Our team at the State Library Victoria shop, also known as SLV, have some great recommendations for your next read! You can always get expert advice on your TBR by visiting the shop in the State Library and asking our lovely booksellers, but in the meantime here's a curated guide to some of the their favourite titles.

📖Fiction

Holly recommends:

Foster by Claire Keegan

'All of Keegan's books are brilliantly written, with not a word outside of necessity. Foster…

Read more ›

Welcome to New York (Readings Version).

Have you been longing to visit the city that never sleeps, but a trip to New York isn't on the cards for 2024? Then live vicariously by diving into some literature set in the concrete jungle where dreams are made of . . .

For those into romantic comedies . . .

The Work by Bri Lee

Lally has invested everything into her gallery in Manhattan and the sacrifices are finally paying off. Pat…

Read more ›

Discover the new crime books our booksellers are excited about this month!

The Ledge by Christian White

When human remains are discovered in the forests of regional Victoria, the police are baffled, the locals are shocked, and one group of old friends starts to panic. Their long-held secret is about to be uncovered.

It all began in 1999 when sixteen-year-old Aaron ran away from home, dragging his friends into an unforeseeable chain of events that no one escaped from unscathed…

Read more ›

The Readings Young Adult Prize is a perfect reading list for ages 14+. This year’s shortlist spans worlds of fantasy and realism, exploring the complexities of growing up – whether you're fighting off sea monsters, learning about your magical abilities, or simply finding your own pathway in life as an adolescent.

It has been an absolute pleasure to be able to immerse myself into each of these incredible novels. As a music lover, books and music go hand-in-hand for me…

Read more ›

Mark Rubbo, Readings Chairman, shares his top pick from the event program of the upcoming A Day in Carlton Festival. Explore the program now, and join us for 24 hours celebrating books, culture and community!

Earlier this year I was at the Clunes Booktown Festival. The opening event was sold out but I managed to get tickets. It was a show called Underscore with Sally Ford and the Idiomatics. I was vaguely familar with Sally, a member of…

Read more ›

Get in the Halloween spirit with these spooky reads!🦇

With stories about magic, bravery and friendship, as well as things that go bump in the night, these books are captivating reads for little ones with an interest in the eerie.

Grandma Murphy's Pussycat by Maura Finn, illustrated by Lucinda Gifford

At midnight's strike as all lay sleeping, comes a figure, crawling, creeping . . .

It's Grandma Murphy's pussycat!

Where is this mysterious black cat going in the deep, dark…

Read more ›

In first place on our bestseller list for the second month in a row is the first book in Andy Griffiths brand new adventure series!

Other titles making the list include a heartwarming story of nature and technology colliding, the movie tie-in for Craig Silvey's Runt, Percy Jackson's latest adventure, and a story of the unsung heroes of war.

The Land of Lost Things by Andy Griffiths & Bill Hope (illus.)

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

…

Read more ›

September is traditionally one of the biggest months for exciting new releases and this year is no exception. Unsurprisingly one of 2024's most anticipated books, Sally Rooney's Intermezzo – an exquisitely moving story about grief, love and family – went straight to number one after less than a week of sales.

There are so many highlights this month it's tempting to mention them all, however we think the list below speaks for itself. From Australian and international literary icons to…

Read more ›

This week for our 'What we're reading' column, Readings' Community Engagement and Programming Manager Chris Gordon shares what she's been reading.

My readings habits have changed over the last few weeks, and I have tried to understand why I have picked certain titles to read. And I think it’s something to do with the state of the world right now. Something to do with the hurt everywhere and the feeling of helplessness that can often be overwhelming when I read…

Read more ›

Melbourne University Press is arguably one of Australia’s finest publishers of nonfiction. As they will soon be moving to a new warehouse they are reducing their stock in readiness. Luckily for you, and us, this means we are able to offer these wonderful titles, and more, at 60-70% off.

Under the Rainbow: The Life and Times of E.W. Cole by Richard Broinowski

Under the Rainbow is the life story of E.W. Cole, a colourful and much loved figure of 19th…

Read more ›