Abbeys.com.au Summer Reading Catalogue 2025

Abbey's Bookshop at 131 York Street (across the road from the QVB) is an Aladdin's cave for readers and Sydney's much-loved indie bookshop since 1968 ~ where ideas grow

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DOUBLE REWARDS

Here's how it works:

• 14 clues are spread throughout our catalogue.

• The answer to each clue relates to one book on the double-page spread.

• Write down the first letter of the book's title (ignoring the word 'The' in the title).

• When you have all 14 letters, unscramble the letters to complete the two-word answer.

• Email your answer to abbeysnewsletters@abbeys.com.au with the subject Aladdin's Gold

The last day for entries is Saturday 31 January 2026. Ten winners will be drawn randomly from correct entries on Wednesday 4 February 2026. Entry is only open to residents of Australia. Full conditions of entry can be viewed at abbeys.com.au (scan the QR code below).

Letters:

Answer:

FICTION at Miles Franklin Literary Award

Ghost Cities Siang Lu

Inspired by the vacant, uninhabited megacities of China, this allegorical story follows multiple narratives, including one in which a young translator at Sydney’s Chinese Consulate is fired after it’s discovered he doesn’t speak a word of Chinese and has been relying entirely on Google Translate. Perfect for readers of Haruki Murakami and Italo Calvino. Pb $32.99

Indie Awards Book of the Year

Dusk

Robbie Arnott

Twins Iris and Floyd are friendless itinerant workers whose parents' crimes and reputation both haunt and dog them. When they hear that a substantial bounty has been placed on a man-killing puma in the snowy uplands, they head off in search of it. They react to the land in different ways, and Iris in particular finds it calls to her. But the people they meet have different stories to tell of the land - and of Dusk, the puma. Once again, Arnott powerfully evokes the time-filled landscapes of Tasmania with this mythic tale of loss and longing, of horror, family and the search for redemption. Brilliant! Lindy Pb $22.99

Booker Prize Shortlist

The Rest of Our Lives Ben Markovits Pb $34.99

Audition Katie Kitamura Hb $35

Flesh David Szalay Pb $34.99

The Land in Winter Andrew Miller Pb $34.99

Flashlight Susan Choi Pb $34.99

The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny

Kiran Desai Pb $34.99

A Great Act of Love Heather Rose

Caroline is the daughter of an exiled French aristocrat living in London and practising as an apothecary. When he's found guilty of murder and eventually transported, Caroline's future is drastically altered. Assuming the role of a wealthy widow and relocating to Hobart, she takes an abandoned cottage adjoining an overgrown vineyard and settles into a new life, nurturing her secret ambitions... Told in different voices - hers, her father's and a few minor characters - this is a confident and enthralling novel, richly detailed and satisfying. Lindy Pb $34.99

A Long Winter Colm Tóibín

A family in a remote village in the Pyrenees watches as their mother vanishes into the snow, leaving behind a silence that grows heavier with each passing day. The search is both literal and emotional, capturing the stark isolation of winter and the unspoken tensions within a household on edge. The prose is spare and restrained, allowing the landscape and the cold to become characters in their own right. Haunting in its simplicity and unforgettable in its quiet power. Steve Hb $29.99

What We Can Know Ian McEwan

Moving between 2014 and a future Britain reshaped by climate collapse, this rich and thoughtful novel follows the mystery of a lost poem and the lives it touches across time. McEwan's prose is graceful and precise, and its depth and insight rewards patient reading. What stands out is the way he captures the fragility of memory, love and truth. This moving story asks us to consider what really endures. Steve Pb $34.99

Super-Frog Saves Tokyo

Haruki Murakami

Tenderfoot Toni Jordan

When Andie was 12, her life changed. Her dada greyhound trainer - left, her mother found a new partner, and Andie is ostracised at school. But she thinks she can fix the problems, only to learn how powerless she really is, and how little she really understands. Looking back to suburban Brisbane in the 1970s, Andie is full of compassion for the child she was... A truly beautiful novel, thoughtful, quiet and wise. I'd call it Jordan's best yet! Lindy Pb $32.99

Gravity Let Me Go Trent Dalton

True-crime journalist Noah Cork has rushed out a book about finding the body of a missing woman because the murderer left clues in Noah's suburban Brisbane letterbox. He needs the money as his former police sources no longer keep him informed. He's started seeing skeletons everywhere - and his sainted wife, Rita, has stopped talking to anyone. Ambition has overwhelmed his common sense, and as the murderer taunts him with bizarre clues, Noah chases the biggest story of his career, whilst forgetting the most important story of his life... Another exuberant whirlwind of a novel, full of feelingand a dash of love's magic. Lindy Pb $34.99

What begins as an ordinary story quickly opens into something surreal and moving. The writing balances everyday life with unexpected wonder, settling into a rhythm that feels both familiar and strangely stirring. The ordinary protagonist, a modest bank employee, is nudged into an extraordinary mission by an equally extraordinary frog - equal parts earnest and whimsical. There's gentleness in the way the narrative unfolds, inviting reflection without demanding it. Thoughtful, understated and full of an odd warmth, this small package leaves you with a sense of what even the most average person can achieve. Steve Hb $34.99

Buckeye Patrick Ryan

In a small town in Ohio, when victory in Europe is announced, Cal Jenkins (married to Becky, who he adores) and Margaret Salt (married to handsome but remote Felix) kiss in spontaneous celebration. This leads to a brief affair between them, but the consequences reach forward into the next 40 years. As the lives of two families twine and twist, secrets will eventually surface and be accommodated - or not. A wonderfully drawn novel with characters you care about, satisfying and absorbing. Lindy Pb $32.99

Moving between the three countries that Rushdie has called home - India, including the Bombay neighbourhood of Midnight's Children ($19..99), England and America - this collection carries a steady, reflective tone, offering short stories that turn on small, but meaningful, moments. Characters feel recognisable in their doubts and desires, drawn with an empathy that makes their struggles resonate. The pieces are varied, yet connected by an interest in how people face change and loss. It's thoughtful without being heavy, approachable yet layered, and leaves you considering the simple truths that sit beneath everyday life. Steve Pb $34.99

Seed Bri Lee

This was an immersive reading experience, akin to a locked-room mystery. Two scientists are ensconced in a seed vault in Antarctica - a biodiversity insurance policy against the effects of a warming planet - where the extreme isolation heightens tensions. Themes around population and geopolitics, procreation and love, hover over a sense of unease arising from mysterious happenings, especially when the scheduled end-of-project pick-up doesn't arrive... Thoughtful and entertaining. Craig Pb $34.99

The Eleventh Hour Salman Rushdie

Photo: Yuki Sugiura for Booker Prize Foundation

Comes with a free copy: A Guest at the Feast ($34.99) while stock lasts.

FICTION at

Sheepdogs

Elliot Ackerman

Skwerl and Cheese - two down-on-their-luck ex-CIA operatives - become part of an anonymous network of so-called sheepdogs, operating in a shadowy moral grey zone. Their first mission? To repossess a private jet stranded on a remote Ugandan airfield. But nothing about the job seems to add up... Full of heart and humour, this is a wild ride through the underbelly of modern war and intelligence, where no one and nothing is what it seems. A thriller and comedy in one! Pb $34.99

The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny Kiran

Desai

This novel captures two lives marked by struggles and unexpected connections, written with clarity and restraint. The prose is steady and unpretentious, allowing the emotions to emerge naturally. Characters feel real, shaped by circumstance, yet never reduced to stereotypes, and their loneliness is portrayed with sensitivity. What makes the story engaging is the balance between hardship and moments of warmth, giving the narrative both weight and lightness. A thoughtful, humane book that leaves a lasting impression well after the final page. Steve Pb $34.99

Secrets Judi Morison

When 79-year-old Ruth is given a terminal diagnosis, she feels the need to make amends for past actions. As a small-town 17-yearold, she had a baby to her Aboriginal boyfriend and was forced to adopt her out, but her subsequent husband and daughters never knew this. Dawn ran away from home when she was a young teen to escape abuse from her adoptive father, and though she finds a sense of belonging with local mob, life is difficult. How Ruth and Dawn find each other, and how healing and connection come about, is core to this heartfelt story. Lindy Pb $34.99

One Aladdin Two Lamps Jeanette Winterson

A daring storyteller faces execution and buys time by spinning new tales each night, reworking ancient Arabian Nights magic into urgent reflections on today's world. Her stories slip between myth and memory, tracing her own rise from a hard childhood to her reinvention through books. Playful, yet profound, the narrative asks readers to reclaim the power of story to survive, resist and shape their own futures. Steve Hb $39.99

Wreck Catherine Newman

A family is left reeling after an accident, and the story traces the messy ways people try to carry on. Rather than reaching for melodrama, it shows how grief reshapes the ordinary. There's humour tucked between the harder moments - small domestic tangles, sharp observations and flashes of love that feel utterly real. Honest, tender and surprisingly funny, it captures both the weight of loss and the stubborn lightness of everyday life. Steve Pb $34.99

Hb $39.99 each

Comes with a free copy of Januaries ($29.99) while stock lasts.

Girl Dinner Olivie Blake

Two very different women - one a driven college sophomore seeking a place in a powerful sisterhood, the other a new mother and adjunct professor craving the illusion of perfection - find themselves drawn into an elite sorority whose rituals tip into the uncanny. The novel unfolds like dark academia meets sharp social satire, simmering with ambition, secrecy and unsettling devotion. It's sly and tense, probing what it really means to belong, and how far someone will go to be seen, even when the cost is too high. Steve Pb $34.99

Chosen Family Madeleine Gray

Em and Nell meet in Year 8 at high school. Different in personality and backgrounds, they are both outsiders with unlovely parents, and form a deep bond that gets them through the indignities of the girls' school they attend. But Em is also deeply attracted to Nell, who retreats from forms of attachment and affection, and withdraws from their friendship. So starts a sequence of events over 18 years, as the two come together, separate, betray and yearn. Sometimes heartbreaking, but always with a depth of feeling and compassion, and a dash of sly wit. Lindy Pb $34.99

Rivers Flow Reflections on the Songs of Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter

Kim

Scott (Ed & Introduction)

These reflections carry a deep sense of respect, weaving together memory, music and the legacy of two of Australia's most powerful voices. The writing from 23 First Nations writers is thoughtful, capturing the emotional weight of their songs without losing their simplicity. Each contribution feels personal, offering insight into both the artists and the impact their music continues to hold. What stands out is the balance between honesty and reverence, creating a work that feels intimate, grounded and moving. A fitting tribute to voices that will endure. Steve Pb $34.99

The Transformations Andrew Pippos

In a fading Sydney newsroom, a weary sub-editor named George watches his personal and professional worlds start to unravel. Haunted by childhood trauma and burdened by regret, he stumbles through strained relationships and the unexpected responsibilities of fatherhood. The arrival of Cassandra, a sharp and restless colleague, forces him to confront the stories he's avoided telling about himself. Against the backdrop of a collapsing industry, this novel balances grief with flickers of connection, hope and renewal. Steve Pb $34.99

Sympathy Tower Tokyo Rie Qudan

Architect Sara Machina plans a proposed skyscraper meant to rehabilitate criminals through empathy. Set in a nearfuture Tokyo, the novel examines the dilemma of using design and language to influence justice. Sara's reliance on an AI assistant to work through creative and ethical doubt adds a sharp contemporary edge. Thoughtful and unsettling, it asks whether empathy can be engineered and what risks arise when our words and structures become moral tools. Steve Pb $26.99

From Penguin Classics comes an absolutely stunning collection of 20 Vintage Collector's Classics.

Finished beautifully with sprayed edges, silk bookmark ribbons, foiled covers, marbled endpapers and colours that really pop ~ these editions are perfect as gifts or to adorn your own bookshelf. To enter, buy any from the collection at Abbey's by 31 January 2026. See

The One Remaining Paula McLean

Successful author Hilary Mason rediscovers the diaries she wrote as a teenager, and sets about writing her memoir based on those difficult years. It leads her through grief and loss, and the trauma of her sister Elaine's disappearance so long ago - and how it still affects her in middle age. A lyrical meditation on memory, pain and womanhood, on what it takes to remember the past, and what it takes to heal. Pb $34.99

The Cambridge Centennial Edition of The Great Gatsby

F Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby is often called the great American novel. Emblematic of an entire era, this classic tale of illicit desire, grand illusions and lost dreams is rendered in lyrical prose that revives a vanished world of glittering parties and vibrant jazz, where money and deceit walk hand in hand. Rich in humour, sharply observant of status and class, it's the story of Jay Gatsby's efforts to keep his faith - in money, in love, in all the promises of America - amid the chaos and conflict of life on Long Island during the Roaring Twenties. This edition presents the established version of the text with social, cultural and historical context, plus numerous illustrations. The introduction examines persistent myths about Fitzgerald, his greatest work and the age he embodies. Hb $37.95

The Tangled Web Tea Cooper

It's 1892 and Viola suspects her step-father of using her brother Sebastian's hereditary blood disease to further his reputation. When Sebastian dies, she looks for proof, finding a letter within her brother's favourite book of Shakespearian tales. This sends her to Maitland, where she discovers homeless boys are suffering through her stepfather's experiments. With the help of locals, she races to uncover evidence to save them. Another rattling historical read from the bestselling author. Pb $34.99

Evil in High Places

Rory Clements

Munich 1936. Detective Sebastian Wolff is ordered to locate a missing actress - one deeply entwined with the Nazi elite. As the city's power structures shift, and secrets are buried, he must walk a treacherous line between law and survival. Propelled by rich historical detail and a steady tension, Wolff's moral conflict deepens as the story plays out. Though it leans familiar at times, it remains a compelling thriller of corruption, loyalty and danger. Steve Pb $34.99

The Worst Thing I've Ever Done Clare Stephens

When journalist Ruby Williams publishes an interview that raises the ire of a highprofile commentator, Felicity Cartwright, she becomes a viral sensation for all the wrong reasons. As Ruby tries to explain her motivations, the social media backlash worsens. Her past is re-examined by the trolls baying for her blood, and she's forced to confront her hidden shame. Then she meets Felicity... A thoughtful and compassionate novel about online personas vs real life, and the loss of control over your own stories. Pb $32.99

Crimson Velvet Heart Carmel Bird

Louis XIV believes his grandson will succeed him, and gifts him a bride from Savoy, Marie-Adelaide. The old monarch is bewitched by the young princess, but to what extent does their secret relationship reach?

Told partly by Marie-Adelaide's friend Clothilde, who becomes the nun Sister Clare, this combines historical imagination with a glittering story of royalty, love and the darkness of fairy tale. Pb $34.99

The Land of Sweet Forever Harper Lee

This collection of newly discovered short stories, as well as previously published essays and magazine pieces, offers an intimate glimpse into Harper Lee's voice beyond her most famous work, To Kill a Mockingbird ($19.99). Some are early experiments, others more polished, but all share a sense of honesty and curiosity. The pieces feel unhurried and plainspoken, reflecting her sharp eye for character and for the small details of everyday life. There's warmth in her observations, a touch of humour, an ability to find meaning in tender moments. The steady, thoughtful storytelling exemplifies Lee's enduring gift for clarity and human connection. Steve Hb $49.99

Dusk

Robbie Arnott Picador

Pb $34.99

See description at the top of page 3.

$50,000

CHILDREN'S BOOKS at

Runt and the Diabolical

Dognapping

Craig Silvey

When the mayor of Upson Downs announces a Tournament of Champions, six weeks after Annie and Runt won the Krumpets Dog Show, the community expects them to win again. The new reporter for the local newspaper covers all aspects of the preparations, but when Runt goes missing, suspicion and rumours abound! How will Annie fill that empty Runt-shaped spot? This is a tender and funny sequel to Runt ($19.99), and whilst I enjoyed the first book, I loved this one - it has even more heart and compassion. Ages 8 to 108. Lindy Hb $26.99

Caring for Country

The Poisoned King #2 Impossible Creatures

Katherine Rundell

My favourite children's novel last year was Impossible Creatures ($18.99) and this sequel is just as brilliant! Anya is a reluctant princess, expected to behave royally. But something is wrong in the castle and when a great injustice occurs, she unleashes mayhem and chaos - with the help of Christopher, who knew the Immortal. He's been brought back to the Archipelago because the Dragons, who are nearly impossible to kill, are dying... Sophisticated adventure with characters who live beyond the page, impeccable writing - and the promise of more! Lindy Pb $18.99

First Knowledges for Younger Readers

Bruce Pascoe & Bill Gammage

This adaption for young readers is part of the successful First Knowledges series. Chapters are related by either Pascoe or Gammage, together showing how traditional and sustainable practices are better for the environment and for people. Accessible, informative text that directly addresses the reader is accompanied with colourful illustrations by Savi Ross. A hopeful and welcoming book. Lindy Pb $26.99

The World from Above

The Midnight Chew

Sally Morgan & Karen Blair

Our vast selection of children's books is lovingly curated by Lindy Jones. Visit KIDS' TREASURE TROVE at abbeys.com.au for the latest booksand tick 'Children's & Young Adult' for eNews.

