Our latest blog posts

Why you should read Ann Leckie's Imperial Radch trilogy

by Ele Jenkins

I’ve just devoured Ancillary Mercy, the third instalment in Ann Leckie’s Imperial Radch trilogy, and I recommend you all stop what you’re doing and pick up the first book of the series.

A civil war lies at the heart of the story, but it is not one waged between citizens of the same country. Rather, it is fought between the many selves of a single entity. If that sounds vague, it’s because it’s hard to find accurate words with…

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Best new cookbooks in November

by Chris Gordon

Mietta’s Italian Family Recipes by Mietta O’Donnell

Welcome to Melbourne, where we pride ourselves on having the very best café and food landscape in Australia. We have this landscape because there are certain families and undeniable creative identities that years ago fostered a culture so rich and welcoming that we, as a city, have not dared to look back. Mietta O’Donnell and her family and friends represent such culinary trailblazers.

O’Donnell’s grandparents established a restaurant, Mario’s, when they first arrived…

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10 ideal reads for armchair travellers

by Ann Le Lievre

Without leaving the comfort of your favourite chair, you could travel around…

…Australia

In Green Nomads, Bob Brown packs a simple tent and sets off on a three-month odyssey across the country. Along the way, he documents, photographs and reflects on the luminous corners of our outback.

Kara Rosenlund’s Shelter is a revealing and intriguing photographic story of homes that have been created in isolated areas, of rambling, crumbling sheds and shacks that provide shelter.

Lost Melbourne is a…

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What we're reading: Alison Goodman, Rainbow Rowell and Xiaolu Guo

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.

Leane Hall is reading I Am China by Xiaolu Guo

It’s made me extremely happy that there seem to be more Chinese books appearing in English translations in recent years, making it much easier to keep up with contemporary Chinese voices. I’ve had my eye on Xiaolu Guo, a young Chinese-British novelist, for…

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The best new kids' books in November

by Holly Harper

From secret hyena families to chicken-rescuing bad guys, here’s a roundup of the best kids’ books out in November.

FUNNY BUSINESS

Maybe it’s something in the water, but November has a bumper crop of funny reads. Bestselling series Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney and Tom Gates by Liz Pichon both have new entries on the shelves that are sure to have kids laughing out loud.

Laugh Your Head Off is an all-star cast of authors. This is…

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Our top teen picks for November

by Holly Harper

YouTube sensations, epic space battles and haunted castles – here are six of the best November young adult releases.

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff have come together to pen one of the most heart-stopping and action-packed novels of the year. Part techo-thriller, part space-opera, Illuminae is told through a series of emails, transcripts and dossiers as it follows the stories of Kady and Ezra: one-time lovers now caught up in a conspiracy of…

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Which recipe is the best from Karen Martini's new cookbook?

Yesterday we roadtested some recipes from Karen Martini’s latest cookbook, New Kitchen, in a bid to find the best one. Six of our staff selected recipes and we were thrilled (terrified) when Karen came in to select her favourite. Here are the results of the cook-off…

Danielle Mirabella made Kale and spinach gnudi with burnt butter (pg. 178) and Homemade ricotta (pg. 28):

I’m a huge cheese lover – frankly, who isn’t? – but I’ve always been a little…

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Best new crime in November

by Fiona Hardy

CRIME FICTION OF THE MONTH:

Good Money by J.M. Green

This time is an unfair part of the year for picking my Book of the Month. When confronted with Gentill, Disher, Rankin, Galbraith and more, somehow I’m supposed to make a decision? Of course, like you, dear reader, I’m just going to gather all the November titles into a big pile of happiness, hug them to my chest and make no plans for the next few weekends. And along with…

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