Our latest blog posts

Getting to know our shortlisted authors: Tony Wilson

Over the next few weeks we’ll introduce you to the six shortlisted authors on the Readings Children’s Book Prize 2015. Who are they? Where do their ideas come from? What do they love to read? What do they love to snack on?

We hope you’ll share these mini interviews with your children.

MEET TONY WILSON

Tony Wilson is the author of Stuff Happens: Jack, which is part of a brilliant new series that fosters emotional literacy in…

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Resurface Noise, April 2015

by Roland Bisshop

Resurface Noise is a new column from our music specialist Roland Bisshop, dedicated to new vinyl reissues and first time on vinyl releases.

And don’t forget that for the month of April, we’re offering 20% off vinyl. Please note, the offer only applies to vinyl currently in stock in our shops, and is not available online.

The World Circuit label has the distinct honour of having on its roster, the biggest-selling world music title of all time in the Buena…

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What we're reading: Leo Tolstoy, Mikhail Bulgakov and Jock Serong

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.

Jemima Bucknell is reading Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

I have begun reading an old film tie-in edition of Anna Karenina that I found on the shelf. Surprised at how a text of such daunting length and repute should be so easy to read, I mentioned this to some people who advise that…

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What we're listening to on Record Store Day

This Saturday 18 April is Record Store Day. Here, we share a selection of terrific music that our staff are listening to right now.

Emily Harms recommends Vulnicura by Björk

I am loving listening to Björk’s recent release. The album is loosely arranged around the chronology of a relationship break up following hers with artist, Matthew Barney. Vulnicura documents the period before the breakup as well as the dazed and confused moments after, right through until the painful and slow…

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April Round-up of Kids' & YA Books

by Emily Gale

This month I’ll begin in the middle, for a change, with a crop of great new books to feed your eager 9+ year olds.

For kids who like something out of the ordinary – think magical realism meets different periods in history meets a mysterious quest – plus the challenge of multiple storylines, Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan looks really promising and is recommended for (roughly) grades 5-9.

And I’m certain that a lot of people will sit up when…

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Best new crime in April

by Fiona Hardy

CRIME BOOK OF THE MONTH:

The Invisible Man from Salem by Christoffer Carlsson

Similar in tone to last year’s hit The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair (both books were written by authors young enough to fill this reviewer with some jealousy), The Invisible Man from Salem has a skilled yet youthful feel to it that never detracts from an unnerving and deadly tale. Suspended police officer Leo Junker is spending his days feeling increasingly bitter and abusing a variety…

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Top picks from the Emerging Writers' Festival 2015

The Emerging Writers’ Festival have launched their 2015 program! We’re delighted to be the official bookseller for the festival, and we’ve scoured the program to put together our list of must-see events.

Opening Night Extravaganza (Tuesday 26 May, 7pm – 8.45pm)

Definitely mark this one as ‘must-attend’. The 2015 winner of the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for an Unpublished Manuscript will be announced (past winners include Miles Allinson, Maxine Beneba Clarke and Graeme Simsion), as well as the winners…

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Celebrate Record Store Day with us!

We’d love you to come help us celebrate Record Store Day this Saturday 18 April!

We’re offering 20% off all vinyl until the end of April. Please note, the offer only applies to vinyl currently in stock in our shops, and is not available online.

If you have young vinyl lovers in your family, our St Kilda shop is hosting a special music-themed story time this Saturday morning at 10.30am. Bring the kids (aged 2-7) along for a rollicking reading…

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Our featured writer for April: Joel Meares

Every month, we do a spotlight feature on one Australian author on our blog. We’re thrilled to announce that Joel Meares is our chosen author for April.

In We’re All Going to Die (Especially Me), Meares reflects on the muddle of Gen Y existence with razor-sharp insight and riotous good humour. His personal essays are self-deprecating, confessional and rollicking good fun, and perfect for lovers of David Sedaris and Benjamin Law.

Click here to read a short extract from

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Read an extract from We’re All Going to Die (Especially Me)

by Joel Meares

Joel Meares is the author of essay collection We’re All Going to Die (Especially Me). Here is a short extract from ‘I’m gay and have the scientific evidence to prove it (Or, the chapter Mum should not read)’.

I lost my virginity in my twenties, twice.

That’s not to say that I broke something ‘down there’ while riding a horse a few years before experiencing actual sex – as a proudly hymen-free male, that would be quite impossible. It’s…

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