News
Our children's and YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Big Shot: Diary of a Wimpy Kid 16 by Jeff Kinney
The 143-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
Somebody’s Land by Adam Goodes, Ellie Laing & David Hardy
Wandi by Favel Parrett
Aurora’s End by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Pony by R.J. Palacio
First Scientists by Corey Tutt
Daughter of the Deep by Rick Riordan
Bluey: Christmas Swim by Bluey
There’s a Ghost in this House by Oliver Jeffers
We have our two biggest middle fiction titles…
What we're reading: Dalton, Kent & Tsiolkas
Each week we bring you a sample of the books we’re reading, the films we’re watching, the television shows we’re hooked on, or the music we’re loving.
Chris Gordon is reading Love Stories by Trent Dalton
When everything seems a little overwhelming, bleak even at times, I have turned to reading Trent Dalton’s Love Stories. This is a collection of conversations Trent has had with people on the streets of Brisbane about love. Consider it a collection of short…
A spotlight on translated fiction this month
November brings another dazzling body of works in translation. Below are six highlights from our collection of recently translated novels, but know there’s still many excellent titles publishing later in the month – including the latest work from The Shadow of the Wind author Carlos Ruiz Zafon, City of Mist.
Harsh Times by Mario Vargas Llosa (translated by Adrian Nathan)
Guatemala, 1954. A CIA-supported military coup topples the government. Behind this violent act is a lie passed off as…
A spotlight on our books of the month, November 2021
OUR FICTION BOOK OF THE MONTH
Devotion by Hannah Kent
Prussia, 1836. Hanne Nussbaum is a child of nature - she would rather run wild in the forest than conform to the limitations of womanhood. In her village of Kay, Hanne is friendless and considered an oddity…until she meets Thea.
Ocean, 1838. The Nussbaums are Old Lutherans, bound by God’s law and at odds with their King’s order for reform. Forced to flee religious persecution the families of Kay board…
Applications are open for our Readings Foundation grants
As we all know, it’s been a difficult couple of years, and it’s probably fair to say that no-one has experienced lockdowns quite like Melbourne. For those organisations who support the disadvantaged and marginalised in Victoria, it’s been an incredibly challenging couple of years getting programmes out to the people and communities who need them most.
With this in mind, we’re thrilled to announce that yesterday, Wednesday 10 November, we officially begun accepting applications for our 2022 Readings Foundation grants…
The 2021 winners of the Melbourne Prize for Literature & Awards
The winners of one of the most valuable literature prizes in Australia have been announced!
The winner of the $60,000 Melbourne Prize for Literature 2021 is Christos Tsiolkas for his body of work, which has made an outstanding contribution to Australian literature and to cultural and intellectual life.
Christos Tsiolkas is the author of seven novels, with his work being adapted for film, television and the stage and translated into 22 languages. He has been shortlisted for and is the…
The best new crime reads in November
Our crime specialist shares 10 great crime reads to look out for this month.
CRIME BOOK OF THE MONTH
Canticle Creek Adrian Hyland
Leading Senior Constable Jesse Redpath thinks she has the lie of the land about right in the Northern Territory town of Kulara by now. After replacing the useless-to-actively harmful last cop in town, she’s more open to what’s important so when local larrikin Adam Lawson commits something a bit more illegal than usual, she tries to offer…
New (and favourite) Christmas books for children
It’s nearly Christmas again (where has the year in lockdown gone!?) and it’s time to start sharing with children our beloved seasonal stories. They’re fun, they’re festive and this year we have a plethora of new ones to choose from, as well as some classic favourites.
