Our latest reviews

Glimjack by Glenn Richards

Reviewed by Declan Murphy, Readings St Kilda

The eagerly awaited solo album from Augie March frontman Glenn Richards hits the shelves this month. Having shacked up in a Fairfield warehouseaccompanied by brother Chris, Richards recorded 19 songs over a month then stripped it back to 15. Also…

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The Castle Of The Zombies: The Fixers Book One by Sean Williams

Reviewed by Holly Harper, Children's Book Specialist, Readings Malvern

Ollie Jolson knows there’s something wrong with his new street, but he can’t quite put his finger on what. Maybe it’s the way the internet keeps crashing, or perhaps it’s the space outside old Mrs Dibkin’s house that drains away…

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Crimea: The Last Crusade by Orlando Figes

Reviewed by Ann Standish, historian at the University of Melbourne

In April this year Orlando Figes, a well-respected professor at Birkbeck College, London, became more noted for a reviewing scandal than for his insights into Russian history. Damning reviews of books by rival Russian historians appeared on Amazon, along with…

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Mary Ann in Autumn by Armistead Maupin

Reviewed by Jason Austin, Readings Carlton

It’s been 25 years since Mary Ann left for New York, swapping a rocky marriage and an adopted daughter for a career in television. Now at the age of 57 she returns, hat in hand, to San Francisco after her…

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Get Real: What Kind Of World Are You Buying? by Mara Rockliff

Reviewed by Leanne Hall, Children's Book Specialist, Reaidngs Carlton

Get Real is a self-proclaimed ‘teen-friendly manifesto’ that aims to show inform teens about the products they buy, and how they can make more socially and environmentally aware choices. The book covers a wide variety of topics, including: slavery, child…

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Foiled by Jane Yolen and Mike Cavallaro

Reviewed by Leanne Hall, Children's Book Specialist, Readings Carlton

Acclaimed fantasy and sci-fi author Jane Yolen turns her pen to graphic novels for the first time in Foiled, the story of teen fencer and loner, Aliera Carstairs. Aliera doesn’t fit in anywhere at high school, and so devotes…

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The Philanthropist by John Tesarsch

Reviewed by Virginia Millen, editor and freelance reviewer

The Philanthropist is the first novel by Melbourne barrister John Tesarsch. Charles Bradshaw, a high-flying businessman, is in his late sixties when he has a heart attack while swimming at Brighton beach. He is rescued from death’s clutches and awakes…

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Big Girls Don't Cry: Rebecca Traister

Reviewed by Jo Case, editor of the Readings Monthly newsletter

This smart, entertaining book is a reflective account of the 2008 presidential election, following an on-the-road narrative of events as experienced by Salon’s Rebecca Traister, who writes for the website’s feminist-flavoured Broadsheet section. She looks at what it means…

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Virtuoso Clarinet

Reviewed by Kate Rockstrom

This new recording from London-based clarinettist Michael Collins comprises arrangements of famous works that are well-suited to Collin’s virtuosity and musical ability. This will suit fans of the clarinet, as the intimate chamber aspect of every track really gives the…

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Peace of Utrecht

Reviewed by Evan Meagher, Readings Hawthorn

This beautifully packaged disc brings together works by Handel and William Croft, commissioned to celebrate the Treaty of Utrecht. In 1713, this treaty helped to end the Spanish War of Succession and brought about the first peace achieved through diplomacy…

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