Warm Winter Read 2026
Cosy up with a good read this winter!
Reading comes in many forms, and it’s easier to find time to read than you think.
The Warm Winter Read (1 June - 31 August 2026) supports adults and young people (16+) to find more time to enjoy reading.
We’ll help you get started with recommendations from authors you love and connect you with other readers to share your thoughts on what you read.
Participants can also go into the running to win some great prizes!
Ways to get involved
Read! Whether it is a physical book, ebook, eAudiobook or a magazine—it all starts with enjoying a good read.
Register at readbook.com.au/wwr and create an account OR collect an entry form from the library. Select Darebin Libraries as your primary library.
Log each day you read, whether it’s 5 minutes or 5 hours, OR rate or review a book.
*Attend an event! Hear from an inspiring author, have some bookish fun at book speed dating or a book swap, or connect with other readers at a book chat. See more event info further down this page.
*Challenge yourself! Check out the 9 bonus reading challenges for ways to expand your reading horizons and take your cosiness factor to the max.
You’ll need to Read, Register and Log to be in the running for a prize.
*Events and challenges are optional extras!
What you can win
State Prizes
- Level one – Book Bundle
- Rate or review one book and/ or track five days of reading.
- Level two – Book Hamper
- Rate or review three books and/ or track ten days of reading.
- Level three – Headphones
- Rate or review six books and/ or track twenty days of reading.
- Level four – Kobo eReader
- Rate or review nine books and/ or track forty-five days of reading.
As you level up, you stay in the running for each previous prize level, increasing your chances of winning!
Local prizes
By registering on the ReadBooks website and selecting Darebin Libraries as your primary library, you could win one of three $100 vouchers from local bookshops – Ramona Books, Fairfield Books and Book Grocer
Terms and Conditions
Darebin readers aged 16+ automatically enter the local, statewide and national prize draw by:
- registering on the ReadBooks platform (www.readbooks.com.au/register) and having a Darebin Libraries membership (participants aged 16 - 17 can use their parent or guardian's membership),
- submitting book ratings and or reviews of the books you read OR track days read online via ReadBooks - Warm Winter Read between 1 June 2026 through 31 August 2026,
- completing all required field in the submission(s), OR
- submitting a completed paper reading log at a Darebin Libraries branch between 1 June 2026 and 5pm, 31 August 2026.
No late entries will be accepted. Darebin Council staff and their immediate families can participate in Warm Winter Read but are excluded from prizes.
Paper Reading Logs
Darebin City Council (“Council”) collects, holds and manages personal information under the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic). Darebin City Council is collecting personal information via reading logs for the purpose of administering the Warm Winter Read (WWR) 2026 which includes registering your participation, confirming library membership with our service, confirming age eligibility and making contact if you are successful in winning a prize. This information will be used solely for this purpose by Darebin Libraries and will not be disclosed to any other party unless required by law. If you do not provide this information, Council is unable to enter you in the Warm Winter Read 2026. See Privacy Statement City of Darebin for further information.
Local Darebin Libraries Prize Draw
- Participants or participants’ parent/guardian must have a Darebin Libraries’ membership.
- ReadBooks registration can only be completed by individual readers.
- The Warm Winter Read is open to people aged 16 and over.
- Each reader can only enter the local prize draw once.
- The Challenge opens on Monday 1 June 2026 at 9am.
- The Challenge closes on Monday 31 August 2026 at 5pm.
- Winners will be notified after 20 September 2026.
Visit the Warm Winter Read competition Terms and Conditions, which includes information about the statewide and national prize draws and the ReadBooks platform.
Events
Come along to an event (or many!) this season. We have special Warm Winter Read events listed below, as well as a wonderful collection of events to get you connected and inspired to read. Browse the Warm Winter Read event collection.
Reading Ideas
If your to-be-read pile needs a boost, here are some ways we can help you find your next great read:
- Check out the book displays at our libraries. We keep them topped up with fresh books and love to see them emptied, so fill your library bag!
- Collect a Warm Winter Read bookmark for recommendations from this year’s author ambassadors.
- Reserve from one of the book lists curated by our librarians. You’ll find them on our catalogue home page.
- Come along to a Warm Winter Read event for inspiration and the chance to chat with other book lovers.
- Ask a friendly staff member.
- Check out Quick Reads at Preston and Northcote libraries for the latest, hottest books.
- Head to our digital library for eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines and more.
Need some reading inspiration? Check out our Warm Winter Read booklist.