Skippy Gillespie creeps out one night with a pittery pat and a scritchetty scratch of his small dog paws to find a bone only he knows about. But Boofa Boy Jones sees him go by and follows, and when he sees how big the bone is, he knows it's meant for him! A chase ensues, and a happy ending eventuates. The delightfully rollicking text just begs to be read out loud, accompanied by loose-lined and expressive illustrationssure to become a modern classic! Lindy Hb $24.99

Ningaloo Australia's Wild Wonder

Tim Winton & Cindy Lane

This outstanding book shares the wonders of the longest fringing reef in the world, Ningaloo / Nyinggulu. From the landscape and the sea floor to the communities and denizens of the area, Winton describes the importance and beauty and fragility of one of the world's last truly wild places. The message of conservation and protection is quietly stated at the end. Full of interesting snippets of scientific information, clear and lyrical text, it's enhanced by the softedged, realistic watercolour, pastel and pencil illustrations by Cindy Lane. A beautiful and important book for all ages. Lindy Hb $29.99

Prayer for a River

Uncle Glenn Loughrey & Andrew Kelly

This is a deceptively simple - but not simplistic - picture book. Illustrated in striking colours by Wiradjuri artist Glenn Loughrey, it's a paean to water and rivers, highlighting how important it is to ensure waterways are kept healthy, and the deep connection Indigenous peoples have to Country. It is poetic and thoughtful, heartfelt and graceful. One for all ages, as everyone will gain something from this beautiful book. Lindy Hb $24.99

Get a Bird's-Eye View of the Planet

Ben Hubbard

There's something awe-inspiring about viewing scenery and cities from above! Using satellite and drone photography, this is a tour across all the world's continents, taking in vast landscapes and sprawling metropolises. It features close-ups of notable features, such as the tip of the Great Pyramid or the head of the Statue of Liberty, calderas of volcanoes and the crumpled tinfoil of mountainous regions. Splendid photography and concise information make this a great choice for any youngster interested in the world. Ages 6-12 Lindy Hb $32.99

The Wondrous Tale of Lavender Wolfe

Karen Foxlee

While waiting for her mother, Lavender is stolen from a wharf by an ogress who smells magic and sails on a cursed pirate ship. Renamed Hans, because girls can't work in the ship's kitchen, Lavender becomes part of a crew which includes a first mate who turns into a cat, a captain with a bird's wing and children with various talents. Will she discover her calling before everyone on the ship turns into sand if they don't find and return a fabled treasure? A splendidly imaginative and colourful adventure!

Ages 9-13 Lindy Hb $24.99

This

is Us

Essential Australian Poems for Young People

Libby Hathorn & Jude Fell (Eds)

This collection brings together well-loved poems from classic writers such as C J Dennis, Banjo Paterson and Judith Wright, and modern and contemporary voices such as Jazz Money, Evelyn Araluen and Miriam Wei Wei Lo. It is arranged in thematic chapters and charmingly illustrated by Tull Suwannakit in colourful detail. A book to share with young people indeed, but there's no age limit for reading good poetry - a delight for all! Lindy Hb $34.99

There's a Prawn in Parliament House

The Kids' Guide to Australia's Amazing Democracy Annabel Crabb

There's a tiny fossil in the marble foyer of Parliament House, and Shawn the Prawn is just one of the many fascinating facts in this wonderfully amusing guide to Australian democracy. From Federation, the Constitution, the ministers and departments of government to voting, how Bills become law and the role of the Press, this is never dull or boring in the hands of the acclaimed political journalist and commentator. With fabulous illustrations from First Dog on the Moon, give this to anyone aged 8 to old! Lindy Pb $24.99

The Legend of Jessie Hickman

Mark Greenwood & Frané Lessac

This non-fiction picture book tells the little-known story of the Lady Bushranger, Jessie Hickman. At the age of 8, she joined a circus and learned to do everything from tightrope walking to bareback riding, but when the circus closed, she became a cattle rustler, outlaw and bushranger just west of the Blue Mountains. Together with Lessac's bright and naive illustrations throughout, and historic photographs at the back, this is vividly told history for readers 5-8. Lindy Hb $24.99

Asterix in Lusitania #41 Asterix

Fabcaro & Didier Conrad

The 41st adventure of Asterix the Gaul reintroduces a former slave from the 17th adventure (Mansion of the Gods) who has come from sunny Lusitania - west of Hispania - to ask Asterix and Obelix for help. He's heard about the Magic Potion and its powerful effects... There will be Romans, wordplay and of course a delicious banquet at the end! Hb $29.99

We stock a full range of Asterix and Tintin books!

Canvas totes $31.95 each

Mega! Australia's Megafauna

Laura Holloway & Liz Duthie

After the dinosaurs came the megafauna - giant creatures that wandered the landmass of Sahul, where Australia as we know it once nestled. Monster lizards, oversized marsupials, stupendous snakes, towering birds and great big lion-like creatures once roamed the continent. This conversational narrative invites the reader into that land, while the beautifully rendered illustrations bring the animals and their habitat to life. For the budding palaeontologist aged 6-9. Lindy Hb $24.99

Once I Was a Giant Zeno Sworder

A picture book maker toils at his desk, running out of ideas - and then his pencil speaks to him. The story it tells is of growth and connection, of a wanderer who nurtures and tells tales of adventure, of destruction and adaption and new forms - the great revolving cycle of life and hope. This is a simply told, but sophisticated, picture book where the glorious illustrations further the text, and hold their own stories for the patient viewer. Mesmerising and heartfelt - a book for readers of all ages. Lindy Hb $29.99

The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Fast and Slow Animals

Sami Bayly

Joining Bayly's four other Illustrated Encyclopaedias - Ugly, Dangerous and Extinct Animals and Peculiar Pairs in Nature (Hb $32.99 each), this one turns to speed - or the lack of it! Drawn in her trademark naturalistic style, she presents 60 creatures - from insects and sea-life to birds and land animals. Accompanied by informative and entrancing text, plus a collection of fun facts on each, this is splendidly presented natural science for readers aged 8-12. Lindy Hb $32.99

Gift-wrapping only $3 per item

Look, See, Find Me

Sandra Severgnini

One Koala, One Hundred Trees

Leesa Allinson & Heather Potter & Mark Jackson

When a young girl on a family walk finds an injured koala and visits the koala hospital to find out more, she decides to do something. It's too big a job for her family to replant a corridor, so she invites the town to help - and they do. Themes of community, determination, small actions leading to great ones and an environmental message are cleverly woven with koala facts, while the illustrations are attractive, expressive and full of small details. Perfect for ages 4-7. Lindy Hb $24.99

Atlas of Horses and Ponies Frances Evans & Adrienne Green

Horses are perennial sources of fascination and this well-illustrated book features over 100 different breeds from around the world. With information about their characteristics, traits and unique skills, and with themes such as super senses, mythical horses, donkeys and mules, caring for horses and much more, this volume will absorb the young reader aged 6-9. Lindy Hb $29.99

My First Lift-the-Flap Dinosaur Atlas

Kate Baker & Teresa Bellon

A great introduction to the fascinating topic of dinosaurs, this sturdy book has over 50 interactive flaps that reveal an additional wealth of information for the young reader. Colourful, friendly illustrations and simply presented details make this both fun and sneakily educational! Ages 4-6 Lindy Hb $19.99

The Secret World of Spider Webs

Jan Beccaloni & Namasri Niumim

Spider webs must be amongst the animal kingdom's most fascinating structures, and this fabulous book explains how and why. It takes 13 spiders from around the world and shows the different techniques and strategies they use to construct these highly technical insectcatching devices! There's also general information about spiders, the sorts of silk used, how webs are constructed and special spider features. The illustrations are clear and colourful, intricately depicting the webs and habitats. Splendid for any naturalist, but aimed at ages 6-10. Lindy Hb $32.99

Exploring the world of animal camouflage, this contains beautiful full-page spreads inviting the young naturalist to ‘look, see, find me!' Spiders disguised as flowers, orchids that mimic insects, seahorses hidden in coral, crabs wearing sponges for protection - this reveals the hidden world of hiding! Illustrations are realistic and gorgeously rendered in natural colours. Ages 4-8 Lindy Hb $26.99

Emmie Builds Something New

Marjorie Crosby-Fairall

Good Night, Earth

5-Minute Stories About Nature After Dark Rose Davidson & Ester Gouw

As the sun sets and children go to bed, there are plenty of creatures just starting their day. With 25 tales about nature - set in different regions of the world - these gentle, five-minute reads are the perfect wind-down-and-go-to-sleep bedtime stories. Simple illustrations in subdued and quiet colours adorn the pages. Share with children aged 3-6. Lindy Hb $32.99

Little Puggle's Dance

Vikki Conley & Hélène Magisson

Little echidna Puggle has a big dream - he wants to dance upon the stage. Reality intrudes, as he isn't very coordinated and all echidnas can do is waddle-waddle-waddle, unlike his friends who are all able to do something amazing! But as the Spring Gala approaches, he isn't going to give up - and he doesn't! A lovely tale of perseverance and finding your own rhythms, with sweet and colourful illustrations. Lindy Hb $26.99

Emmie is a little mouse, but her ideas are big. She lives in an attic full of forgotten treasures that she repurposes into extraordinary inventions. But when a black-and-white cat intrudes, she feels threatened and creates more and more elaborate things to try to scare the cat away - until she learns that maybe she's discovered something new... The themes of inventiveness and empathy are sweet, but it's the wonderfully intricate and detailed illustrations that make this a true joy! Ages 4-7 Lindy Hb $24.99

I am Not Happy!

Caroline Perry & Sydney Hanson

Quokka, with his bright eyes and apple-cheeked smile, is known as The Happiest Animal on Earth. But you know what? He's NOT! He can't help looking cheerful, no matter what's happening around him or how he's feeling. Just when he thinks no-one understands, he meets the one animal who knows exactly what he means! A delightfully droll book, brightened by Hanson's expressive illustrations. Ages 3-7 Lindy Hb $19.99

Ala was happily surprised to find a ton of wood in the hallway.

CRIME ALLEY at

Legacy #4 Martin Scarsden Chris Hammer

When the launch of Martin Scarsden's new book on the Melbourne mafia is spectacularly disrupted, he's informed by his ASIO contact that contract killers are after him. Heading west is thought to be the safest option, but of course where Martin goes, trouble finds him anyway! Becoming involved in a longstanding feud between stations either side of the Queensland border, targeted and discredited in the media, meeting a ghostwriter who has her own reasons to distrust journalists, discovering evidence connected to Leichhardt, a longmissing local and a murder - Martin has his hands full! Exactly what the fans (myself included) love - a rattling good read! Lindy Pb $34.99

Mischance Creek #5 Paul Hirschhausen Garry Disher

Set against a landscape that feels both familiar and unsettling, this novel works with a quiet intensity that builds steadily from the first page. The prose moves with an ease that feels natural, giving the darker turns of the story even greater weight. Characters are drawn with a sharp eye for detail, their flaws and motives revealed in ways that feel authentic. There's a sense of unease woven through the narrative, yet it never overwhelms the humanity at its core. A compelling, grounded read. Steve Pb $34.99

The Hiding Place

Kate Mildenhall

Abbey's is Australia's specialist crime bookshop. Visit CRIME ALLEY at abbeys.com.au for the latest crime book releases - and tick 'Crime' as your eNews interest.

The Impossible Fortune #5 Thursday Murder Club

Richard Osman

Elizabeth is grieving her husband, Ron is handling family drama, Ibrahim is still tied to a shady acquaintance and Joyce is caught up planning her daughter's wedding. When the best man confesses that someone wants him dead, then vanishes, the friends are drawn into the case of an uncrackable code, suspects and hidden motives. Osman balances suspense with humour and tenderness, reminding us that friendship and love remain the truest fortunes of all. Steve Pb $34.99

When Lou persuades her sister and a couple of friends to collectively buy a remote bush block so they have somewhere to escape to from their busy urban lives, it seems an excellent idea. But when the four families gather there for an inaugural weekend to start cleaning it up, things rapidly unspool. Everyone comes with secrets and worries, but by the end of the first night they will all share the same ones - how and where to hide a body... Pb $34.99

BONUS BOOK

Franz Josef #3 Nick Chester Alan Carter

The small township of Franz Josef that services tourism to the glacier of the same name on New Zealand's South Island is the rugged setting for this pacy mystery. The body of an African refugee is discovered naked and frozen in the glacier. Links far from NZ begin to surface and the duo of Detectives Nick Chester and Latifa Rapata are an enjoyable pairing in this assured crime mystery. Craig Pb $34.99

O'Keefe David Whish-Wilson

Undercover operative Paul Cutler assumes a new identity - Paul O'Keefe - to investigate a surge of meth that is flooding the streets. Infiltrating a newly appointed security company at Fremantle Port, he discovers a clandestine world of off-thebooks operations and a business front that goes well beyond mere security. There's a dangerous battle for control of the port's smuggling operations, and O'Keefe is caught in the crossfire… Pb $34.99

Last One Out Jane Harper

A faded mining town of empty houses, shuttered shops and dust sets the stage. It's been five years since Ro Crowley's son Sam disappeared on the eve of his 21st birthday. The only trace: footprints in three abandoned houses. Returning for the annual memorial, she begins probing old notes and townspeople's stories, sensing something crucial was missed. The plot's strength lies in peeling back the layers - family grief, small town secrets and how the decline of a place mirrors the loss. Steve Pb $34.99

Everyone in This Bank is a Thief

Benjamin

Stevenson

I've spent the last few years solving murders, but a bank heist is a new one, even for me. I've never been a hostage before. The doors are chained shut, so when someone in the bank is murdered, hostages become suspects. Turns out, more than one person planned to rob the bank today… Sharp, sly and always a step ahead, this novel takes you into a world where trust is scarce and wit is currency. Full of turns that catch you off-guard, there's a clever playfulness running beneath the tension. As mischievous as it is absorbing! Steve Pb $34.99

The Long Night Christian White Em loves horror movies, but one wintry night it's much different when she finds herself in the middle of a nightmarish abduction scenario, chained in the depths of the bush. Jodie puts her nightmares on to canvas, but when her daughter is kidnapped and the ransom is demanded immediately, she learns what true fear is - and what she'll do to find and protect her child. Over the course of a night, both Em and Jodie have to confront and fight their demons... Another tense page-turner from the master of twisty crime! Lindy Pb $34.99

Hot Ground Lisa Ellery

In the middle of the night in the remote goldfields of Kalgoorlie, the thud of a mallet on a marker peg sets off a chain reaction that unearths long-buried secrets. Detective Jessy Parkinsent to policing purgatory in the aftermath of a tainted investigation - is tasked with finding Max Cochrane, a veteran prospector who has disappeared. An outback police procedural for fans of Jane Harper and Dervla McTiernan - full of twists and turns! Pb $34.99

Benbecula Graeme Macrae Burnet

Set on a rugged, remote island, this novel captures both place and people with clarity. The writing is straightforward and unpretentious, letting the story's small tensions and character moments stand on their own, while the pacing is steady, allowing the story to unfold naturally. Characters feel real, shaped by their environment and choices, with struggles and small victories that ring true. A subtle warmth runs through the narrative, balancing the harder edges without feeling sentimental. Steve Pb $32.99

The Detective Matthew Reilly

In America's deep south, a private investigator is drawn into a century-old case involving women who vanished - and the detectives who followed them, only to disappear as well. The tension grows gradually, allowing the unsettling history to carry the weight, and the writing is crisp and direct, building atmosphere without excess. An absorbing mystery that endures, leaving you with questions about truth, obsession and how the past refuses to stay buried. Steve Hb $44.99 $39.99

When you buy any of these three, get a free bonus crime novel - while stock lasts. See abbeys.com.au

Murder at the Beach Classic Mysteries for Summer

Cecily Gayford (Ed)

Whilst some people are heading to the beach for pleasure and recreation, others are going there with murder on their mind! Here are 10 entertaining mysteries perfect for that beach holiday from renowned writers including Dorothy L Sayers, Peter Lovesey, Margery Allingham, Cyril Hare and John Dickson Carr. Just remember to watch your back! Pb $24.99

Murder at Midwinter #4 Christmas Mystery

Ada Moncrieff

This story unfolds in a small town rich with secrets and subtle tensions. The writing is clear and measured, letting the suspense build naturally. Characters feel authentic and their motives believable, even when their choices surprise.

A gentle humour threads through the narrative, balancing the darker moments without undercutting them. The mystery is thoughtfully constructed, rewarding attention to detail, and the pacing keeps you engaged from start to finish.

A clever, absorbing read. Steve Pb $22.99

The Austen Christmas Murders #3 Miss

Austen Investigates

Jessica

Bull

Blending period charm with a playful mystery, this novel delivers a festive story that's both clever and comforting. The writing has an easy flow, capturing the season's atmosphere without overindulging in detail. Characters are engaging, sketched with warmth and wit, and the plot keeps a steady pace that balances suspense with light-heartedness. What makes it appealing is how accessible it feels - never heavy, always inviting, and with just enough intrigue to keep the pages turning. Steve Hb $29.99

Murder in the Cathedral #22 Phryne Fisher

Kerry Greenwood

Phryne Fisher has been invited by her old friend Lionel to witness his investiture as Bishop of Bendigo. She isn't expecting much, so when an overzealous deacon is killed during the ceremony, Phryne is suddenly in her element! With her companion Dot, she assists the police and unravels a tale of murder, deceit and greed - whilst still having time to enjoy glamorous dresses, fine food and love! If this is the series' swansong, then it's a glorious and satisfying adventure, and the splendid Phryne shines undiminished. Lindy Pb $32.99

Venetian

Vespers

John Banville

Shortly after Evelyn Dolman marries American heiress Laura Rensselaer in 1899, Laura's oil baron father dies. She does not, however, inherit his fortune and insists on a belated honeymoon in Venice. Evelyn is discomforted, disoriented and increasingly unhappy. He's also quite violent and treacherous, and a series of events exacerbate his already frayed nerves. Then Laura disappears... Dark, atmospheric and haunting, this is a twisty and clever mystery, written in Banville's rich and evocative trademark style. Pb $34.99

Revelation Beach Susan Francis

Eleanor Freeman's Indonesian stepmother Ida mysteriously disappeared for 22 years. On her return, she never revealed why. So when Ida dies in a suspicious fire on the 25th anniversary of the execution of the Balibo 5 - who she has been accused of betraying to the authorities - and interpreter Eleanor is suspected of murdering her, she believes the answers are in East Timor. But perhaps it's something in Eleanor's past, not Ida's... Narrative shifts in time and place keep the reader's interest as hard truths are revealed. Lindy Pb $32.99

The Mushroom Tapes

Conversations on a Triple Murder

Trial

Helen Garner, Chloe Hooper & Sarah Krasnostein

The essential analysis of the trial that gripped the world. Three renowned writers of true crime tracked Erin Patterson's preliminary hearings and trial, joined the media scrum at the courts, slept over in Morwell and spent countless hours discussing the case and the themes it raises - love, hate, jealousy, revenge, marriage, money, mycology and murder. They explore the gap between the certainties of the law and the messiness of reality, as well as their own ambivalence about the true crime genre.

