For the new parent…

In Baby Pip Eats ($29.95), Australian food-lover Amie Harper presents a charming and accessible collection of recipes for infants.

Jodie Blight’s interactive cookbook is another great food-related choice for a busy parent. Each recipe in Summer Table ($34.95) is accompanied by a QR code and a quick scan will produce a shopping list, with all the items you need sorted into the supermarket sections.

A safe and popular choice for a new parent is a beautiful…

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We’ve loved some of the recent picture books that celebrate grandparents, and what better Christmas gift from a child than one that says, ‘Let’s sit down together and read this’?

To help you get the right fit for your family, here are nine new favourites from the last 12 months and one oldie we just couldn’t leave out…

The Butterfly House by Sarah Smith

Jack and Lizzy’s granny is rather whimsical and has that eternally youthful quality about her, even…

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Last week, The Rag and Bone Man Press launched their new anthology, Other States of Mind: Stories of mental health. Lana Rosenbaum tells us a little bit about the evening, and why the stories in this book are significant.

Like most things in life, it’s the small things, the simple gestures that carry the most significance and power. It’s the friend that forces you into a counselor’s office and keeps you there until you book an appointment; it’s the…

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PlayFest is Melbourne’s first inner city music and arts festival for kids. It is taking place this Friday 21 and Saturday 22 November.

PlayFest is designed for families. It has an exciting line-up of musical acts including Sam Moran, Bananas in Pyjamas, Yo Gabba Gabba, Zucchini Clan, The Mighty buZZniks and lots more! You can sprawl on the grass and soak up the festival atmosphere, or wander about and enjoy the various stages, music genres, zones and activities. Friday’s program…

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Bookseller Kara Nicholson has compiled a list of ten gift ideas for shoppers aspiring to be ethical and socially responsible consumers this Christmas.

1. Jukurrpa 2015 Diary ($22.95)

Designed and published in the heart of Australia, Alice Springs by IAD Press – the publishing unit of the Institute for Aboriginal Development – this gorgeous diary showcases images created by contemporary Australian Aboriginal artists. By purchasing this product you will also be assisting IAD Press to produce more language resources.

3…

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The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan

Plenty More by Yotam Ottolenghi

What Days Are For by Robert Dessaix

Amnesia by Peter Carey

Yes Please by Amy Poehler

The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion

Merciless Gods by Christos Tsiolkas

Nora Webster by Colm Tóibín

Only the Animals by Ceridwen Dovey

Not That Kind of Girl: A Young Woman Tells You What She’s ‘Learned’ by Lena Dunham

Richard Flanagan’s Man Booker Prize-winning novel tops our bestsellers list for…

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If your significant other wants to host more dinner parties…

The much loved Yotam Ottolenghi’s new cookbook, Plenty More ( $39.99), is innovative and delicious, and perfect for impressing guests.

Mexico: The Cookbook ($59.95) by Margarita Carrillo Arronte is the definitive bible of Mexican home-cooking.

For something a bit experimental, there’s a new cookbook from homegrown chef, Poh Ling Yeow: Same Same But Different ($39.99) will inspire you to go in new culinary directions with familiar ingredients.

For someone with…

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TREASURIES

If you’re looking for a collection of nursery rhymes, Over the Hills and Faraway ($29.95) is the most stunning we’ve seen in years. The rhymes have been drawn from all over the world so you’ll find all the familiar ones, as well as some you didn’t know. The list of illustrators truly is a Hall of Fame. Representing Australia are Ann James, Gus Gordon (pictured left) and Shaun Tan, and their page is a fantastic example of our homegrown…

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For the parent who’s always encouraging you to go out in nature and enjoy the flora and fauna…

We have a terrific selection of books that feature walks around Australia including the very beautiful Seven Walks: Cape Leeuwin To Bundeena ($69.99) by Tom Carment and Michael Wee. Browse more titles here.

Laurel Braitman’s Animal Madness: How Anxious Dogs, Compulsive Parrots, and Elephants in Recovery Help us Understand Ourselves ($29.99) is a fascinating read for anyone who’s ever secretly considered…

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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.

Chris Gordon is reading Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham

I just could not help it. I had to know. My social media feed was full of it: ‘Is Lena Dunham crazy?’ ‘Is her book any good?’ ‘Why is everyone talking about her sister?’

I just could not help it. I…

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