Our latest blog posts

Come along to the Czech and Slovak Film Festival of Australia

The fourth Czech and Slovak Film Festival of Australia (CaSFFA) is on this year from 14 to 23 September, with the theme of ‘Text and Texture’ encompassing all those points where the cinematic and literary arts collide.

Inspired by Melbourne (2008) and Prague’s (2014) newly shared status as ‘UNESCO Cities of Literature’, the 2016 CaSSFA program includes a pick of the greatest film adaptations of Czech and Slovak literature, such as Cutting it Short and the medieval epic Marketa Lazarova

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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. A few weeks ago, Grants Officer Leanne Hall sat in on an asylum seekers’ English class recently at Preston Reservoir Community Education – one of the seven projects being supported by the Foundation in 2016.

Tucked away in the unassuming back streets of Reservoir are the many buildings that make up Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education. This local training organisation punches well above…

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Man Booker Prize shortlist 2016

Congratulations to the authors shortlisted for this year’s Man Booker Prize.

Shortlisted authors include Paul Beatty, Deborah Levy, and Ottessa Moshfegh.

Chair of the 2016 judges, Amanda Foreman, writes ‘The Man Booker Prize subjects novels to a level of scrutiny that few books can survive. In re-reading our incredibly diverse and challenging longlist, it was both agonizing and exhilarating to be confronted by the sheer power of the writing. As a group we were excited by the willingness of so…

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What we've learned from reading Roald Dahl's books

This year marks 100 years since the birth of Roald Dahl – and today would’ve been the storyteller’s birthday. Here’s what we’ve learned from reading his books over the years.

A little nonsense now and then, is cherished by the wisest men.

Life gets pretty serious, so it’s important you make some space in your own for allowing yourself to be a little bit silly now and then. The wisest men all agree.

Find the quote: Charlie and the Chocolate

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Why you should read The High Places by Fiona McFarlane

We’re delighted that Fiona McFarlane’s short story collection is one of the six books shortlisted for this year’s Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction. Here’s why we think you should read this book.

1. The High Places is a stunning work of literary fiction.

Fiona McFarlane is an exquisite writer – effortlessly readable with a richness that belies the simplicity of her prose. Our Prize Judges place her within the tradition of the the greats of the short form: think…

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

The 78-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton

Do Not Open This Book by Andy Lee and Heath McKenzie

Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts

The Call by Peadar Ó Guilín

Mr Chicken Arriva a Roma by Leigh Hobbs

Mega Weird (WeirDo Book 7) by Anh Do and Jules Faber

Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass Book 5) by Sarah J. Maas

Dog Man (The Adventures of Dog Man Book 1) by Dav…

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A spotlight on our Malvern bookshop

Our Malvern bookshop is known for its personal customer service and thoughtful selection of books, music and DVDs. Here are some recommendations from staff.

‘Emma Cline’s The Girls is my no-doubt-about-it recommendation at the moment. Loosely based on the Charles Manson murders, it follows 14-year-old Evie as she slowly extricates herself from the cloying 'smallness’ of her school friends, only to become involved in some seriously Big Badness with ‘the girls’ and the charismatic Russell. Unflinching in its portrayal of…

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What we're reading: G. Willow Wilson, Hannah Kent and Abby Hanlon

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

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Awesomely gross and rude books that kids will love

by Bronte Coates

Digital content coordinator Bronte Coates shares some of our best picks for the grossest, the rudest and the silliest children’s books.

Let’s admit it: kids are gross and they love gross books.

I’m talking bottoms, snail slime, dog breath, smelly socks, boogers, shark guts – that kind of thing. Of course, it’s very likely that you know children who’d turn up their nose at even the whiff of a fart joke, but I bet you also know a lot of…

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