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.

Ann is reading How to Get There by Maggie Mackellar

We’re lucky to have writers such as Favel Parrett, and of course Bob Brown in Optimism: Reflections on a Life of Action (my other favourite read of the month), sharing Tasmania with us as an integral part of their stories.

Now I have been dropped back into the landscape of my favourite state again, this time by Maggie Mackellar. I met Mackellar at a Melbourne Writers Festival event a few years ago. She had written When it Rains, the story of the time in her life when she was faced with the death of her husband and then her mother. I was left with an impression of a special personality and in her writing I experienced the uniquely gentle way with which she interprets the deep trauma that she had experienced.

In her second memoir How to Get There, she has moved to Tasmania to begin a new relationship. I love the way she questions her rollercoaster emotions as she and her two young children start a new chapter in their lives. I love the way reading helps her give some perspective to her emotions and into the future that awaits. And I also love the quote she shares from Roger McDonald: ‘Through every small opening in life, through the tiniest, most restricted nerve ends, through rips and tears and tatters, life pours.’

Nina is reading Dress, Memory by Lorelei Vashti

I met Lorelei Vashti earlier this week when she came into our Carlton shop to sign copies of her book. (Ed note: Signed copies are still available in-store!) She was so vivacious and lovely that I immediately bought her memoir.

I’m very glad I did, because it’s a terrific read.

Dress, Memory is the story of Lorelei’s twenties. Each chapter covers a year of her life, and also features a dress that was important to her at that time, one which represents her experience in some way. The memoir has a gorgeous section in the middle with photographs of Lorelei in each of these dresses and while reading I frequently found myself flipping back and forth to see the dress she was describing. As you might expect, Lorelei is especially good at writing about clothes.

Our reviewer Stella best captures the book’s intimate tone when she says that reading Dress, Memory ‘feels akin to spending time with a dear friend – the kind who might grip your hand fiercely as they talk, who could be accused of over-sharing but also bravely reveals their private, personal world in the hope that the listener might connect to their experiences in some way, and in turn, find comfort.’

Dress, Memory is a book I’ll recommend to my friends, because I know Lorelei’s experiences will resonate with how they feel about their own twenties. Her memoir would also be perfect as a high-school or university graduation gift – beautifully packaged and full of gentle wisdom about growing up and figuring out who you are.

Emily is reading Louise Loves Art by Kelly Light

With children of 10 and 7, I’m running out of excuses to buy picture books for my own household but occasionally one comes along that I cannot resist, usually because it reminds me of a particular time in our lives. Louise Loves Art by Kelly Light is the most recent heartbreaker.

It isn’t an illustration style I’m usually drawn to but the expressions in every single image really get to me. The story reminds me so much of my daughter (first-born, capable, bossy) and son (less certain, cheeky, affectionate), who both love drawing. Louise describes her art as ‘my imagination on the outside’. Watched by her adoring brother, she creates masterpiece after masterpiece, intending to display them on the Gallery Du Fridge. Little does she know that her brother is putting his own special touches to each of her precious pictures. The moment he’s discovered, and the penny drops that he’s done the wrong thing, is a page that simply says ‘Sorry’ with an image of him slouched over in guilt. This page makes me want to rip out my heart. The sweet, appropriately cheesy twist is that the brother’s name is Art. And, of course, he is forgiven – Louise loves Art. Oh, happy day.

Bronte is reading How To Be Happy by Eleanor Davis

A friend lent me this anthology of Eleanor Davis’s work from the past several years earlier this week. I’ve been taking my time with it, reading a few each day. Her artwork is so gorgeous and I’m astounded at her ability to traverse mediums. As Paste writes, ‘there may be nothing Davis can’t beautifully illustrate. How to Be Happy samples many of her styles: watercolor; fine black-and-white ink work; combinations of the two with delicate saturation; solid, blocky, thick-lined monochrome defined in extremely simplified forms; wild, sketchy, tiny panels; big pages with no panels at all; stories with no outlines and only colors to distinguish form (like Henri Matisse’ late collage work); and sepia-brushed fairytales. It’s all here, and more.’ (Read their full review here.)

Alexandra is reading The Opposite of Loneliness by Marina Keegan

Over the past month I’ve managed to get through an enormous pile of reading, covering a pretty diverse range of topics. I started with Vikram Seth’s An Equal Music, followed by E M Forster’s Maurice (beautiful book – a definite highlight!), a sneak preview of Graeme Simsion’s The Rosie Effect, Kevin Kwan’s hilarious Crazy Rich Asians, and, to keep the balance, Seneca’s On the Shortness of Life (and, of course, which I mustn’t forget, more reading on Benjamin Britten for my studies). There’s no obvious theme, just books that pique my interest.

Next on my list is Marina Keegan’s The Opposite of Loneliness. Keegan, a talented writer and Yale alumna, tragically died in a car accident aged only 22, just days after graduating magna cum laude. Her final essay, ‘The Opposite of Loneliness’, originally published on the Yale Daily News website, gives the book its name, and demonstrates her fine writing skills. Keegan’s friends, family, and teachers have done well to edit and publish her stories and essays in this collection, making excellent reading. It’s sad to think of such a bright talent dying so young, but we are lucky to be able to read her work.