Santa Loves Australia by Collette Dinnigan & illustrated by Luke Sciberras
Travel with Santa over one magical Christmas Eve as he visits iconic landmarks, meets unique animals and delights in the beauty of the…
Dear Reader, November 2021
Observers of literary trends will know that poetry has been having a significant popular renaissance in recent years, and it has been fascinating to watch the growing appetite for newly published works. Close readers of the Readings Monthly will have also noticed the introduction of a regular poetry review, thanks largely to the enthusiasm of our staff reviewer, Clare Millar. This month, Clare reviews two new collections: How Decent Folk Behave from the multi-talented writer that is Maxine Beneba…
Classic WWII stories for children
War stories have a perennial fascination for children, perhaps because even when life is challenging, a story about a child overcoming adversity in wartime shows that a happy ending is always possible. With the release of Katrina Nannestad’s latest World War II story, it seems like a good time to also revisit some of our most beloved stories set during that time, both contemporary and classic.
Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief by Katrina Nannestad
The reader is transported to Russia and…
Andrew Pippos wins the Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction 2021
Readings Doncaster manager and chair of judges Kate McIntosh on the buoyant, bittersweet joy of Lucky’s.
We are thrilled to announce the winner of the 2021 Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction is Andrew Pippos for his debut novel Lucky’s. The story of Greek-American migrant Vasilis ‘Lucky’ Mallios was one that stayed with the judges as we made our way through this process: more than 60 books over 12 months, whittled down to a shortlist of six, then…
Our children's and YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Aurora’s End by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
The 143-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
Big Shot: Diary of a Wimpy Kid 16 by Jeff Kinney
Wandi by Favel Parrett
Somebody’s Land by Adam Goodes, Ellie Laing & David Hardy
Bluey Sleepytime by Bluey
Bluey: Christmas Swim by Bluey
The Bad Guys: Episode 14 by Aaron Blabey
There’s a Ghost in this House by Oliver Jeffers
Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief by Katrina Nannestad
Rocketing to the top spot…
Our top 10 bestsellers of the week
How We Love by Clementine Ford
Devotion by Hannah Kent
How to End a Story: Diaries 1995-1998 by Helen Garner
Seven and a Half by Christos Tsiolkas
Ottolenghi Test Kitchen: Shelf Love by Yotam Ottolenghi & Noor Murad
Love Stories by Trent Dalton
The Promise by Damon Galgut
Beautiful World Where Are You (Special Edition) by Sally Rooney
Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty
Old Vintage Melbourne by Chris Macheras
Our best-seller from the past week is How We Love:…
On Events, November 2021
As we near the end of two relentless years I want to take this opportunity to thank every person that has attended a Readings online event. We have hosted close to 200 events and entertained over 20,000 people. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to all the authors who willingly engaged in our program. Thank you to all the publishing houses that made every move possible. I want to especially thank those people who wrote to me about…
New Australian Fiction Prize: pathways to being published
On Monday 8 November we’re announcing the winner of this year’s New Australian Fiction Prize! In preparation, we asked each of our shortlisted authors about their journey to becoming a published author.
Nardi Simpson, author of Song of the Crocodile
I entered the manuscript into the Black&Write Writing Fellowship for feedback and was lucky enough to win it. I worked for a year with wonderful First Nations editors who then forwarded me onto their partner organisation Hachette Australia. After another…
What we're reading: Selznick, Moreno-Garcia & Rabbit
Each week we bring you a sample of the books we’re reading, the films we’re watching, the television shows we’re hooked on, or the music we’re loving.
Jackie Tang is reading Kaleidoscope by Brian Selznick
There’s some strange alchemy at work at the heart of Brian Selznick’s latest middle-grade book, Kaleidoscope. For me, reading it felt like being submerged in wave after wave of emotion: love, grief, longing – all those huge feelings resonating through us in high frequency…
The best food & gardening books of the month
Christine Manfield’s Indian Cooking Class by Christine Manfield
Christine Manfield is one of Australia’s most highly regarded chefs, authors, food writers, food manufacturers, presenters, teachers, gastronomic travellers, the list goes on. Herlatest book is filled with easy-to-follow recipes that will allow you to make curry pastes and blend flavours with absolute confidence. Included are impressive Indian classics, be it a simple dal or an intricate biryani.
