Readings.com.au: Port Melbourne

Art, Art, Art

2008-12-02T00:00:00Z

Nan Goldin is one of those photographers that you either know about or you don't. Her photos are concerned with love, sexuality, gender, women, and lately motherhood and family life. She most often displays her work as slide shows and recently had a show with a full narration, score and moving images, highlighting a slow movement towards film itself as a medium.

I first came across her through the film High Art, where Ally Sheedy's character Lucy Berliner takes photos in the same vein as Goldin. And then, Claire, the daughter in Six feet Under, claims Goldin as one of her major influences. Her photos are extraordinary and in The Devil's Playground are combined with text written by Nick Cave, Enrique Juncosa, Catherine Lampert, Guido Costa, Richard Price and Sharon Olds.

There are also some beautiful books of Australian art and artists in the shop right now. Cressida Campbell's woodblock art has been compiled into one glorious book for the first time in The Woodblock Painting of Cressida Campbell. The detail and the design gleams off every page.

Geoffrey Bardon's book, Papunya: A Place Made After the Story, the Beginnings of the Western Desert Painting Movement is now out in paperback. Accompanying Bardon's paperback release is Vivien Johnson's new book, Lives of the Papunya Tula Artists which reveals the other side of the Papunya Tula artists and their families through portraits, interviews and glorious reproductions of their art.

The art of Graeme Base also features in a new compendium by Julie Watts, The Art of Graeme Base. It is an enriching and beautiful insight into how he works, thinks and imagines and a wonderful addition to any shelf of art books.

John McDonald has also released his Art of Australia: Volume One which we have for a very special price in the store right now. From First Fleet art through to the Impressionists it is a lively and in-depth look at Australian art.

What I Want for Christmas

2008-11-28T00:00:00Z

My Christmas list changes every day I work in the store so, for today, my Christmas list is as follows: The beautiful biography of The Flower Hunter, Ellis Rowan, who, well into her seventies, was still hunting and drawing elusive flowers in Australia and Papua New Guinea. An extraordinary naturalist, illustrator and explorer.

In The Kitchen, an all round good cookbook full of everyday useful recipes and ingredients. I may never make it to Nigella's or Neil's or Stephanie's or Maggie's level but I will be having more fun in the kitchen!

A bit of good fiction never goes astray and why not the winners of the Booker and the Pulitzer Prizes as a start. Aravind Adiga's The White Tiger (the Booker) and The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz (the Pulitzer). And while I am at, Hanif Kureishi's new one Something To tell You, needs to go on my list as well.

And last, but definitely not least, is The Landmark Herodotus: The Histories. Herodotus, the fifth century BC Greek historian, is the benchmark for oral and narrative history that drives so much contemporary memoir, biography and cultural publishing. Cicero called him 'the father of history' and many of his allegedly outlandish or embellished claims about the world have been clarified, confirmed or furthered as archaeological and anthropological evidence has been unearthed.

Will that keep me busy until January?

Just Andy Griffiths

2008-11-24T00:00:00Z

And so on Sunday last, it came to pass that one very bad, bad boy was in the store with a hundred of his friends all gathered about a table laden with paperback books with 'annoying' and 'stupid' and 'crazy' and really really 'bad' titles - yes, Andy Griffiths was in the store!!

The line of children and parents waiting for Andy's signature was out the door and almost down the steps to the street. There were children with books and jokes and smiles to share, and one little boy with golden hair even brought a book he had written for Andy to read. Patient and patient the children were, standing in line twisting their feet, holding tight to their yellow, red, black and blue books and all went away smiling and jumping for joy about words on a page written by Griffiths.

Which one, I asked a boy, which one of all his books do you like the best? 'The Bad Book,' the little boy said and then glanced to his mum, 'and the bum books,' he shyly added. His mum hadn't heard and the little boy grinned. 'The bum books!' he giggled to me.

