Better Read Than Dead Summer Reading Guide 2018-2019

SUMMER READING GUIDE 2018-2019 265 KING ST NEWTOWN NSW 2042

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AUSTRALIAN FICTION 2

The Butcherbird Stories | A.S. Patric | $29.99 | NewSouth Books | Emma’s Pick Miles Franklin-winner A.S. Patric returns with a rich and generous collection of short stories illuminating the hidden moments of everyday life in our cities and suburbs. The Butcherbird Stories sings quietly; its characters are ordinary Australian men and women on separate paths. When paths cross, the characters reach profound conclusions on life’s thorny questions of love, loss and everything in between. An unassuming yet profound read.

Cedar Valley | Holly Throsby | $29.99 | Allen & Unwin | Fabienne’s Pick This is a wonderful, carefully constructed mystery set in smalltown Australia in the early 1990s.

The story revolves around two new arrivals to the community, a young woman just out of university and a mysterious dead man. Throsby paints a beautiful, peaceful portrait of small-town life — but watch out for the clues along the way, for the inhabitants of Cedar Valley are very much at the heart of the mystery.

The Girl On the Page | John Purcell | $32.99 | HarperCollins | Dean’s Pick Racy, exciting and punchy, this dark comedy is the perfect summer read! There are fascinating parallels drawn between high- and low-brow literature, interesting insights into the quirky publishing industry, and exciting heroines in both the young, drunk Amy and the mature, serious Helen: two exciting women and two serious betrayals. The twist you don’t see coming amps this easy-to-read novel up a notch.

The Bus on Thursday | Shirley Barrett | $29.99 | Allen & Unwin | Steph’s Pick I am a huge fan of Shirley Barrett’s debut novel Rush-Oh!. The humourhorror genre isn’t one I’ve ever really considered so I certainly didn’t expect to enjoy this as much as I did. Eleanor’s wit and sarcasm, her flaws and trials and observations, make her a fantastic protaganist. I loved reading about Eleanor’s work in a remote primary school (something I’ve always considered doing myself) and was shaken by her journey through cancer.

The format, a series of blogs, took a moment to adjust to but ultimately carried the novel in a very clever way. A very enjoyable read.

Preservation | Jock Serong | $29.99 | Text | Bridie’s Pick

The Children’s House | Alice Nelson | $32.99 | Random House | Steph’s Pick

Based on the true story of the shipwrecked Sydney Cove in 1797, this is perfect for lovers of historical fiction, particularly historical mysteries. Three distressed survivors are discovered and tell of the loss of fourteen companions. Lieutenant Joshua Grayling investigates the deaths but the accounts of the survivors are elusive and he begins to wonder if the deaths were not merely an accident.

The lives of a family living in a Harlem brownstone, a young refugee and her toddler, a long-lost mother and some elderly nuns, interweave in this stunning novel, providing us with a profound, moving and utterly unique exploration of trauma, human vulnerability and a melancholy kind of hope. Alice Nelson writes with the compassion, intellect and intrigue that only someone with lived experience can truly grasp.

The Lost Man | Jane Harper | $32.99 | Pan Macmillan | John’s Pick

Shell | Kristina Olsson | $35 | Simon & Schuster | Steph’s Pick

Seeing copies of The Dry and Force of Nature on a recent trip to Europe reminded me of what a global success Aussie author Jane Harper has become. Set in drier-thandry outback Queensland, with the Bright family seeking to solve the mysterious death of one of their own, The Lost Man is Harper’s best yet. Vividly atmospheric. Intensely gripping. A perfect summer blockbuster!

It’s 1956 and the world is on the brink of a seismic change. Controversy surrounds Danish architect Jørn Utzon’s design for the Sydney Opera House and journalist Pearl Keogh is caught up in anti-war protests in the midst of the Vietnam War. Shell is both an absolute testament to our Sydney icon and a beautifully crafted tale which captures the fervour of its setting. This absolutely stunning pearly hardback is the perfect gift.

Two Old Men Dying | Tom Keneally | $32.99 | Random House | John’s Pick A work of vaulting ambition from Keneally, with parallel narratives, one set in the current day focussing on acclaimed documentary maker Shelby Apple, and the other 40,000 years ago in the time of Indigenous forefather Learned Man. Beautifully told, these old fellas navigate journeys both physical and metaphysical, including the ultimate one we must all face, illuminating our shared humanity and the hope of reconciliation.

The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village | Joanna Nell | $29.99 | Hachette | Dean’s Pick This is a heart-warming, laugh-out-loud celebration of age and a gentle reminder that life is always an adventure.

Witty yet vulnerable Penny and unapologetic Angie are authentic characters breaking the mould of retirees, turning their once beige retirement home upside down as they behave disgracefully with glee.

The balance of laughter with tears makes this tale of love and friendship the feel-good book of the summer!

The Year of the Farmer | Rosalie Ham | $32.99 | Pan Macmillan | Lucy’s Pick Ham’s timely novel chronicles a quiet rural town in the midst of drought, stifled by corrupt water politics and struggling for survival. She dismantles any lingering view city slickers may have of the country as idyllic.

Part love story, part satire, and completely Australian, this once again showcases Ham’s trademark flair for black humour. It also features the most sublime villain you’ll read for some time…

AUSTRALIAN FICTION

The Valley | Steve Hawke | $27.99 | Fremantle Press | Dean’s Pick Hidden in the valley is an inheritance that will bring a family’s secret to a head.

Dancer is a young boy who has a run-in with the town bikies and splits with his father before things get too serious.

In the remote communities of the Gibbs River he meets his unknown mother’s family and unravels the truth of her disappearance. A sensitive and respectful story set amongst the beauty of the Kimberley.

Bridge of Clay | Markus Zusak | $32.99 | Pan Macmillan | Everyone’s Pick!