Christine Manfield’s Indian Cooking Class is a handbook that encourages creativity. By sharing her…
Damon Galgut wins the Booker Prize for Fiction 2021
Congratulations to Damon Galgut who has been named the winner of this year’s Booker Prize for Fiction for his novel, The Promise.
The Promise is set in South Africa during the country’s transition out of apartheid, explores the interconnected relationships between the members of a diminishing white family through the sequential lens of four funerals. The Promise is Galgut’s ninth novel and first in seven years; his debut was published when he was just seventeen.
Maya Jasanoff, 2021 chair…
Our top 10 bestsellers of the week
Devotion by Hannah Kent
Ottolenghi Test Kitchen: Shelf Love by Yotam Ottolenghi & Noor Murad
Oh William! by Elizabeth Strout
How Decent Folk Behave by Maxine Beneba Clarke
Silverview by John le Carre
Old Vintage Melbourne by Chris Macheras
Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen
Wild Abandon by Emily Bitto
Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty
Beautiful World Where Are You (Special Edition) by Sally Rooney
Our best-seller from the past week is Hannah Kent’s latest novel, Devotion. Beautifully written, as…
Our children's and YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
The 143-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
Big Shot: Diary of a Wimpy Kid 14 by Jeff Kinney
Wandi by Favel Parrett
The First Scientists by Corey Tutt
Daughter of the Deep by Rick Riordan
Always by Morris Gleitzman
There’s a Ghost in this House by Oliver Jeffers
Pony by R.J. Palacio
If Not Us by Mark Smith
The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Peculiar Pairs by Sami Bayly
For the second week in a row our top spot goes…
New Australian Fiction shortlist spotlight: Born Into This by Adam Thompson
Born Into This is one of the six books shortlisted for this year’s Readings New Australian Fiction Prize. An engaging short story collection from a new and exciting voice, this collection has a cohesion that will render readers truly affected by the final page.
Our 2021 judges found this to be an extremely compelling work, commenting: ‘As an examination of masculinity, a showcase of life as a First Nations person in a specific time and place, and a reminder of…
New poetry to savour and share
It continues to be a phenomenal year for both local and international poetry. Here, we’ve collected some recent highlights, but we also recommend browsing the full collection of new poetry. The full collection includes many works released earlier in the year, including those from Tony Birch, Evelyn Araluen, Lucy Van, and Elfie Shiosaki.
All of these works are timely, lyrical, and share important voices. We hope they continue to get the recognition they deserve.
How…
Children's books for big thinkers
The release of the extraordinary new book by Brian Selznick got us thinking about books that defy easy categorization and are suitable for readers who like to question everything, consider the big philosophical questions of life, and formulate their own conclusions - or even realise that there are no simple answers to many of our most challenging questions.
As well as the stunning Selznick, here are some other wonderfully inspiring recommendations for deep thinkers of all ages.
Kaledeidoscope by Brian…
Recent children's books in translation
Translated children’s books are a wonderful opportunity and a pleasure for children to experience very different perspectives on the world. We are blessed with a number of absolutely stunning translated picture books, including the winner of a prestigious World Illustration Award. Here are a few of our recent favourites:
I Am the Subway by Hyo Eun-Kim, translated by Deborah Smith
Winner at the World Illustration Awards 2021
A cinematic journey through the Seoul subway that masterfully portrays the many unique…
The Small Press Network Book of the Year shortlist 2021
Last year the Small Press Network announced a new, annual award to be known as the Small Press Network Book of the Year Award. This award aims to recognise and celebrate some of the most significant and ground-breaking books being produced by Australian and international authors today.
This week, the 2021 shortlist was revealed and below are the six shortlisted books.
