Our latest blog posts
Our children's and YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
The 91-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo
The Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Lion (Young Readers’ Edition) by Saroo Brierley
The Wayward Witch and the Feelings Monster (Polly and Buster Book 1) by Sally Rippin
A Most Magical Girl by Karen Foxlee
The 13-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton
The Treehouse Fun Book 2 by Andy Griffiths, Jill Griffiths…
Ned Kelly Awards shortlists 2017
The Australian Crime Writers Association has announced the 2017 shortlists for the Ned Kelly Awards for the best in Australian crime writing.
Here are the shortlists in each category:
Best Fiction
Crimson Lake by Candice Fox
The Golden Child by Wendy James
An Isolated Incident by Emily Maguire
Police at the Station and They Don’t Look Friendly by Adrian McKinty
The Rules of Backyard Cricket by Jock Serong
Out of the Ice by Ann Turner
Best first fiction
What we're reading: Jennifer Down, Ben Aaronovitch & Les Twentyman
Each week we bring you a sample of the books we’re reading, the films and TV shows we’re watching, and the music we’re listening to.
Jo Case is reading The Mouth that Roared by Les Twentyman with Robert Hillman
I initially picked up a copy of Les Twentyman’s memoir, written with award-winning author Robert Hillman, because it was on my desk. But I’m now carrying it around because it’s so compelling, charismatic and full of rough-hewn heart.
Les is that…
Our top picks of the month for book clubs
For a provocative discussion…
Vengeance is Mine, All Others Pay Cash by Eka Kurniawan (translated by Annie Tucker)
Eka Kurniawan’s English-language debut, Beauty Is a Wound, was released to much acclaim in 2015, introducing the Indonesian writer to a whole new audience. Told in short, cinematic bursts, his follow-up is gloriously pulpy as it continues to explore familiar themes of female agency in a violent and corrupt male world. Kurniawan is not for the faint-hearted, but his gritty, comic…
Five new books that challenge the status quo
The following five books all challenge certain accepted truths. Angela Saini and Carina Chocano dig into questions of gender identity, Indigenous editor Shireen Morris shows us to think more deeply about constitutional recognition, Julian Burnside demystifies legal principles being thrown around in today’s politics, and Tim Flannery makes a case for us to not lose hope over climate change.
Inferior by Angela Saini
For centuries science has told us that men and women are fundamentally different. But this is not…
10 pawsome picture books about dogs
Dogs make truly excellent characters in picture books, due to their superior handsomeness, poor impulse control, waggy tails and co-dependency. Here are our favourite picture books for canine appreciators.
(Do you also love cats? Find 10 meownificent picture books about cats here.)
Poor Louie by Tony Fucile
Anxious chihuahua Louie finds himself losing attention and space to the growing tribe of human babies being produced by family friends. When his own owners start tending to their own bump, and…
10 meownificent picture books about cats
Cats make truly excellent characters in picture books, due to their natural charisma, sinuous curves, acrobatic moves and unique life outlook. Here are our favourite picture books for feline admirers.
(Do you also love dogs? Find 10 pawsome picture books about dogs here.)
Blue Ethel by Jennifer Black Reinhardt
Ethel the cat is initially embarrassed when she accidentally dyes her fur a different colour, but she soon finds another colourful cat friend and embraces the joys of being different…
Indigenous Australian voices & stories to read this month
We’re pleased to have a host of books exploring Indigenous culture and perspectives out this month – including compelling fiction from two award-winning authors, a revitalising collection of essays from Indigenous voices, and a vibrant board book from a first-time children’s author.
Common People by Tony Birch
Tony Birch is a much-loved author here at Readings, and so we’re delighted to have a brand-new collection of stories to delve into this month. These remarkable and surprising stories explore the lives…
The best new crime reads of the month
CRIME BOOK OF THE MONTH
And Fire Came Down by Emma Viskic
Since Emma Viskic’s debut novel Resurrection Bay took out two of Australia’s biggest crime awards – the Ned Kelly Award for Best First Fiction and a slew of Davitt Awards – readers have been waiting for the sequel. Here it is: a spectacular return to the world of the brittle Caleb Zelic, a private investigator whose office has been moved by financial necessity into his apartment. A man…
Our top 10 bestsellers of the week
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (including sales of other editions)
Halliday Wine Companion 2018 by James Halliday
Common People by Tony Birch
Watching Out by Julian Burnside
The Twentieth Man by Tony Jones
The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy
The Barefoot Investor by Scott Pape
Baby Lost by Hannah Robert
On the Java Ridge by Jock Serong
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
Our bestselling book of last week is Margaret Atwood’s…
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