In the Store: Roland Harvey

2008-11-18T00:00:00Z

Yes, the author and illustrator of In the City, At The Beach, In The Bush and his brand new exploration of all things Christmassy, Roland Harvey's Big Book of Christmas, was in the store on Sunday. Roland was funny, charming and had about thirty kids and their parents enthralled while he read and drew and talked about writing and drawing. His illustrations are beautiful and his stories ring with Australia and the experience of growing up, wherever you might live, in this country. He has also published books with another great Australian children's author, Alison Lester. And have I mentioned he was funny?

Recently Read

2008-11-14T00:00:00Z

I was up at Varuna - The Writers' House in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales for three weeks on a fellowship to work on my second book, so I had more time to devote to reading than I do in my ordinary week.

The Poet Who Forgot is Catherine Cole's first book of memoir. But it is also a beautiful depiction of AD Hope's life (what a great photo of him!). And the book gives insights into the writing process. And it made me cry. As a young student Catherine sent a letter to the poet AD Hope. He replied and a friendship grew from ideas, poems, laughter and place. And then he forgot. The Poet Who Forgot is a quiet thoughtful read that takes life none too seriously but conveys the magic of friendship and the power of poetry.

Mirielle Juchau's second novel Burning In is quite simply beautiful. The story centres on Martine, a Sydney born photographer, who leaves Lotte, her Holocaust survivor mother, and moves to New York. Martine struggles with being a 'daughter', an only child, but finds absence exacerbates her relationship with her extraordinary mother. I am so glad I have read his novel. Burning In is ultimately about redemption and belonging. It is an extraordinary piece of storytelling.

James Bradley's The Resurrectionist has been out for some time now and has recently, had a second lease of life. It is a gothic thriller and depicts London in 1826 in fine detail. It also graphically describes the job of anatomists, the guys who used dead bodies to discover the intricacies of our insides, long before we had ethics committees. And believe me, graphic is the word. Gird your loins before reading.

Darwin. What does that word conjure for you? Well, I have no doubt that Phillip Gwynne has captured it in his first adult crime fiction, The Build Up set in Darwin. The language, the landscape, the drinking and dust, the lawlessness and the remoteness, the mix of cultures. It is all here, along with Detective Dusty Buchanon, who, I think, would be fun to hang out with, and so is this book.

The Children is Charlotte Wood's third novel. Having three sisters means that I am drawn to books about siblings and The Children, builds the world of a family back together to cope with their ailing father. Sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking, this novel dishes the dirt of siblings beautifully.

Sophie Cunningham is well known on the Melbourne publishing scene. Once a publisher, she has also written two novels and is now the editor of Meanjin. Geography was her first novel in 2004. Between India, Melbourne, Sydney and a mad old road trip through the USA, this book is about travelling, obsession, desire and staying in one place long enough to know the difference.

And if I was working on my second book, what was my first you ask? Knockabout Girl, a memoir. Perhaps you will like it. Perhaps you won't. Let me know!

Choosing Happiness

2008-11-07T00:00:00Z

A customer wanted some help. He was a young guy, maybe early 20s and he wasn't sure which book would be best. We stood in front of the personal development section and stared at the multitude of titles screaming 'you can, you can, you can' but he didn't think he could. I pulled down a couple for him to flip through with my only real piece of advice for all occasions - read the contents and see what areas are covered. Then read a chapter and see if you can make sense of it.

Self-help books are often derided but sometimes we can all do with space to reflect on our own actions, feelings, jobs, businesses and lives. Some of these books, our bestsellers of the genre, may help you. Or a friend. Or your mother. Or your business partner. But of course, you will have to come in and read the contents, and perhaps a chapter or two, to see how they fit with where you sit.

Stephanie Dowrick is a tireless optimist, even though her life hasn't always been happy. Choosing Happiness is her latest. Lousie Hay has a whole industry behind her these days but You Can Heal Your Life covers most aspects of her approach. Edward de Bono, always a thinker, simplifies things in How to Have A Beautiful Mind. Daniel Goleman's Emotional Intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ says it all in the title and is in fact the one the young man bought. Getting Things Done by David Allen is all about stress-free productivity and being proactive in life. And, what list wouldn't be complete without the very brilliant and hands-on The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. Not just for artist's but for anyone wanting to focus and be still for a few minutes each day.

