Our latest blog posts
What we're reading: Chang, Ganeshananthan
Each week our wonderful staff share the books that they've been enjoying.
Tracy is reading Hunger by Lan Samantha Chang
Hunger is a collection of one novella (the title story) and five short stories, all centred on the Chinese-American immigrant experience. Because the blurb says it better than I can, I will just steal a line from it: ‘Chang untangles how an immigrant can hunger for love, for acceptance, and for what they have left behind.’
I just finished the…
Best Australian books of the 21st century
The literary world has been buzzing with conversations about The New York Times’ recently announced 100 Best Books of the 21st Century. As fierce advocates for Australian literature we were disappointed not to see any of our own remarkable writers on the list . . . and as fierce advocates for Australian literature we’ve decided to do something about it.
We reached out to members of the Australian literary community, from writers to publishers and our own passionate…
The Davitt Awards shortlist 2024
Sisters in Crime has announced the shortlists for the 2024 Davitt Awards for the best crime books by Australian women! Here are the shortlisted titles in each category:
Adult crime novels
The Chasm by Bronwyn Hall
The Tea Ladies by Amanda Hampson
The Half Brother by Christine Keighery
Prima Facie by Suzie Miller
Exquisite Corpse by Marija Peričić
The Fall Between by Darcy Tindale
When One of Us Hurts by Monica Vuu
Nonfiction crime books
Spotlight on upcoming kids events
School holidays may be over but that doesn't mean the fun ends. We have an incredible lineup of events for kids and young adults coming up, from book launches to signings and storytimes!
Check out just some of our fantastic upcoming events below, and make sure to add them to your calendar.
Book Launch:
The Skin I'm In by Steph Tisdell
Tuesday 30 July at 6:00pm
Emporium Melbourne, Woiwurrung Country,
Shop 1-016/287 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000
A beginner's guide to Irish fiction
For a small country, Ireland has produced a significant volume of literature with widespread cultural impact. It continues to do so, counting among its successes six Booker Prize winners and four Nobel laureates. It doesn’t hurt that Irish writers are buoyed by an industry that really supports them, both financially – their government invests in literary culture the way ours invests in sport – and with a publishing industry that isn’t afraid to take risks.
With such a wealth of…
Books for when you want to quit your 9 to 5
Stop fantasising about sending your boss that too-honest resignation letter, and try reading one of these books instead. Whether you're looking for joyful escapism or just want to put your own daily grind in perspective, reading a good book will be less work and stress than writing a new job application.
Workplace dramas, so your job doesn't seem so bad
The Opposite of Success by Eleanor Elliott Thomas
All Lorrie wants is to get promoted, accept her body and end…
Contemporary takes on children's classics
New stories with beloved characters
Saving Neverland by Abi Elphinstone
A magical, modern and adventurous reimagining of the much-loved classic, from one of today's most exciting children's writers.
When Martha Pennydrop and her little brother Scruff discover a drawer full of mysterious gold dust in the bedroom of their new house, it's the start of an incredible adventure to a magical world – Neverland!
The Pennydrop's new house used to belong to another family – the Darlings – who once…
If you love Agatha Christie, read these . . .
Agatha Christie's legacy as the queen of crime means she's often the first author suggested to readers looking for a cosy, yet devilishly ingenious mystery. But despite the huge number of Poirot and Miss Marple available, there must come a time when every reader has to ask – what next? What else can I read that will have the same combination of picturesque settings, lovable detectives and incredible twists?
Fortunately, there's actually a wealth of books and series available that…
What we're reading: Patchett, Rushdi
Each week our wonderful staff share the books that they've been enjoying.
Lian is reading These Precious Days by Ann Patchett
Ann Patchett was a guest at this year's Melbourne Writers' Festival, and hearing her speak on a panel with our own Chris Gordon was all the inducement I needed to dive head-first into her delightful collection of essays. These Precious Days is an absolutely charming, desperately relatable, heartfelt and humorous book that provides an insight into the experiences that…
Picture books about emotional resilience
Children all face different obstacles through their lives, whether it’s an internal hurdle, a one-off catastrophe, or the routine struggle that is heading back to school. Kids' books are a helpful way to show them they’re not alone in the hardships they experience, or to display the tools children can use to tackle whatever obstacles they may face.
Here are some of my favourite picks for picture books that focus on resilience, perseverance, or overcoming adversity.
Grey by Laura Dockrill…
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