Here are our top ten art and design books of the year, as chosen by our art & design specialist Margaret Snowdon. Displayed in no particular order.

Superlight: Lightness in Contemporary Houses by Phyllis Richardson

Superlight houses combine two strands of thinking: that lightweight buildings have less impact on their environments, and that this lightness (visually, materially, ecologically) can lead to more open living and greater communion with the surroundings. These beautiful, high-tech, hyper-intelligent houses take many forms – residences…

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Here are our top ten fiction books of the year, voted for by Readings staff. Displayed in no particular order.

Heat and Light by Ellen van Neerven

Ellen van Neerven’s Heat and Light is an exceptional debut. This work of fiction could be called a short-story collection, or a novel in three parts – categorising these powerful portraits of Aboriginal women is irrelevant. With spare, controlled language, emotional intelligence and wit, van Neerven effectively captures the strength of these women…

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Here are our top ten middle fiction (ages 8 to 12) books of the year, voted for by Readings staff. Displayed in no particular order.

My Dog Doesn’t Like Me by Elizabeth Fensham

Eric is disappointed when his new dog, who he imagined would be his loyal companion, clearly prefers everyone else in the family. Eric and his friends work out tricks to win the dog over, but Eric has to learn how to look after a pet properly before…

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Here are our top ten crime books of the year, as chosen by our crime (fiction) specialist Fiona Hardy. Displayed in no particular order.

North of Boston by Elisabeth Elo

This is a book for all the senses: perfumer Pirio Kasparov is nearly killed in an incident at sea that claims the life of her old friend Ned and leaves her afloat in freezing temperatures for hours. Considered a scientific wonder by the media and the navy, her ordeal overshadows…

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Here are our top ten pop CDs of the year, voted for by Readings’ music specialists. Displayed in no particular order.

Lost in the Dream by The War On Drugs

This album has been a staff favourite since it was released back in March. The Philadelphia group really struck gold with their third album and we have enjoyed listening to it over and over again. Sonically uplifting and spiritually nurturing, it takes inspiration from classic ’70s rock.

Warpaint by Warpaint

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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.

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