"We are always doing something, talking, reading, listening to the radio, planning what next. The mind is kept naggingly busy on some easy, unimportant external thing all day," to quote Brenda Ueland. That is something to ponder on.

The Rise and Rise of Italian Crime

2008-11-04T00:00:00Z

Crime writing that is. Camilleri, Dibdin, Giuttari, Leon, Sciasa...familiar names or no? And then there's Preston and Spezi...If crime is your thing this is the way to write it well.

Sciascia's latest is The Day of the Owl and it is a fascinating read. A man is shot dead as he runs to catch a bus in a small Siciallian town and Captain Bellodi is new to his job and determined to prove himself. A seemingly stereotyped beginning to a book that moves like a thriller and feels like poetry. Brilliant writing and 'the most intelligent detective story I have ever read' according to Thomas Wright of the Daily Telegraph (UK).

From Sicily we travel to Tuscany with Michele Giuttari in the follow up to A Florentine Death. A Death in Tuscany again shows the skill and personal knowledge Guittari has after his years working as a Florentine police chief. And while we are in Florence, the true crime book The Monster of Florence details the journey of bestselling author Douglas Preston and celebrated Italian journalist Mario Spezi as they search for the killer of two people in 1968. Suspense climbs the walls as Preston and Spezi become targets for the police as well.

From Florence we head to the murky waterways and palazzos of Venice in Donna Leon's recent release The Girl of His Dreams. Commissario Brunetti is up against institutional prejudice and entrenched criminality in his efforts to unravel the fate of a dead child not reported missing and laden with gold jewellery.

The Terracotta Dog by Andrea Camilleri gives us entre into an old crime and an old world, Sicily during World War II, where the heart of a family still lies waiting, black and dark. Inspector Montalbano is dogged, if idiosyncratic, in his pursuit of the truth of a crime that happened fifty years ago.

And last but not least, Michael Dibdin's End Games is the most recent, and final, Aurelio Zen mystery to hit the shelves. This time Zen is in Calabria and the mystery just keeps deepening.

Like I Give A Frock

2008-10-31T00:00:00Z

What a title! Like I Give A Frock is a collection of Michi Girl's advice. She writes for The Age and her fashion tips are often hilarious, breathtaking and all completely true. If you think you know fashion - Michi Girl will have something to say about that. And anyone who can shamelessly mention the Bedazzler and camel toe deserves a gold star.

For more prosaic but just as invaluable advice, have a look at television wardrobe mistress and all-round fashionista Annebelle van Tongeren's Dress Like A Star. With over 20 years of dressing some of the most glamorous women on Australian television, Annebelle has a whole range of tips for finding flattering and versatile looks that will make you feel not just well-dressed but also confident.

The Style 101 handbook is another great guide covering beauty, entertaining, your home and fashion. With detailed information throughout (just what type of brush to use for applying eye shadow? And what is on the essential jewellery checklist?) this book could easily become your Bible.

And finally, the book to round out your shelf of fashion and beauty books is Things I Wish My Mother Had Told Me by Lucia van der Post. Van der Post is one of Britain's most stylish women. Her 'Ask Lucia' column in The Times is famous and she has distilled the contemporary issues for women into this book. If there is any fashion or beauty question you have, Lucia can answer it.

Andy Griffiths signing

2008-10-29T00:00:00Z

Sunday 23 November 2008 at 10:00am

Readings Port Melbourne: 253 Bay St, Port Melbourne, Victoria, 3207

Bring the kids down to meet Andy and for a special book signing.

Free, please book on 9681 9255.

