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Books we didn't finish (but you might)
Our staff share the books they didn’t finish in 2014 – but that you might want to…
In general, I have no problems stopping a book that doesn’t interest me, but when this happens with authors I really, really want to love, things get more complicated. Early this year, I got halfway through Jennifer Egan’s Look At Me before giving up. Jennifer Egan is a writer I admire, and I am always excited about reading her books, but I never…
Six Australian short-story collections that made an impression on me this year
For a long time, even before I’d written a book but told people, misguidedly, that I was working on a collection of short stories, the response I received would usually be, ‘I heard short stories are making a comeback’, sometimes with a sympathetic nod, or whispered like a quiet, sad mantra. That was several years ago. Did this happen? I honestly can’t tell, and it probably doesn’t even matter.
Here are six Australian short story collections that made an impression…
Books we haven't had time to read yet
Our staff share the books they missed in 2014, and have put on their 2015 reading lists.
Everything? I’m always so overwhelmed this time of year when everyone’s ‘Best of’ lists start coming out. This year I’ve thought of all the things I’ve missed and, again, I come back to everything. A few notables on my list include On Immunity: an Inoculation by Eula Biss, Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel and Men We Reaped by Jesmyn Ward. Did…
Five books that quietly awed me this year
Bookseller Annie Condon shares five books that left her quietly awed in 2014.
The Shock Of The Fall by Nathan Filer
The Shock Of The Fall, which won the UK’s Costa First Novel Prize, seems to have missed out on publicity in Australia but I’d highly recommend you seek it out. Nathan Filer presents a realistic portrayal of young man’s battle with mental illness. I liked how there was no romantic notion of mental illness – no easily fixed…
Staff recommendations for Christmas
Staff from our St Kilda shop have some fantastic recommendations this Christmas – perfect for a gift, or for your own summer reading.
Our St Kilda shop is located at 112 Acland St, St Kilda. Find their opening hours and contact details here.
Books we wouldn't have read without a recommendation
Our staff share the books they loved in 2014, but wouldn’t have read without a recommendation.
My colleague Nina introduced me to one of my favourite books of the year: The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P. by Adelle Waldman. I somehow missed this one when it came out and Nina recommended it as soon as I mentioned that I needed something new to read. She thought I would love it – she was right! It is clever, observant and witty…
Ten Melbourne literary journals we loved in 2014
In 2014 we featured some terrific Melbourne-based literary journals on our event calendar. Here are ten of our favourites.
Alquimie, edited by Joshua Elias
Distinguished by its content-rich approach and striking design, Alquimie is a new voice in the world of drinks. Forgoing trends and phases in lieu of deeper perspective, this publication presents a wide array of opinion and objectivity, and simplifies the complexities of beverage culture without pretension.
Find their most recent issue
Our top ten bestsellers of the week
The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan
Plenty More by Yotam Ottolenghi
We are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler
Amnesia by Peter Carey
The Wit of Whitlam by James Carleton
The Bush: Travels in the Heart of Australia by Don Watson
The Book of Paul: The Wit and Wisdom of Paul Keating by Russell Marks
Nora Webster by Colm Tóibín
The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion
Only The Animals by Ceridwen Dovey
Richard Flanagan…
What we're reading: Jill Lepore, Kyoko Wada and Nora Ephron
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.
Bronte Coates has been dipping in and out of The Most of Nora Ephron
Last weekend I read Helen Macdonald’s memoir H is for Hawk, which was wonderful and moving. I never thought a goshawk playing with paper would make me burst into tears (this statement basically sums up the entire joy…
Gifts with hidden messages
Make the most of this Christmas season by selecting gifts that will subtly persuade and inspire your friends and family to your own (naturally superior) way of thinking.
Want your co-worker to take a long holiday?
Try: An Innocent Abroad: Life-Changing Trips from 35 Great Writers
Because: Travel will change your life and for the better. Allow your co-worker to discover this through stories.
Want your partner to stop buying lunch out at work?
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