Our latest blog posts
11 guests to see at the Melbourne Jewish Writers Festival
The Melbourne Jewish Writers Festival celebrates books and writing by and about Jewish people from Saturday 21 May to Monday 23 May. Here are 11 festival guests to check out from the program. (You can browse the full program here.)
Nir Baram
Nir Baram, born in Jerusalem to an Israeli political (Labor) family, has worked as a journalist, editor, and advocate for equal rights for Palestinians. He is the author of five widely translated novels. Journey Along the Green…
Our top picks of the month for book clubs
For a stylish, sophisticated afternoon tea…
The Course of Love by Alain de Botton
The Course of Love is the long-awaited return to the novel form by philosopher Alain de Botton. In its pages, De Botton traces the story of a marriage – from the first thrill of lust, to the joys and fears of real commitment, to the deep problems that surface slowly over two shared lifetimes – and touches on many interesting questions along the way. Plus, this…
Our children's and YA top ten bestsellers of the week
The Hidden Oracle: The Trials of Apollo Book 1 by Rick Riordan
Pax by Sara Pennypacker and Jon Klassen
The Treehouse Fun Book by Andy Griffiths, Jill Griffiths and Terry Denton
The Bad Guys Episode 3: The Furball Strikes Back by Aaron Blabey
In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek and Christine Roussey
Matilda by Roald Dahl
Rockhopping by Trace Balla
The Bad Guys: Episode 1 by Aaron Blabey
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah…
Our top ten bestsellers of the week
Everywhere I Look by Helen Garner
The Course of Love by Alain de Botton
The Last Painting of Sara De Vos by Dominic Smith
The Natural Way of Things by Charlotte Wood
Our Tiny, Useless Hearts by Toni Jordan
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante (translated by Ann Goldstein)
The Genius of Birds by Jennifer Ackerman
The Fighter by Arnold Zable
Talking to My Country by Stan Grant
Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld
Last week’s bestselling books includes three wonderful novels…
What we're reading: Cassandra Clare, Yangsze Choo and Jean-François Vernay
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.
Mike Shuttleworth is reading A Brief Take on the Australian Novel by Jean-François Vernay
The French writer and academic Jean-François Vernay has done a tremendous service to Australian readers and writers.
A Brief Take on the Australian Novel gives us a brisk 200 year tour of the preoccupations and patterns of Australian writing…
Inside a teen reader's head
by James RexWe grill our work experience student James Rex on his reading habits, and his love for Lord of the Rings.
If you could be transported into the Lord of the Rings trilogy, which story would you want to be part of, and why? Would you try alter the plot in any way, or would you try let it unfold naturally?
I’d probably be a hobbit, staying far away from all the trouble and enjoying my comfy hole while I…
Last-minute gift ideas for Mother's Day
Mother’s Day is this Sunday, 8 May. Here are some last minute gift ideas for last-minute shoppers! Come by one of our shops to pick up your gift, or to talk with our booksellers in person.
This Annoying Domestic Life by Oslo Davis
Designed for mums, dads, kids and old people on all levels of the angst spectrum, Oslo Davis’ new ‘mindless colouring book for the whole goddamn family’ is another hilarious take on the annoyances of modern life that’s…
Children's new releases in May
From revenge-seeking guinea pigs to ancient Greek gods, here’s our roundup of the best kids’ books out in May.
Our Children’s Book of the Month
After his mother dies, Peter finds solace in the form of an orphaned fox cub, Pax. They grow up together, learning to love and trust each other until the day when Peter learns he’s being sent to stay with his grandfather… without Pax. Under direction from his stern father, Peter throws Pax’s favourite toy soldier…
Young adult new releases in May
From zombie movies to the Scottish Highlands, here are our picks for the best young adult new releases in May.
#LoveOZYA
The Lifespan of Starlight by Thalia Kalkipsakis was one of our favourite #LoveOZYA reads of 2015, so it’s incredibly exciting to see the sequel, Split Infinity, is out this month. After the events of the first book, Scout has become a talented time skipper on the run from a government intent on recapturing her. This is romantic sci-fi…
Five reasons we love Samurai vs Ninja by Nick Falk and Tony Flowers
Samurai vs Ninja: The Battle for the Golden Egg 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’ll get the most reluctant readers reading.
Samurai? Check. Ninja? Check. An epic battle pitting one side against the other involving cunning, treachery and hilarity? Check, check, check. This is a funny, energetic read that will have even the most reluctant reader begging for the next chapter.
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