Pb $36.99

Unseen Art and Crime in Australia

Penelope

Jackson

The art world in Australia is as prone to fraud and fakery as other markets. This riveting book looks at art crime from colonial days to contemporary times, telling of the works, creators, curators and collectors at the centre of many of our most enduring art scandals. It also explores how our conception of value changes over time, how oncerenowned works are hidden from public sight and what this reveals about Australian society. Pb $39.99

A Slowly Dying Cause #22 Lynley

Elizabeth

George

Amid the beauty of Cornwall's coastline, the body of Michael Lobb is discovered in his workshop. A mining company had been trying to buy his land, and Lobb was the only obstacle to the deal going through. Detective Inspector Beatrice Hannaford is brought in to investigate and a web of intrigue soon draws in her colleagues Thomas Lynley and Barbara Havers, who must search for a killer in a community that has very little trust in outsiders… Alternating plot threads unspool in this atmospheric thriller. Pb $34.99

The Secret of Secrets #6 Robert Langdon

Dan Brown

It's been eight years since the last instalment in this series featuring Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon - introduced in Angels and Demons ($22.99) and The Da Vinci Code ($24.99). Langdon accompanies academic Katherine Solomon to Prague, but before she can deliver a lecture on human consciousness, she disappears from their hotel room. Against a backdrop of castles, graveyards and underground passages, Langdon must decipher cryptic clues to prevent a shocking secret from falling into the wrong hands. Hb $55 $45

Shadow Ticket Thomas Pynchon

Milwaukee 1932, the Great Depression. A private eye is catapulted into a riotous, continent-hopping journey to find the runaway heiress of a Wisconsin cheese fortune. This mystery draws you in to a maze of shifting perspectives and hidden connections. The writing carries a mix of precision and looseness, creating moments of clarity, before plunging back into uncertainty. There's humour woven through the complexity, lightening the weight without breaking the mood. Another demanding, but rewarding, novel from this visionary storyteller. Steve Pb $34.99

Crow Rhonda McCoy

When Tasmanian farmer Harold Crow dies unexpectedly after routine surgery in a rural hospital, his death exposes a tangled web of deceit, secrets and betrayals. From the local GP David Boyd who was his hidden lover, to the doctor's wife hiding secrets of her own, the nurse who worries he contributed to Crow's death and the adult children of both men, all will use lies to protect their reputations. A mix of family saga and medical intrigue. Pb $32.99

Exit Strategy #30 Jack Reacher

Lee Child & Andrew Child

As Jack Reacher leaves a coffee shop, a young guy brushes against him in the doorway. When he's buying a coat, he finds a handwritten note next to his wallet - a desperate plea for help. Surprised, but intrigued, he makes it his mission to find out more.. This story moves with no-nonsense rhythm, pulling you through a high-stakes world where every move counts. It's a lean, gripping read that combines clever plotting with compelling character work, making it hard to put down. Steve Pb $34.99

Ten $150 Gift Voucher prizes. See p2 for competition details.

When the flood reached the street, he snuggled beneath the covers, OK.

CLUE #4

Mary Penfold

Grantlee Kieza

Mary Penfold is regarded as the mother of Australian viticulture. Arriving in Adelaide in 1844 with her husband

Dr Christopher Rawson Penfold, Mary and her maid Ellen Timbrell tended grapevines brought from southern France. At first making wines as tonics for her husband's patients, Mary expanded her vineyard, developed new styles and created a flourishing business that not only catered to the colony, but internationally. Written in his careful narrative style, Kieza brings this unjustly forgotten pioneer back into well-deserved prominence. Hb $49.99

The Eye of the Dragonfly

My Life Seeing the World Through Sport

Tracey Lee Holmes

Dragonflies are the only creatures that have a 360-degree view, and Holmes has always tried to look at sport in the same way. She wants to understand motivations and how obstacles are overcome, particularly if those blocks are money, power, race and gender. This biography combines her observations on sport and some of the memorable moments of her career with her personal story. Insightful and candid writing. Pb $36.99

Average

Astrid

Destination Moon

at

Best

A Memoir from the Creator of Pub Choir®

Jorgensen

As the creator of Pub Choir® - a global phenomenon that unites complete strangers to connect, laugh and make beautiful music - Jorgensen takes us behind the curtain as she unflinchingly stares down her dizzying highs, her crushing lows, and everything in between. Because most things happen between the extremes. A powerful and joyful memoir about embracing mediocrity if you want to get anything done!

Pb $34.99

A Memoir of Fast Cars, French Pastries and Finding Purpose

Kate Reid

Reid has achieved an awful lot in relatively few years, largely due to her driven nature and focus on perfection - traits that would almost undo her. We follow her on a journey from the pinnacle of motorsport as an aerodynamicist in Formula One to the pinnacle of baking, receiving a medal from France for refinement of the croissant in her bakery Lune. A frank and brave account in which 'Ms Lune' doesn't sugarcoat the challenging elements and events of her action-packed story so far. Scott Hb $49.99

Elizabeth Harrower

The Woman in the Watch Tower

Susan Wyndham

Defiance

Stories from Nature and its Defenders

Bob Brown

This memoir captures the determination of someone committed to both principle and action. The writing is direct and unembellished, letting the events and convictions speak for themselves. Brown's reflections on activism, environmental battles and personal challenges feel honest and grounded, giving a sense of both the stakes and the humanity behind the work. There is a clarity to the narrative that makes complex issues accessible, and a warmth that shows why the cause mattered to him. An engaging, thoughtful account of courage in everyday life. Steve Pb $36.99

Gough Whitlam The Vista of the New Troy Bramston

Drawing on newly revealed personal archives and interviews with people who knew him, this comprehensive biography is a fresh portrait of one of our most controversial prime ministers. Whitlam was charismatic and visionary, but also so full of self-belief that he was led into monumental blunders. This offers new insights into his upbringing, war service, legal career and political ascendancy, as well as life postpolitics. An unvarnished, balanced analysis of our 21st prime minister's achievements and failures. Hb $55

Oliphant Roland Perry

Oppenheimer may be considered the father of the atomic bomb, but it was Mark Oliphant who showed him how it could be built. From humble beginnings in Adelaide, early academic successes and collaboration with Ernest Rutherford, to his involvement in the Manhattan Project, establishing the Australian National University and serving as Governor of South Australia, Oliphant led an extraordinary life. Based on personal interviews, this is a compelling account of a maverick genius who regretted the use of his scientific research for war and became a staunch advocate for global peace. Pb $34.99

Beyond the Meeting of the Waters

Wayne Atkinson

Yorta Yorta elder Wayne Atkinson has been at the forefront of Aboriginal cultural studies in Victoria since the 1980s and this warm and wise book details his life's journey. Starting with stories of his ancestors, the narrative progresses through his early years and connections, how he pursued tertiary education, worked on the Yorta Yorta land claim, went on to establish the Oncountry Learning Programme and discusses the ongoing fight against racism.

A generous and important book. Hb $49.99

Saltwater Fella

Harrower was a complicated woman who wrote incisive and wellreceived novels early in her long life, then stopped. She moved in literary and political circles, and was a beloved and sociable friend (our founder Eve Abbey knew her well) who shrunk from over-familiarity, yet devoted herself to people who drew upon her time and strength. This very fine biography draws on Wyndham's own friendship with Harrower, personal correspondence and acute literary analysis to give a picture of a remarkable woman and her place in Australian literature. Lindy Pb $39.99

How to End a Story

Collected Diaries 1978-1998

Helen Garner

This collection of diaries captures Garner's internal and external life: friendships, travel, heartbreak, writing struggles and unexpected joys. Her voice is unguarded, restless, meticulous - always tuned to the small, but telling, details. She shows how days bleed into years, how questions linger, how endings rarely feel neat. While the structure can feel fragmentary, the effect is cumulative: a haunting work that archives time, self and the slow art of noticing. Steve Hb $59.99

An Inspiring True Story of Success Against All Odds

John Moriarty

Known as the co-founder of Balarinji in 1983, most famously for decorating Qantas jets with beautiful Dreamtime designs, Moriarty is part of the Stolen Generation. This is the story of how he survived the harshness of children's homes and church institutions, discovered a talent for soccer and started a lifelong career in advocacy for Aboriginal rights and selfdetermination. Stirring and inspirational. Hb $49.99

The Curious Diplomat

A Memoir from the Frontlines of Diplomacy

Lachlan Strahan

Strahan had a career as a diplomat and ambassador in places such as Korea, Germany, India and the south Pacific. He worked with prime ministers and foreign affairs ministers including Kevin Rudd, Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull, Gareth Evans, Alexander Downer and Penny Wong, so is well placed to reveal how Canberra views Australian interests, and how our allies and adversaries view us. Riveting and lively, with many valuable insights. Pb $39.99

Book of Lives A Memoir of Sorts

Margaret Atwood

This work offers a clear, steady look at a life shaped by ideas, people and places. The memories are shared in short, sharp pieces that feel authentic, rather than polished. Childhood moments, creative work and personal relationships are described with honesty and a touch of dry humour. The tone is reflective, without becoming sentimental, and serious themes are handled with a calm, observant style. What comes through most is Atwood's curiosity and resilience - a sense of living fully, questioning often and paying attention to the details that define both private moments and the wider world. Steve Hb $69.99

Mother Mary Comes To Me

Arundhati Roy

The author of the 1997 bestseller The God of Small Things ($22.99), as well as many other works, writes in this memoir of the ache of losing her mother when she was still so young. Every page carries that raw absence, so it feels like sitting beside someone opening their heart. Grief is shown in small, everyday moments - memories, silences and the need to keep going. What gives the story its strength is how love endures beyond loss, leaving you moved by its honesty and tenderness. Steve Pb $36.99

We Did Ok, Kid A Memoir

Anthony Hopkins

Raise Your Soul A Personal History of Resistance

Yanis Varoufakis

Through intimate portraits of five women, this narrative spanning 100 years shows how personal relationships have shaped the life of Varoufakis, the visionary economist. The writing is straightforward and reflective, letting the women's stories and his experiences speak without flourish. It's a human portrait as much as a political one, showing how personal history intersects with wider events. Moments of struggle, care and strength are rendered with empathy, making them relatable. Thoughtful and approachable, it's a book that connects the personal with the political in an honest, engaging way. Steve Pb $36.99

For more than 60 years, Hopkins has thrilled, scared and delighted audiences with his remarkable performances on stage and screen. This passionate and candid memoir shows how an anxious little boy, raised in Wales during war and depression, and regarded as unlikely to ever make a success of life, became a world-renowned actor. Revealing candid stories of failed marriages, addictions and family estrangement, this is a raw and searing autobiography. Having now come so far in his career, he can't help but say to his young self: ‘We did OK, kid.' Hb $55

Wings The Story of a Band on the Run

Paul McCartney

An intimate oral history, this charts how Paul McCartney transformed life after The Beatles by founding Wings. It weaves together interviews from band mates, family and insiders with unseen photos and personal archives to illuminate the risks, triumphs and tensions of a band finding its identity. The narrative is vivid and grounded, offering rare insight into creative collaboration and the pressures of the music industry. A compelling portrait of musical reinvention. Steve Hb $79.99

Delivery only $9.90 across Australia

Finding My Way Malala Yousafzai

We all know about Malala - at 17, the youngest Nobel Prize laureate (2014), but what happened next? This powerful autobiography shows how Malala - a symbol of resistance and resilience - spent years struggling to find her place in the world. It is a story of friendship and love, of staying true to yourself when everyone wants to tell you who you are. A candid and revelatory account of a young woman who took charge of her destiny. Pb $34.99

True Nature The Lives of Peter Matthiessen

Lance Richardson

This richly detailed portrait of Peter Matthiessen charts his path from privileged Long Island childhood to CIA recruit, acclaimed novelist, nature writer and Zen teacher. The story follows his secretive early life, co-founding The Paris Review, journeys into remote landscapes and his eventual embrace of environmental activism and spiritual searching. Dense with biography, yet vivid in scene, it captures a man driven by restlessness and reinvention. Though occasionally heavy with detail, it's an elegant account of a complex and searching literary life. Steve Pb $39.99

Storyteller The Life of Robert Louis Stevenson

Leo Damrosch

Stevenson is most famed for Treasure Island ($19.99), Kidnapped ($19.95) and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde ($14.99), but he wrote many other stories before his death in Samoa aged only 44. Jorge Luis Borges called his stories “one of the forms of happiness”. This balanced portrait unfolds from his humble beginnings in Scotland to his wide travels abroad, exploring how his health, his journeys and his relationships shaped his character and his work, and showing how his restlessness and curiosity found expression in his writing. Steve Hb $51.95

A Bright Cold Day The Wonder of George Orwell

Nathan Waddell

A cleverly structured book that introduces Orwell the man - who noticed the small, intimate moments of ordinary life - and his works, where important things are said. It shows how the principles that rule us begin in the mundane details of living, where money, power, freedom and choice play out. Original and insightful. Hb $45

Vagabond Tim Curry

This seasoned performer walks you through his chameleonic life, from a nomadic childhood to memorable turns in cult classics, stage hits and voice roles that left a mark on generations. He mixes sharp backstage humour with candid reflections on resilience, including the challenges of illness and recovery, and tender encounters with creative legends and oddball creatures. A memoir that radiates warmth and honesty, leaving you with the sense of a life lived fully, with grit, humour and enduring spirit. Steve Hb $55

White Male Stand-Up An Autobiography

Alan Davies

This follows on from Davies' bestselling memoir Just Ignore Him ($24.99) and details what happened in the 1980s and 90s as he found himself becoming famous for his stand-up comedy and television series. Despite his increasing popularity and success, he kept self-sabotaging, as the secrets of his childhood left him feeling worthless. Painfully honest, but also often very funny! Pb $34.99

Memoirs of a Child Holocaust Survivor

Living Without Hatred

A M Fox

Recounted by his wife, these are the memories of a man who as a 9-year-old boy was sent to a concentration camp by the Nazis in 1939, until he was liberated by the Russians in May 1945. In August 1945, he was in the first group of child survivors who moved to England at the invitation of King George VI. His memories include those of his vibrant family life in Poland before the war. They are his homage and his memorial to his parents, his little sister and numerous uncles, aunts and cousins who did not survive. Pb $32.99

Ten $150 Gift Voucher prizes. See p2 for competition details.

AUSTRALIAN HISTORY at...

The Australian Wars

The Shortest History of Australia

Mark McKenna

This is a sharp reminder that a nation's story isn't a straight line, but a weave of voices, conflicts and turning points. From the world's oldest continuous culture through waves of settlement and upheaval, it balances pride with honesty, showing how triumph and trauma sit side by side. The prose is brisk, making weighty moments easy to absorb without losing depth. It's the kind of book you can read in a weekend, yet still find yourself mulling over for weeks, appreciating how the past continues to shape the present. Steve Hb $39.99

The Truth About the Bloody Battles Fought to Establish the Nation

Rachel Perkins, Mina Murray, Stephen Gapps, Henry Reynolds (Eds)

This follows the award-winning documentary series and tells the story of the frontier wars that claimed as many lives as Australians killed in foreign battles. A compelling blend of meticulous research, historical analysis and personal testimony from both black and white writers, it details resistance to colonial occupation by Indigenous nations across the continent. An important and comprehensive book. Hb $59.99

Looking from the North Australian History from the Top Down

Henry Reynolds

A re-examination of colonial history, centred on the experiences above the Tropic of Capricorn, this tells the stories of European, Chinese, Japanese and Pacific Islanders who were vital to the settlement of the north. Along with First Nations peoples' employment on stations and as Native Police, and their homelands and land rights movements, this is a groundbreaking, meticulous and skilful work that challenges assumptions of Australia's past. Pb $34.99

The Convict and the Compass

The Untold Story of James Meehan

Peter Bradley

James Meehan was the first Deputy Surveyor General of NSW, but he originally arrived as an Irish political prisoner in 1800. A schoolmaster and surveyor, his skills became invaluable and his meticulous surveys and town plans for places including Sydney, Parramatta, Liverpool, Bathurst, Port Macquarie and Hobart shaped the foundling colony, even as his convict past and Catholic faith were held against him. Painstakingly researched and detailed, this restores an important character to his place in early Australian history. Lindy Hb $65

Early Photography in Colonial Australia

Elisa deCourcy

An erudite exploration of the early history of photography in Australia, including how the images were used to celebrate colonial concerns at the expense of First Nations people. The book shows the new technology in relation to more established forms of art, and how photography was adapted to the Australian context. It also examines how these historical images are now used in contemporary acts of colonial reckoning and cultural reclamation. Thoughtful and nuanced. Pb $39.99

Shutter City

Walking Sydney

Fifteen Walks with a City's Writers

Belinda Castles

We each have our own experiences of Sydney, and writers who look carefully at their surroundings will see something else again! Accompanying 15 local writers, Belinda Castles is shown the layers of their piece of Sydney, walking with them and learning how the geography has shaped their writing, responses and selves. Some of the geographies overlap, but are shown differently (Bankstown, Redfern). Whether First Nations, settler or second-generation migrant descent, each writer shares profound insights into their lives and works. A fascinating, finely written and revealing look at place and time. Lindy Pb $34.99

The Bridge

The Epic Story of an Australian Icon (2nd ed) Peter Lalor

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of the most recognisable symbols of Australia. Telling the tale of the people who dreamed it into being, worked on its construction or were drawn to it for other reasons, this is the classic and lively account of one of Australia's - indeed the world's - most famous structures. Pb $36.99

Newcastle The Lives and Times of a City

Scott Bevan

After years of not being seen as a destination, Newcastle has been ‘discovered.' Novocastrians have always been defensive about it being the second city, but it has changed over the years. From convict hellhole to coal mining town, BHP city to largest coal exporting port in the world, Newcastle has been many things. This is the story of the place, told through the voices of many of its inhabitants. A meander through history and society with a genial guide who knows its flawsand perfections. Lindy Pb $39.99

Fragments of a Forgotten Melbourne

Robyn Annear

Melbourne in the mid-19th century was a city of transformation and growing affluence, and this fascinating book presents snapshots of street life and buildings, people and their occupations. Accompanied by informative and conversational text, this is a glimpse into a vanished past, full of detail and energy. Pb $49.99

We Should Be So Lucky

Why the Australian Way Works Andrew Low Australia's mix of open trade, migration, democratic stability and pragmatic policy is explored as a foundation for national prosperity. Drawing on experience in global finance and close observation of public life, the author outlines how institutions and social attitudes have influenced economic growth and resilience. Case studies range from resource development to multicultural integration. Some examples lead toward optimism, but the writing remains accessible and clear, offering an overview of the factors often credited with Australia's stability and long-term success. Steve Pb $36.99

PIX The Magazine that Told Australia's Story

Margot

Riley (Ed)

I remember my Dad bringing Pix home every week, and the family reading it. (I liked the cartoons, even if I didn't really know what they meant). The blackand-white photographs were also memorable, and this fascinating volume draws on the collection of the State Library of NSW to present some of the finest examples. Accompanied by informative captions, this is a tribute to a long-gone magazine, one that showed Australia images of itself. Lindy Hb $59.99

The Dark Prince of Melbourne

The Short, Flashy Life of Squizzy Taylor and the Birth of Organised Crime

Ian W Shaw

Squizzy Taylor's name is a byword for early 20th century thuggery; he was a man who would turn his hand to any crime if it profited him. He was also a caring husband, reliable son, considerate neighbour and generous patron. For more than a decade, he escaped every major charge laid against him and was constantly in the newspapers for his exploits and court appearances, but his life ended in a gunfight with a rival gangster. A colourful and meticulously researched biography. Pb $35.99

Code of Silence

The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop

Surgeon, Prisoner-of-War, Life-saving Leader and Legend of the Thai-Burma Railway

Peter FitzSimons

Dr Edward ‘Weary' Dunlop's name is a synonym for courage, compassion and resilience. An elite sportsman who chose medicine as his career, he joined the Australian Army Medical Corps when war broke out. Serving in the Middle East before being sent to Java, he was captured and sent to Singapore and Thailand, where he worked under the most appalling conditions to keep his men alive. His calmness, selflessness and leadership were legendary, and FitzSimons has written another extraordinary history about this heroic man, with the emphasis on ‘story'!

