Our latest blog posts

What we're reading: Ian McDonald, Cath Crowley and Sarah Bakewell

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.

Jan Lockwood is reading Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley

I don’t normally read YA as there is already so much choice on adult shelves. But I was encouraged to try Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley by a colleague and I’m so glad I did. For me, this book is every bit…

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An update from the Readings Foundation

by Leanne Hall

The Readings Foundation assists Victorian organisations that support the development of literacy, community integration and the arts. Grants Officer Leanne Hall visited Banksia Gardens Community Services recently – one of the eleven projects being supported by the Foundation in 2017.

Banksia Gardens Community Services is an easy landmark to find in Broadmeadows because it is such an important and bustling community hub for so many people in the area. At the time of my visit, I just missed out on…

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Heavy feelings, queer friendship and making comics

by Alice Chipkin & Jessica Tavassoli

Alice Chipkin and Jessica Tavassoli (or Tava) share the story behind their debut graphic memoir, Eyes Too Dry, which explores heavy feelings, queer friendship and the therapeutic possibilities of making comics.

Holding this book in its fully formed and thumbable state feels surreal. Mainly because this project started as a way for us to work through and reflect on 2015, a difficult period of time for both of us. In the thick of it we had struggled to find…

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Five reasons we love Grover finds a Home by Claire Garth

by Leanne Hall

Grover Finds a Home by Claire Garth is one of the six books shortlisted for this year’s Readings Children’s Book Prize. Here are five reasons why we think it’s brilliant.

1. It’s a heartwarming and exciting story.

From the moment we meet Grover, a hungry border collie chained up in the yard of The Man with Big Boots, we’re on his side. We go through everything that Grover experiences – his daring escape, his confusing ride to the animal shelter…

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Favourite reads packaged in smaller formats

The Dry by Jane Harper

$16.99

Jane Harper’s literary thriller was named one of our top 10 crime reads of last year. It’s the story of Federal police officer Aaron Falk, who returns to his hometown to investigate a murder-suicide that is more than it seems. Managing director Mark Rubbo says: ‘I loved this book; it’s some of the best crime I’ve read in years. Rural Australia bristles with menace and desolation as terrible secrets of the past are uncovered…

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Winners of the Indie Book Awards 2017

The winners of the Indie Book Awards 2017 have been announced.

Each year, independent booksellers from around the nation get together and vote for their favourite titles in five different categories, as well as their favourite book overall. Here are the winners for each category, along with comments from our booksellers.

The Debut Fiction winner and the overall Indie Book of the Year winner is…
The Dry by Jane Harper

When Federal Police investigator Aaron Falk returns to Kiewarra to…

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Our children's and YA top ten bestsellers of the week

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo

Under the Love Umbrella by Davina Bell and Allison Colpoys

Frankie Fish and the Sonic Suitcase by Peter Helliar and Lesley Vamo

I’m Australian Too by Mem Fox and Ronojoy Ghosh

Grover Finds a Home (Grover McBane, Rescue Dog Book 1) by Claire Garth and Johannes Leak

See You in the Cosmos by Jack Cheng

Escape to the Moon Islands (Quest of the Sunfish Book 1)…

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Our top ten bestsellers of the week

They Cannot Take the Sky by Michael Green, Angelica Neville, André Dao, Dana Affleck & Sienna Merope

First We Make the Beast Beautiful by Sarah Wilson

No Way But This by Jeff Sparrow

The Barefoot Investor by Scott Pape

Gut by Giulia Enders (translated by David Shaw)

To Know My Crime by Fiona Capp

The Dry by Jane Harper

Between a Wolf and a Dog by Georgia Blain

Why I am Not a Feminist by Jessa Crispin

Insomniac City by…

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Picture books that celebrate the variety of family life

by Leanne Hall

Families are formed when people come together to support and love each other unconditionally. We’ve put together some of our favourite picture books that reflect the variety and beauty of modern family life.

We are Family by Patricia Hegarty

We are Family follows a wide variety of families having a normal day, showing the differences and similarities in bright and detailed retro illustrations. Each page spread shows each family in a moment, and kids will have enormous fun comparing details…

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The CILIP Carnegie & Kate Greenaway Medals shortlists 2017

The shortlists for the 2017 CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals have been announced.

The Carnegie Medal is awarded by children’s librarians for an outstanding book written in English for children and young people. The Kate Greenaway Medal is awarded by children’s librarians for an outstanding book in terms of illustration for children and young people.

Tricia Adams, Chair of the judging panels for both awards, said: ‘Questions of identity, friendship and responsibility, both to others and to the natural…

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