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.

Lian Hingee is rereading Alif the Unseen by G. Willow Wilson

Confession time: I have lots of new books sitting on my TBR pile at home, a stack of upcoming releases piled up on my desk at work, and as one of the judges for our newly announced Readings Young Adult Book Prize – I’ve got an ever-growing list of new Australian YA books to read. And yet here I am… Rereading an old book… And an old out-of-print book as well I might add. (Seriously, publishers – what’s going on there?)

Set during the Arab Spring, Alif the Unseen tells the story of a computer hacker who provides digital security to political dissidents but is forced into hiding after the state censors track him down. Alif comes into possession of a mysterious book – the Alf Yeom – a sacred text to the Djinn, effrit, demons and ghouls that populate the Empty Quarter. I have a thing for books that combine ancient mythology with modern-day settings, and this one’s a particular favourite of mine. The author, G. Willow Wilson, is also the writer of the Ms Marvel comics, which features Marvel’s first Muslim character to headline her own series.

Bronte Coates is reading Dory Fantasmagory by Abby Hanlon

The past couple of weeks I’ve been putting together a blog post all about gross, rude and silly books for children – and so I’ve been reading a whole lot of gross, rude and silly books for children. I recommend you all go out and do the same because it’s been a whole lot of fun. One of my stand-out picks was Abby Hanlon’s Dory Fantasmagory. This illustrated story brilliantly depicts sibling rivalry and the power of a wild imagination. Dory is inventive, brave, sometimes shockingly naughty and always lovable. I freaking loved her. I’m so pleased to see there’s two more books about her adventures – The Real True Friend, and Dory Dory Black Sheep – for me to read next.

Chris Gordon is wondering where to start with her TBR stack

Post Melbourne Writers Festival, I have a stack of brand-new books and I feel I must read all of them almost immediately. For example, there’s Jacinta Halloran’s The Science of Appearances, which looks amazing, and I also don’t understand why I’ve never read any of Elizabeth Harrower’s books before now. I’ve brought signed editions of her stories to savour.

As well as my takings from the Festival, I have a stack of upcoming food and gardening books to look at for next month’s newsletter. Over the last couple of days, I’ve been pouring over the glossy photographs and delightful reflections in all of them. I particularly love Jamie Durie’s new book which is all about bringing the outside inside. He’s motivated me to green up and I’m in the process of transporting my staghorn inside my house – not an easy feat! Look out for Living Design, which is due for release late next month.

I’ve also been a little preoccupied with Hetty McKinnon’s, Neighbourhood – we roadtested the recipes here at the office earlier this week. I’ve been conveniently leaving this beautiful, colourful cookbook out on the kitchen bench in hope that my bloke will make me a salad for dinner. One that is packed full of so much goodness that I will no longer need to feel guilty about the amount of hot chips I’ve been eating the last few weeks. (Hot chips are a stable dietary requirement of any writers festival!)

But after much thought, after a good long sleep-in this weekend, I’m going to start Hannah Kent’s The Good People. It looks like the perfect companion for a quiet weekend at home.