Almost a Mirror by Kirsten Krauth (Transit Lounge)
Collisions: A Liminal Anthology edited by Leah Jing McIntosh, Cher Tan…
Our children's and YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
The 143-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Peculiar Pairs by Sami Bayly
There’s a Ghost in this House by Oliver Jeffers
The First Scientists by Corey Tutt
Wandi by Favel Parrett
Pony by R.J. Palacio
If Not Us by Mark Smith
Always by Morris Gleitzman
The Gilded Cage by Lynette Noni
Daughter of the Deep by Rick Riordan
Racing to the top spot this week is the latest in the hilariously brilliant Treehouse series…
Our top 10 bestsellers of the week
Old Vintage Melbourne by Chris Macheras
Devotion by Hannah Kent
Oh William! by Elizabeth Strout
Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen
Silverview by John le Carre
Ottolenghi Test Kitchen: Shelf Love by Yotam Ottolenghi & Noor Murad
Beautiful World Where Are You (Special Edition) by Sally Rooney
Wild Abandon by Emily Bitto
The Storyteller by Dave Grohl
Whole Notes by Ed Ayres
For the second week in a row, our best-seller from the past week is the transportive photography book, Old Vintage…
The Prime Minister's Literary Awards shortlists 2021
The shortlists for this year’s Prime Minister’s Literary Awards have been announced. These awards celebrate outstanding literary talent in Australia.
Fiction
A Treacherous Country by K M Kruimink
In the Time of Foxes by Jo Lennan
Lucky’s by Andrew Pippos
The Bass Rock by Evie Wyld
The Labyrinth by Amanda Lohrey
YA literature
Loner by Georgina Young
Metal Fish, Falling Snow by Cath Moore
The End of the World is Bigger than Love by Davina Bell
The F Team by…
Recommended reading: short story collections
We love short stories and their unique ability to immerse you in a new place or feeling at a moment’s notice. This month we’re recommending a number of short story collections to explore.
Afterparties by Anthony Veasna So
Seamlessly transitioning between the absurd and the tender-hearted, balancing acerbic humour with sharp emotional depth, Afterparties offers an expansive portrait of the lives of Cambodian-Americans. As the children of refugees carve out radical new paths for themselves in California, they shoulder the…
October recommendations from our Teen Advisory Board
Our Teen Advisory Board have been busy reading and letting us know what they’re loving; below, you can read June recommendations from five of our fantastic 2021 board members. You can also browse the favourite books by favourite authors collection – compiled by the entire board – here.
Teen Advisory Board Member Tahlia Malojer is reading Uglies by Scott Westerfeld, The Other Side of Perfect by Mariko Turk, and Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu.
Imagine a world where looks are…
Books on climate activism for young adults
Young people are understandably worried about one of the most pressing issues of our time: the climate emergency.
Rather than portraying dystopian futures, the following four novels and one non-fiction book show positive ways that young people can become engaged in climate activism in accessible stories that will inspire, entertain and inform.
If Not Us by Mark Smith
Hesse lives a small coastal town, where a coalmine and power station are a part of the scenery, and a part of…
Our top picks of the month for book clubs
For something new and intensely affecting…
Scary Monsters by Michelle de Kretser
A story told in two narratives.
Lili’s family migrated to Australia from Asia when she was a teenager. Now, in the 1980s, she’s teaching in the south of France. Lyle works for a sinister government department in near-future Australia. An Asian migrant, he fears repatriation and embraces ‘Australian values’. Three scary monsters - racism, misogyny and ageism - roam through this mesmerising novel told in a reversible format…
Call & Collect
PLEASE NOTE: orders placed via our website will not be available for collection. If you would like to arrange books for collection at your local shop, please do so over the phone or in-person. See below for details.
We’re pleased to announce that, in addition to call and collect, the below participating shops will now also be welcoming through-the-door requests (from Friday 22 October onward)! Orders can be placed via phone (or through the door!) for collection at your local…
Our Teen Advisory Board's favourite reads of 2021 so far
We asked our Teen Advisory Board members to let us know which book stands out as exceptional amongst everything they’ve read so far this year. Below are the books they’ve loved the most and you can browse our more extensive collection of their favourite reads here.
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
This novel is the book to read! A Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai in the criminal underworld?? Sign me up!