Dean: It was hard to finish the last few pages through my tears of this highly anticipated wonder — it was so beautiful. Finely crafted words, characters to fall for and a story to steal your heart. This is truly wonderful and well worth the long wait. PS I love Penny Dunbar.

John: The most anticipated book of the year decade! Zusak delivers: a singular story about a family of larrikin Sydney boys reeling from tragedy with trademark flourishes of heart-break and soul-lifting goodness. You can feel the time Zusak has invested in every sentence. And Clay is an unforgettable character, a boy with a gift who’ll steal your heart once you start turning the pages. As Australian as Cloudstreet.

Megan: A uniquely Australian story, with descriptions of summer and cries of ‘Carn’ that will ring familiar to all Aussies. The timeline of the book moves like a conversation, revealing bits of information when they become important to the next step in the tale. A great winding story steeped in love, loss, memory and the angry finding yourself of adolescence.

Mischa: Bridge of Clay is a mesmerising tour-de-force! Set in the suburbs of Sydney, Zusak has crafted a remarkable and emotive tale of brotherhood and familial trauma. With lyrical and allegorical rich prose that deserves to be luxuriated in, Bridge of Clay is a complex and intriguing character-driven story that will not disappoint fans!

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FICTION Ohio | Stephen Markley | $24.99 | Simon & Schuster | Dean’s Pick

Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead | Olga Tokarczuk | $29.99 | Text | Virginia’s Pick

Unsheltered | Barbara Kingsolver | $32.99 | Faber | Fabienne’s Pick

The great American novel: grizzly and dark. In 2013 New Canaan, a bunch of classmates reconnect following a friend’s death, haunted by school age regrets and secrets. These fractured characters are disillusioned by a lifetime of unemployment, addiction, rage and marginalised living, their lost loves and misgivings are reflected upon, building to a shocking climax. A harrowing yet smashing debut for fans of 4,3,2,1 or A Little Life.

Winner of the Man Booker International Prize for Flights, Tokarczuk follows up with a work that showcases her ferocious dark humour and politics in a form that contains existentialism, myth and praise of William Blake – from whose work the title is taken. When a body is found surrounded by a deer’s hoof prints, it seems animals are committing murder in a kind of payback for cruelty, but this is much more than a mystery.

This is a novel about science and faith, people and work, action and apathy. Kingsolver uses a dual narrative to deliver the story, weaving together the 1860s with 2016 America.

It is a powerful dissection of the American dream, past and present, delivered with Kingsolver’s terrific storytelling skills and wonderful portrayals of characters whose lives reflect the social issues of modern life.

A wonderfully wry, fictionalised account of Madame Tussaud’s life. Nicknamed ‘Little’, narrator Marie Grosholtz’s voice is charming and eccentric, certainly fitting for this amazing story set in 1700s Paris. Delightfully odd pictures illustrated by Carey accompany the story of an orphan under the tutelage of a medical wax modeller who grows into one the most prominent women in history. Absolutely fascinating and a pure joy, I loved this more than I ever expected.

Evening in Paradise | Lucia Berlin | $34.99 | Pan Macmillan | Virginia’s Pick

Red Birds | Mohammed Hanif | $29.99 | Bloomsbury | Zak’s Pick

The second collection of stories from deceased writer Lucia Berlin, this is vital and vivid as the first. The stories are arranged in roughly chronological order, two set in Texas, followed by three in Chile. The title story recalls the time when the author was married to Buddy Berlin, a jazz player and heroin addict.

There is paradise, lots of drinking, dark humour and the wonderful gritty dialogue for which she is known.

Hanif returns with a memorable and exquisitely strange novel, brimming with his trademark humour and sense of the absurd. With a finger on the pulse of our contemporary existential malaise, the absurdities of war, and the redemptive powers of human connection, Hanif has crafted a Heller-esque satire appropriate to these uncertain times. Compelling reading.

The Book of Hidden Things | Francesco Dimitri | $18.99 | NewSouth Books | Zak’s Pick Set in a small seaside town in southern Italy, this novel chronicles the tribulations of four friends whose pact to reunite each year is broken when one disappears without a trace. With the descriptive prowess of Elena Ferrante, the meticulous stylings of Donna Tartt, and the mystery-laden urban fantasy of Neil Gaiman, Dimitri has crafted an intensely readable story that will keep you up long into the night.

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Little | Edward Carey | $29.99 | Peribo | Dean’s Pick

Melmoth | Sarah Perry | $29.99 | Serpent’s Tail | Mischa’s Pick Sarah Perry’s follow-up to the enamouring The Essex Serpent is another Gothic tale laced with intricate historical detail and folklore. With roots in the 1820 Gothic novel Melmoth the Wanderer, Perry’s version features a female spectre named Melmoth the Witness, who is cursed to wander the wicked earth without home or respite.

A transporting and haunting tale that speaks to humanity’s worst atrocities, written in Perry’s lush, alluring prose.

A Well-Behaved Woman | Therese Anne Fowler | $32.99 | Hachette | Lucy’s Pick

A masterpiece, Murakami’s most exquisite work in decades! The conclusion will have you reread the prologue: ‘Once a circle is open it must be closed.’ The narrator finds a painting titled ‘Killing Commendatore’ hidden in the attic of the mountainside house where he resides when his wife leaves him. This opens the circle where normal slips slowly into the world of Ideas and Metaphors, Buddhist traditions, unexpected characters and chance encounters. One to savour.

Based on the lives of the Vanderbilt family, in particular Alva Vanderbilt, a key figure in the fight for woman’s suffrage. Replete with the socialites of the early twentieth century, Fowler creates a glittering fictional world that is easy to fall into as she pulls back the curtain on the powerful fight for women’s rights occurring at the time. An enrapturing read.

China Dream | Ma Jian | $32.99 | Random House | Zak’s Pick

If Cats Disappeared From the World | Genki Kawamura | $18.99 | Pan Macmillan | Deserae’s Pick

The Chinese Dream, a term popularised by the Xi Jinping administration and later appropriated by artists and activists, is the target of this biting and unflinching satire of totalitarianism in modern China.