Food, Food, Eat

2008-10-28T00:00:00Z

If you haven't been into the shop for a week or two some things have changed. The main one being that the cooking section now s t r e t c h e s right across the back wall. Yes. Food, food, food in all its computations and fancies. Here are our favorites this month.

Neil Perry, doyene of Sydney food with his Rockpool restaurant and focus on Asian food, has released his latest book, Balance and Harmony. It is a beautiful production and lets home cooks into his secrets for successful Asian meals. If all you can do is stir fry - this book is for you. If you can create your own Szechuan sauce and perfectly salt and pepper your deep fried calamari - this book is also for you.

Italian food more your idea of fun in the kitchen? Then you can't go past Tobi Puttock's Italian Local. Puttock is passionate about organic, seasonal, and knowing the right herb to add zest. He describes beautifully how to play with traditional recipes to cater for what is available in your local supermarket. Both useful and inspiring for the whole year.

Karen Martini also shows how to adapt familiar recipes and simplifies Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and mountains of pastry in Cooking At Home. Based on Karen's column in Sunday Life magazine, this collection of 150 recipes offers the inspiration (and desire) needed to turn evening meals into special occasions.

New in the last month are some more sumptuous (and scrumptious) international cookbooks. A Day at El Bulli comes from the heaven of international foodies, el Bulli. Ferran Adria is chef at el Bulli, which is situated on a remote beach on the northeast coast of Spain. El Bulli is only open for 6 months of year and the recipes are amazing. It is almost impossible to book a table at the restaurant, so buy the book instead.

Then there is Stephane Reynard's Ripailles - French food at its most contemporary and mouth watering. The title loosely translates as 'feast' and this book is a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach.

And Jamie Oliver's latest offering Jamie's Ministry of Food is, as Oliver so clearly states, 'to completely inspire people who have no interest in food to have a go'. Within hours, he promises, you will be cooking great dinners. What a great idea (and gift) for anyone who claims they have no interest in food. Although, I always think those people are lying.

Just Around the Corner

2008-10-24T00:00:00Z

Yes, 2009 is just around the corner. What kind of year are you planning?

If you are a foodie, then the diary for you is The Foodies' Diary (of course). Laden with recipes, dates, markets, and seasonal produce notes this companion will mean you won't be lost for a meal all year.

Art lover's have a number of options for diaries this (I mean next) year. The Australian Art Diary is a glorious collection of works from the McCulloch's Encyclopedia of Australian Art. Featuring 120 works by Australian contemporary artists including work from a few of my favourites: Lin Onus, The Kingpins, Clarice Beckett, Joy Hester and Rosalie Gascoigne.

When I was in London in June (yes, I have had a busy one) the new jewellery exhibition space had opened at the V&A Museum. It is a luxurious space, all black with blacklight mood enhancing lighting. The jewels are the stars and in 2009 you could have a little (or big) sample of these jewels. The V&A Diary for 2009 comes in pocket-size and as a desk diary. Both are full of images of the jewels and very gorgeous women wearing some very, very gorgeous (and expensive) trinkets.

For a practical and sustainable year of gardening try Permaculture Diary 2009. It is a complete how to and when to and a valuable companion for your year.

And, if what you think you'll need in 2009 is a laugh, then The Rejection Collection Diary (cartoons you never saw, and never will see, in The New Yorker) is the one for you. The name says it all.

However, if you are like me and love books and beautifully made books at that, then the Faber and Faber Diary 2009 is top of the list for an idea-full year. It celebrates 80 years of Faber and Faber publishing and includes reproductions of covers, excerpts, and anecdotes from and about writers such as T.S. Eliot, C.S.Lewis, Ted Hughes, Sylvia Plath, Alan Bennett and PD James. Simply beautiful.

But remember the diaries sell fast!!

The New Old Bob Dylan

2008-10-21T00:00:00Z

Mellifluous: flowing with sweetness and honey. A beautiful word and image to describe Bob Dylan's new release, Tell Tale Signs. Volume 8 in the Bootleg Series featureing outtakes and un-released recordings from 1989 - 2006, it is a return to his roots with heartfelt, melodic and lyrical songs. Give this one a listen soon as it follows on from his mood on Modern Times and is a soft joy to the ears.