Hb $49.99 $39.99

How Australian Women Helped Win the War

Diana Thorp

A compelling story about the Australian women whose covert work helped end WWII, this traces the young women who worked in signals intelligence. Intercepting enemy messages and passing intelligence between local networks and allies around the world, they worked in locations ranging from secret bunkers in the outback, a Brisbane garage, a Perth girls' school and a Melbourne apartment. And when the war ended, they were bound by oaths of secrecy and resumed normal lives, their families unaware of the roles they played. A lively account. Pb $37.99

Australia's Coastal War

When World War Two Reached Our Shores

Tom Lewis

There were 1,993 enemy attacks around Australia during WWII. Submarines, air attacks, ship actions (both Japanese and German) from Darwin and Townsville to Melbourne and Hobart saw thousands of lives lost. The sinking of the cruiser HMAS Sydney off the WA coast resulted in the loss of the entire 645-person crew. This sweeping and detailed account brings them all together, revealing just how close war was to our shores. Pb $34.99

The Last Battle

Our Greatest Victory in Our Longest War

Aaron Patrick

The final major operation of Australian SAS forces in Afghanistan is reconstructed in sharp detail, showing how one mission came to define the closing chapter of a decades-long war. Drawing on interviews, operational records and firsthand accounts, it illuminates the risks, tactics and human costs involved. While the focus on battlefield minutiae can slow the pace, it also adds authenticity. The result is a gripping account of courage and complexity at the end of Australia's longest conflict. Steve Pb $36.99

The Art of the Engineman

Life on Australian Locomotives

Nick Anchen

In a time when rail transport was crucial, the men who kept the locomotives going were essential. This tells of 23 enginemen who endured harsh and often remote conditions on trains such as the old Ghan or the glamorous Spirit of Progress. While their stories are fascinating, it's the array of 200 historical black-and-white and colour photographs that is most arresting. A splendid tribute to the men and their locomotives! Lindy Hb $79.95

Inferno Australians on the Western Front

Phillip Bradley

The story of Australians fighting in France and Belgium from 1916 to 1918. Told through the eyes of both the Diggers and the Germans, this is a rich and vivid account of the largest tragedy in Australian military history. It covers each of the major battles and some of the details drawn from firsthand reports are uncovered for the first time. A fine and compelling history, this is the legend of the Diggers brought to life. Pb $36.99

Australian

Resolute

The Australian Air War in Burma, 1942-1945

Andrew Kilsby & Daryl Moran

More than 1,700 Australian airmen were engaged in the air war in Southeast Asia, over 245 of whom lost their lives. Operating in extreme conditions, they undertook perilous sorties into China, dropped agents into Burma, Thailand, Malaya and Indo-China, delivered supplies to troops, conducted bombing raids and ground attacks, and flew anti-submarine and convoy protection missions. The authors - both sons of RAAF veterans - reveal the triumphs and tragedies of these brave airmen in the first detailed history of a largely overlooked campaign. Pb $34.99

Heroes of World War II

Remarkable Stories of Battlefield Courage

Mark Johnston

Not all acts of WWII bravery were rewarded with medals or official recognition, and the system was imperfect, but 1,700+ medals were given for bravery. Concentrating on soldiers who are less well-known, but no less outstanding, Johnston weaves the stories of their deeds into the main land campaigns in the Middle East, Crete, Asia and the Pacific. Some 700 individuals are featured and although the details are necessarily brief, they draw a picture of mateship and courage. Maps and photographs throughout add to the wellresearched narrative. Lindy Pb $39.99

Great Properties of the Riverina and Upper Murray

Richard Allen & Kimbal Baker

Showcasing 16 significant properties along the Murray, around Corowa, south of Holbrook and in the northern Riverina, this beautifully presented volume details their origins, histories and transformations as owners faced drought, flood, pestilence and market collapses, whilst trying different breeds and crops. Thoroughly illustrated, it brings the estates to life - and who doesn't enjoy a peek into the grand homes of the station owners!

Hb $79.99

HISTORY at

Domination

Dinner with King Tut

How Rogue Archaeologists are Recreating the Sights, Smells and Tastes of Lost Civilizations

Sam Kean

Experimental archaeology aims to bring the past alive by recreating its experiences. Kean joins some of its practitioners in their quest to understand the past with all of our senses. Whether Africa 75,000 years ago, South America 7,500 years ago, or Mexico 500 years ago, (as well as eight other periods of history), these archaeologists conjure up the past through making mummies, brewing Viking beer, recreating medieval weapons and much more. In parallel with these accounts, Kean recreates a day-in-thelife of an imagined character of the time, illustrating our shared humanity. Idiosyncratic, lively and vivid history! Hb $55

The Fall of the Roman Empire and the Rise of Christianity

Alice Roberts

How did Christianity spread from its Middle Eastern origins to the West? How did it become so powerful and rise to dominate other older belief systems? This engaging book argues that the Roman Empire lives on in the church, telling the story through objects and individual parishes. It follows the formative events in the early centuries, with a focus on Council of Nicea in 327 AD, and shows how Christianity meshed with the disintegrating empire, using its structures and power. Approachable and meticulously researched. Pb $36.99

The Romans A 2,000-Year History

Edward J Watts

A sweep through the vast history of Rome, from its beginnings on the banks of the Tiber to the point Watts believes it ends - the sack of Constantinople by European Crusaders in 1204. Through civil wars, plagues, invasions and religious upheavals, the Roman state survived, adapted and reinvented itself. This book tells of the Rome of Augustus, Marcus Aurelius, Constantine, Charlemagne and Justinian - and of the countless ordinary citizens who made the Roman state so successful. Pb $36.99

The Buddha Biography of a Myth

Donald S Lopez Jr

The Buddha's story has been told in many ways and this book explores how they shaped the figure we know today. It shows how cultures across time drew on his life to express both spiritual ideals and human needs, turning him into someone both historical and symbolic. Through close readings of texts, traditions and modern accounts, it reveals how myth and history often blend. Written with clarity and care, this is a thoughtful view of how one life grew into many stories. Steve Hb $45.95

Abbey's is Australia's specialist history bookshop. Visit HISTORY HERALD at abbeys.com.au for the latest history book releases - and tick 'History' as your eNews interest.

Children

Sparta

The Rise and Fall of an Ancient Superpower

Andrew Bayliss

How did a hamlet in the Peloponnese rise to become one of the most iconic city-states of Ancient Greece? And how did it lose the position as foremost military power in the Classical world? This thoroughly researched book looks at what made Sparta so different - its legendary warriors, double monarchy, child-rearing philosophies and the place of Spartan women in society - and yet it could not remain paramount. Informative and engaging history. Pb $39.99

of Mars The Origins of Rome's Empire

Jeremy Armstrong

A new narrative account of the rise of Rome, this argues that the emergence of the Roman Empire was due to the individual actions of independent war bands and clans that only gradually came together in collaborative warfare. Using the most current historical and archaeological evidence, it offers a new interpretation of the early Roman army and its evolution in an accessible and engaging manner. Hb $54.95

Fulvia

Shattered Lands

Five Partitions and the Making of Modern Asia

Sam Dalrymple

The Indian Empire of 1928 stretched from the Red Sea to Southeast Asia. Fifty years and five partitions later, it was 12 modern nations. The first partition carved off Burma, the second separated the Arabian Peninsula. The third was the Great Partition separating Muslim from Hindu, the fourth was of Princely India and the last tore Pakistan apart. This book explores in great detail how these came about - the human costs and tragedies, the political decisions and battles. Absolutely brilliant writing combined with deep research and personal anecdotes. Lindy Pb $39.99

Forgotten Peoples of the Ancient World

Philip Matyszak

Beyond the Greeks, Romans and Hebrews of the Classical world, there was a rich diversity of other peoples and civilisations which emerged from the Middle East and spread across the Mediterranean and into Europe. Meticulously researched and full of vivid stories, this explores the origins of 40 forgotten peoples, their triumphs and defeats, and the legacies they bequeathed the modern world. Pb $32.99

Master of Rome

A Life of Julius Caesar

David Potter

Julius Caesar is one of the most famous figures in history. Through careful analysis of ancient writings, including Caesar's own, Potter reveals him as a highly organised manager who could adjust to any circumstance while maintaining a favourable image with the populace, but whose insistence on bringing his enemies into the fold proved his downfall. From his early years to the Ides of March, this is a compelling account of an extraordinary man who rose from the fringes of Roman political society to unprecedented heights. Hb $54.95

The Woman Who Broke All the Rules in Ancient Rome

Jane Draycott

Fulvia was born into wealth and privilege - and a heavily patriarchal society that ensured women were kept from power. Fulvia was different, amassing political and military power unprecedented for a Roman woman. She made three influential marriages, the last to Marc Antony, and was widely known - and much maligned by writers of the time - for her non-womanly attributes. This readable and well-researched history shows the role of women in Late Republic Rome, and how Fulvia stepped outside the domestic realm she was expected to remain within. Pb $34.99

Twelve Churches

Legenda

The Real Women Behind the Myths that Shaped Europe

Janina Ramirez

Legend is often less about truth than about who tells the story. Here, the author of Femina ($29.99) takes myths apart and carefully examines them, showing how women at the centre of history have been remembered, misremembered or erased. She chooses a calm, steady tone that leaves space for reflection. Historical detail and cultural insight are woven together in a way that feels accessible and intelligent. What emerges is not just revision, but an invitation to look again - at power, memory and the stories that continue to shape identity and belonging today. Steve Pb $36.99

An Unlikely History of the Buildings that Made Christianity

Fergus Butler-Gallie

Beginning with the Church of the Nativity, sweeping through the Hagia Sophia, Canterbury Cathedral, the monastery of Mount Athos, St Peters in Rome and on to churches in South America, Ethiopia, Japan and Africa, this is a look at the intersection of the intimate and the universal. A thoughtful and accessible approach to the story of Christian faith and an engaging blend of history, geography, travel and reflection, laced with wry humour. Pb $34.99

Graveyards

A History of Living with the Dead

Roger Luckhurst

An arresting and poignant cultural history of graveyards, from ancient civilisations to today. It blends history, art and literature, and explores how we have dealt with the dead. It ranges from early burials to the emergence of necropolises and catacombs, grave robbing, garden cemeteries, monuments and modern memorial culture. Fascinating and richly illustrated. Hb $65.99

Assassins and Templars

A Battle in Myth and Blood Steve Tibble

Rather than dwelling on the legends, this book examines how two very different groups became tied together in history It traces their rise, the beliefs that drove them and the clashes that followed. What emerges is less about secret rituals and more about the realities of politics, warfare and reputation. By placing their actions in context, the account shows how myth and memory built lasting images that continue to shape how they are remembered today. Steve Hb $41.95

Revolting

A Riotous History of Rebellions and Revolutions

Terry Deary

This lively history races through uprisings and revolutions with irreverent wit and an eye for the underdog. From peasants challenging kings to suffragettes demanding change, it turns complex events into sharp, funny and surprisingly human stories. The tone is playful, yet pointed, exposing the absurdities of power, while celebrating ordinary people who refused to accept injustice. The jumps between eras can feel abrupt, but it's an engaging reminder that rebellion has shaped societies and driven progress throughout history. Steve Pb $36.99

The Blood in Winter A Nation Descends, 1642

Jonathan Healey

Why did the English Civil War break out? This meticulously researched history details the events in the months leading up to the war that changed the nation as Charles I marched on Westminster to arrest five parliamentarians. Recreating the times through the eyes of the common people, who were well aware of what was happening, as well as the more influential characters, this is colourful, fast-paced and elegantly crafted. Hb $59.99

The

Graces

The

Finest Hotel in Kabul

A People's History of Afghanistan

Lyse Doucet

A grand Kabul hotel becomes the lens through which decades of Afghanistan's turbulent history unfold. From Soviet occupation to civil war, Taliban rule, foreign intervention and fragile attempts at renewal, its walls witness hope, betrayal and resilience. Staff, guests and wanderers each embody the country's shifting fortunes, revealing lives lived under relentless upheaval, yet marked by ingenuity and courage. Intimate personal stories blend with sweeping history, creating a deeply human portrait of survival and endurance. Steve Pb $36.99

The Extraordinary Untold Lives of Women at the Restoration Court

Breeze Barrington

The only Italian queen of Britain was Maria d'Este, known as Mary of Modena. A devout Catholic, she was the second wife of James II and surrounded herself with intelligent and artistic women to recreate the life she'd left behind. Brave, cultured and perceptive, she weathered the tumultuous and vulgar world of the Restoration court, and this illuminating, original and well-researched book tells of her life, as well as her circle of extraordinary female friends. Hb $49.99

The Medieval Moon

A History of Haunting and Blessing

Ayoush Lazikani

People in the medieval world looked up at the moon with feelings of both comfort and unease, and this book captures that mix of emotions. It traces how the moon was seen as a source of both haunting and blessing, impacting daily practices, rituals and fears. Drawing on folklore, religion and early science, it shows how these ideas shaped communities and their sense of the world. Written in a clear and thoughtful style, it brings an old fascination closer to home. Steve Hb $41.95

The Stolen Crown Treachery, Deceit and the Death of the Tudor Dynasty Tracy Borman

The transition between Tudor and Stuart royal dynasties was based on the lie that Elizabeth I actually named James VI of Scotland as her heir. Reading like a political thriller, but grounded in meticulous research, this is a compelling account of the messy last days of the Tudor era and the dawn of a regime that descended into uncertainty, turbulence, conspiracy and persecution, culminating in the destruction of the monarchy in the English Civil War. Pb $36.99

The French Revolution A Political History

John Hardman

This study follows the Revolution as a story of shifting power, competing voice and the struggle to define a nation, looking closely at how ideas and political manoeuvres shaped the course of events. The people who rose and fell are set against the larger question of how authority and representation could coexist. It's a reminder that revolutions are made as much in debates and compromises as they are in protests and battles.

Steve Hb $51.95

Three Revolutions

Russia, China, Cuba and the Epic Journeys that Changed the World

Simon Hall

The 20th century was transformed by three revolutions, at the heart of which were three epic journeys - Lenin's 1917 return to Russia from Switzerland, Mao's Long March of 1934-35, and Fidel Castro's journey from Mexican exile in 1956. These gripping stories are told in tandem with the corresponding journeys of three extraordinary journalists who reported on each political upheaval and whose testimonies shaped how the world understood these tumultuous events. Pb $36.99

Driven by the Monsoons

Through the Indian Ocean and the Seas of China

Barry Cunliffe

Ten $150 Gift Voucher prizes. See p2 for competition details.

We tried to check-in but things went awry when the lobby was invaded.

