The books that I keep bringing up at dinner parties
Here are my top five books of this year. They are the ones I come back to, the ones I bring up at dinner parties, the ones I give as presents, and, the ones I keep talking about with my partner, my mum, my kids…
Mietta’s Italian Family Recipes by Mietta O'Donnell
This divine book not only supplies the story of Mietta’s own family and friends, but also wonderful recipes for practical Italian dishes and a creative social history of Melbourne. Totally absorbing, and beautifully crafted. This book highlights how women just keep changing our landscape.
Wendy Whiteley and the Secret Garden by Janet Hawley
Speaking of women changing landscapes – literally! When Brett Whitelely died, followed by the death nine years later of their daughter Arkie, Wendy threw her grief and creativity into making an enchanting hidden oasis out of derelict land owned by the New South Wales Government. This glorious guerrilla garden is Wendy’s living artwork.
Modern Love: The Lives of John and Sunday Reed by Lesley Harding and Kendrah Morgan
A well-researched history of the lives of John and Sunday Reed, and of the personalities surrounding the Heidi artistic circle. The Reeds’ impact on the lives of others is quite surreal and says as much about Melbourne at that time as it does about unfulfilled love and a clear devotion to artists and their art.
The Singing Bones: Inspired by Grimms’ Fairy Tales by Shaun Tan
Tan’s work manages to make the known absurd, surreal and effective. Here is a photographic collection of his sculptural pieces designed to throw fairy tale magic into a new realm of reality.
The Story of the Lost Child by Elena Ferrante (translated by Ann Goldstein)
Because it was the year where we talked and talked about what a lifetime of friendship looks like. The final instalment was a tremendous tribute to the impact of choices and loyalty. Here in the Readings office we also debated Ferrante saying that ‘books, once they are written, have no need of their authors.’
