On Saturday 24 October, I was part of the Melbourne Knowledge Week. My role was to be one of 10 human books at the Library at the Dock’s Human Library.  We were placed around the library, ready to be ‘borrowed’ for 15 minutes at a time by readers.

I loved all my borrowers. Some were interested in the subject matter of Wrong Way Round and wanted to hear some travel stories. Others were more interested in how I started writing about the trip and how the book was eventually published. One wanted tips on where to go on her own round-Australia trip and another was there with a meet-up group, so we spent quite a bit of our allocated time talking about how those groups can bring together a diverse range of people and the kind of things they find to do around Melbourne.

Despite having no idea how a Human Library might work before I arrived at the beautiful Library at the Dock, it was a great morning. I’d love to do it again, but next time I think I’d like to be a reader and explore the minds of the human books instead.

I’ve also made a mental note to get back down to the library. It’s a gorgeous building with free writing spaces that probably have the best views in Melbourne.