The Silk Road may be one origin of globalisation, but the Indian Ocean is another. Examining the beginnings of maritime trade using archaeology and tales of historic travellers, this shows how humans have maintained networks, whatever the conditions and difficulties. From the Arabian Gulf across to the China Sea, this is an illuminating and accessible account of how societies and economies flourished in East Africa, India and South East Asia. Hb $54.95

Mistress

A History of Women and their Country Houses

Anthony Fletcher & Ruth Larsen

Behind the walls of country houses, women played roles that went far beyond the expected. This history traces how influence was exercised through inheritance, household management, taste and community presence. Some figures left their mark quietly, others with more visible authority, but together they reveal the many ways women shaped these estates and the lives within them. This book highlights the house as both a reflection of power and a stage for everyday choices, offering a grounded view of social history. Steve Hb $51.95

HISTORY at

Atlantic Furies

Willie, Willie, Harry, Stee

An Epically Short History of Our Kings and Queens

Charlie Higson

"Willie, Willie, Harry, Stee, Harry, Dick, John, Harry three. One, two, three Neds, Richard two, Henries four, five, six, then who?" So goes a little rhyme taught to generations of British schoolkids. This is a little irreverent, a little satirical and a whole lot of entertainment as Higson introduces readers to every ruler since poor Harold was shot in the eye at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Pb $37.99

The Women Who Risked Everything to be the First to Fly

Midge Gillies

The extraordinary story of six aviators who vied to be the first woman to cross the Atlantic by plane - challenging prejudice as much as the weather. Their journeys were filled with bravery, ambition and risk; for three, it cost their lives. Gillies writes with compassion, showing the exhilaration of flight, and the heavy toll it took on those who risked everything. Not just aviation history, this is a portrait of courage under pressure, where triumph and tragedy are never far apart. Steve Pb $37.99

Ring of Fire

A New Global History of the Outbreak of the First World War

Alex Churchill & Nicolai Eberholst

This is a panoramic reassessment of a war that started in Europe, but had global reach. Denmark started laying mines when the war started; the first British shots were fired in West Africa; Australia's first casualties were in the Pacific. It focuses on the impact war had on ordinary people, including women and children, and draws on largely ignored source material translated from more than a dozen languages. Intricately researched and highly readable. Hb $59.99

Borneo The Last Campaign

Michael Veitch

Operation OBOE was a three-pronged amphibious invasion of the Japanese-held island of Borneo in the last months of WWII. 80,000 men of the Australian 1st Army Corp were deployed in atrocious conditions, fighting a desperate and murderous enemy. It was the largest, most complex campaign undertaken by the Australian military, and yet it's relatively unknown and also somewhat controversial because it was thought at the time to be unnecessary... This engrossing narrative history is for the general reader, without sacrificing research or accuracy. Lindy Pb $34.99

The Glass Mountain Escape and Discovery in Wartime Italy

Malcolm Gaskill

A vivid reckoning with family, memory and wartime courage. Gaskill traces his great-uncle Ralph's capture in Libya, imprisonment in Italy, daring escapes and refuge among villagers during the German occupation of Italy in WWII. His archival diligence and on-the-ground retracing bring texture to a story half lost to time. Where records are thin, the narrative leans toward speculation, but it remains a moving reflection on how the past resists a full grasp - and why we keep probing its outlines. Steve Hb $55

The Impossible Bomb

Winston and the Windsors

How Churchill Shaped a Royal Dynasty

Andrew Morton

Power, loyalty and uneasy alliances define this vivid account of Churchill's ties with the royal family. Morton explores the complex relationship between Churchill and the Windsors, weaving political drama with personal tension. From abdication crises to wartime unity, he shows how Churchill's pragmatism often collided with royal protocol, yet ultimately bound him to the Monarchy's survival. With his trademark clarity and pace, Morton makes history feel intimate and alive. A revealing biography and a reminder of how personalities can shape a nation's destiny. Steve Pb $37.99

Tunisgrad Victory in Africa

Saul David

On 8 November 1942, British and American troops invaded French North Africa in the largest amphibious operation of WWII to date. The Germans responded by flooding Tunisia with troops, and the outcome hung in the balance for months. The Allies were ultimately successful, destroying 40% of the Luftwaffe and ending Axis sea power in the Mediterranean, while 250,000 German and Italian troops surrendered. Told from all perspectives, this is a comprehensive and dramatic account. Pb $39.99

The Traitors Circle

Crash of the Heavens

The Untold Story of the Only Military Mission to Rescue Europe's Jews During World War II

Douglas Century

A young poet-turned-paratrooper volunteers for one of WWII's boldest missions - parachuting into Nazi-occupied Europe to save Allied airmen and Jewish civilians. Armed only with her radio skills, courage and conviction, she risks everything in the name of resistance. Betrayed almost immediately, she endures torture, but refuses to betray her comrades. Her quiet defiance, lyrical spirit and ultimate sacrifice shine as a humbling testament to humanity even in the darkest moments. A stirring and deeply human story. Pb $36.99

The Rebels Against the Nazis and the Spy Who Betrayed Them

Jonathan Freedland

In 1943 Berlin, a group of influential high-society anti-Nazis met to celebrate a birthday. They were vehemently opposed to Hitler and his policies, and had worked quietly to subvert the Reich, but unbeknownst to them, a spy who masqueraded as a sympathetic ally had infiltrated their network and betrayed them to the authorities. A gripping, well-researched story of people who could have stayed safe and looked the other way, but who chose not to. Pb $34.99

The Hidden History of British Scientists and the Race to Create an Atomic Weapon

Gareth Williams

This traces how British scientists shaped the development of the atomic bomb, blending technical ambition with ethical unease. It explores the intersections of wartime urgency, scientific rivalry and national identity, showing how Britain's physicists contributed both breakthroughs and dissent. It captures the pressure of innovation under secrecy and the dilemmas faced when discovery became weaponry. Thoughtful and accessible, it underscores how individual choices within British science left a lasting mark on global history. Steve Hb $51.95

The

Believable Lies

The Misfits Who Fought Churchill's Secret Propaganda War

Terry Stiastny

An absorbing look at Britain's secret propaganda unit during WWII - an unlikely band of writers, artists and outsiders recruited to wage psychological warfare against the Nazis. It traces how they shaped rumours, fake news and covert broadcasts to erode enemy morale, while wrestling with the ethics of their deception. Drawing on fresh archives, it combines intelligence history with vivid character studies, revealing how creativity and subterfuge shaped the conflict beyond the battlefield. Steve Pb $36.99

Great Museum of the Sea

A Human History of Shipwrecks

James P Delgado

The sea is the largest museum on earth, and thousands of ships rest in its depths. Some date back to the dawn of civilisation, others were lost more recently, but all have a story to tell. This is a personal tour of the world's wrecks by a leading scholar, diver and marine archaeologist, who explains how and why ships experience catastrophe at sea, and why their remains fascinate and enlighten us to this day. Hb $45.95

Maps, Annotated

Earth Shapers

How Humans Mastered Geography and Remade the World

Maxim Samson

Humans are experts at reshaping the physical world to meet their needs and all civilisations have made use of natural landscapes for their own advantage. From the Incan road system to the building of the Panama Canal, the sacred mountains of Korea to railroads in Africa, this immense work of cultural geography touches on ecology, history, sociology and politics. Hb $45

The World's 300 Greatest Maps Explained Dorling Kindersley

A richly illustrated guide tracing over 5,000 years of cartographic history through the world's most fascinating maps. Each entry is annotated with clarity, contextualising the map's cultural and technical significance - be it a medieval mappa mundi or a lunar surface survey. Organised chronologically, it illuminates how navigators, scholars and artists shaped our geographic imagination. The sheer density of visual detail sometimes feels overwhelming, but it's a beautifully ambitious compendium for anyone curious about how maps chart both territory and meaning. Steve Hb $65

Cryptic

Seven Rivers

A Journey Through the Currents of Human History

Vanessa Taylor Rivers formed our civilisations. They provided water, transport, sewers, resources, borders, connection and sites of worship. This is about seven of the most storied rivers - the Nile, Danube, Ganges, Thames, Mississippi, Niger and Yangtze. Well researched, and written in an easy and accessible manner, this is an absorbing study of the impact rivers have had on humansand how we have altered them in turn. Lindy Pb $34.99

From Voynich to the Angel Diaries, the Story of the World's Mysterious Manuscripts Garry J Shaw

This thoughtful exploration introduces nine manuscripts that have long puzzled historians, including the unknown alphabet of the nun Hildegard of Bingen, the enciphered manuscripts of the prankloving physician Giovanni Fontana, and the angel communications of the polymath John Dee. Each chapter places the text in its cultural and historical setting, explaining what is known about the origins, contents and possible purposes. A balanced, well researched look at why certain writings continue to resist explanation. Steve Hb $51.95

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Atlas of Borders

Walls, Migrations and Conflicts in 70 Maps

Delphine Papin, Bruno Tertrais & Xemartin Laborde

This colourfully illustrated book presents the borders that define our current world. It features up-to-date maps and infographics, and discusses territories and claims, shedding light on the larger issues behind the arbitrary lines man has drawn on the globe. It also looks at such things as the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, repercussions of Brexit and Covid 19, and migrations around the world, presenting complex issues in a concise and clear manner. Hb $65.99

This Way Up

When Maps Go Wrong (and Why it Matters)

Mark Cooper-Jones & Jay Foreman

Written by the cartographical nerds who call themselves the Map Men, this is a deliciously entertaining romp through geography as drawn by incompetents, dreamers, surrealists, corporates and those just not paying attention. World maps with omitted countries, colonial maps with imagined features, recent maps with fake cities - all this and more as the Map Men explore what on earth went wrong! Pb $34.99

AUDIOBOOKS

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SUPPORTING ABBEY'S

You purchase your audiobooks directly from the Libro.fm website or app and Abbey's receives some of the purchase because Libro.fm is an employee-owned Social Purpose Corporation.

Listen while you walk, drive, workout - wherever and whenever! Audiobooks are available for all categories: fiction, crime, kid's books, history, science, fantasy, and also for a range of non-English languages.

The Shortest History of the United States of America

Don Watson

Here's how a nation at war with itself became a global powerhouse, explored with great insight into conflicts that still echo - freedom and repression, race and expansion, religion and enterprise. Told with measured wit and clear-eyed clarity, it moves from revolution through civil rights to the divisions of today. The writing balances depth and brevity, making complex history feel immediate and relevant, showing how past fractures inform the present - and how enduring ideals can still feel fragile. An intelligent, concise journey into how a country defines itself. Steve Hb $39.99

So You Want to Own Greenland?

Lessons from the Vikings to Trump

Elizabeth Buchanan

Delving into the rich history and complex politics of this cold lump of rock, this book starts with the Vikings and their mysterious disappearance in the 14th century, and examines its gradual transformation until Danish possession, then as an autonomous territory. With its strategic significance, it has somehow become the centre of a renewed ‘great game', whilst its 56,000 inhabitants are increasingly clamouring for full independence. A brilliant guide to Greenland, why it matters, who wants it, and why it might be the next global flashpoint. Pb $34.99

Ten $150 Gift Voucher prizes. See p2 for competition details.

Sporting a fine Panama, he surveyed his grand projects across the globe.

SCIENCE at

When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows...

Common Knowledge and the Science of Harmony, Hypocrisy and Outrage

Steven Pinker

At its core, this book is about the forces of common knowledge and the impact on human decisions. From traffic jams to political standoffs, it shows how shared awareness shapes trust, cooperation and sometimes conflict. The examples move easily between playful puzzles and real-world dilemmas, explained with clarity and a touch of wit. Thought-provoking and accessible, it makes complex ideas about human behaviour feel relevant to everyday life. Steve Pb $39.99

Abbey's is Australia's specialist science bookshop. Visit SCIENCE CENTRAL at abbeys.com.au for the latest science book releases - and tick 'Science' as your eNews interest.

The Best Australian Science Writing 2025

Zoe Kean & Tegan Taylor (Eds)

This is the 15th edition of this wonderful yearly anthology, one I look forward to because of its enticing blend of science, journalism and creative writing. This one contains stories ranging from the science of the structure of the Corpse Flower to insect consciousness, our modern addiction to air conditioning to the question of exoplanets' suitability for human habitation, the impossibility of accurate statistics of war casualties to the possibility of whale languages. All these and more await! Riveting, engaging, important and sometimes humorous, this is a collection to savour. Lindy Pb $32.99

Brave New Wild

Can Technology Really Save the Planet?

Richard King

Governments and corporations insist that AI, geoengineering and nanotech contain the solutions to the environmental crisis, but in making nature conform to human society, instead of building societies that respect nature, aren't we deepening the problems? This book challenges those assumptions and proposes alternatives - a bold and provocative exploration of different ways of thinking about our place on Earth. Pb $32.99

The Arrogant Ape

And a New Way to See Humanity

Christine

Webb

Are humans really the smartest, most sophisticated and successful species on earth? What if we're wrong?

A leading primatologist demonstrates how our belief in our own exceptionalism leads us to ignore other species' superiorities, and is linked to some of the greatest threats against humankind and the environment - but also offers a hopeful, optimistic way forward. Pb $34.99

The Breath of the Gods

The History and Future of the Wind

Simon Winchester

A thought-provoking history of the wind - that unseen force that plays a part in our everyday lives and has featured in literature, history, science and engineering. Wind-induced natural hazards increase in frequency, yet the wind also provides a safe and green source of energy. With his trademark entertaining and edifying style, Winchester explores how essential - and terrifying - this natural phenomenon truly is! Pb $37.99

In the Circle of Ancient Trees

Our Oldest Trees and the Stories They Tell Valerie Trouet (Ed)

Blending clear research with a touch of wonder, this is a beautifully crafted journey into the lives of some of the world's oldest trees. Bringing together the scientists who know these trees well, each chapter feels like sitting with a wise old storytellerthe trees' rings revealing centuries of climate shifts, human history and resilience. More than science, it's a reminder of our connection to nature and why protecting these living timekeepers matters for the generations to come. Elegant woodcut illustrations and infographics make the book even more approachable. Steve Hb $59.99

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Ecology Matters

Conversations with Australian Ecologists

Grace Heathcote & The Ecological Society of Australia

This finely produced book contains 30 essays from pre-eminent ecologists who explain the range of their work, what motivates them, their working conditions and of course the organisms they study to protect. Including indigenous rangers, students, restoration ecologists and renowned scientists, this covers subjects as diverse as feral cats, Antarctic mosses, whales, wallabies, crayfish and seagrass, amongst others. Accompanied by stunning photos taken by the scientists in the course of their work, this is a fascinating insight into dedicated Australian ecologists.

Hb $54.99

(Be)wilder Journeys in Nature Darryl Jones

A collection of stories from Australia's favourite urban ecologist, exploring the connections people have with other creatures and how sometimes nature can take advantage of the changes we have wrought upon the environment. Engaging with nature doesn't always have to be in the wilderness, nor does it have to impact upon wild animals, and this book shows that we still know too little about the complexities of the natural world. From the icy Arctic to the steamy jungles of Borneo, the African savannah and rural Australia, this is conversational rather than confrontational, and all the more convincing... Lindy Pb $32.99

Liars, Cheats and Copycats

Trickery and Deception in Nature

James O'Hanlon

Sometimes trickery and deception are the only ways to survive! The natural world is full of deadly dangers, so creatures have evolved the means to hide in plain sight, or to lure unsuspecting others by their innocentseeming guise. Insects may look like flowers, or orchids like insects; brightly coloured predators may meld into the landscape, and their prey may likewise disappear through patterning; fungi might smell like rotting flesh; and fish lure prey with fleshy protuberances. An entertaining and enlightening look at how camouflage works! Lindy Pb $34.99

Metamorphosis A Natural and Human History

Oren Harman

Nearly three-quarters of all animal species metamorphose. Not just butterflies! It's a great riddle and a profound wonder; why go to all the trouble to transform into different life stages? From Aristotle determining if cucumbers had souls to Freud looking for eel testicles, we have been obsessed by this mystery. Interweaving science with philosophy, history and personal musings, this is a guided tour full of curiosity and revelation.

Pb $34.99

Eucalyptus Stephen D Hopper

Eucalypts are Australia's iconic trees. From dwarf mallees to towering forest ashes, they are immediately recognisable. Accompanied by stunning photos, this book blends Aboriginal knowledge and Western science to explore the rich natural history, biology and conservation of the eucalypt, as well as their cultural significance and uses. Hb $39.99

Giants

Jem Cresswell

Over a five-year period, Cresswell photographed humpback whales in the waters off Tonga. Narrowing down 11,000 images into this glorious book took some effort! Black- andwhite photos capture the majesty, grace, power and sheer beauty of the creatures. My personal favourites are of mothers and calves, portrayed with care and delicacy. If, like me, you've only seen humpbacks from the land or sea's surface, this beguiling and wondrous book shows the whales to their best advantage! Lindy Pb $49.99

A Guide to the Night Sky

The Science and Lore Behind Our Constellations

Sara Webb

There are 88 officially recognised constellations, and this lovely little volume introduces the stargazer to them all. Each is represented by a positional drawing, artwork depicting the object it's named for, whether best viewed in northern or southern hemispheres, how to find it in the night sky, the objects best seen within by using a telescope, and folklore. Also includes First stargazers and their interpretations, and good general information for the amateur viewer. A very useful book! Lindy Hb $34.99

2026 Australasian Sky Guide

Nick Lomb

A Short History of Nearly Everything 2.0

Bill Bryson

The 2003 bestseller now updated to reflect the scientific discoveries of the last two decades. Bryson can't contain his curiosity about the world around him and this is the result of his enthusiastic quest to understand everything that has happened from the Big Bang to the rise of civilisation. In a good-humoured style, he makes complex subjects fascinating and accessible for readers young and old, revealing the world in a whole new way. Pb $36.99

The standard and well-loved guide to happenings in the celestial realm, as might be seen (clouds permitting, of course!) in the southern night sky for the year. It's one of my personal favourites, easy to use and informative. Meteorite showers, occultation, eclipses and gatherings of planets are highlighted, along with the latest discoveries in astronomical science. An indispensable guide! Lindy Pb $24.99

Starwatchers A History of Discovery in the Night Sky

Joanne Baker

A thoughtful blend of science and history, this explores the global history of humanity's relationship with the cosmos. It tells of starwatchers in different cultures, from observatories in ancient Babylon to orbital telescopes and space probes of today, weaving Baker's personal anecdotes as an astrophysicist into the mix. Captivating and illuminating! Hb $39.99

Why Do Birds Sing?

Gráinne Cleary

A simple question perhaps, but not simply answered!

This engaging book asks a multitude of questions, arranged in thematic sections. From explaining what a songbird is, how birds learn songs, understanding what is communicated, whether female birds sing, memory, function and what the brain of a songbird can teach us about our own, this is an extensive and accessible investigation. The perfect gift for anyone interested in birds or avian behaviour! Lindy Pb $34.99

The Weed Forager's Handbook

A Guide to Edible and Medicinal Weeds in Australia

Adam Grubb & Annie Raser-Rowland

An updated edition of the bestselling field guide to plants that are considered weeds, but which are edible or have been used medicinally. With 36 entries, updated research, extra facts, folklore, new photos and even recipes, this will help the forager distinguish nutritious and useful species from those that might be more dangerous and less palatable! Pb $29.99

Ten $150 Gift Voucher prizes. See p2 for competition details.

