Five novels are on the Miles Franklin Literary Award Shortlist announced today:

Breath by Tim Winton

Ice by Louis Nowra

The Pages by Murray Bail

The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas and

Wanting by Richard Flanagan

Congratulations to all the shortlisted authors. To find out more about each novel and to read the Judges comments please visit the Miles Franklin Trust website at www.trust.com.au. A total of 55 books were submitted for this year's Miles Franklin Literary Award, our first and most prestigious literary award, established in 1954 with a bequest from the author Miles Franklin. She was concerned to see Australian literature flourish and knew first hand the struggles most authors have in Australia. The winner takes home $42,000 and will be announced on 18 June – who do you think it will be?

Looking for the perfect excuse to lie around and read a book? Then look no further. Come along to our Slow Summer Read, Robertson Park in Summer Street, Orange on Thursday 12 February from 6.30pm. Be inspired to bring along your favourite Summer Read, your own picnic and relax in this central park for a lazy literary evening. Orange City Library's Pageturners book discussion group will be there talking about holiday reading, as well as participants in the Summer Reading Club. Enjoy music, refreshments and catching up with friends over your favourite Summer Read. We hope to see people lazing about in the park reading - parents reading to children, children reading with parents, friends and family. Everyone is welcome.

Hear author Banafsheh Serov talk about her memoir Under a Starless Sky about her family's escape from Iran on Wednesday 5 November at 5.30pm for a 6pm start at Orange City Library. At first her family was filled with hope as the Shah's rule collapsed and the Ayatollah Khomeini made his triumphant return. But they quickly came to realise that Iran had traded one dictator for another, more ruthless ruler. From the streets and bazaars of Tehran to the moonlit Turkish mountains, Under a Starless Sky is a detailed memoir about her family's extraordinary journey. The event is presented by Angus & Robertson, Central West Libraries and the Central West Writers' Centre and bookings are essential by calling the Library on 6393 8132. Everyone welcome.