Our latest blog posts

Our top ten bestsellers of the week

The Road to Ruin by Niki Savva

Balancing Act – Australia Between Recession and Renewal (Quarterly Essay 61) by George Megalogenis

Talking to My Country by Stan Grant

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante (translated by Ann Goldstein)

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

The 8-Week Blood Sugar Diet by Michael Mosley

Political Amnesia – How We Forgot How To Govern (Quarterly Essay 60) by Laura Tingle

The Light

Read more ›

10 fantastic books at bargain prices

Cairo Kitchen by Suzanne Zeidy

$15.95 ()

In Cairo Kitchen, Suzanne Zeidy shares a combination of authentic street food and delicious home-style cooking – all set against the vibrant backdrop of Cairo. Illustrated throughout with pictures by award-winning photographer Jonathan Gregson, this cookbook is a celebration of this stunning city and its wonderful food.

Dorothea Lange by Elizabeth Partridge

$24.95 ()

This beautiful volume celebrates the life and work of one of the 20th century’s most important photographers, Dorothea…

Read more ›

Inside a teen reader's head

by Andras Kerekes

It’s not every day we get to hear about young adult books from young adults themselves, so we jumped at the chance to question fifteen-year-old work experience student Andras Kerekes on his reading habits.

How would you describe your taste in books?

Given enough time I’ll read just about anything as long as it’s not pure smut, but there does actually have to be a plot for me to consider it worth reading. Some people believe the only good books…

Read more ›

What we're reading: Daniel Clowes, Aoife Clifford and Paul Kalanithi

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.

Annie Condon is reading When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

I’ve just finished this memoir from neurosurgeon Paul Kalanithi. This book was published posthumously – Kalanithi was diagnosed with cancer, and died at the age of 37. The memoir was started when Kalanithi knew his diagnosis was terminal, and describes his life…

Read more ›

The Inky Award longlists 2016

by Holly Harper

The Centre for Youth Literature has just announced the two longlists for the Inky Awards.

The Inky Awards recognise high-quality young adult literature. There are two awards: the Gold Inky Award for an Australian book, and the Silver Inky Award for an international book. The shortlist is selected by young adults, and the winners are voted for online by the teen readers of InsideaDog.com.au.

Teens who love reading, love talking about books, and love debating about what makes a…

Read more ›

Our top picks of the month for book clubs

For a lunchtime gossip and wine…

The Odd Woman and the City by Vivian Gornick

The Odd Woman and the City is an ode to New York City. Writer, feminist and critic Vivian Gornick uses Gotham as both her mirror and muse as she examines her fiercely independent life, and explores the interplay between the city and self.

For a heated debate à la The Slap

The Light on the Water by Olga Lorenzo

Anne Baxter, recently divorced and…

Read more ›

Carnegie medal and Kate Greenaway shortlists 2016

The shortlists for this year 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.

Sioned Jacques, chair of the judging panel for both awards, said: ‘These exceptionally strong shortlists reflect the huge range of writing and illustrating talent…

Read more ›

The Readings Children’s Book Prize 2016 shortlist

We’re delighted to announce the six books shortlisted for the Readings Children’s Book Prize 2016.

The Readings Children’s Book Prize recognises and celebrates Australian books that children love to read, and raises the profile of debut and on-the-rise Australian children’s book authors.

The Prize judges are a panel of Readings children’s book specialists: Angela Crocombe, Athina Clarke, Alexa Dretzke, Isobel Moore, and Holly Harper. They will be joined by a special guest judge, children’s book author Sally Rippin, to decide…

Read more ›

The Wellcome book prize shortlist 2016

Congratulations to all the shortlisted authors for this year’s Wellcome book prize. This prize is awarded annually to the best new work of fiction or non-fiction centred on medicine and health.

The shortlisted books are…

The Outrun by Amy Liptrot

Signs for Lost Children by Sarah Moss

It’s All in Your Head by Suzanne O’Sullivan

Playthings by Alex Pheby

The Last Act of Love by Cathy Rentzenbrink

Neurotribes by Steve Silberman

Chair of the judges, broadcaster Joan Bakewell, says, ‘What’s…

Read more ›