Our latest reviews

Winter Song: Jean-Claude Mourlevat

Reviewed by Kathy Kozlowski, Readings Carlton

Set in an unknown country, at an unspecified date, this fast-paced novel of escape and resistance feels both strange and oddly familiar. When four orphaned teenagers escape from an oppressive boarding school they begin to learn the truth about their…

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The Adoration of Jenna Fox: Mary E. Pearson

Reviewed by Holly Harper, Readings Malvern

Jenna Fox can’t remember who she is. When she wakes from a coma, her parents tell her she was in an accident. They won’t say what kind of accident and they won’t tell her why they’ve fled her hometown of…

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Kingdom On The Waves: The Astonishing Life Of Octavian Nothing: Volume 2: M.T. Anderson

Reviewed by Bruno Moro, Readings Malvern

We are in the eighteenth century and the War of Independence is raging in North America. Octavian is a slave who is fighting for his freedom by joining with the King’s Army, who have promised freedom to all slaves who…

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Theodork: Jessica Green

Reviewed by Julia Jackson, Readings Carlton

A major focus of educators at present is tackling the problem (and yes, it’s a big one) of bullying and harassment at school level. Jessica Green, intrepid schoolteacher by day, has chosen this theme for her latest book, Theodork. She…

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid 3 - The Last Straw: Jeff Kinney

Reviewed by Felix Wilkins, Grade 4, Kingsville Primary School.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is right – Greg is wimpy! This book is the sequel to the No. 1 New York Times bestsellers and the way I figure it, Greg’s up to his old tricks again. He’s even had…

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One Dragon’s Dream: Peter Pavey

Reviewed by Callie Martin, Readings St Kilda

When I saw this book was being reprinted I got terribly excited. One Dragon’s Dream is the first book I remember and I was obsessed with its intricate, beautiful illustrations. Basically a counting book, the story revolves around the strange…

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One: Kathryn Otoshi

Reviewed by Leanne Hall, Readings Carlton

One is a wonderfully clever and simple book that uses coloured dots to represent different personality types. Blue is a quiet and dreamy character, who is teased and bullied by the hothead Red. Yellow, Green, Purple and Orange console Blue…

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Purcell: Dido and Aeneas: Simone Kermes, Deborah York, Teodor Currentzis

Reviewed by Catherine Koerner, Readings Hawthorn

I love this label. It reminds me of Jordi Savall’s beautiful label Alia Vox and features the wonderful Christina Pluhar, who knows how to take an old classical standard and shake it up to give it her fresh, inspiring, 21st…

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Milestones: 30 Years of Chandos

Reviewed by Phil Richards, Readings Carlton

This excellent box-set celebrating 30 years of Chandos recordings is a must for anyone who enjoys fine music.

Packaged in a limited collectors’ edition, this set features such Australian artists as Yvonne Kenny, Charles Mackerras, guitarist Craig Ogden and British…

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Silence in Wild: Frida Hyvonen

Reviewed by Richard Mohr, Readings Reviewer

The new album from this eccentric Swedish singer-songwriter-pianist is a huge growth from her endearingly minimal debut, 2006’s Until Death Comes. This time the songs are as fragile and achingly beautiful, but filigreed with strings, horns and percussion. An…

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