Moving towards the fish, the cat wondered - was this trick or treat?

Quantum 2.0

The Past, Present, and Future of Quantum Physics

Paul Davies

The renowned scientist tells the story of how, beginning with an iconic mathematical equation in the 1920s, a radical new theory of nature came about, and how today we're on the cusp of the second great quantum technology revolution. And appearing on the horizon is the most awesome and game-changing prospect of all - quantum AI. Take a peek into the mindbending new wonderland of quantum physics and glimpse its stunning implications. Hb $45

If Anyone Builds it, Everyone Dies

The Case Against Superintelligent AI

Eliezer Yudkowsky & Nate Soares

This urgent book warns that building a superintelligent AI could be humanity's last mistake. It explains in plain terms how an AI that is smarter than people might slip beyond our control and make choices that put everyone at risk. Stories and simple thought experiments replace heavy theory, making the danger easy to grasp, even for non-experts. The tone is blunt, at times alarming, but that directness is the whole point. A wake-up call about the pace of technology and what's at stake. Steve Pb $36.99

Think Like a Mathematician

Simple Tools for Complex Everyday Problems

Junaid Mubeen

The maths we learnt at school was often accompanied by the belief it wouldn't be useful in the real world. Yet pure mathematics underpins the modern world, from internet security to radio waves, and if you think like a mathematician, the secrets of technology are revealed. This book presents concepts as thinking tools in an approachable way for lovers of maths and mathophobes both. It may even change how you view the world! Hb $39.99

TODAY'S WORLD at

Quarterly Essay #100

The Good Fight: What Does Labor Stand For?

Sean Kelly

This essay looks at why politics in Australia today can feel hollow and disconnected. It shows how changes in work and community have left people unsure where they belong, and why trust in leaders has faded. Clear and thoughtful, it looks at how past political ideas no longer speak to life in today's Australia. Yet it's not just critical, suggesting ways to build new shared beliefs that could bring hope and direction, helping readers imagine a more connected future.

Steve Pb $29.99

Dirty Politics A-Z of Trickery, Treachery and Other Tasty Treats Macquarie Dictionary

This collection takes a straight look at the way politics bends language to its will. Moving from A to Z, it lays out the tricks, insults and spin that surface in everyday debate, but does so with a clear and often cheeky edge. The tone is sharp, showing how words can hide as much as they reveal. It's an easy read that makes you nod, laugh and sometimes wince at how familiar the tactics feel. Steve Pb $24.99

with a free

The Chaser and Shovel Annual 2025

The Chaser

It's like glancing through the year's headlines, but remixed with sly misprints, tongue-in-cheek visuals and absurd mini-features that mock both the high-stakes and the footnotes. Think a sarcastic board game about housing chaos, a cheeky ‘worst tweet' list, and tongue-incheek cooking guides that land just where satire should - right between lasagna and eye-roll. It doesn't aim to be serious; it just captures the year in chaotic, oddly charming, madcap reflection. Steve Pb $34.99

How They Get You Sneaky Everyday Economics and Smart Ways to Hold on to Your Money

Chris Kohler

Here's a witty breakdown of the hidden hooks shaping how we shop, whether it's the fine print of buy-now-pay-later, the lure of reward points or the creeping charges hidden in your bills for streaming, telephones and flights. The style is light and dry, so you find yourself laughing even as you wince at your own habits. It's part consumer guide, part social commentary, and wholly relatable in a world of endless sign-ups and special offers. Steve Pb $36.99

Hooked Inside the Murky World of Australia's Gambling Industry

Quentin Beresford

When it comes to losses per capita, Australia is by far the gambling capital of the world. How did gambling evolve from highly restricted entertainment to the billion-dollar enterprise of today? Beresford examines how the industry has become too powerful to adequately control, the corporate greed and political shenanigans that have allowed it to flourish, and the cost to people who suffer from gambling addictions. A gripping and perceptive account. Pb $39.99

Equality is a Struggle

Bulletins from the Front Line, 2021-2025

Thomas Piketty

Piketty looks at the past few years of upheaval and asks what kind of future we want to build. He talks about how inequality shows up in everyday life, from health to politics, and how these divides hold societies back. Instead of just pointing to problems, he imagines fairer ways forward, linking social justice with caring for the planet. His style is steady and hopeful, making big ideas feel practical and reminding us that striving for equality is ongoing work. Steve Hb $39.95

Turbulence

Australian Foreign Policy in the Trump Era

Clinton Fernandes

An engaging and provocative look at how Trump is upending geopolitics in an effort to ensure the US, not China, defines and controls the technical standards of the global economy. If control is not possible, then he wants global separation from China, fought along the frontlines of the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Taiwan. Where does that leave Australia? Fernandes examines the forces at work and the implications for our foreign policy, offering insight into how we might achieve a more independent and secure future. Pb $29.99

58 Facets On Law, Violence and Revolution

Marika Sosnowski

This polished gem of a book contains 58 non-linear essays or reflections, part memoir and part legal ethnography. The narratives of many people who have fled their homelands, whether the author's family from Nazi Germany or Syrian refugees today, are woven into reflections on lawfully sanctioned violence and the inherited trauma that arises. At times quite dreamlike and meditative, this is intelligent non-fiction for readers who don't mind being challenged to think.

Pb $29.99

Best Australian Political Cartoons 2025

Russ Radcliffe (Ed)

This collection captures the political year in sharp, witty panels. From election upheavals and shifting party fortunes to global crises reverberating at home, each cartoon distils a moment that words often complicate. It's a record of where the country has been, told through drawings that are both immediate and lasting at the same time. Steve Pb $35

Just Saying

Manipulation

What

it is, Why it's Bad, What to Do About it

Cass R Sunstein

Drawing on decades of research in behavioural science, this book outlines steps we can take to counteract manipulation in our daily lives, offering guidance to protect consumers, investors and workers. It offers a new definition of manipulation for the digital age, explaining how manipulation compromises freedom and personal agency, and threatens to reduce our wellbeing. It lifts the lid on manipulation by artificial intelligence and algorithms, as well as threats posed by deep fakes and social media. Hb $42.95

Exploring Twenty-five Remarkable Quotations to Enlighten, Challenge and Inspire

Hugh Mackay

The bestselling social researcher takes 25 remarkable quotes from some of the world's greatest thinkers and writers, and expands and reflects on their meaning and continuing relevance. Confucius, Plato, Samuel Johnson, Mary Wollstonecraft, Miles Franklin, Bertrand Russell, Susan Sontag, Gloria Steinem and more give Mackay pause for thought, exploring themes ranging from humility to power, gender equality to ethnic diversity, resilience to revenge. Warm, witty and wise. Pb $24.99

The Philosopher in the Valley

Alex Karp, Palantir and the Rise of the Surveillance State

Michael Steinberger

Founded in 2003 to assist the US government in its war on terror, Palantir Technologies now sell some of the most powerful and dangerous technology in the world. It uses vast amounts of data to spot patterns, trends, connections and threats, promising efficiencies to its users, while raising questions about civil liberties. An illuminating look at Palantir's co-founder and CEO Karp, who has degrees in law and social theory, and his company, which has the potential to shape global policies and power dynamics. Pb $36.99

Comes

copy of Rebel Without a Clause: Losing the Linguistic Plot ($24.99) while stock lasts.

Always Remember

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, the Horse and the Storm

Charlie Mackesy

A return to the well-loved characters of the hugely popular The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse ($45) with a story that feels both fresh and reassuring. The author's gift is in saying a lot with very little - wisdom that lands without fuss. The simple drawings paired with concise, thoughtful words make it easy to dip into, yet hard to forget. This time the focus is on facing life's inevitable storms with steadiness and perspective. It's less about answers and more about reminders, the kind you can carry into any day. A beautifully-crafted book that blends art and insight with understated power. Steve Hb $49.99

Cat Tales A History

Jerry Moore

Domestication of animals was for food, fibres, transport or hunting and herding, so why do we have ‘domesticated' cats, which provided none of these? If the most ancient connection between felines and humans is that of predator and prey, how did they become our companions? This wide-ranging book, written by an archaeologist, looks at how different cultures have feared, venerated, consumed or hunted the animal, and how it has become so ubiquitous today. Plentifully illustrated, a fascinating and captivating book! Lindy Hb $65.99

Strong Ground

The Lessons of Daring Leadership, the Tenacity of Paradox and the Wisdom of the Human Spirit

Brené Brown

There's something steady in the way this book guides leaders through chaos. Brown blends hard-won insights with warmth, weaving together stories from her Dare to Lead community (150,000 people across 45 countries) into a playbook for brave, grounded leadership. She tackles the paradox of performance and wholeheartedness and dares to ask: can we stay human when uncertainty pushes us to disconnect? Brown insists we can, if we build connection, discipline and adaptability as core muscles. It's practical, poetic and timely. Steve Hb $49.99

Feline Tim Flach

A captivating collection of 180 studio and on-location images of the domestic cat and its wild cousins. Stunning photography captures the felines' lithe grace, controlled power, spirit - and sometimes their vast indifference to mere humans! A splendid gift for any cat-lover or photography buff. Lindy Hb $100

The Book of Memory Or, How to Live Forever

Mark Rowlands

How are memories made, recalled, lost or kept? The bestselling philosopher draws on recent neurological and psychological research to explore how memory works, and how it carries each person's individual and unique blueprint. Profound and concise, it blends science with humanity in short accessible chapters. Fascinating and revelatory! Hb $29.99

December

The Madman's Orchestra

Edward Brooke-Hitching

A unique and fascinating survey of the history of music from the musical secrets of prehistoric monuments to AI compositions. This highly illustrated volume is full of wonderful and eccentric facts and tales - musical hoaxes, ghost-dictated scores, Renaissance eye-music, pop songs smuggled into the USSR via x-rays, the song of a black hole and supernatural instruments played by witches. Very entertaining and enlightening! Hb $59.99

Rock Gods Icons of Rock Music

Kathy McCabe

The Power of Choice Neale Daniher

Daniher played AFL for Essendon (1979-90) and coached Melbourne (1998-2007) before being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2013. He became a prominent campaigner for medical research into the disease and was named 2025 Australian of the Year. Written with the clarity, wisdom and hugeheartedness of a man who chose to dedicate his final years to the service of others, he shares important lessons in life - harness the power of choice and make good decisions, choose your attitude, be courageous, accept responsibility, practise gratitude, value actions over words and make the world a better place.

Hb $39.99

Dreams and Songs to Sing

A People's History of Liverpool FC from Shankly to Klopp

Alan McDougall

A unique history of the triumphs and tragedies of one of the biggest teams in sport, this takes us on a global tour of the club's history, viewed through the eyes of the people who have been there all along - the supporters. It weaves together interviews with fans, poignant farewells to Shankly, birthday cards to Michael Owen, letters from grieving Italians after the Heysel Stadium disaster, and eyewitness accounts of the Hillsborough Stadium crowd crush. Rarely does sports writing have this much intelligence and soul, powerfully combining the personal with the universal, the everyday with the epic. Hb $42.95

Harbourside Gardens

Outdoor Living on Sydney's Iconic Waterfront

Anthony Wyer

This luxurious book brings together 20 glorious harbourside gardens that were designed to blend harmoniously with the environment. Serene retreats, sun-drenched patios, practical spaces for contemplation and recreation, layered with greenery to take full advantage of the views. Of such beauty, dreams are made! Lindy Hb $100

Cricket World Cup A Celebration of the ODI and T20 games

Liam Hauser

A fully illustrated history since 1975, showing how the limited-over format grew from 60-over and 50-over One Day Internationals in the 1970s to the Twenty20 tournaments in the 2000s. It includes extensive coverage of Cup semi-finals and finals, detailing memorable moments and key performances. Supported by an array of stats and photos, this is a wonderful time capsule of limited-over cricket. By the author of The Immortals of Australian Cricket (Hb $39.99). Hb $49.99

A celebration of the legendary figures who revolutionised music from the 1950s onwards, from Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Kurt Cobain and Jimi Hendrix to John Lennon, Mick Jagger, Freddie Mercury, David Bowie and Prince - artists whose music continues to enthral millions of fans. Featuring stunning images from renowned rock photographer Tony Mott, this book delves into the forces that forged their careers and looks at their lasting impact on the world. Pb $45

An Improbable Psychiatrist

Rebecca Lawrence

Lawrence shares her inspiring story of being a psychiatrist, while living with bipolar disorder. Having trained as a doctor, she found herself in the unusual position of experiencing a psychiatric ward as a patient, receiving electroconvulsive therapy. Told in an engaging and captivating style, this book pulls you into her world, providing comfort and reassurance that with the right support and treatment, it's possible for people with mental illness to live a good life. Pb $28.95

Ten $150 Gift Voucher prizes. See p2 for competition details.

FOOD, ART & TRAVEL at

Simple Dinners Every Day

Nicole Maguire

In the follow-up to The Simple Dinner Edit ($39.99) and drawing from her popular Simple Home Edit platform, Maguire presents 80+ flavourpacked, budget-friendly dinner recipes to make weeknight cooking less stressful. The meals are mostly quick and simple to prepare, including one-pan dishes and freezer-friendly options. Includes practical tips for planning meals and reducing waste, plus mouth-watering photos of all the dishes! Steve Pb $44.99

The Talisman of Happiness Ada Boni

Il talismano della felicità was published in 1928 and has sold more than a million copies. Now fully published in English for the first time, its 900 pages contain over 1,500 recipes gathered from all regions of Italy. Presented in sections, from sauces to soups, pasta, rice, fried dishes, eggs, seafood, meat, vegetables, desserts and fruit, this classic book guides the home cook through traditional recipes. Peppered with advice and tips, it's a little like having your grandmother in the kitchen with you! A wonderful addition to any cook's collection. Lindy Hb $110 $95

Good Things

Recipes to Share with People You Love

Samin Nosrat

From the author of the bestselling Salt Fat Acid Heat (Hb $69.99), these recipes aren't just her instructions; they're invitations to slow down, gather family or friends, and let food be a way of sharing joy. Comfort and generosity are the main ingredients, yet nothing feels fussy or unreachable. It's the kind of cooking that builds memory as much as flavour, and meals that taste of care as much as spice. Hb $65

Art Destinations 70 Places to See Great Art

Lonely

Planet

A brilliant guide to an incredible array of art around the world! Not just the obvious places with famous masterpieces, but surprising destinations where art and traditions are reinvented. From Cape Town to Valparaiso, Tokyo to Hobart, Morocco to Noumea, Oslo to Barcelona, this is an inspirational book full of wonderful photography and practical advice - the perfect gift for the traveller who prioritises cultural experiences. Lindy Hb $65

The Stars We Do Not See Australian Indigenous Art Myles Russell-Cook et al

Showcasing 160 major works by First Nations artists, this powerful survey traces indigenous art from different regions of the continent, from bark paintings to contemporary media. A gorgeous full-colour production with essays from renowned Indigenous artists, critics and writers, this is an essential book for anyone interested in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and design. Hb $69.95

A Woman's Eye, Her Art

Reframing the Narrative Through Art and

Life

Drusilla Modjeska

Through careful essays and sumptuous reproductions, the author brings to life European women artists who challenged how female bodies and identities were seen. From Paula Modersohn-Becker's self-nudes to Claude Cahun's surreal subversions and Lee Miller's photography, the book traces their struggles with the male gaze, societal expectations and the demands of art and intimacy. Rich in context and visual detail, it meditates on seeing and being seen, offering a layered portrait of creativity, resistance and legacy. Steve Hb $55

Cats and Art 50 Masterpieces and their Cat Breeds

Susie Hodge

An attractive little book celebrating 50 paintings that feature cats, as chosen by the renowned art historian. Each work is accompanied by a short essay on the painting, as well as an entry on the individual cat and its breed, which adds depth and perspective to many of the world's well-loved pieces. Perfect for the cat-lover in your life! Hb $32

The Mediterranean

Best in Travel 2026

Lonely

Planet

The annual bestselling guide to places, events and activities not to be missed in the upcoming year. It presents travel inspiration with the 25 hottest, mustvisit places and must-do experiences in 2026. With new layouts, more personalised recommendations, great photography and a large fold-out map, this lively guide is a fabulous gift for any traveller! Pb $32.99

Discover the Stories and Secrets of the Mediterranean Coast

Anna Tzortzi

The fabled sea edges a vast array of countries that have long been the favoured destination of travellers. This stunning book helps you coast around Spain, France, Italy, the Adriatic, Greece, Turkey, northern Africa and the eastern and southeastern Mediterranean. Featuring hand-drawn maps and artwork, glorious photographs, road trip itineraries, insights into local culture and travel recommendations, it's a book to build a thousand dreams and memories on! Lindy Hb $70

Toilets

of the World

100 Strange and Spectacular Thrones, Commodes, Loos and Latrines

Patrick Kinsella

Loos with a view or architectural marvels, simple constructions or ultra-modern conveniences, this is highly entertaining and strangely attractive! Chapters are arranged geographically, with maps for those so inclined to check them out, a smattering of history, and of course rather spectacular photographs of the localities. The perfect cheeky gift for that difficult-tobuy-for male on your list! Lindy Hb $24.99

Travels with Agatha Christie

David Suchet

In 1922, a young Agatha Christie and her husband Archie were asked to help prepare a grand festival - the British Empire Exhibition. It meant travel to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada and Hawaii. A century later, Suchet - the great modern Poirot -and his wife were asked to retrace the Christies' travels. A blend of travel, history and biography, accompanied by Suchet's own captivating photography. Hb $69.99

Maps of the World Quiz Book

Hardie Grant Explore

These interactive quizzes invite readers to explore 45 maps - historical, modern or even fictionalthrough multilayered brain-teasers that range from easy to challenging. Designed for all ages, it encourages playful learning about geography and history. An ideal gift for map lovers and puzzle fans alike. Steve Pb $34.99

Heart of Ice A Journey into Antarctica's Frozen

Realm

Joy McCann

Moisture, temperature and gravity create the life story of Earth's driest continent. Weaving science, history and personal anecdote, this is a meticulously researched and eloquent guide to Antarctica. From the smallest krill and penguins, and the worlds beneath sea ice, to the climatic impact of the polar region on the globe, this is an invitation to see the southern latitudes as a place beyond the usual explorers' stories. Pb $34.99

