Our latest blog posts
February in review
The big literary news of February was the announcement that an eighth Harry Potter story would be published on 31 July!
Fans farewelled Harry Potter as he waved goodbye to his son on Platform 9 ¾, nineteen years after the battle of Hogwarts, but his story didn’t end there. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the official rehearsal script for the West End stage play and will continue on where the novels finished. Staff made some (frankly, rather depressing)…
Our kids and YA top ten bestsellers of the week
Pig The Winner by Aaron Blabey
In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek and Christine Roussey
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Iris and the Tiger by Leanne Hall
Little People, Big Dreams: Coco Chanel by Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Ana Albero
Oh, the Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss
Big Nate Blasts Off by Lincoln Peirce
The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey
Wonder by R. J. Palacio
Stolen Girl by Trina Saffioti and Norma MacDonald
…
Our top ten bestsellers of the week
The Light on the Water by Olga Lorenzo
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante (translated by Ann Goldstein)
The Romanovs: 1613-1918 by Simon Sebag Montefiore
The Midnight Watch by David Dyer
Talking to My Country by Stan Grant
A Murder Without Motive: the Killing of Rebecca Ryle by Martin McKenzie-Murray
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Road Series by Hugo Race
The Noise of Time by Julian Barnes
The Story of a New Name by Elena Ferrante…
What we're reading: Gabriel Packard, Sally Andrew and Annabel Crabb
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.
Stella Charls is heading to Adelaide Writer’s Week
I’ve never been to Adelaide during peak festival season, a sad fact that I’m planning to rectify this weekend.
When Adelaide Writer’s Week was announced, I spent several weeks wondering if I should commit to going (like I do every year) until the spectacular program…
Eight great books at bargain prices
Benares: Michelin Starred Cooking by Atul Kochhar
$15.95 (
Atul Kochhar’s unique, world-class cuisine is showcased in this beautiful book of recipes from his Michelin-starred kitchen. 80 signature dishes reflect the excellent food ethos that Atul has created using the best of British produce with his modern Indian style. Every aromatic desire is explored on a journey to the heart of Benares, revealing exotic fusions and dazzling flavours.
Drunk Tank Pink by Adam Alter
$10 (
Most of us go…
We trial artisanal toast
By now, artisanal toast is an established staple of the breakfast scene and so naturally – there’s cookbooks too. We invited our staff to bring in recipes from Kristan Raines’s new cookbook, On Toast: Tartines, Crostini, and Open-Faced Sandwiches, so that we could see what all the fuss was about…
Here, staff reflect on the success of our ‘toast party’.
“I was one of those people going, ‘Avocado on toast isn’t a recipe, Nigella!’, so when our toast…
A special evening dedicated to teachers and librarians
We’re delighted to announce an evening exclusively for teachers and librarians.
Meet some of our favourite authors while we discuss the exciting new books for the year. Plus, you’ll receive a 20% discount off any books you purchase on the night!
The evening will be split into two main presentations, and guests are welcome to stay for both.
PRIMARY YEARS
Join authors Emily Gale and Leanne Hall as they talk about their new books, why and how they talk about…
Our Queer book club reading list for 2016
The Queer Book Club returns to Readings St Kilda this year! This book club is dedicated to fiction and select non-fiction books that represent aspects of LGBTIQ life.
Here, book club convener Amy Vuleta shares the club’s very ambitious reading list for 2016…
A Place Called Winter by Patrick Gale
A privileged elder son, and stammeringly shy, Harry Cane has followed convention at every step. Even the beginnings of an illicit, dangerous affair do little to shake the foundations of…
10 must-read authors from Adelaide Writers' Week
Our marketing and events coordinator Stella Charls shares her top picks of who to see – and, if you can’t attend, who to read – from Adelaide Writers’ Week this year.
Fiona McFarlane
Fiona McFarlane’s extraordinary debut novel, The Night Guest, introduced a major literary talent and was shortlisted for multiple prizes including the Stella and Miles Franklin. Most recently she has published a collection of short stories, The High Places.
Find out which Festival events McFarlane is…
Six of the best books to read aloud
‘You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child’ – Dr Seuss
Recent studies have shown the importance of reading aloud to kids; even once they’ve started reading to themselves. It’s not just a great bonding experience, but one that is important for building literacy, developing vocabularies, increasing attention span, and encouraging children to see reading as a pleasure rather than a chore.
In honour of World Read Aloud Day…