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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…
The Inky Award longlists 2016
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…
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…
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…
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…
Our top ten bestsellers of the week
The Road to Ruin by Niki Savva
Talking to My Country by Stan Grant
Econobabble by Richard Denniss
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
The First Bad Man by Miranda July
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante (translated by Ann Goldstein)
Balancing Act – Australia Between Recession and Renewal (Quarterly Essay 61) by George Megalogenis
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
The Midnight Watch by David Dyer
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Last week’s…
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…
Our children's and YA top ten bestsellers of the week
Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare
In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek and Christine Roussey
Pig The Winner by Aaron Blabey
The Way We Roll by Scot Gardner
Iris and the Tiger by Leanne Hall
The 13-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton
The 26-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton
The 65-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton
The Sidekicks by Will Kostakis
The Lie Tree (Special Edition) by Frances Hardinge
We’re not…
Stories of life and death from doctors
On the Move by Oliver Sacks
As Oliver Sacks recounts his experiences as a young neurologist in the early 1960s where he discovered a long-forgotten illness in the back wards of a chronic hospital, as well as with a group of patients who would define his life, it becomes clear that his earnest desire for engagement has occasioned unexpected encounters and travels – sending him through bars and alleys, over oceans, and across continents.
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul…
Best new crime fiction in March
CRIME FICTION OF THE MONTH:
All These Perfect Strangers by Aoife Clifford
Pen Sheppard is listless in her mother’s country home, lost again in the world of her childhood – her mother’s bad boyfriends, a town full of fakery, gossip as currency, and reputations that never die. Pen hoped she was rid of her hometown when she went to university, living on campus and making a new life, yet here she is, recovering in the only place that would have…