— Aurelia Orr
Yolk…
A spotlight on translated fiction this month
It’s another exciting month of releases in translated fiction. Below are five highlights from our collection of recently translated novels, including the long awaited conclusion to the best selling Mirror Visitor series!
Lemon by Kwon Yeo-sun (translated by Janet Hong)
In the summer of 2002, nineteen-year-old Kim Hae-on was murdered in what became known as the High School Beauty Murder. There were two suspects: Shin Jeongjun, who had a rock-solid alibi, and Han Manu, to whom no evidence could be…
Our children's and YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Wandi by Favel Parrett
The Song of Lewis Carmichael by Sofie Laguna
The First Scientists by Corey Tutt
Always by Morris Gleitzman
Dark Rise by C.S. Pacat
Bluey: Giant Activity Pad by Bluey
The Tiny Explorers by Kat Macleod
Barkly Mansion and the Weirdest Guest by Melissa Keil
Pony by R.J. Palacio
There’s a Ghost in this House by Oliver Jeffers
In the top spot this week is our October Book of the Month, a beautiful story about a wild…
Our top 10 bestsellers of the week
Old Vintage Melbourne by Chris Macheras
Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen
Bodies of Light by Jennifer Down
Ottolenghi Test Kitchen: Shelf Love by Yotam Ottolenghi & Noor Murad
The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles
Beautiful World Where Are You (Special Edition) by Sally Rooney
Wild Abandon by Emily Bitto
Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty
Home by Stephanie Alexander
The Storyteller by Dave Grohl
Our best-seller from the past week is the photography book, Old Vintage Melbourne. Explore Melbourne through…
Spooky reads for Halloween
October is traditionally the month for spooky stories, decorating pumpkins and dressing up in wacky costumes. While the trick or treating may be a little more socially distanced this year, there are still plenty of terrifyingly fun stories to read … if you dare!
There’s a Ghost in this House by Oliver Jeffers
A captivating new picture book with interactive transparent pages, from world-renowned artist Oliver Jeffers.
A young girl lives in a haunted house, but has never seen a…
New Australian Fiction shortlist spotlight: Song of the Crocodile by Nardi Simpson
Song of the Crocodile is one of the six books shortlisted for this year’s Readings New Australian Fiction Prize. Atmospheric and lyrical, this multi-generational family saga follows the lives of the Billymil family in the town of Darnmoor (a fictional town in which the Yuwaalaraay people live).
Our 2021 judges commended the work saying, ‘skilfully written, interweaving systemic racism, fear and violence with determination, endurance and community, this uplifting song of a book is both essential and inspiring.’ Staff reviewer…
What we're reading: Osman, Riley & McGann
Each week we bring you a sample of the books we’re reading, the films we’re watching, the television shows we’re hooked on, or the music we’re loving.
Gabrielle Williams is reading The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman.
I’ve just finished reading Richard Osman’s second book in the Thursday Murder Club series. It’s very light and funny and utterly enjoyable. I’m recommending it all over the place.
It centres around four old people living in a retirement village, one…
Recommended YA books and news for October
It’s one of the biggest months of the year with so many fantastic new releases, including an extraordinary new novel by the author of Wonder, a novel about climate change activism by Australian author Mark Smith, a feminist reimagining of The Outsiders, and a debut YA fantasy title from bestselling author C.S. Pacat.
For our round-up of children’s titles this month take a look here.
YA BOOK OF THE MONTH
Pony by R.J. Palacio
When Silas Bird…
Recommended children's books and news for October
by Angela CrocombeThis month we have a moving story written from the perspective of a wild dingo, a humorous horror story perfect for Halloween, the latest Kate DiCamillo (always an event in itself!), a beautiful cookbook focused on seasonal produce, and stunning picture books from two award winners, Zana Fraillon and Oliver Jeffers. What a wealth of riches!
You can find our round-up of YA titles this month here.