Chronicling a provincial leader’s descent into madness, the novel deftly juxtaposes tragedy, absurdity, myth and fantasy in a devastating and wry fable about terror, guilt, memory and the destruction of the historical archive.

In this magical-realist novel, the narrator has just discovered he is terminally ill when the devil appears and offers him one extra day of life. But in exchange, something else has to disappear from the world forever! How do you decide what makes life worth living? Stylistically reminiscent of Murakami, If Cats Disappeared From the World is a beautifully rendered story of loss, love and estrangement. This little novel is heartbreaking and life-affirming all at once (… and I don’t even like cats that much!).

Crimson | Niviaq Korneliussen | $27.99 | Hachette | Dean’s Pick

My Sister, the Serial Killer | Oyinkan Braithwaite | $27.99 | Allen & Unwin | Dean’s Pick

In a group of friends, five young Greenlanders explore queer identity in their home town Nuuk. Fresh stories in every sense, this is a thrilling new voice from a young, prizewinning Greenlander telling a story they could relate to, that they wanted to hear. Vibrant contemporary prose at its invigorating best!

Deadpan and sharp: what an explosive combination! Korede is a bitter Nigerian woman whose younger sister has a habit of killing her boyfriends.

Her sister Ayoola is the favourite child, the beautiful one, the sociopath and murderer. How far will Korede go to protect her sister when a man she loves is involved? Witty and fun, this book is terrific!

Paradise Rot | Jenny Hval | $19.99 | Bloomsbury | Bridie’s Pick

The Corset | Laura Purcell | $29.99 | Bloomsbury | Mischa’s Pick

This stunning debut novel from critically acclaimed artist and musician Jenny Hval is a beautiful portrayal of sexual awakening and queer desire. Jo finds her new home coming to life in unimaginable ways. Her senses become heightened and fraught as the lines between dreaming and wakefulness are increasingly blurred.

Psychologically dark but poetic and sophisticated, for lovers of queer fiction and gothic horror.

From the author of The Silent Companions comes another chilling Victorian Gothic tale of madness and murder.

Reminiscent of du Maurier’s Rebecca with a touch of Atwood’s Alias Grace, this is an evocative portrait of a society that restricts and punishes women. Purcell has crafted a nuanced and macabre mystery laced with historical detail and twists of the supernatural.

FICTION

Killing Commendatore | Haruki Murakami | $45 | Random House | Dean’s Pick

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CRIME FICTION

Man At the Window | Robert Jeffreys | $29.99 | Echo | Bridie’s Pick A moody thriller with a burning moral dilemma at its heart, sure to be adored by fans of Michael Robotham, Jane Harper and Gary Disher. A teacher at a private boys’ school in Perth is shot dead. Lazy, drunk Detective Cardilini is given the job of investigating and the school’s dark secrets begin to emerge. The first book in the Detective Cardilini series, set in 1960s Western Australia.

The Con Artist | Fred Van Lente | $24.99 | Random House | Lucy’s Pick With a surprisingly satisfying combination of crime and comedy, The Con Artist is an atypical and quirky story that will appeal to comic book and crime fans alike.

As suggested by its titular pun, this murder mystery set at Comic Con. Written with an excellent balance of humour and horror, The Con Artist is a must for anyone who enjoys an oddball read.

Long Road to Mercy | David Baldacci | $29.99 | Pan Macmillan | John’s Pick

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November Road | Lou Berney | $32.99 | HarperCollins | Deserae’s Pick This thrilling novel weaves together three disparate characters against the chaotic days following John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Everyone is on the run from something. There’s a mob guy escaping execution after the maybe-sorta-kinda role he played in the assassination; an Oklahoma housewife seeking a new start; and a hit-man, chasing them both. It’s a high-tension chase and a moving evocation of public and private trauma.

The Stranger Diaries | Elly Griffiths | $29.99 | Hachette | Dean’s Pick Best known for her Dr Ruth Galloway series, Griffiths’ talent shines through in this stand-alone gothic crime story.

An eerie, intelligently woven book, this is a proper old school whodunit.

Told from three different women’s perspectives: English teacher Claire, the detached detective Harbinger, and Claire’s teenage daughter Georgie. Wilkie Collins meets Gone Girl, this is an immersive murder mystery with a hint of a ghost story.

The Au Pair | Emma Rous | $29.99 | Hachette | Dean’s Pick

Not to be outdone by John Connelly’s fantastic female lead investigator Renée Ballard, superstar Baldacci introduces FBI agent Atlee Pine.

Still affected by a childhood trauma, but packing attitude and resilience to burn, she defies her bosses to continue investigating the death of a tourist at the Grand Canyon and discovers a plot against democracy itself. A gripping and intoxicating ride.

A taut mystery exposing a family’s dark secret, The Au Pair will keep you guessing well into the night.

Seraphine and Danny are twins from a wealthy family with a history of mysterious deaths. When Seraphine finds a photo of only one twin just after their birth, her curiosity is piqued and she begins poking about.

A raft of secrets all seem to lead to the au pair… who is she? A cracking mystery with a gripping twist.

A Keeper | Graham Norton | $32.99 | Hachette | Emma’s Pick

The Wych Elm | Tana French | $32.99 | Penguin | Bridie’s Pick

Norton’s fiction debut The Holding convinced the cynics of the talk-show host’s talent for quietly brilliant storytelling. In A Keeper, Norton again uses his native Ireland as inspiration for the story of Elizabeth Keane, who returns home following the death of her mother. Her passing raises new questions about Elizabeth’s absent father who is only known through a pile of letters. Perfect for fans of Alice McDermott’s The Ninth Hour.

A slow-burning stand-alone psychological thriller from the author of the Dublin Murder Squad series. The Wych Elm is part mystery, part thriller, part family drama, and focusses on questions of identity, privilege, and the transforming effects of traumatic events. What sets French apart is the atmosphere she creates. She challenges us to think about what we might be capable of when pushed to the limits.

