Our latest blog posts

International Dublin Literary Award shortlist 2016

Congratulations to the ten authors shortlisted for this year’s International Dublin Literary Award.

This diverse shortlist features books from Brazil, Rwanda, Jamaica, Spain, Germany, Ireland and the USA. Authors includes former winners of the Man Booker Prize and Pulitzer Prize, as well as two debut novelists.

Outlaws by Javier Cercas (translated by Anne McLean)

Academy Street by Mary Costello

Your Fathers, Where Are They? And the Prophets, Do They Live Forever? by Dave Eggers

The End of Days by Jenny…

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Our children's and YA top ten bestsellers of the week

Within These Walls by Robyn Bavati

The Treehouse Fun Book by Andy Griffiths, Jill Griffiths and Terry Denton

The Bad Guys: Episode 1 by Aaron Blabey

Pig the Winner by Aaron Blabey

Crazy Weird: WeirDo Book 6 by Anh Do and Jules Faber

Girl Detective: Friday Barnes Book 1 (Special edition) by R.A. Spratt

Rockhopping by Trace Balla

The Cat with the Coloured Tail by Gillian Mears and Dinalie Dabarera

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox…

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Why you should read The Passage trilogy

The City of Mirrors – the final part of Justin Cronin’s The Passage series – will be released on 24 May.

To celebrate the book’s imminent arrival, we’re offering a super special price on all online pre-orders ($24.99, ).

Here, some of our booksellers reflect on the series.

“There’s a feeling I get watching disaster films from my 1990s childhood that’s really distinct. The volcano’s about to destroy this wholesome American town and you’re feeling uneasy, on edge, keen to…

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What we're reading: Jhumpa Lahiri, Georgia Blain and Fiona Barton

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.

Holly Harper is reading The Widow by Fiona Barton

Last week I was complaining to a colleague about the fact that, while I’d read some really good books lately, there hadn’t been anything that had gripped me in that feverish can’t eat, can’t sleep, must keep reading until I’m done sort of way.

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Our monthly round-up of new YA reads, events and news

by Holly Harper

From Vine stars to the Vietnam War, here’s our selection of this month’s best YA reads, news and events.

OUR YA BOOK OF THE MONTH

The fighting might have ended, but for Johnny Shoebridge, the Vietnam War will never be over. He has returned from the jungles of Vietnam to find his life in pieces – the trauma of the war has followed him home and refuses to let him forget. Johnny is haunted by Khan, the spectre of a…

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5 literary novels about real life bushrangers

True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey

The winner of the Man Booker Prize and Commonwealth Writers Prize, True History of the Kelly Gang is an astonishing novel. Peter Carey has crafted a fictionalised autobiography of Ned Kelly, undoubtedly Australia’s most famous bushranger, which draws inspiration from Kelly’s iconic Jerilderie letter; Carey’s portrayal of Ned Kelly’s voice is a distinctive vernacular style with little punctuation or grammar. True History of the Kelly Gang is an inventive, immersive…

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Best new children's books in April

by Holly Harper

Mountain climbing adventures, secret tree forts and ballet school – here’s our pick of the best children’s books April has to offer.

READINGS CHILDREN’S BOOK PRIZE SHORTLIST 2016

We couldn’t be more excited about our Readings Children’s Book Prize shortlist! Now in its third year, the prize celebrates the best in new and upcoming Australian children’s authors, and this year’s shortlist has something for everyone.

Here’s the six shortlisted books:

The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey

Samurai vs Ninja:

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Readings Bargains pop-up shop now open

While we’re working on the design for our new children’s shop, we’ve opened a Readings Bargains pop-up shop at 315 Lygon Street, right next door to our Carlton shop.

All books in our bargain pop-up shop are only $10! Titles currently on offer include cookbooks such as Stefano Manfredi’s Italian Food, fascinating non-fiction reads such as Paul Kelly’s Triumph and Demise, Francesca Beauman’s Bridal pocketbook How to Wear White, and much more – but only while stocks…

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Delicious new cookbooks out this month

by Chris Gordon

Real Food Projects by Kate Walsh

I am not overwhelmed by this delightful book, rather, I am encouraged. I am not filled with guilt as I turn the pages, but rather inspiration. Yes, I say to myself, I could make that. I will make sauerkraut, or preserved garlic (so stupidly easy) and a quick cucumber pickle. I will be the talk of my friends with gorgeous gifts, the school fete committee will be beside themselves and my own family…

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