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Mark's Say, September 2017
Three and a half years ago, a great big, fat, intimidating-looking economics book burst onto the scene and changed the economic discourse. Based on years of research, its findings were that, over time, the rate of return on wealth has been greater than the rate of return on economic growth, leading to greater and greater inequality. The book argues that, unless capitalism is reformed, the very democratic order will be threatened. The book, of course, is Thomas Piketty’s Capital in…
A passive aggressive gift guide for Father's Day
Socks and ties are all very nice, but if you want to give a gift with layers upon layers of hidden meaning here’s a guide to some of our best passive agressive recommendations for Father’s Day this year.
For the Dad that needs to embrace his bald noggin (coughPrinceWilliamcough)…
Illustrated throughout with pictures of 70 real-life and pop-culture icons from Captain Picard to William Shakespeare, Baldies will encourage the follicularly-challenged to love their chrome dome, and proudly join…
Meet the Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction shortlist 2017
We’ve announced the shortlist for the Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction 2017. Here, we introduce the six shortlisted authors.
Find more information about this year’s shortlisted books (including the judges’ report) here.
Sam Carmody
Sam Carmody is an award-winning songwriter and novelist from Geraldton on the rural coast of Western Australia. His forthcoming debut EP, Shadow in the Dream, is due for release in October. The Windy Season is his debut novel.
The Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction shortlist 2017
The Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction considers first and second books from Australian authors, with the aim of recognising exciting and exceptional new contributions to local literature.
Over the past year, the judges have read their way through over 70 Australian titles and were impressed by the number of edgy voices who didn’t shy away from starkly original concepts. The task of filtering the terrific longlist down to a shortlist of just six books was difficult, but in the…
Our children's and YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
The 91-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo
The Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon
A Most Magical Girl by Karen Foxlee
Gap Year in Ghost Town by Michael Pryor
In My Room by Jo Witek and Christine Roussey
In My Heart by Jo Witek and Christine Roussey
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Magic Faraway Tree Collection (3 books in 1) by Enid Blyton
Our top 10 bestsellers of the week
The Enigmatic Mr Deakin by Judith Brett
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (including sales of other editions)
Crossing the Line by Kim McGrath
The Barefoot Investor by Scott Pape
Watching Out by Julian Burnside
The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy
Taboo by Kim Scott
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
Common People by Tony Birch
On the Java Ridge by Jock Serong
Last week’s list of bestselling books includes some fascinating Australian…
What we're reading: Jennifer Egan, Elizabeth Wein & Paul Noble
Each week we bring you a sample of the books we’re reading, the films and TV shows we’re watching, and the music we’re listening to.
Robbie Egan is reading Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan
I have been reading Jennifer Egan’s Manhattan Beach, a novel of remarkable historical accuracy that details the lives of its characters with an economy and precision that almost belies the lavishness of its achievement.
I don’t want to spoil this book for anyone, so will…
The winners of the CBCA Book of the Year Awards 2017
The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) has announced their Book of the Year Awards winners for 2017. 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
One Would Think the Deep by Claire Zorn
Sam has always had things going on in his head that no one else understands, even his mum. And now she’s dead, it’s worse than ever. With nothing…
Our best bargain picks for Father's Day gift ideas
Our managing director Mark Rubbo picks out the best bargains for Father’s Day gift ideas.
To get him cooking…
$13.95 ()
Mietta’s Italian Family Recipes presents over 185 recipes, covering antipasto, soups, risotto, pasta, fish, meat, pizza and desserts. Together they demonstrate the ways in which original Italian recipes can be re-interpreted to suit modern Australian life, ingredients and equipment.
If he needs to watch that gut…
$13.95 ()
In the words of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall himself: ‘Eating more healthily isn’t…
Make your own salami with these terrific cookbooks
It’s salami time! Chris Gordon shares the three very best books to get you started making your very own preserved meat.
Let us start at the beginning…
The origin of meat processing likely began some thousands of years ago when humans learned that salt is an effective preservative. The procedure of stuffing meat into casings remains basically the same today, however, over time it has become highly skilled and competitive field.
It is true that I’m married to a salami…
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