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing | Hank Green | $29.99 | Hachette | Megan’s Pick

This is the largest and most definitive collection of time travel fiction and non-fiction ever assembled. It features over 60 authors and 100 stories, including Douglas Adams, Isaac Asimov and George R.R. Martin.

With beloved time travel classics and thrilling contemporary works, The Time Traveller’s Almanac will appeal to dedicated sci-fi readers as well as those new to the genre.

A story of first contact, or perhaps the prelude to first contact, that is more than anything an examination of the nature of fame and human nature in our internet driven world. The voice of the narrator looking at events in hindsight is compelling and relatable.

An introspective and hopeful book that pulls you in and then crashes into an ending that takes your breath away.

A Winter’s Promise | Christelle Dabos | $29.99 | Text | Dean’s Pick Every now and then, a YA/fantasy crossover book comes along to blow you away! This French bestseller, the first book in The Mirror Visitor series, is just that. Ophelia, our feisty heroine, can read history through touch. It is because of this gift that she is being married off to the bear-like treasurer Thorn in the snowy, far away Ark of Citaceleste. Here no one can be trusted. Ophelia navigates a rocky path trying to figure out how she will exist in this deceptive new world and why she must hide her true identity.

Skyward | Brandon Sanderson | $29.99 | Hachette | Megan’s Pick The first book in Sanderson’s epic new series is a fast-paced pageturner with a wonderful female protagonist at its heart. The constant threat of danger and destruction from an alien race and Spensa’s determination to become a fighter pilot kept me hooked, while her very relatable inner conflict over who she wants to be versus who she is becoming made me deeply invested in Spensa’s story. A must-read!

Time’s Convert | Deborah Harkness | $29.99 | Hachette | Mischa’s Pick

Red Moon | Kim Stanley Robinson | $32.99 | Hachette | Megan’s Pick

In this companion to the All Souls Trilogy, we are thrust into the past to discover how Marcus MacNeil became a vampire of the de Clermont family. This time, Harkness focuses her keen historian’s eye on the American and French revolutions.

Interlacing a passionate love story with a fascinating exploration of power and historical intrigue, Time’s Convert is perfect for Outlander devotees!

As ever Robinson’s strengths lie in his sweeping descriptions and love for all the wonderful possibilities of science. This book centres on Chinese controlled Moon colonies and mining and the growing political tensions that surround Luna. Fans of Kim Stanley Robinson’s recent work are sure to enjoy this new novel from one of science-fiction’s powerhouses.

The Electric State | Simon Stalenhag | $45 | Simon & Schuster | Lucy’s Pick Dystopian, relevant and astounding, The Electric State follows a road trip across a war-torn America.

Through the perspective of a post-technological demise, and accompanied by curious and breathtaking illustrations, this graphic novel provides an image of a possible and terrifying future. With its melancholic yet minimalistic prose, this is an incredible retro-futuristic read to get completely absorbed in!

SCI-FI/FANTASY & GRAPHIC NOVELS

The Time Traveller’s Almanac | Ann & Jeff VanderMeer | $35 | HarperCollins | Bridie’s Pick

To Kill A Mockingbird | Harper Lee & Fred Fordham | $35 | Random House | John’s Pick To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my alltime favourite novels; a masterpiece about race, class, injustice and lost innocence. Fresh from his astounding artwork on Phillip Pullman’s Adventures of John Blake, Fordham’s brilliance now touches Lee’s classic.

This work promises to bring as many new readers to graphic novels as did Nick Drnaso’s fabulous and Bookerlonglisted Sabrina. In a word: superb.

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2018 BOOKS OF THE MONTH

FEBRUARY BOOK OF THE MONTH The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock | Imogen Hermes Gowar | $32.99 | Random House | Recommended by Dean Set in the time of Jane Austen and with a focus on women of ill-repute, The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock is an enchanting and unexpected fiction debut. A ship owner’s captain returns from sea having traded the ship for a mermaid. Hancock enters the social world of the upper-class and their courtesans, presenting his mermaid as a curiosity. I absolutely loved this novel. I was drawn into this fantastical world of 18th century London and adored the many wonderful surprises along the way.

MARCH BOOK OF THE MONTH The Ruin | Dervla McTiernan | $24.99 | HarperCollins | Recommended by Dean & Kate Dean: Dervla McTiernan is Australia’s new writing star! This first-class thriller holds your attention from start to finish. The Ruin is atmospheric, with intriguing characters and quality writing. It’s the first book in a series featuring the perfectly gritty Irish detective, Cormac Reilly. Crime fiction doesn’t often make our Book of the Month but this was that good.

Kate: One of my favourite crime fiction reads of the year. A page-turning plot is driven by a deeplydeveloped cast of characters, a format which warmly reminded me of Robert Galbraith’s Cormoran Strike series. I am so looking forward to getting stuck into book two, due out in March 2019!

APRIL BOOK OF THE MONTH The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart | Holly Ringland | $32.99 | HarperCollins | Recommended by Steph They say it takes a village to raise a child. In the case of Alice Hart, it took three; the seaside village of her birth, the community of women at Thornfield Flower Farm where she grew up, and the residents of the desert town where she went to find herself. It took Agnes, Sally, June, Twig, Candy, Lulu and Ruy; each women carrying her own secrets, broken past and fragmented being. It was this interlocking of strong characters and richly drawn settings that stood out to me most as I read The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, as well as the inspired, well-developed and relatable language of flowers Holly Ringland has created.