Plenty of Fear of Fomaggio

2008-10-17T00:00:00Z

For those with a hunger for humour and food, Jeffrey Steingarten and Jay Rayner are the main course. Steingarten's book It Must've been Something I Ate and Rayner's latest offering The Man Who Ate The World are fantastic reads. Steingarten is a man obsessed with food. He searches high and low for the world's best food in all the great cities and he's funny with it. Rayner does a similar thing although he is hunting for the perfect meal. Laugh out loud and very satisfying.

Gay Bilson's 'digressions on food' contained within her beautiful book Plenty, build a portrait of a woman who has lived a life, treasured moments and meals and has a heart as warm as a wood fired oven. For those times when you don't want to cook, you don't want to shop, you don't want to order takeaway - you don't even want to get off the couch to pour the next wine (OK that might never happen) - Plenty is there for you to slide your fingers across the rough pages, feast your eyes on full bowls, take note of simple recipes and dream of rivers, apricot trees and mothers and grandmothers and meals shared. It is quite simply 'plenty.

Apricots on the Nile is another sort of memoir. Colette Rossant was five years old in 1937 when she arrived in Cairo with her Egyptian-Jewish father and French mother. Her father died and Collete was left in the care of her grandparents where her life became anchored by the procuring, preparation and consumption of food. Rossant recounts the pain of separation from both parent and homeland and evokes the pleasure and belonging found in sharing food.

The Sharper the Knife, the Less You Cry is a very personal account of what it is like going through Le Cordon Bleu cooking school in Paris. Kathleen Flinn, a 36 year old Londoner is fired and moves to Paris beginning her studies as a chef. Sacre bleu! Yes, its a true story with suspense, love, laughter and recipes.

But the winning present for any Melbourne foodies (or anyone coming to Melbourne and interested in food) is The Foodies' Guide to Melbourne 09. With more than 450 butchers, bakers, delis, food stores and chocolate makers listed (and not to forget the equipment stores and the list of best fish and chips in town - no I'm not going to tell you!) it is an absolute must.

Michael Leunig signing his new book The Lot

2008-10-16T00:00:00Z

Saturday 06 December 2008 at 2:30pm

Readings Port Melbourne: 253 Bay St, Port Melbourne, Victoria, 3207

The Lot is a collection of musings from a truly original thinker on everything under the sun, and many things over the moon. In even the smallest, simplest things, Leunig finds the eternal key. And no matter how confronting the topic, he awakens and upholds the funny side. The uplifting side. The side you’d forgotten about – or didn’t realise was there. Michael Leunig is a Living National Treasure, who loathes and detests all forms of pandering and thus has never won an award in his life.

Free, no need to book.

Pete Evans signing his book My Table

2008-10-16T00:00:00Z

Thursday 04 December 2008 at 6:00pm

Readings Port Melbourne: 253 Bay St, Port Melbourne, Victoria, 3207

My Table by Pete Evans came about because he wanted to show people what chefs cook and eat at home when they aren’t cooking in their restaurants. This is an honest representation of the meals he loves to cook for friends and family. Pete Evans has built a reputation as a chef, restaurateur, television presenter and fisherman. Pete’s award-winning restaurants include Hugo’s Manly, Hugo’s Bar Pizza and Hugo’s Lounge in Sydney and The Pantry in Brighton, Victoria.

Come down and have a glass of wine with us as Pete signs copies of his new book.

Free event.

Veteran Lonely Planet author George Dunford

2008-10-15T00:00:00Z

Tuesday 11 November 2008 at 6:30pm

Readings Port Melbourne: 253 Bay St, Port Melbourne, Victoria, 3207

Veteran Lonely Planet guidebook author George Dunford shares the accumulated wisdom of countless globetrotting journeys in The Big Trip, the perfect companion for your first overseas adventure.

