Our latest blog posts

The winners of the CBCA Shadow Judging Book of the Year Awards

The winners of the 2023 Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Shadow Judging Book of the Year Awards have been announced. Inaugurated in 2022, the awards this year were judged by over 2000 young readers from more than 250 groups across Australia.

A vibrant network of young readers, from emerging to young adult, dive deeply into the 2023 CBCA Shortlist and express their opinions and share their responses as judges ‘shadowing’ the CBCA Judges. They use the same criteria to…

Read more ›

What we're reading: Huang, Islington & Flanagan

Each week our amazing staff bring you a sample of the books or music they're immersed in.

Aurelia Orr is reading Natural Beauty by Ling Ling Huang

When our unnamed protagonist's parents become debilitated from a horrible accident, she is eager to take any job that pays well, including a position in the glamorous beauty company Holistik. The luxury and allure of working at Holistik is at first the most pampered and beautiful she has ever felt before. But when…

Read more ›

Meeting the name behind the book

by Poppy, Readings Teen Advisory Board

Poppy from our Teen Advisory Board reflects on how attending book launches, author signings and workshops can enrich your reading experience as well as be inspiring and educational.

Books can be so much more than something you read once and put on your shelf. Attending book launches, author signings and workshops can enrich your reading experience. It allows you to meet the creator behind the work, understand their point of view and motivate you to try something new.

I still…

Read more ›

The Readings Young Adult Prize shortlist 2023

The Readings Young Adult Prize is presented to the best contribution to Australian youth literature from an emerging author.

Our staff judges for the 2023 prize are Aurelia Orr (chair of judges, Readings Kids), Lucie Dess (marketing and events co-ordinator), Emma Janes (Readings Doncaster) and Stephanie King (Readings Emporium). We're thrilled to announce this year's six Young Adult Prize shortlist titles, and look forward to sharing our New Australian Fiction Prize shortlist soon! The six titles on the below shortlist…

Read more ›

The Readings Children's Prize shortlist 2023

Now in its 10th year, The Readings Children's Prize is presented to the best contribution to Australian children’s literature from an emerging author.

Our staff judges for the 2023 prize are Katey Bellew (chair of judges, Readings Kids), Kate McIntosh (manager of Readings Emporium) and Janine Larson (Readings Kids). We're proud to announce this year's six Children's Prize shortlist titles, and look forward to sharing our Young Adult Prize and New Australian Fiction Prize shortlists soon!

The Bookseller’s Apprentice by…

Read more ›

Books and socks to pair for Father's Day

Giving socks for Father's Day is a tried and true favourite, so if you're looking for something to add to the parcel when wrapping up your gifts this year here are some of our recommended pairings.

Don't forget that our online delivery deadline for Father's Day gifts is 5pm on Wednesday 23 August. This deadline applies to in stock items only, being delivered within Australia.

With destination overviews, maps, photos showcasing featured places, summaries of top attractions and more, Explore

Read more ›

Crime fiction in translation for Father's Day

Just in time for Father's Day, we've compiled a list of fantastic crime fiction in translation. From sleeper hits to those which have truly slipped under the radar, we've got you, and Dad, covered.

Prey for the Shadow by Javier Cercas (translated from Spanish by Anne McLean)

The mayor of Barcelona is being blackmailed. A sex tape from her student days - one she never knew existed. The price: 300,000 euros and her immediate resignation. A political chameleon who swept…

Read more ›

The winners of the CBCA Book of the Year Awards 2023

The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) has announced their Book of the Year Awards winners for 2023. These Awards celebrate the best Australian books for readers in early childhood up to young adult readers.

Here are the winners for each category:

Older Readers (Ages 13-18 years)

Entries in this category may be fiction, drama or poetry and should be appropriate in style and content for readers in their secondary years of schooling. Ages 13-18 years.

Note: Books in this

Read more ›

Novels where I have not skipped a word

by Chris Gordon

This year I have found myself with quite a bit of quiet time on my hands, and I've used this time to luxuriate in the art of reading. I have delighted in novels that sit by you in every part of your life; those books where every word counts and you tell yourself to slow down because you don't want the book to finish.

Here are three captivating novels that you, like me, will be unable to skip a single…

Read more ›

What we're reading: Stevenson & Reyes

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 reading Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson

Benjamin Stevenson's Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone has been on my TBR list for a while so when I saw it on Libro.fm (the new audiobook platform that supports independent booksellers rather than Jeff Bezos) I downloaded…

Read more ›