MAY BOOK OF THE MONTH Ponti | Sharlene Teo | $29.99 | Pan Macmillan | Recommended by Virginia The acronym of the word PONTI — Person Of No Tactical Importance — came to mind in my first reading of this exceptional novel, a characterisation of sorts embodied by Szu. Szu is the 16-year-old daughter of a one-time cult horror actress, Amisa who played a Pontianak (Pontianak: the beautiful vampiric ghost of Malay myth who is comprised of spirits of women who died while pregnant). An outsider, Szu lives with her mother and aunt, a (perhaps crooked) spiritual medium. Privileged Circe befriends Szu at school and their friendship grows and falters. Narrated by Szu, Amisa and Circe, this is an absorbing novel that spans contemporaneity and antiquity with fluidity and freshness.

JUNE BOOK OF THE MONTH Eggshell Skull | Bri Lee | $29.99 | Allen & Unwin | Recommended by Dean Lee worked as a judge’s associate for a year, observing legal cases against child abuse, rape and domestic violence as well as the legal system itself. This experience made her aware of the fight she’d have on on her hands in bringing her own case of child molestation into the courts. Readers absorb Lee’s trauma from childhood violence, her anger against the system’s inadequacies, and her resolve to fight for her case. Lee’s strength in writing her biography is admirable and necessary.

This is an important book for Australia, a brave, searing and honest biography, and it’s a real eyeopener to our legal system for those who don’t have to access it all that often.

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Boy Swallows Universe | Trent Dalton | $32.99 | HarperCollins | Recommended by John, Lillian & Lucy John: Believe the hype! A beautifully crafted, funny and true blue coming-of-age story about family and brotherhood and love.

Lillian: I could not put this book down. The beautifully-wrought characters, combined with Dalton’s poetic lyricism, make this a sensational read.

Lucy: A touching tale of growing up and what it takes to be a ‘good man’. Dalton writes about boyhood, family and falling in love, all in one beautifully complicated novel.

AUGUST BOOK OF THE MONTH Record of a Spaceborn Few | Becky Chambers | $29.99 | Hachette | Recommended by Megan & Mischa Megan: A warm, hopeful and beautifully human exploration of the nature of humanity and community in extraordinary circumstances. A love letter to both the itch to explore and the desire to come home.

Mischa: This mesmerising literary speculative novel from one of my all-time-favourite sci-fi authors is a quiet yet deeply profound exploration of the human condition, exploring issues of gender and racial equality, sentience, and freedom of choice through an effortlessly humane lens.

2018 BOOKS OF THE MONTH

JULY BOOK OF THE MONTH

SEPTEMBER BOOK OF THE MONTH French Exit | Patrick deWitt | $29.99 | Bloomsbury | Recommended by Dean & John Dean: Quirky, strange, joyous and absurd, deWitt’s writing is lightly refreshing yet darkly comic. The characters, bitter-hearted Francis and her hilariously detached son Malcolm are brilliant. If you like off-beat books then this wonderful, frivolous absurdist comedy is for you.

John: Looking for something different? deWitt is a true original. The brilliance he displayed in previous novels The Sisters Brothers and Undermajordomo Minor is on show again in French Exit, a gleeful comedy (tragedy?) of manners that skewers the 1%. Vibrant characters with pithy and arch humour and a talent for the preposterous all add up to the best form of entertainment.

OCTOBER BOOK OF THE MONTH The Bus on Thursday | Shirley Barrett | $29.99 | Allen & Unwin | Recommended by Dean I was extremely excited to read Shirley Barrett’s new book as I unexpectedly adored her debut Rush-Oh! While her latest couldn’t be more different, I can say it is just as good — actually, I think it’s even better! This book is a scream! When Eleanor’s cancer goes into remission she takes a teaching job in Talbingo, a remote town in the Snowy Mountains that’s a bit creepy.

Everyone adored the teacher she is replacing and Eleanor isn’t going to fill Miss Barker’s shoes, she doesn’t even try. Then the demons come knocking at her door — literally. It’s both psychologically scary and offbeat funny, an unusual mix but it works so well — think Bridget Jones meets The Shining. This a great read to dive into and devour.

NOVEMBER BOOK OF THE MONTH Friday Black | Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah | $26.99 | Hachette | Recommended by Dean & John Dean: A razor-sharp collection of short stories, highly original and completely genuine. This is writing that stops you in your tracks and really makes you really think. Set in a very near-future, exploring racism, consumption and contemporary injustices, with uncomfortable and unforgiving violence.

John: Literary Semtex. Seriously. You carry this book around with a kind of awesome reverence for fear it may explode in your hands. Stories of racial violence, gun violence and, yes, retail violence(!) have formed a special haunting in my mind long after reading. Like master short story writer George Saunders’s stories though, they are also touched by humanity, with moments that lift the soul.

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BIOGRAPHY Any Ordinary Day | Leigh Sales | $34.99 | Penguin | Mischa’s Pick

To Obama | Jeanne Marie Laskas | $32.99 | Bloomsbury | Emma’s Pick

Fashion Climbing | Bill Cunningham | $35 | Random House | Virginia’s Pick

Unfettered and Alive | Anne Summers | $39.99 | Allen & Unwin | Alisha’s Pick

A wise, layered, and moving look at how ordinary people endure the unthinkable.

Including interviews with family members and survivors of traumatic events, Leigh Sales forensically asks the questions we all want answered but would never ask! Told with candid honesty and intimacy, Sales investigates the vulnerability and resilience of the human spirit whilst also revealing a deeply personal life-changing experience of her own.

Laskas has composed an endearing homage to the US President who requires no introduction. Thousands of letters and pieces of correspondence are the primary sources Laskas uses to construct a portrait of Obama’s administration, one defined by its commitment to bipartisanship and breaking down racial barriers but not immune to staunch criticism. Regardless, To Obama stirs nostalgia for the political moment that now seems so far away.

Found after Cunningham’s death in 2016 and full of phrases like “stitching up a storm”, Fashion Climbing is so passionately upbeat and generous to all, it reads like nothing else around. His inner life is absorbed with colour, people and plans as he charts his childhood struggle with the admiration of women’s clothing to his service in Korea, millinery work, NYC journalism, and his photography.

