Our latest blog posts
We test recipes from Beatrix Bakes: Another Slice
Recently our office was blessed with a visit from legendary local baker Natalie Paull. The visit coincides with the publication of her second cookbook Beatrix Bakes: Another slice (yes, we have signed copies), and to celebrate our multi-talented staff participated in an in-house bake-off, where we trialled recipes from Paull's latest collection.
With Paull on-site to judge an array of delicious bakes including tarts, chiffon cakes, buns and pies – this was truly a taste test to relish…
Foreword with Joe Rubbo, March 2024
As regular readers of this publication will know, this is my first column in this space. At the end of last year Mark Rubbo decided to retire his regular column. Although, it won’t be the last you see of ‘Mark’s Say’, as I am told that he might submit a few words here and there, when the inspiration strikes.
In other news, we’re excited to announce The Readings Foundation 2024 recipients this month. The very worthy grassroots organisations will receive…
The Stella Prize longlist 2024
The longlist for this year’s Stella Prize has been announced! The Stella Prize seeks to elevate the work of Australian women and non-binary writers. The $60,000 prize is awarded annually to one outstanding book deemed to be original, excellent, and engaging. This year’s prize saw over 200 entries.
Explore the 2024 Stella Prize longlist below or view our collection here.
The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel
What happens when, in the middle of a happy heterosexual marriage, a…
The Most Anticipated Books of 2024
It’s that time of year again which I approach with equal parts excitement and dread – when I sit down under the weight of a too-close deadline to a blank page plus an overwhelming number of forthcoming titles kindly furnished by our friends in publishing, and try to find a way to cram a year’s worth of output into a jaunty piece of – let’s call it – creative nonfiction (overreach? more likely creative summary?) that doesn’t feel too much…
Our books of the month, March 2024
Explore our books of the month for March; each of the below titles has been read and recommended by our booksellers before being selected as our book of the month for its category.
FICTION BOOK OF THE MONTH
Thanks for Having Me by Emma Darragh
Reviewed by Annie Condon from Readings Hawthorn
'This novel is for readers who enjoy writers who make the personal enjoyably political.'Thanks for Having Me is a novel told in interlinked stories, and even though…
New YA from your favourite authors
We are only two months into 2024 and we have already been gifted with some incredible new titles from some of our favourite young adult authors! Here's a list of just some of them!
From The author of House of Hollow and Our Chemical Hearts.
The Invocations by Kyrstal Sutherland
Zara Jones won't accept her murdered sister is gone forever and will do whatever it takes to claw her sister back from the grave – even trading in the…
CBCA Notable Books of 2024
The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) has announced its Notable Books for 2024. Congratulations to all the authors, illustrators and publishers! The CBCA presents annual awards to books of literary merit, for outstanding contribution to Australian children’s literature. The CBCA Awards were first presented in 1946 and are the longest-running book awards in Australia.
See below the links to the notable collections for each category.
Book of the Year: Older Readers
Entries in this category may be fiction, drama…
YA fairytale retellings
It's Tell A Fairytale Day! And to celebrate, I've created a list of young adult fairytale retellings. From feminist to queer retellings, you'll be reading long after the day is done.
Wish of the Wicked by Danielle Paige
A mash-up of Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty with added inspiration from the Salem Witch Trials.
For centuries, the enchanted members of the Entente used their magic to keep the Thirteen Queendoms in harmony. Until the day that Queen Magrit outlawed magic, executed…
Why you should read Orbital by Samantha Harvey
Samantha Harvey's lastest novel Orbital, about six astronauts in their spacecraft contemplating the world below, has been lauded since its release in the UK late last year. Our booksellers are beyond excited that it has finally been released locally and want you to know why you should rush out and purchase a copy—NOW!
This is quite honestly one of the best things I've read – perhaps ever – and is so, so good and special that I don't even…
Debut fiction to read this month
Greta and Valdin by Rebecca K Reilly
Siblings Greta and Valdin have, perhaps, too much in common. They're flatmates, beholden to the same near-unpronounceable surname, and both make questionable choices when it comes to love.
Valdin is in love with his ex-boyfriend Xabi, who left the country because he thought he was making Valdin sad. Greta is in love with fellow English tutor Holly, who appears to be using her for admin support. But perhaps all is not lost. Valdin…