Art, Design, Architecture Travel & Transport

WORDS & WRITING at

Dead and Alive Essays

Zadie Smith

The

Rot Evelyn Araluen

This collection confronts the decay of ideals and the weight of inherited injustice with unflinching clarity. The poetry is sharp, direct and deeply personal, capturing the rawness of girlhood in a world that often feels broken. The verses pulse with urgency, addressing the death of country and the violence of settler colonialism. Amid the anguish, there's a call to action - a demand for a better world. It's a book that doesn't offer comfort, but challenges readers to reckon with uncomfortable truths. Steve Pb $24.99

This intimate essay collection navigates memory, culture, art and loss with disarming clarity and subtle wit. It moves from reflections on key visual artists, visits to Glastonbury and walks through familiar streets to thoughtful tributes to writers whose absence still echoes. Politics, identity and creativity blend together in essays that feel both personal and attuned to the wider world. The writing is thoughtful and humane, never showy, leaving you feeling more awake to the small moments that shape how we see ourselves and the world around us. Steve Pb $36.99

Literary Escapes

Exploring the Real-Life Settings of the World's Favourite Fiction

John Sutherland (Ed)

A witty and welcoming guide to the landscapes that have shaped some of the most iconic works of literature, weaving together geography, history and the quirks of the authors themselves, blending scholarship with a lightness that makes the journey fun. Whether tracing Dickens's London or Austen's countryside, the book feels like a travelogue or literary map, reminding us that stories aren't just read - they're walked through, breathed in and lived. Steve Hb $36.99

The Language-Lover's Lexipedia

An A-Z of Linguistic Curiosities

Joshua Blackburn

Get ready for rabbit holes! This delightful book is full of them in the form of weird and wonderful words and sayings. Read it in dribs and drabs, or great gulps; from the middle out or from the back first - it's that sort of a book, drawing you in with inviting contents. Pig Latin or advertising slogans in Latin; Barry Humphries glossary or American diner slang; euphemisms for death, pregnancy or bits of the body; slang, insults or obsolescent terms; magic words, tragic words or medical conditions that make nice names - all this and more! A true gift for any word-lover. Lindy Hb $34.99

Looking After Your Books

Francesca Galligan

If you're reading this, I will assume you're one of the best sorts of people - book collectors! Or owners of books that fascinate you. Written by a Bodleian Librarian, this handy little volume contains good practical advice - how to shelve, store, display, conserve, repair and arrange your collection, even how to downsize it - and lovely little titbits about books and their owners. Quirky and useful, this elegantly bound (and sewn) volume should find a place in any book collection! Lindy Hb $34.99

Not Quite White in the Head

Personal Essays

Melissa Lucashenko

These pieces pull you in with honesty and sharp humour, giving voice to lives often left at the edges - prisoners, the urban poor, First Nations people and communities fighting to be seen. Written over two turbulent decades, they carry anger, wit, tenderness and clarity, always anchored in what really matters. Reading them feels less like picking up a book and more like sharing a conversation with someone who notices the overlooked, then hands those stories back with care. It lingers well beyond the page.

Steve Hb $39.99

Worlds of Wonder

First Nations Writing Meanjin 1977 to Today

Jeanine Leane & Dan Bourchier (Eds)

It's ironic in light of recent news, but Meanjin has long provided the opportunity for Australian writers to express their views. This fine anthology showcases indigenous poets, philosophers, public intellectuals, writers and social commentators, reflecting on the past and how the future may be more fairly imagined and achieved for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. An essential collection. Pb $34.99

Celebrating the Great Classics of Children's Literature

Daniel Hahn (Ed)

This gorgeous coffee-table book invites you into the worlds of 80 classics written for children aged 5-12, published between 1834 and 2012, and chosen from around the globe. Historical summaries are supplemented with delightful facts and anecdotes, and each book is accompanied by illustrations from the original editions. So re-enter the worlds of the Moomins or Asterix, Narnia or the Faraway Tree, His Dark Materials or Wonder, plus many more, to rediscover the joys of children's books! Lindy Hb $49.99

The Aeneid Virgil

This new translation by Scott McGill and Susannah Wright brings Virgil's story to life in smooth, flowing verse that feels natural to read. The language is clear, while still carrying the weight and beauty of the original, letting the drama and emotion come through. Emily Wilson's introduction, along with extras like maps and notes, adds helpful context without slowing things down. It's a translation that feels fresh and approachable, giving both newcomers and those returning to the poem an engaging way in. Steve Hb $65.95

Attention Writing on Life, Art and the World

Anne Enright

This book reflects on what it means to notice, to focus, and to give weight to the overlooked. The essays move between literature, memory and everyday life with an even, thoughtful rhythm. Rather than pushing grand conclusions, the writing invites reflection, pointing out how attention shapes meaning and connection. Personal stories sit alongside cultural observations, giving the work both intimacy and reach. It feels less like a lecture and more like a conversation, measured and intelligent, reminding readers that paying attention is both an act of care and a way of seeing clearly. Steve

Pb $36.99

$150 Gift Voucher prizes. See p2 for competition details.

LANGUAGE BOOK CENTRE

Durch Bewusste Ernährung

#5 Achtsam Morden Karsten Dusse

Guten Appetot! The latest instalment in the Murder Mindfully series. Thanks to mindfulness, Björn Diemel has found his centre. His problem areas are now the edges of his body, which are increasingly moving away from his centre. When strangers try to kidnap his daughter, can he master body, as well as mind, to become the best criminal he can be? Pb $39.95

Domani, Domani

Francesca Giannone

After the success of La portalettere (Pb $63.95), Francesca Giannone returns with an intense, deeply human family story. Salento, 1959. Lorenzo and Agnese, siblings raised within the walls of their family's soap factory, are suddenly torn apart when their father decides to sell the business. Leaving, Lorenzo's determined to find a new job and reclaim the family business. Agnese stays behind, rooted in her land and her memories. It's a story to savour slowly, perhaps with a candle flickering nearby and the scent of citrus in the air. Pb $16.95

Welcome

Vietnam Now! A Vietnamese Language Reader Binh Nhu Ngo

Boost your language skills and discover contemporary Vietnam by reading real-life articles from Vietnamese newspapers, in both Vietnamese and English! This innovative language book features 30 authentic articles from Vietnamese newspapers, presented side-by-side in parallel Vietnamese and English texts. Perfect for classroom use or independent study, this book offers an immersive way to learn about Vietnam through its vibrant culture and everyday life. The author is Prof. Binh Ngo, a seasoned Vietnamese language instructor, and this book is designed to deepen your understanding of both the language and the culture. Pb $32.99

December

Arabic Folktales for Language Learners

Traditional Stories in Arabic and English Sarah Risha

Learn about Arabic culture while improving your language skills! This fascinating book presents 28 traditional Arabic tales in parallel English and Arabic versions on facing pages with charming black-and-white illustrations. Each story is accompanied by a vocabulary list, cultural notes and exercises to help beginning students. An accessible language resource for self-study and also a wonderful book for anyone who wants to learn about Arabic culture through charming folktales! Pb $34.99

Japan

Now! A Japanese Language Reader Eriko Sato & Anna Sato

Learn about contemporary Japan while improving your language skills! This contains 17 fascinating stories and essays about contemporary Japanese society in parallel Japanese and English versions on facing pages. The stories are written by a number of experienced commentators on Japan, each with a distinctive style and point of view. Illustrated with 25 black-and-white photographs, and accompanied by free online audio recordings, this provides unique insights into life in 21st century Japan for students and anyone interested in Japanese culture! Pb $32.99

Conversational Japanese

A Practical Communication Guide for Visitors to

Japan

Anne

Kaneko

The perfect language guide for visitors to Japan! Kaneko has five decades of experience as a translator, writer and businesswoman and has designed this guide to prepare you for every situation you're likely to encounter while travelling. Each chapter begins with a brief introduction and dialogue providing words and phrases you need to perform a range of daily tasks from meeting people to shopping, getting around, sightseeing, visiting clients or booking a restaurant. Pb $27.99

La

Psy Freida McFadden

From the author of La Femme de Ménage (The Housemaid Pb $32.95). Four years after renowned psychologist Dr Hale mysteriously disappears, her remote manor is bought by Tricia and Ethan. While making this house a home, Tricia stumbles across Hale's confidential patient recordings. What follows leads her along a suspenseful path that will answer the shocking truth to the doctor's disappearance… Pb $28.95

Se Ninguém Soubesse Quem Sou Only if You Don't Know Me

María Metelo

Unlock your path to freedom in this moving story of a young women's self-discovery set in the heart of Sydney and told in striking detail with impactful, yet melodic, prose. A mysterious party invitation leads Tainá, a young Brazilian architect, into a hidden world within Sydney's beautiful warehouses and hotels. Armed only with a mask, a ring and a burning curiosity, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery, exploring her desires and identity. Pb $34.95 each

Cien Años de Soledad Gabriel García Márquez

The most iconic literary work ever produced by one of the world's most loved writers. A limited edition hardcover, with luxury finishes, commemorating the tenth anniversary of his death. One Hundred Years of Solitude is a true classic, a timelessly fascinating and intricately patterned work of fiction and a joyful, irrepressible celebration of humanity. Hb $41.95

50 upstairs at SF & FANTASY

Slow Gods Claire North

The

Two Lies of Faven Sythe

Megan E O'Keefe

Faven Sythe is crystborn - part of a nearhuman species tasked with charting starpaths from station to station. She has trained to be a navigator her entire life. When her mentor disappears, leaving behind a mysterious starpath terminating in the Clutch, she's determined to find the truth. A swashbuckling fusion of space opera and pirate adventure. Pb $24.99

The Revelation Space

Collection Volumes 1 & 2 Alastair Reynolds

The Revelation Space universe is one of the most vivid and original universes ever written. Alongside the awardwinning novels is a galaxy of short fiction, collected here in two volumes in chronological order. Volume 1: Dilation Sleep, A Spy in Europa, Galactic North, Great Wall of Mars, Glacial and Diamond Dogs. Volume 2: Turquoise Days, Weather, Grafenwalder's Bestiary, Nightingale, Monkey Suit, The Last Log of the Lachrimosa, Night Passage, Open and Shut and Plague Music. Pb $34.99 each

My name is Mawukana na-Vdnaze and I am a very poor copy of myself. Out there in deep-space, I died, then I was reborn. I became something not quite human, something that could speak to the infinite dark. And I vowed to become the scourge of the world that wronged me. An expansive, highly imaginative space opera full of fascinating and convincing characters - human, AI and other. Pb $34.99

Hearthspace Stephen Baxter

In the far future, humanity has spread itself across dozens of worlds in the Hearth. They have forgotten where they came from, and a terrible secret is about to be unveiled. Now someone else has seen the richness of the inner Hearth and plans to take it for themselves. Commander Ulla Breen and the crew of a patrol sail-ship face attack by an unknown and unthought-of enemy... and the universe is about to change around them. Pb $34.99

How to Defeat a Demon King in Ten Easy Steps

Andrew Rowe

For centuries, a cycle has repeated - a Demon King rises, conquers and a Hero is born 100 years later to defeat him. But with only 23 years down and half the world conquered, humanity can't wait. Enter Yui Shaw, determined to break the cycle. Armed with a bold 10-step plan, she will seek the Hero's legendary sword, earn obscure classes, increase her skills, vanquish dungeons and, if truly (un)fortunate, she might even find a fairy. Pb $34.99

The Heist of Hollow London Eddie Robson

Arlo and Drienne are clones of company executives who are deemed important enough to be saved should their health fail. Clones work around the clock to pay off the debt incurred by their creation. When the company that owns them collapses, they're purchased by a scientist who has a job for them - steal a data drive from a highly secure facility. The reward? Freedom... and enough money to last a lifetime. Pb $34.99

Chloe Gong

The world is caught in a cold war between two powerful nations - Medaluo and Atahua. The Medan orphans who live in Atahua either enrol at Nile Military Academy and serve as soldiers, or risk being labelled a spy. 18-year-old Eirale, recently graduated, is ordered to search for a dangerous program in Medaluo or go down for treason, while 17-yearold Lia is close to her own graduation when she’s ordered to infiltrate Medaluo in virtual reality. The two soon suspect they are pieces in a larger conspiracy... Pb $24.99

A New World Rises Tales of a LEGO Future Jackson Harvey, Alex Towler & Cristy Burne

The year is 2130. Humanity's reign has ended, but the world is regenerating - one brick at a time! This spectacular book offers a glimpse into a postconsumerist world in which human creations outlast their inventors and tiny new lives are lived in human detritus in the incredible RELICS exhibit. It highlights everyday vignettes, complemented perfectly with cafe menus, job ads, text messages and other things from our daily lives. Hb $44.99 $35.99

King Sorrow Joe Hill

Dreamer Arthur Oakes finds his idyllic college life and budding romance with Gwen Underfoot shattered when local drug dealers blackmail him into stealing rare and valuable books from the college library. Desperate, he and his friends hatch a reckless plan to summon the legendary dragon King Sorrow to destroy his tormentors. But their bargain comes at a terrible price - each year they must offer a sacrifice to the dragon, or risk becoming his next victim.

Pb $34.99

Exiles Mason Coile

2030. The human crew sent to prepare the first colony on Mars arrive to find the new base half-destroyed. The three robots sent ahead to set up the base are in disarray. As the astronauts close in on the truth, it dawns on them that in this hostile landscapewhere even the machines have nightmares - none of them are safe. A taut and terrifying read! Pb $34.99

Remain A Supernatural Love Story

Nicholas Sparks & M Night Shyamalan

When architect Tate arrives in Cape Cod to design his friend's summer house, he's hoping to make a fresh start after losing his sister, who on her deathbed revealed she can see spirits who are still tethered to the living world - a gift that runs in their family. Enter Wren, a beautiful young woman who challenges Tate's belief in a logical and controlled world. Can love set us free, not only from sorrow, but even from the boundaries of life and death?

Pb $34.99

Dracula and Daughters Emma Carroll Strange happenings are afoot in Temstown. The townsfolk believe vampires are to blame, so they've got their stakes at the ready. But unusual cousins Mina, Buffy and Bella are about to discover a long-held family secret - and an ancient book that may have the power to change everything. Could their connection to Dracula give them the powers to heal vampires, rather than cull them?

Pb $16.99

A Christmas Delivery The Boy Who Grew Dragons

Andy Shepherd & Sarah Warburton

Tomas and Lolli love Christmas and so do their dragons! But when a mischievous snow dragon hatches on Christmas Eve, she whirls up a flurry that transforms their garden into a snowy wonderland. At first it's all fun and snowball fights, then the snow piles so high that Christmas presents can't be delivered! Now Tomas, Lolli, Grandad and the dragons must work together to save Christmas. A heartwarming magical adventure for younger readers. Hb $24.99

The First Unicorn Rider The World of Skandar

A F Steadman

When George Penhaligon's fishing boat is wrecked on a mysterious island, he uncovers a terrifying secret: unicorns are real - and they're bloodthirsty! With wild, uncontrollable magic, these creatures have never encountered humans before.

As George begins to befriend one and learns the island's secrets, he discovers a dark force threatening both the unicorns and the island's magic. To protect his new home, George must confront the sinister creature stalking them once and for all. Pb $17.99

Skandar and the Spirit War #5 Skandar

A F Steadman

Skandar is in hiding after the Chaos Cup, where Rex Manning revealed a game-changing secret. But as Rex prepares to invade the Mainland, the Islanders are not sure who to trust. With one of Skandar's closest friends now fighting for the enemy, Skandar is forced into an uneasy truce with Kenna. Skandar and his friends need to look back to the origins of the Island and harness the full power of their elemental magic if they hope to defeat Rex. Pb $17.99

The Cold House A G Slatter

Writer Everly Bainbridge's life is left in ruins when her husband and daughter die in a car accident. She then discovers her husband was not who he said he was and she's a very rich widow. Retreating to a lonely house in the countryside, she finds a well in the cellar where she wakes one night with the echo of her daughter's voice in her ears. A story of horrific secrets and dangerous lies, this will keep you turning the pages late into the night... Pb $19.99

The Feeding A J Ryan

Bestselling fantasy author Anthony Ryan - writing as A J Ryan - delivers a nerve-shredding horror novel where humankind no longer tops the food chain. When Layla’s father falls ill, she needs to find a cure, but her only chance is to pass a series of gruelling trials to become a Crosser, then strike out into the wilderness. Where the feeders are. A frenetically-paced thrill ride for fans of The Last of Us. Pb $24.99

The Invisible Parade

Leigh Bardugo & John Picacio

The invisible parade arrives the night of Dia de Muertos, but Cala doesn't want to go. While her family prepares for the celebration, Cala grieves her grandfather and tries to pretend she's not afraid. When Cala is separated from her family at the cemetery, she encounters four mysterious riders who will show her she's actually quite brave after all.

Hb $36.99

We Love You, Bunny #2 Bunny

Mona Awad

Samantha Heather Mackey once stumbled into the sinister world of the ‘Bunnies' - her wealthy, saccharine classmates who conjured monstrous creations in their secret ‘Workshop'. Now, after publishing a novel that exposes them, Sam is kidnapped by the furious clique. Bound and gagged, she becomes the captive audience to their version of events as the Bunnies take turns recounting the birth of their unholy alliance, their discovery of strange creative powers, and the dark fairytale of their first creation.