As one of our country’s most significant and well-regarded political journalists, Summers has lived an extraordinary and exhilarating life - flitting from job to job, travelling, working for magazines, newspapers, writing books, and brushing shoulders with the rich and powerful. Her memoir is poignant and compelling, providing an inspiring portrait of how one woman refused to let the Australian media shut her out of an incredible career.

Becoming | Michelle Obama | $49.99 | Penguin | Deserae’s Pick In this fantastic memoir, Michelle Obama (the brilliant, charming, When-TheyGo-Low-We-Go-High former First Lady) reflects on the trajectory of her life: from her early life in Chicago, her relationship with Barack, motherhood, her own career, time in the White House, and as a powerful advocate for young girls and women. It’s so well-written and much more honest than I was expecting (memoirs from ex-political figures can tend to be a little… stuffy!). Becoming is all about the power of claiming your own story, and it’s so inspiring and smart and inspiring and powerful and inspiring and generous and inspiring. Did I say inspiring?

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Miyazakiworld: A Life In Art | Susan Napier | $49.99 | Footprint | Dean’s Pick

Always Look On the Bright Side of Life | Eric Idle | $32.99 | Hachette | Emma’s Pick

Studio Ghibli is one of the greatest studios in the world and Miyazaki’s animations are the crème de la crème of the studio. Miyazakiworld looks at his life, his significant body of work, and the impact his animated gems have had on Japan and the rest of world. An unforgettable portrait of a director whose art has challenged the dominance of Hollywood culture in the film industry.

As a starring figure in Monty Python’s Flying Circus and The Life of Brian, many of us grew up laughing along with Idle’s hilarious facial expressions and ludicrous sketches.

In this ‘sortabiography’, Idle reflects upon growing up in the sixties and seventies, making it in comedy, and forming lifelong friendships with the likes of David Bowie and Robin Williams.

This is the project that Lucia Berlin was working on when she died. While her short stories were largely taken from life, the writing in this book presents differently. She has applied the craft of fiction to attempt to recreate her written life, wherein her shifting life and idea of self and home underwent frequent shifts. Collected journal entries and photographs, and letters from friends and lovers make an intimate autobiography of self-portraits through time.

Aardman: An Epic Journey Taken One Frame At A Time | Peter Lord & David Sproxton | $35 | Simon & Schuster | Rosie’s Pick

The Peter Norman Story | Andrew Webster & Matt Norman | $34.99 | Pan Macmillan | Dean’s Pick

This is a funny and insightful behindthe-scenes story of animation studio Aardman, creators of much loved characters Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep. From humble beginnings as two broke students who ‘were not business minded’ teaching themselves animation in their kitchen to unlikely British success story, this book reveals all.

Australian sporting hero Peter Norman won silver at the 1968 Mexico Olympics. But his act of solidarity with US medallists protesting inequality cost him everything. Norman pinned a Human Rights badge to his tracksuit and remained silent, an act which cast him into exile. Now he’s an icon for equality. This is the extraordinary story of a man and a moment that changed the world.

Magic | Jan Golembiewski | $29.99 | Transit Lounge | Dean’s Pick

Paramedic | Sandy Macken | $29.99 | Simon & Schuster | Emma’s Pick

The real life Shantaram! After school Golembiewski set off on a “gap year” tracking magic around the world. What this step-son of an anthropologist soon discovered was how to grow up in the face of danger, including drugs in Columbia and jail in Africa. This adventure story for the wild and free-spirited uncovers some really dark magic out there in the big wide world.

A cuttingly honest, thought-provoking memoir proving there are no days off for our paramedics and ambulance drivers. While many authors promise a no-holds-barred exposé of the tragedy and drama paramedics respond to daily, Macken sets her gaze on the emotional toll of these moments. Empathy is a professional necessity, but how do paramedics preserve their peace of mind?

On Air | Mike Carlton | $49.99 | Random House | Alisha’s Pick

Brutally Honest | Melanie Brown | $29.99 | Hardie Grant | Zak’s Pick The pop bio we’ve all been waiting for, and one that more than lives up to its title. Mel B, a.k.a ‘Scary Spice’ has long endured the peculiar pain and pressure of celebrity stardom, and this book provides a frank and fitting testament. Addressing the horrors of abuse and the difficulties of public life with strength, tenderness and insight, Mel B has provided a fascinating and generous portrait of the life behind the headlines. Worth the wait.

Most of us know veteran journalist Mike Carlton as the former host of morning radio on 2GB and 2UE. You may not know, however, that he is the son of an Olympic athlete and Catholic priest, or that he left school at sixteen to pursue journalism when he couldn’t afford university. Carlton’s new memoir is intriguing, refreshingly honest and often hilarious.

BIOGRAPHY

Welcome Home | Lucia Berlin | $34.99 | Pan Macmillan | Virginia’s Pick

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MUSIC

Beastie Boys Book | Mike Diamond & Adam Horovitz | $49.99 | Faber | Dean’s Pick Formed as a New York City hardcore band in 1981, The Beastie Boys struck an unlikely path to global hip-hop superstardom. Here is their story, told for the first time in the words of the band. “AdRock” and “Mike D” offer revealing accounts of their transformation from teenage punk musicians to budding rappers. This exciting, fully illustrated biography includes contributions from writers and cultural icons Colson Whitehead, Jonathan Lethem, Spike Jonze, Amy Poelher and Wes Anderson.

How To Be Invisible | Kate Bush | $29.99 | Faber | Dean’s Pick Kate Bush is iconic for the literary references embedded within her song lyrics. How To Be Invisible charts Bush’s forty-year career in a stunning collection of her songwriting, introduced by novelist and lifetime fan David Mitchell. A gift for devotees and newcomers alike, Bush fully reveals her gift for music and evokes “emotions and sensations” that are universal.

