Our latest blog posts
Looking ahead for the Readings Young Adult Book Prize shortlist
How do you follow up reading a great Australian YA book? With another great #LoveOzYA read, of course… Here we take a look at what’s next for the six authors shortlisted for our Readings Young Adult Book Prize.
Read more about the six shortlisted books here. And don’t forget, you can pick up the entire shortlist in a specially priced bundle ($99.99, ).
The first Boone Shepard delighted us with capers, banter and mortal danger galore, so we are…
What we're reading: Roxane Gay, Paula Fox & G.X. Todd
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.
Lian Hingee is reading Defender by G.X. Todd
A couple of weeks ago I shared my winter reading stack online, and one my friends messaged me saying: “Move Defender onto your currently reading pile NOW’. Those capital letters are verbatim which is how I knew she was serious. So I took her advice and finally…
The best books to encourage beginner readers
Learning to read is really hard work but it can be made easier – and even fun – with a really engaging book. Here are my best suggestions for simple stories that will entertain, delight and inspire beginner readers.
SIMPLE READS FOR TRUE BEGINNERS – 15 WORDS PER PAGE OR LESS
For a funny and manageable read, you can’t go past the Elephant & Piggie series by Mo Willems. These books use energetic cartoons and a handful of words in…
What has changed in children's books over the past 20 years?
Next Monday is the 20th anniversary of the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone! To mark the occasion, we asked three of our staff members to reflect on what’s changed in children’s books over the past 20 years. Here are their responses.
‘Harry Potter came along at a time when the children’s section of the bookshop I worked at was populated almost exclusively with mass-produced mega-series like Goosebumps, The Babysitter’s Club, Sweet Valley High…
Our top picks of the month for book clubs
For a conversation about empathy and books…
The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy
Arundhati Roy’s second novel takes readers on an intimate journey across the Indian subcontinent – from the cramped neighbourhoods of Old Delhi and the glittering malls of the burgeoning new metropolis, to the snowy mountains and valleys of Kashmir. Braiding richly complex lives together, this ravishing and deeply humane novel reinvents what a novel can do and can be. Our reviewer calls it, ‘one of…
An interview with a teen reader
by Ewen CusworthOver the next few weeks we’re participating in a work experience program with students from high schools across Melbourne. Today, Ewen Cusworth from Fitzroy High tells us about his favourite book covers, being a judge for the Inky Awards, and more.
How would you describe your taste in books?
I enjoy reading mostly fiction so stuff like romance, fantasy, sci-fi – with the exception of books on writing such as A Brief History of The Hobbit.
Tell us about…
We're looking for teenagers to join our Teen Advisory Board
Readings is looking for suitable candidates to join our new Teen Advisory Board.
What is it?
The Readings Teen Advisory Board is a volunteer group that will meet once a month to chat about recent and forthcoming young adult books, write blog posts and short reviews, learn about careers in the book industry, provide feedback to Readings staff members on a range of subjects and have fun!
Who are we looking for?
Teens aged 15-19 with diverse interests and opinions
…
The Carnegie & Kate Greenaway Medals winners 2017
The winners of the 2017 CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals have been announced, and we’re thrilled to see Melbourne author Zana Fraillon listed among the recipients!
The Carnegie Medal is awarded by children’s librarians for an outstanding book written in English for children and young people. The Kate Greenaway Medal is awarded by children’s librarians for an outstanding book in terms of illustration for children and young people. As of 2017, all shortlisted titles are also now eligible for…
Athina Clarke wins the 2017 ABA Elizabeth Riley Fellowship
We’re so proud of Athina Clarke, our Malvern children’s and young adult book buyer, who has been named the recipient of the 2017 ABA Elizabeth Riley Fellowship for Children’s Bookselling. Congratulations Athina!
Athina has worked at our Malvern shop for five years. She was also the children’s and young adult book buyer at our Port Melbourne shop from 2002 to 2008, and then worked at Penguin Books for some years. During her time at Readings, she has been involved in…
Our top ten bestsellers of the week
The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy
The Clever Guts Diet by Michael Mosley
Hunger by Roxane Gay
The Long Goodbye (Quarterly Essay 66) by Anna Krien
No is Not Enough by Naomi Klein
Open House Melbourne Weekend: 2017 Program by Open House Melbourne (available 23 June)
The Barefoot Investor by Scott Pape
Talking to My Country by Stan Grant
Broken by Emma White
Men Without Women by Haruki Murakami (translated by Philip Gabriel and Ted Goossen)
We’ve…
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