The Museum of Lost Umbrellas #1 Cloud Witch Chronicles

Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick

When Dilly arrives on the island of Ollipest, she's unsure what to expect from her new life, but certainly doesn't expect to find magic. Until now, the magic of Ollipest Island has been a well-kept secret, but everything changes when the Museum of Lost Umbrellas opens after a long closure. When the museum attracts some unsavoury anti-magic outsiders, Dilly must unlock her ancestral powers to help keep the island safe. Pb $16.99

Lost in a Book #2 113th Assistant Librarian

Stuart Wilson

Oliver loves his job as the 113th assistant librarian (battling giant crabs and fending off firedrakes notwithstanding) and his new friend Agatha is always there to help. But when he discovers a rare history book with unique wording, he realises the slightest misinterpretation could endanger the entire kingdom. Can they prevent Annabel Clowritch, the esteemed Member for UpperLower Tumbledown Barrows, from using the text to her own advantage - and stop a war? Hb $19.99

In love, he was draggin' his heels and so found himself in a sorrowful state.

upstairs at SF & FANTASY

$19.99

Moth Dark Kika Hatzopoulou

Eternal Ruin #2 Immortal Dark Tigest Girma

With war looming, the Adane sisters must confront the past and claim their place. Kidan Adane has embraced her darkness. She's broken Uxlay's most sacred law, allied with the ruthless Nefrasi, and struck a fragile truce with Susenyos Sagad, the vampire she swore to hate. But as her sister returns and forbidden texts tempt her with power, Kidan's hunger for control grows. Torn between betrayal and desire, she must choose to trust or stand alone. Pb $24.99

Nugau - heir to the Darkworld - is on a mission to kill Sascia. The second time they meet, Nugau is younger and doesn't recognise Sascia. And the third time, a poisoned Nugau expresses their undying love for her. Sascia discovers that the timelines of her world and Nugau's world are not linear, and she's inexplicably entangled in a war between humanity and the Dark. With their worlds at battle, is it worth fighting for each other? Pb $19.99

Hekate: The Witch #1 Goddess of the Underworld

Nikita

Gill

Born into a world torn by war, Godling Hekate is hidden in the Underworld after her parents' defeat by the Olympians. Raised among shadows and spirits, she grows up searching for her purpose, while her mother Asteria sacrifices everything to escape Zeus and Poseidon. When Hekate ascends as Goddess of witchcraft and necromancy, even the Olympians fear her power. A new immortal war threatens both Olympus and the Underworld, and Hekate is the only one who can bring the deadly conflict to an end. Pb $34.99

The Wolf King #1 Wolf King Lauren Palphreyman

On the eve of her wedding, Princess Aurora spares the life of a young werewolf at a brutal dog fight, catching the eye of a powerful alpha, Callum. That night, the alpha escapes and kidnaps Aurora, believing her to be the key to victory over the humans. As they spend time together in the rugged lands north of the border, a forbidden attraction grows. With monsters on both sides and a bloodthirsty war between humans and Wolves raging, will their story end in tragedy or love? Pb $34.99

Dire Bound #1 Wolves of Ruin Sable Sorensen

Meryn Cooper has always hated the elite warriors who bond with direwolves - they live in luxury while she struggles to keep her family out of poverty. Thrown into the deadly Bonding Trials, any mistake will cost her life. She's bound to a feral direwolf who refuses to communicate, while her cold and beautiful instructor, Stark Therion, is eager to punish any weakness. Everyone is out to get her, except the dangerously handsome crown prince, but his attention just adds another target to her back.

Pb $34.99 Limited Edition Hb $65

Brimstone #2 Fae & Alchemy Callie Hart

The newly crowned queen of the Blood Court, Saeris Fane never sought power, but now bears its heavy burden. Unable to traverse the Quicksilver to return home, she must send another in her place. Meanwhile, Kingfisher of the Ajun Gate endures a perilous journey with the irreverent Carrion Swift through the Silver City's dangers. As secrets and threats unfold, and a looming darkness threatens Yvelia, both Saeris and Fisher face trials of loyalty, sacrifice and survival.

Pb $34.99

Alchemised SenLinYu

In the aftermath of a long war, Paladia's new ruling class of corrupt guild families and depraved necromancers holds Helena Marino captive. Once a promising alchemist, she now finds herself among enemies and has inexplicable memory loss of the months leading to her capture. To recover her memories, she's sent to a powerful and ruthless necromancer, fighting to protect her history, while also trying to unearth the secrets of her captor and prison... whatever the cost. Pb $36.99

Alchemy of Secrets Stephanie Garber

Now a graduate student, Holland is hoping to use her thesis to rewrite her past by proving that some of the most infamous deaths in old Hollywood were actually murders committed by the devil. She has no idea this quest will lead her into a deadly world of century-old secrets, unimaginable lies and dangerous men, two of whom are willing to do whatever it takes to find a magic that will forever alter Holland's life... or destroy it. Pb $34.99

Seven Deadly Thorns Amber Hamilton

In the cursed Kingdom of Aragoa, magic is punishable by death, so when Viola's shadow magic is discovered, she's marked for execution. The assassin sent to kill her is Roze Roquelart, an entitled prince and her worst enemy, but Roze desperately needs Viola's magic and offers a twisted deal - a fake engagement to spare her life. As they battle dangerous secrets and undeniable attraction, can they trust each other, or will their love destroy them both? Pb $19.99

The House Saphir Marissa Meyer

Mallory Fontaine is a self-proclaimed expert on Count Bastien Saphir, who murdered his wives over a century ago. Bastien's great-great grandson Armand is handsome, wealthy and convinced that the fraudulent Mallory is genuinely magical, offering her a large sum of money to exorcise Bastien's ghost. But another murder puts Mallory at the centre of the investigation and she must solve the murder and banish the ghost while pretending to have magic. That's easy compared to trusting her heart - especially when the person her heart wants most might be a murderer... Pb $24.99

Heir of Illusion #1 Verran Isles Madeline Taylor Blessed with the power of illusion, Ivy should be untouchable, but nothing can overpower the necklace that keeps her bound as an assassin to a ruthless king, so she plays the role of obedient pet. When a handsome Reaper from Death’s Isle arrives hunting the same weapon Ivy needs, they collide in a reluctant alliance. Ivy’s fight for freedom soon becomes a battle for survival. She may wear a collar, but she’s not the pet they tamed. She’s the beast they let inside. And she will show no mercy... Pb $34.99

Gladiator, Goddess Morgan H Owen

Growing wary of the rule of Gods and men, Roman Goddesses seek to change the fortune of the world by backing a brilliant young woman. In Pompeii, Gia dreams of being a female Gladiator, but there's no such thing. When she wins the favour of Claudia, the Emperor's daughter, her star begins to rise in the arena, but so does the risk to her life. Together, the girls must battle conspiracies to overthrow the Empire and their growing feelings for one another. Pb $24.99

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Interactive Illustrated Edition J K Rowling

Get ready for adventure with this dazzling edition of the 4th volume in the Harry Potter series! The complete text is accompanied by stunning, full-colour illustrations throughout and eight paper-engineered interactive elements. Look inside the Weasleys' magical tent at the Quidditch World Cup, watch the Dark Mark appear in the sky and follow Harry into the lake during the Triwizard Tournament. Hb $69.99 $55.99

#1

MindWorks

Tailored Realities Brandon Sanderson

Spanning the genres of fantasy and science fiction, this collection features stories from beyond the bounds of Sanderson's Cosmere universe. Along with the new novella Moment Zero, it includes Snapshot, Perfect State, Defending Elysium (a novella set within the world of Skyward), five stories previously published elsewhere, and many others never before available in print. Each story is accompanied by a stunning black-and-white illustration. Pb $34.99

An Uncanny Compendium of Short Fiction

Neal Shusterman

A collection of both classic and new stories - worlds where bats eclipse the sun, soup steals your soul, glaciers revive the dead and hot tubs hide ancient monsters. Discover winds that can be bottled, and time reshaped into infinite attic space, and return to the Arc of the Scythe universe with two new tales of gleaning. In this collection, the only thing that is truly certain is - nothing is certain! Pb $24.99

Among the Burning Flowers #3 Roots of Chaos

Samantha Shannon

Samantha has done it again! This spectacular new instalment directly precedes the events of the first book, The Priory of the Orange Tree ($24.99). It’s also considerably shorter than the other two books, so it’s a great entry point into the world, plus this one is beautifully illustrated. For fans returning to the world, it offers an intriguing and heartbreaking backstory, as well as the usual - beautiful writing, powerful women, Sapphic love and dragons. I cannot recommend it enough!

Leilani Pb $32.99

To Cage a Wild Bird #1 Divided Fates Brooke Fast The Hunger Games meets Prison Break in this enemies-to-lovers romantasy perfect for fans of Veronica Roth and Tahereh Mafi who loved 2010s dystopia and want the adult version of those books. In Dividium, all crimes are punishable by life in prison, where the wealthy can hunt inmates for sport. Bounty hunter Raven must infiltrate Endlock Prison to save her brother, but the inmates she's previously sent to Endlock want revenge. When a guard becomes her only chance to survive, Raven must trust the one person she shouldn't... Pb $34.99

Tourist

Season Brynne Weaver

Welcome to Cape Carnage, a picture-perfect seaside town where Harper keeps her home beautiful by turning troublesome tourists into compost. But Nolan isn't your average tourist. Relentless in pursuit of revenge, every year he slays another target. Now it's Harper's turn, but he discovers she isn't the monster he expected. Forced into a dangerous truce, they fight to protect Carnage, while hiding their own secrets. In a town built on bodies, obsession may be the deadliest threat of all. Pb $24.99

The Strength of the Few #2 Hierarchy

James Islington

$7 OFF when you also buy THE WILL OF THE MANY matching paperback.

The much-anticipated follow-up to The Will of the Many ($34.99). The Hierarchy still call me Vis Telimus. They still, as one, believe they know who I am. I won the ludicium, and lost everything, and the ancient device beyond the Labyrinth has replicated me across three separate worlds - three different bodies, three different lives. I have to hide, fight, play politics and prove myself again and again. Above all, I must find a way to stop the coming Cataclysm, because I may be the only one who can... Pb $34.99 ea

The

Rose Field

#3 Book of Dust Philip Pullman

The quests of Lyra, Malcolm and Pantalaimon converge in the most dangerous and world-changing ways. They must take help from old friends and new, while the world is made terrifying by fear, power and greed. Marking 30 years since Pullman introduced his remarkable heroine Lyra Belacqua in Northern Lights ($19.99), this is the culmination of the cultural phenomenon of The Book of Dust and His Dark Materials Pb $34.99 $29.99

Empire of the Dawn #3 Empire of the Vampire Jay Kristoff

Gabriel de León has lost his family, faith and last hope of ending the endless night - the Holy Grail, Dior. With nothing left but vengeance, he journeys into the Augustin Empire to kill the Forever King. Unbeknownst to him, the Grail still lives - speeding towards Augustin in the frail hope of ending Daysdeath forever. Gabriel and Dior will be drawn into a final battle that will shape the fate of the Empire, but there will be no-one left for them to trust.

Not even each other. Pb $35.99 $28.79

Empire of the Damned #2 Empire of the Vampire: Illustrated Special Edition Hb $99.99

Crossroads of Ravens #7 Witcher

Andrzej Sapkowski

Before he was the White Wolf or the Butcher of Blaviken, Geralt of Rivia was a newly minted Witcher, cast into a world that fears his kind. When an act of naive heroism nearly costs him his life, he is saved by Preston Holt, a hardened Witcher with his own agenda. Under Holt's guidance, Geralt learns the perilous Path, but as right and wrong begin to blur, he must make a choice - embrace the monster the world expects, or forge something different. Pb $34.99

Inner Demons

Stephen

B Platt

It's bad enough when your brother is possessed; worse when the only person who could help turns you into a toad. But the fact that the planet is shaped like a cube? Well, that isn't Nelbow Rockfist's problem. Meanwhile, Orsnart Rogtog knows that being the first orc ‘pryvate eye' in a dwarf city is tough; waiting until an acceptable hour to drink is toughest of all. And Hell's newest demon Arran found a unique way to corrupt souls, but in the competitive realm of demonic possessions, things aren't working out for him. Pb $32.99

Snake-Eater T Kingfisher

Selena travels to the remote desert town of Quartz Creek in search of her estranged Aunt Amelia. Upon arrival, she learns Amelia is dead. Out of money and ideas, she stays in her aunt's lovely house, enjoying the desert's strange, desolate beauty. But Quartz Creek's inhabitants share their town with old gods and spirits who have a much older claim to the land. Aunt Amelia owed a debt. Now her god has come to collect... Pb $24.99

Honeyeater Kathleen Jennings

Bellworth is founded on floodplains and root-bound secrets. And Charlie, remarkable only for vanished friends and a successful sister, plans to leave for good. Then Grace arrives with roses pressing up through her skin, dragging Charlie into the ghost-choked mysteries of Bellworth, uncovering the impossible consequences of loss and desire - and a choice Charlie made as a boy. Charlie and Grace are forced to make a decision that threatens their lives, and all they believed those lives could be. Pb $34.99

#14 Ten $150 Gift Voucher prizes. See p2 for competition details.

In good grace, Chuck thought it could be worth giving her a bell.

Any amount • No expiry date

An Ancient Witch's Guide to Modern Dating

Cecilia Edward

Thorn is a 39-year-old witch who's having trouble finding love in the 17th century. Despite matchmaker's efforts and her arsenal of potions, she has yet to fall in love and fears she's missed her chance. When one of her potions misfires, she's hurled 350 years into the future, landing in a bustling city which, while daunting, proves that modern life does have its perks - indoor plumbing, electric kettles and, most intriguing of all, online dating... Pb $34.99

Ghosted Amy Hutton

It's been two years since professional ghost-whisperer Holly Daniels ghosted Callum Jefferies, so when he asks for help investigating the infamous East Mill haunted house, she reluctantly joins him. When they arrive, something in the air stirs up old feelings. As their investigation unfolds, they unearth a string of mysterious deaths, and Holly realises she'll have to put her life on the line if they're going to get out of East Mill alive... Pb $24.99

Within

the Space of a Second #1 Mark of the Time Traveler

Elise Helliwell

Each morning, Mariella wakes with a strange energy buzzing beneath her skin. Fearing she's inherited her late mother's illness, she keeps it secret, until she finds journals dated after her mother's death. When time travelers Rose and Parker appear, insisting they need her help to restore Parker's powers, Mariella is pulled into a dangerous mystery. As forbidden timelines unravel and her connection to Parker deepens, Mariella must uncover the truth about her past - and his future - before time runs out. Pb $24.99

Wild Card #4 Rose Hill Elsie Silver Sebastian Rousseau is grumpy, gorgeous and dangerously good with his hands; he's also my ex-boyfriend's dad. A missed connection kept us apart, but fate has us living under the same roof, where every glance feels like temptation and every touch burns. He's trying to rebuild his relationship with his son, and we both know giving in would be the ultimate betrayal. But the heat between us is impossible to ignore and I've never been good at following rules. Pb $24.99

The Defender #2 Gods of the Game Ana Huang Vincent DuBois, captain of Blackcastle FC, has it all - fame, fortune and talent. But when the danger of fame forces him into hiding, a nightmare becomes reality: sharing a flat with Brooklyn Armstrong, the daughter of his coach and the one woman he struggles to resist. A bet draws them closer, blurring lines Vincent swore not to cross. Brooklyn knows better than to fall for her best friend's cocky brother, but living together tests her resolve. A relationship between them would never work... could it? Pb $24.99

Brigands and Breadknives

#3 Legends & Lattes Travis Baldree

Return to the cosy world of Legends & Lattes and follow bookseller Fern, who after decades of bookselling stillness and storms, faces crippling ennui and moves to the city of Thune to hang out her shingle beside a long-absent friend's coffee shop. But it turns out that fixing your life isn't a one-time project. Fending off a rogue's gallery of ne'er-do-wells, Fern may finally reconnect with the person she actually is when anything is possible... Pb $34.99

Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe C B Lee

When Brenda's internet cuts out before a scholarship deadline, she finds herself in Kat's family coffee shop, swept away by the cool, confident girl who actually listens to her 19-step plan to save the world through science. But Kat and Brenda are from different universes, literally, and as their worlds begin to collide and things spiral out of control, they wonder if a girl determined to save the world can find love with a girl determined to outrun destiny. Pb $19.99

The Other Brother #1 London Hearts Tierney Page April thought she had it all - her dream job, a beautiful home and Lucas, the fiancé who promised forever. But one devastating secret shatters everything. She never planned on James - Lucas's brooding, tattooed brother and bass player of rising band Atlas Veil - coming into her life. He's temptation, not commitment. Yet when desire sparks, she must choose - protect her heart, or risk everything for a chance at real love. Pb $22.99

Mate #2 Bride Ali Hazelwood

Serena Paris is the first were-human hybrid,

The Enchanted Greenhouse

#2 Spellshop Sarah Beth Durst

Terlu Perna broke the law because she was lonely. As punishment, she was turned into a statue and tucked away in the Great Library. Later, she awakes on a nearly-deserted island full of magical greenhouses. When she learns that the magic sustaining the greenhouses is failing, she knows she must help, even if that means breaking the law again. Assisted by the gardener, she must unravel the secrets of a long-dead sorcerer to save the island and have a fresh chance at happiness and love. Pb $34.99

Soul Searching #1 Sweetwater Peak Lyla Sage

Collins Cartwright swore she'd never return to Sweetwater Peak, but saving her parents' antique shop drags her back, along with secrets she won't admit - she's unemployed, broke and the ghosts who once haunted her have recently gone silent. Brady Cooper insists he's perfectly fine too, though his sudden move to town says otherwise. When Collins rents his spare room, sparks fly alongside suspicions. After all, living with someone who talks to thin air isn't normal... or safe for the heart. Pb $24.99

For over 15 years YEN PRESS has produced over 3,000 titles across manga, graphic novels and comics.

Paperbacks - from top-left:

Solo Leveling, Vol. 13 $34.99

Bocchi the Rock!, Vol. 6 $24.99

[Oshi No Ko], Vol. 10 $22.99

Bungo Stray Dogs, Vol. 25 $30.95

Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint, Vol 7 $47.95

The Summer Hikaru Died, Vol. 5 $24.99

designed to heal the rift between Humans and Weres. Instead she's become an outcast hunted by Vampyres, Weres and Humans alike. Without a pack, survival means trusting the one male she swore to avoid: Koen Alexander, Alpha of the Northwest pack. Unyielding, fierce and determined to claim her as his mate, Koen will protect Serena at any cost. But when push comes to shove, Serena's past may be the biggest threat of all. Pb $24.99