat with Alice’, she inspires home cooks of all skill levels to explore new and fresh flavours, connect through food, and cook with curiosity and creativity. You’ll find her columns in SMH/The Age Good Food, and The Guardian, and her musings on the socials as @aliceinframes.
Bram Presser

Bram Presser is a semi-reformed punk rocker, recovering academic and lapsed lawyer. His novel, The Book of Dirt, won the National Jewish Book Award for Debut Fiction (USA), the Voss Prize and three categories at the NSW Premiers Literary Awards. In his spare time, Bram reads, reviews, blogs and judges literary prizes.