Our latest blog posts

Is Hot Little Hands by Abigail Ulman a good pick for book clubs?

Each month we choose a newly released book that we feel is perfect for a book club. Then we roadtest it.

Here are our thoughts on whether Abigail Ulman’s Hot Little Hands is a good pick for for book clubs.

Does the book make for good conversation?

Yes. I really enjoyed it but I can guarantee you that at least one person in your book club probably won’t – it’s that sort of a book. Provocative and interesting, with stories…

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What we're reading: Ben Lerner, Becky Albertalli and Erik Larson

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.

Mark Rubbo is reading Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson

I’m reading the latest book by popular historian Erik Larson. His previous book, In the Garden of Beasts, was about Roosevelt’s Ambassador to Hitler’s Germany, William Dodd – a fascinating story; a fascinating, horrible time. His new…

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A note from our Readings Monthly editor

by Elke Power

It is always exciting when reviews begin to arrive for a new issue of the Readings Monthly. Volunteers to review Lisa Gorton’s first novel, The Life of Houses, for the April issue were numerous and swift. Readings Managing Director Mark Rubbo was the first to put his hand up by mere seconds and his review has reassured me that hype won’t be the agent of disappointment with this much-anticipated book.

One of the most wonderful things about working…

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On stories of motherhood

by Emily Harms and Chris Gordon

Emily Harms and Chris Gordon discuss two new anthologies, Mothers & Others and Mothermorphosis, featuring women writing about their experiences of being – and not being – a mother.

Chris: Reading two books about women’s experiences of motherhood back-to-back was quite engulfing. I found myself reflecting on my kids’ birth stories quite a lot. Essentially the stories and experiences, even the short fiction included among the essays in Mothers & Others, were about the inner thoughts of women…

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The 2015 Indie Award Winners

The winners of the Indie Book Awards 2015 have been announced!

Each year, independent booksellers from around the nation get together and vote for their favourite titles in four different categories, as well as their favourite book overall.

Here are the winners for each category, along with comments from booksellers across Australia and thoughts from our own staff:

The Non-Fiction winner and the overall Indie Book of the Year winner is…
The Bush: Travels in the Heart of Australia by…

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Three authors that remind me of Terry Pratchett

by Dani Solomon

In an attempt to cheer myself up and make myself feel a little better since my literary hero Sir Terry Pratchett passed away, I thought I’d list a few authors whose work Terry has influenced, or who simply remind me of him in their work.

Frances Hardinge

The first Frances Hardinge book I read was A Face Like Glass and the day after I finished it, I ordered every other book she’s ever written. The Pratchett influence shows in…

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Chris Gordon interviews Alice Zaslavsky

by Chris Gordon

Chris Gordon chats with local foodie Alice Zaslavsky about her new fact-filled, kid-friendly cookbook.

Alice, it’s all going on for you! You must be super busy with your new book, your television show, your new business, being the face of Prahran Market – and goodness, do you have time to relax?

Ha! When you put it like that, it does sound like I should have way less time on my hands. I’m pretty sure that most of the people I…

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The Readings Children’s Book Prize 2015 shortlist

We’re delighted to announce the six books shortlisted for the Readings Children’s Book Prize 2015!

The Prize recognises and celebrates Australian books that children love to read, and raises the profile of debut and on-the-rise Australian children’s book authors. The Prize judges are a panel of Readings children’s book specialists.

The six shortlisted titles are…

Rivertime by Trace Balla

This book is delightfully unique, it is an absolute thrill that it has been shortlisted for our award. Produced in a…

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