Join him as he highlights important travel tips over a glass of wine. Perfect for anyone dreaming or planning a big adventure.

Free, but please book on 9681 9255 or by email.

Roland Harvey

2008-10-15T00:00:00Z

Sunday 16 November 2008 at 2:30pm

Readings Port Melbourne: 253 Bay St, Port Melbourne, Victoria, 3207

A wonderful opportunity to watch Roland create his beautiful art and read from his new fun book Roland Harvey’s Big Book of Christmas. This has stories about how Christmas is celebrated in Australia and all round the world, recipes for Christmas treats, and fabulous ideas for homemade gifts, this is the perfect Christmas book for the whole family, full of Roland Harvey's lively and humorous illustrations. One of Reading’s favourite authors.

Free, but please book on 9681 9255.

Eliza Feely

2008-10-15T00:00:00Z

Sunday 09 November 2008 at 10:30am

Readings Port Melbourne: 253 Bay St, Port Melbourne, Victoria, 3207

Come and meet Melbourne author and illustrator Eliza Feely.

In the vein of Mo Willems’ Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus comes Peka-Boo: The Smallest Bird in all the World is a warm-hearted, feel-good story, created with tremendous flair and verve and set in a uniquely Australian landscape. Eliza Feely is an artist, cartoonist, sign-writer and muralist and was the feature artist at the Falls Festival in Lorne in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Free, but please book on 9681 9255 or by email.

Drink, Drink, Drink

2008-10-13T00:00:00Z

Spring is here. Summer is coming. It's time to come out of hibernation and plan a few get-to-gethers (or is that 'set-to-gethers').

These two great wine memoirs will get you thinking about the drop. Jay McInerney has written A Hedonist in a Cellar (Yes, THAT Jay McInerney.) He draws comparisons between Californian wines and floundering Hollywood stars while providing a genuine connoisseur's take on the wine regions of the world. And its self-deprecating and hilarious. Red, White, and Drunk All Over is Natalie MacLean's memoir of her three years tasting, tippling and talking wine. From Burgundy to Champagne and comparing notes with said McInerney, Red, White, and Drunk All Over is a fresh look at the wine industry from 5 star restaurants to labyrinthine cellars.

Champagne by Don and Petie Kladstrup is the story of bubbles. In loving detail, they describe how the world's most glamorous wine triumphed over war and hard times but also of the region itself, Champagne, which has seen more conflict than any other place on earth. A great addition to any imbiber's library.

Spring reliably brings dress-ups and cocktails and one of the best little recipe/guide books I have ever seen (the design and layout is gorgeous) is simply called the cocktail: 200 Fabulous Drinks. Jan Rocca, a writer who contributes to The Age amongst many others and Kat Mcleod, who did the great illustrations and 'loves drawing women in frivoulous made-up outfits', have come up with a winner birthday or Christmas gift. Try the Godmother, (60ml vodka and 30ml Amaretto in a highball) before you give it away though!

And the must haves in the shop at the moment are the two latest Australian wine guides. The Australian Wine Annual 2009 is out in the shops now and With ratings of more than 11,000 Australian wines and comprehensive tasting notes of more than 1,100 current release wines, it is the most authoritative, independent and indispensable source of expert opinion on Australian wine. James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion (2009 edition) is the bestselling guide to wineries and wine in Australia. Keenly anticipated by winemakers, collectors and lushs alike, the 2009 edition has been completely revised and updated with details such as opening times for wineries and biographies on the winemakers.

Coen Brothers' Cinematic Adventures

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

The smell of another Coen brothers' cinematic experience is in the air. Burn After Reading is opening very soon...and yes, Frances McDormand is front and centre. If you haven't seen Fargo and McDormand's Oscar winning performance - do something about that right now. And if you've never experienced The Big Lebowski it is time to play catch up. With Joel and Ethan's cinematic catalogue at the very special prices of $14.95 and $19.95, what are you waiting for?