Our latest blog posts

Young adult debut highlights of 2023

There is nothing more exciting than discovering an author at the beginning of their career. We are extremely fortunate that this year has been really strong for debut authors in young adult fiction. Here are a selection of our favourite debut young adult titles for 2023, many of which come from very talented Australian authors.

Two Can Play That Game by Leanne Yong

Sam Khoo has one goal in life: create cool indie games. She's willing to do anything to…

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Middle grade fantasy that captured our imagination this year

This year we've enjoyed a plethora of brilliant fantasy and science fiction stories for readers aged 8-13. Below is a selection of our favourite books for young readers published this year. These stories are packed with adventure, friendship, magic, questing and, of course, at least one anthropomorphic cat.

Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell

Christopher is visiting his reclusive grandfather when he witnesses an avalanche of mythical creatures come tearing down the hill. This is how Christopher learns that his grandfather…

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10 booksellers share their personal favourite reads of 2023

Below 10 booksellers share which books stand out as exceptional amongst everything they’ve read this year.

Art Monsters by Lauren Elkin

Art Monsters is the highlight book for me this year – energising, fresh, and entirely well researched this book combines visual and performance art with a series of powerful essays on the body in feminist art and practice by Laura Elkin. For art lovers, feminists and anyone grappling with where and how their body fits.

– Bec Kavanagh

Yellowface

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12 art and design highlights to gift this season

We consulted our most knowledgable art & design specialists to find out exactly what the art afficionado in your life may enjoy in their stocking this year! Below are 12 recommendations that include books on art, design, architecture and fashion.

The Japanese House Since 1945 by Naomi Pollock

Imagine a terraced house whose courtyard separates the kitchen from the bedroom. Or a tiny, triangular tower of rooms stacked one above another. Quirky, experimental and utterly fascinating, the houses produced in…

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Have yourself a homemade Christmas

by Lucie Dess

Christmas is a time to come together and spread love and good cheer. And what better way to do that than with freshly baked gingerbread and some handmade presents? This is a helpful guide of books to keep your Christmas homemade this year, from petite paper decorations to hand-poured candles.

Advent by Anja Dunk

If you're like me and love to show off your baking skills, then Advent is the cookbook you need this Christmas. It's filled to the brim…

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Our 2023 guide to best books of the year

We’re sharing what we consider to be the best books of the year as well as a range of curated gift guides featuring hand-picked recommendations from our booksellers and online team. Keep an eye on this page as we’ll be adding to our list throughout the coming weeks.

Adult

Best of Australian fiction

Best of international fiction

Best of nonfiction

Must-read Australian debut fiction from 2023

Must-read international debut fiction from 2023

Great music books from 2023

10 booksellers share

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Festive fiction

These five festive reads are perfect for anyone who wants to bring a little bit of Christmas to their reading list.

Mistletoe Malice by Kathleen Farrell

The fire is going, sherry poured, presents wrapped, and claws are being sharpened. In a seaside cottage perched on a cliff, one family reunites for Christmas.

While snow falls, a tyrannical widowed matriarch presides over her unruly brood. Her niece tends to her whims, but fantasises about eloping; and as more guests arrive, each…

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Bookseller spotlight: Joanna Di Mattia’s favourite books of 2023

by Joanna Di Mattia

Joanna Di Mattia is a bookseller at Readings Carlton.

I made an early declaration this year that Jenny Erpenbeck’s Kairos would be the best novel I’d read in 2023, and as the year now comes to a close, that declaration still stands. For me, no other book has touched it – I love its emotional and psychological complexity, and the way it recreates the last days of life in a divided Germany so vividly and sensually. I think about it…

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