1. Damascus by Christos Tsiolkas
2. Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe
3. Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout
4. The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
5. Agent Running in the Field by John le Carré
6. The Weekend by Charlotte Wood
7. No Friend but the Mountains by Behrouz Boochani & Omid Tofighian
8. Your Own Kind of Girl by Clare Bowditch
9. The Anarchy by William Dalrymple
10. Red Flag: Waking Up to China’s Challenge: Quarterly Essay 76 by Peter Hartcher

It’s a balanced mix of fiction and non-fiction, and of Australian and international authors in our top 10 bestsellers of the week.

Leading the way is Christos Tsiolkas’ novel, Damascus, which last week was feted with a shortlisting for the Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards (VPLAs). One of last year’s VPLA winners, No Friend but the Mountains, continues to resonate with our readers, as its commentary on Australia’s treatment of refugees remains devastatingly relevant.

Must-read fiction titles from well-beloved names are being snapped up for Christmas, including titles by Elizabeth Strout, Ann Patchett, John le Carré and Charlotte Wood.

Bruce Pascoe’s Dark Emu continues its remarkable year-long run in our bestsellers, alongside other nonfiction bestsellers, Claire Bowditch’s Your Own Kind of Girl and William Dalrymple’s The Anarchy. Finally, rounding out the top 10 is a new entry: Peter Hartcher’s Quarterly Essay, Red Flag: Waking Up to China’s Challenge.