Slowhand: The Life and Music of Eric Clapton | Philip Norman | $32.99 | Hachette | John’s Pick Noted British music biographer Philip Norman has produced a definitive portrait of the unrivalled master of the guitar, Eric Clapton. He details a complex character and an excessive life of consumption, pain and insecurity. The Blues is always in his heart. Open access to family and friends provides critical insight and detailed back stories, revealing the private life of one of music’s greatest living legends.

Should I Stay or Should I Go | James Ball | $19.99 | Pan Macmillan | Dean’s Pick

Thanks a Lot Mr Kibblewhite | Roger Daltrey | $34.99 | Allen & Unwin | John’s Pick

Should I Stay or Should I Go? The Clash asked the question. James Ball, statistics genius and pop music guru, gives you the answer.

Percentages are all configured and the answer is: you should stay.

Phew! Next: is there Life on Mars?

Bowie proposed it but what does Ball have to say? The most famous questions from your favourite pop songs are scientifically and hilariously answered. Now… how do you solve a problem like Maria?

He’s the voice of a generation.

Frank and funny, the lead singer of The Who tells a fascinating tale of success and survival. Crimes and misdemeanours at school lead to expulsion at fifteen, thanks to Mr Kibblewhite, his authoritarian headmaster. It all could have ended there, but then came rock ‘n roll and one of the greatest bands of all time.

This is the first time Daltrey tells his own story, a wild and dangerous mix of having it all.

Roadies | Stuart Coupe | $32.99 | Hachette | Rosie’s Pick The Roadies’ creed: If it’s wet, drink it. If it’s dry, smoke it. If it moves, **** it. If it doesn’t move, throw it into the back of a truck. Gritty and tough, these are the folks who lift PAs, run lighting rigs and drive trucks full of gear through the night, a life of cheap food, bad drugs and no sleep. This is the hidden side of the Australian music industry and now the Roadies are breaking the code, talking candidly and sharing their secrets.

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Imagine | Yoko Ono | $65 | Thames & Hudson | Alisha’s Pick This book is a must-have for Beatles enthusiasts and collectors alike.

Featuring a foreword by Yoko Ono along with detailed floor plans, lyrics, sketches, and never-beforeseen photographs from the making of Imagine, this hardcover gift is destined for your coffee table. It is the definitive guide to Imagine; the ultimate chronology of the making of the best album of all time.

ART & DESIGN

Bohemian Living | Robyn Lea | $65 | Thames & Hudson | Sally’s Pick Bohemian Living is a feast for the eyes and easy on the soul. Anyone with an inclination for beauty, art and delight will love flicking through the pages of this book. Robyn Lea passionately profiles fascinating artists and creatives alike, and documents their homes in a rich tapestry of colours! Lea is meticulous in her observations, and careful not to miss the finer details and oddities of what makes an authentically creative life and a creative home a true home.

A Painted Landscape | Amber Creswell Bell | $59.99 | Thames & Hudson | Alisha’s Pick Burnt, haunting, wild, and bare, the Australian landscape is incredibly diverse, and its unique beauty is captured in this collection of paintings by established and emerging local artists. Creswell Bell curates a stunning collection of bush, farmland, suburban, outback, mountain, rainforest, and coastal art in this coffee-table book that will make readers swoon.

You Are Always With Me: Letters to Mama | Frida Kahlo | $45 | Hachette | Sally’s Pick You Are Always With Me: Letters to Mama is filled with the illuminating voice of one of Mexico’s, and arguably the world’s greatest artists, Frida Kahlo.

Comprising fifty letters written to her beloved mother from 1923 (when Frida was 16 years old) to 1932 (when her mother passed away), each page reveals the curious, wild, and spirited woman behind the famous cultural icon we know today. Considered to be one of the 20th century’s most significant visionaries, Frida’s deeply personal letters to her mother unveil an observant, caring, and thoughtful person. Between intimate letters, full of musings and personal recounts, You Are Always With Me has a handful of hand-written postcards and stunning photos of the woman herself. This book is magic.

The Contemporary House | Jonathan Bell & Ellie Stathaki | $49.99 | Thames & Hudson | Lucy’s Pick

Alright Darling? The Contemporary Drag Scene | Greg Bailey | $29.99 | Thames & Hudson | Alisha’s Pick

As the demand for urban housing rises, so too does the demand for smart and creative solutions to energy and space consumption within residential areas. This offers insight into a modern way of living, describing the transformation and innovation of environmentally conscious and space efficient housing in recent years — all with a view to raising the standard of urban living to support our ever-changing society. A fantastic read for the everyday architectural enthusiast.

Did someone say “YASSS QUEEN”?! Greg Bailey chronicles the glitz, glamour, and unapologetic individuality of the contemporary drag scene in this show-stopping photography must-have. Filled with colour and featuring goddesses Alaska Thunderstruck, Manila Luzon, Adore Delano, and Pearl, Alright Darling? breaks down gender norms and celebrates the gorgeous diversity of drag culture.

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HISTORY

Ottoman Odyssey | Alev Scott | $32.99 | Hachette | Emma’s Pick In exile from her Turkish fatherland, Scott traverses the far-flung corners of the Ottoman Empire, which consumed the Balkans and Eastern Europe. Just as Constantinople straddled East and West, Ottoman Odyssey links the past legacy of the Ottomans with the present challenges facing Turkey’s modern democracy. Controversially, Scott questions if Turkey’s current leadership is seeking to recreate an Ottoman Empire of the present.

The Golden Thread | Kassia St Clair | $39.99 | Hachette | Sylvia’s Pick We are wrapped in cloth throughout our lives – at birth, in life and in death. We use the language of cloth: we ‘unravel’; our fates are ‘interwoven’; we ‘hang by a thread’. Through thirteen stories, St Clair explores the significant influence of cloth on history and our lives, and how certain fibres and fabrics have changed the world. An absorbing book, and the lyrical, informed writing makes it a pleasure to read too!

