Our latest blog posts
Tackling social media in teen books
Gabrielle Williams is an an acclaimed author of young adult fiction. Her new novel, My Life as a Hashtag, is a funny, heartfelt read about rage, regret and the pitfalls of life in the digital age.
We recently asked Williams how she approached social media when writing for teenagers. Here is her response.
When I was at school, my friend’s boyfriend broke up with her via toilet paper. I imagine him sitting down one afternoon (hopefully with the lid…
Our children's and YA top ten bestsellers of the week
A Most Magical Girl by Karen Foxlee
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo
The Bad Guys Episode 5: Intergalactic Gas by Aaron Blabey
Little People, Big Dreams: Frida Kahlo by Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Gee Fan Eng
In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek and Christine Roussey
13 Reasons Why (film tie-in edition) by Jay Asher
Never Touch a Dinosaur by Rosie Greening
Little People, Big Dreams: Marie Curie by Isabel…
Our top ten bestsellers of the week
Cardinal: The Rise and Fall of George Pell by Louise Milligan
Men Without Women by Haruki Murakami
Depends What You Mean by Extremist by John Safran
Into the Water by Paula Hawkins
The Museum of Modern Love by Heather Rose
Light and Shadow by Mark Colvin
Anything is Possible by Elizabeth Strout
The Barefoot Investor by Scott Pape
The Australian Bird Guide by various
Adults in the Room by Yanis Varoufakis
Cardinal is our bestselling book of last week. In…
My five favourite books about writers
1. Jo March
It’s no coincidence that my name is Jo. Okay, I’m not named after her, but I’ve always identified with Little Women’s tomboyish writer Jo March. The second-oldest of four sisters during the American Civil War, Jo is the driving force of the quartet: she writes plays for them all to act in; she invites the lonely boy in the mansion across the road, Laurie, to be their best friend; and when they’re running low on money, she…
What we're reading: Ariel Levy, M.R. Carey & Patrick Modiano
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.
Mike Shuttleworth is reading The Black Notebook by Patrick Modiano (translated by Mark Polizzotti)
Paris is a place that many of us think about – and some of us think about it a lot. But nobody thinks about Paris with the total obsession of Patrick Modiano, the 2014 Nobel Prize winner for Literature.
I’ve just…
The best new crime reads of the month
CRIME BOOK OF THE MONTH
The Cleaner by Elisabeth Herrmann
Espionage novels are like a long swim in stormy weather – by turns comforting, slightly terrifying, and a thorough workout. It is, of course, absolute heaven to sit there on your couch with a glass of pinot gris and read about agents double-crossing each other and people getting shot all over the place, while wondering if you can trust a single person who turns up – which is how everyone…
Our top picks of the month for book clubs
For a book club filled with thespians…
House of Names by Colm Tóibín
Colm Tóibín has thrillingly reimagined Aeschylus’s Oresteia linked trilogy of Greek tragedies for a new audience. Spectacularly audacious, violent, vengeful, lustful, and instantly compelling, House of Names tells the story of murderess Clytemnestra – and her children. Our reviewer writes that this novel, ‘reads like a thriller: driven by female rage, inherited violence, and toxic politics’. Read the full review here.
For a passionate, feminist meeting…
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The Readings Foundation visits River Nile Learning Centre
The Readings Foundation assists Victorian organisations that support the development of literacy, community integration and the arts. Grants Officer Leanne Hall and Digital Marketing Manager Lian Hingee visited River Nile Learning Centre recently – one of the 11 projects being supported by the Foundation in 2017.
River Nile Learning Centre is a warm, cheerful and welcoming organisation in North Melbourne that has the distinction of being the only place in Melbourne where refugee and asylum seeker women can learn English…
Six delicious new cookbooks
Brae by Dan Hunter
Wonder man Dan Hunter is the award-winning pioneer of modern Australian cuisine. His restaurant Brae is listed in the top 100 restaurants in the world. This book shows you why. Essentially, this beautiful book is a collection of recipes using locally grown cuisine that will take you on a journey of great imagination, with wonderful flourishes. This book is perfect for those who have been to the restaurant, want to go to the restaurant or have…
Picture books about first experiences
The world is full of firsts when you’re a kid. Some of them are exciting, some of them are worrying, and some are downright terrifying.
But even mundane daily activities can require a little encouragement before a habit is formed. A good story, a relatable character and a bit of information about the experience can help turn firsts into fun. Here are some of our most entertaining books about those tricky first experiences.
EATING
Lunchtime by Rebecca Cobb – A…
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