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2015 PM's Literary Award Shortlist

Congratulations to the authors shortlisted for the 2015 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards

The Prime Minister’s Literary Awards recognise and reward excellence in Australian literature and history. Award Categories are fiction, poetry, non-fiction, Australian history, young adult fiction and children’s fiction.

Fiction

Amnesia by Peter Carey

Golden Boys by Sonya Hartnett

In Certain Circles by Elizabeth Harrower

The Golden Age by Joan London

To Name Those Lost by Rohan Wilson

Non-fiction

Encountering the Pacific: In the Age of Enlightenment by John…

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The best picture books of 2015

Here are our top ten picture books of the year, voted for by Readings staff. Displayed in no particular order.

Mr Huff by Anna Walker

Anna Walker’s latest picture book is a beautiful insight into that ‘huffy’ feeling; you know, when nothing is turning out right, and it definitely isn’t going to be your day? The tale is uplifting, but isn’t magically solved in the end – a more realistic, relatable outcome for children and adults. A beautiful story in…

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The best junior fiction books of 2015

Here are our top ten junior fiction (ages 5 to 9ish) books of the year, voted for by Readings staff. Displayed in no particular order.

The Bad Guys: Episode 1 by Aaron Blabey

Who said the bad guys always have to be bad? Maybe they want to have a go at being good too. At least, that’s Mr Wolf’s plan when he rounds up his bad buddies Mr Snake, Mr Shark and Mr Piranha, but being the good guys isn’t…

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The best young adult books of 2015

Here are our top ten young adult fiction books of the year, voted for by Readings staff. Displayed in no particular order.

Cloudwish by Fiona Wood

Scholarship student Vân Ựớc is usually very practical, so when she wishes that gorgeous Billy Gardiner would notice her and he suddenly does, she is flattered but worried that it is an elaborate joke. You will fall in love with Vân Ựớc as she grapples with high school, romance and the truth of her…

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The best non-fiction books of 2015

Here are our top ten non-fiction books of the year, voted for by Readings staff. Displayed in no particular order.

Gut: the Inside Story of Our Body’s Most Under-Rated Organ by Giulia Enders

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this fascinating guide to the importance of our gut bacteria and its relationship to health. The gut is the latest mysterious frontier in medical science and Guilia Enders, a scientist with a flair for making complex processes understandable, delves into the latest research…

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The best crime books of 2015

by Fiona Hardy

Here are our top ten crime books of the year, voted for by Readings staff. Displayed in no particular order.

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

Word of mouth is faster than any train, and this – the story of a woman who catches the same train every morning, pretending to go to the job she lost, then sees something untoward happen out of the window – is a psychological thriller adored by our customers and a worthy…

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The best middle fiction books of 2015

Here are our top ten middle fiction (ages 8 to 12) books of the year, voted for by Readings staff. Displayed in no particular order.

Molly and Pim and the Millions of Stars by Martine Murray

Molly is resourceful and used to being a bit different, but how will she cope when a small mistake turns her mother into a tree? Her herbalist mother is still in the front garden, nurturing, but very definitely a tree and the neighbours are…

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What we're reading: Meghan Daum, Sonja Dechian and Mal Peet

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 reading The Murdstone Trilogy by Mal Peet

The late, great Mal Peet has been one of my favourite authors since his award-winning YA novel Keeper unexpectedly managed to instil an interest in football in this decidedly non-sporty reader. He started writing at 52, went on to win numerous awards including…

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