July 31, 2026

TGBC Hosts ABC RN Top 100 Australian Books Listening Parties

For more than 30 years, Australians have gathered in backyards, pubs, and around backyard BBQs with a cold drink in hand to listen to Triple J’s Hottest 100. This October, Tough Guy Book Club is bringing that iconic tradition into the literary world with a nationwide pub event celebrating the country's greatest stories.

On Sunday, 18th October, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, chapters across Australia will throw listening parties for ABC Radio National’s Top 100 Australian Books of All Time countdown. From Collingwood to Brisbane, Geelong to Newcastle, TGBC is putting rowdy conversations about literature right where they belong: back in the local pub

The event offers the chance to experience the collective joy and inevitable heartbreak of seeing local favourites go head-to-head in an epic cultural audit.

Will classic Australian novels hold their ground against modern hits? Will Trent Dalton retain his 2025 crown? Do titles earn their spot on sheer literary brilliance or raw "Australianness"? Expect plenty of cheers, boos, and spirited debates as the countdown unfolds. Whether you’ve read ninety-nine books on the list or just one, pull up a stool to celebrate the stories that got it right, argue over the ones that were robbed, and add a few more titles to your ever-growing reading pile.

How will the top 10 play out?
Will recency bias win the day, or will people champion classic Australian novels?
Do the top ten get their place on Australianness or sheer literary might?
Will we see Trent Dalton retain his 2025 crown?

"This country has always had remarkable writers and a literary history, but it largely goes uncelebrated anywhere besides writers' festivals and the ABC Book show. It’s time to change that. Australian books are about the life we live here in our country, so that’s where they need to be: in our lives. Not separate, but cheered, discussed, and complained about in the bars, breweries, and pubs of our country." says Shay Leighton, founder of Tough Guy Book Club.

This event is for anyone over 18 who would like to join us to celebrate Australian Books.

Event: TGBC x ABC Radio National Top 100 Australian Books Countdown Listening Parties

When: Sunday, 18th October | 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Entry: Completely free (just like our regular club meets)

Where:

Brisbane: Caxton Street Brewing Co. Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1537431488201024/

Melbourne: Molly Rose Brewery Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1762124655222296

Coledale: Coledale RSL Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1688031233324719

Geelong: Medusa Bar Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1034049819267224

Newcastle: Grainfed Brewery Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/944365548675128

Long Jetty: The Savoy Bar & Music Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1688031233324719

Sydney: TBC Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2014404125857470

Canberra: Olims Bar & Bistro TBC Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1723050082078622