KIDS BOOK OF THE MONTH
Wandi by Favel Parrett
A young cub…
A spotlight on our books of the month, October 2021
OUR FICTION BOOK OF THE MONTH
Bodies of Light by Jennifer Down
A quiet, small-town existence. An unexpected Facebook message, jolting her back to the past. A history she’s reluctant to revisit: dark memories and unspoken trauma, bruised thighs and warning knocks on bedroom walls, unfathomable loss. She became a new person a long time ago. What happens when buried stories are dragged into the light?
Our reviewer Bec Kavanagh describes the latest offering from staff favourite Jennifer Down as…
Dear Reader, October 2021
October’s releases are a highlight in any reader’s year, signalling to booksellers the beginning of our annual journey towards the gift-exchange season, but I think this year’s offerings are particularly special, and include many of my favourite books of 2021 (or any year). One of them is Jennifer Down’s incredible second novel, and our October Fiction Book of the Month. We’ve been following Down’s career keenly. Her ambitious debut, Our Magic Hour (2016), revealed her writerly talents, which she honed…
The best food & gardening books of the month
Take inspiration from the beautiful (and bountiful) array of cookbooks landing on our shelves. As our local parks become our new holiday destinations, whet your appetite with abundant spreads that defy the gloom of the last few months. Take a recipe from here, and another from there to mix flavours and inspirations. For dessert, I’m leaning towards salted tahini and chocolate cookies from Salma Hage’s Middle Eastern Sweets, matched with the most delicious orange, yogurt and polenta cake straight…
Our top 10 bestsellers of the week
Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen
Ottolenghi Test Kitchen: Shelf Love by Yotam Ottolenghi & Noor Murad
Home by Stephanie Alexander
Beautiful World Where Are You (Special Edition) by Sally Rooney
Wild Abandon by Emily Bitto
Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty
Whole Notes by Ed Ayres
The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles
The Luminous Solution by Charlotte Wood
The Magician by Colm Toíbín
Our best-seller from the past week is the long-awaited novel from Jonathan Franzen, Crossroads. Set in 1970s…
Our children's and YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
The Song of Lewis Carmichael by Sofie Laguna
Wandi by Favel Parrett
Pony by R.J. Palacio
The Tiny Explorers by Kat Macleod
It’s Not You, It’s Me by Gabrielle Williams
Always by Morris Gleitzman
Polly Pecorino: The Girl who Rescues Animals by Emma Chichester Clark
Bluey: Giant Activity Pad by Bluey
Dark Rise by C.S. Pacat
There’s a Ghost in this House by Oliver Jeffers
In the top spot this week is our September Children’s Book of the Month, a…
Abdulrazak Gurnah wins the Nobel Prize for literature in 2021
This year’s Nobel prize for literature has been awarded to Tanzanian novelist Abdulrazak Gurnah.
Born in Zanzibar in 1948 and based in England, Professor Gurnah currently teaches at the University of Kent. Gurnah has published ten novels as well as a number of short stories. His 1994 novel, Paradise, was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.
The Swedish Academy awarded Gurnah the prize ‘for his uncompromising and compassionate penetration of the effects of colonialism and the fate of the refugee…
What we're reading: Lyons, Kristoff, Clarke, Walton & Aśka
Each week we bring you a sample of the books we’re reading, the films we’re watching, the television shows we’re hooked on, or the music we’re loving.
Lucie Dess is reading Stars in Their Eyes by Jessica Walton & Aska
As soon as I read the blurb for Stars in Their Eyes, I knew I had to get my hands on it. A queer, intersectional meet-cute set at a Con? SIGN. ME. UP.
I can definitely say I was…
The best new crime reads in October
Our crime specialist shares 9 great crime reads to look out for this month.
CRIME BOOK OF THE MONTH
The Shadow House by Anna Downes
When Alex drives up to her new house with her teenage son Ollie and new baby Cara in tow, she feels a surge of relief – and panic. She’s running away from Sydney, from what she’s left behind, and the eco-village of Pine Ridge is the perfect place to start anew: a caring community, a…
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