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Written In History | Simon Sebag Montefiore | $35 | Hachette | Dean’s Pick With the golden age of the letter writing fading into the internet’s shadow, Montefiore curates an indomitable collection of letters that have changed the course of history. Spanning millennia, from Michelangelo to Leonard Cohen, each significant correspondence is a revelatory marvel and encapsulates all human life and emotion while exploring its relevance today.

Heroes | Stephen Fry | $35 | Penguin | Emma’s Pick In the follow up to Mythos, Stephen Fry whisks us back in time again to meet the heroes – and foes – of Ancient Greece. Fry dazzles as our own Homer gathering the many strands of Greek mythology together in an exciting, fast-paced anthology.

The characters, who leap off the page, explore the full range of human sexual identity – from macho Apollo to sly Artemis and the compelling Hermaphroditus.

The New Silk Roads | Peter Frankopan | $27.99 | Bloomsbury | Alisha’s Pick

Europe: A Natural History | Tim Flannery | $34.99 | Text | Sylvia’s Pick

In this much-anticipated sequel, Frankopan gives us an up-to-date version of world history, or rather, world present and future. In an age fraught with geopolitical tension, populism and European ructions, he investigates why the West is growing more and more fractured while the East continues to establish itself as a major international force.

Sure to fly off the shelves!

A fascinating look at the formation of Europe and its natural world, from 100 million years ago to the present day. Flannery’s writing is engaging, informed and witty. He describes some of history’s oldest and strangest animals – and oddest scientists! – and the impact humans have had on the survival (or, more accurately, extinction) of thousands of species.

May the humans of today take note.

The Colour of Time | Dan Jones & Marina Amaral | $45 | HarperColins | Bridie’s Pick

Ancient Skies | David Weston Marshall | $35.95 | Wiley | Lucy’s Pick

Certain to be adored by lovers of art and history alike is this collaboration between artist Amaral and historian Jones. 200 stunning full-colour digital renditions of historical photographs are brought to life in a style uniquely Amaral’s own. Jones’s narrative anchors each image in its context and weaves the images together. A vivid account of the past 110 years.

Our stars are filled with stories tracing back to our distant ancestors, connecting our civilisations and theirs. Ancient Skies is a stunning contemplation of the rich history our cosmos holds, following the stars’ diverse meanings and mythologies back to the Ancient Greeks, leaving you with an element of delight in looking up at the stars and seeing the same sight as our predecessors.

By Sea & Stars | Trent Dalton |

Glover unites two very different ages of Australian cultural life. He looks back to the time that was: the 60s and 70s, where liberated music and fashion coexisted uneasily with homophobia and sexism. As well as being ‘anti-nostalgic’, Glover takes stock of the present. Whilst we have witnessed the rise and rise of a peaceful, economically prosperous Australia, we still have far to go.

$24.99 | HarperCollins | Lillian’s Pick From the brilliant author of Boy Swallows Universe comes a dazzling, poetic and vividly rendered account of the First Fleet. Originally published as a multi-part serial in The Australian,

By Sea and Stars draws on firstperson accounts to bring the epic voyage to life. This is far from a dry history of dates and names but rather a series of gripping stories from real people. It is bloody, brutal and enthralling!

Banjo | Grantlee Kieza | $39.99 | HarperCollins | Dean’s Pick

You Daughters of Freedom | Clare Wright | $49.99 | Text | Dean’s Pick

The celebrated poet who defined Australia’s national identity, Andrew Barton Patterson or ‘Banjo’ lived a rich and remarkable life. He grew from bush baby to war-time hero, acting as a newspaper columnist, ABC broadcaster, jockey, solicitor and ambulance driver. Awardwinning journalist Kieza adds colour and brushes of loyalty, mateship and laconic humour to the portrait of Australia’s greatest storyteller.

When Claire Wright visited our store recently she was humble, bold and intelligent, qualities mirrored here in her writing on the Australian suffrage movement. In this exciting slice of Australian history, Wright looks at five remarkable women who, in a trail-blazing victory, won the vote and inspired the rest of the world to follow. Rich and accomplished storytelling on one of our proudest achievements as a nation.

Yes Yes Yes | Alex Greenwich & Shirleene Robinson | $29.99 | NewSouth Books | Alisha’s Pick

The Arsonist | Chloe Hooper | 34.99 | Penguin | Kate’s Pick

This book traces the journey of the Australian marriage equality movement from its roots in the 1970s to the extraordinary win in December 2017, when same-sex marriage was (finally) legalised. Packed with insider information and historical data, Yes Yes Yes navigates complicated political ground in a thrilling reflection upon Australia’s unique queer rights struggles — and victories.

AUSTRALIAN NON-FICTION

The Land Before Avocado | Richard Glover | $29.99 | HarperCollins | Emma’s Pick

A harrowing, melancholic and compelling story about the Black Saturday bushfires in Churchill, Victoria and the man who was later charged with lighting those fires. We meet the families who survived, and we’re introduced to those who didn’t. We follow the police in their investigation and then the lawyers, for both the prosecution and the defence.

It’s a deeply saddening read, brimming with Hooper’s empathy for all those involved, but a necessary one.

Misfits & Me | Mandy Sayer | $34.99 | NewSouth Books | Dean’s Pick

Black Snake | Leo Kennedy | $35 | Affirm Press | Bridie’s Pick

Sayer’s essays are frank, empathetic and feature marginalised characters ranging from child gangs, hoarders, car jackers and pensioners — an eclectic selection of misfits representing all aspects of the Australian community. The warmth and humour in Sayer’s writing reveals a humane essence to each story. This wonderfully revealing and honest read is engrossing and researched through personal experience.

Ned Kelly: hero of the people or murderous thug? Lovers of Australian history will appreciate this historical account challenging his legend. The story of Kelly is also the story of Michael Kennedy, the police sergeant who was murdered by the outlaw 140 years ago.

Black Snake is written by Kennedy’s great grandson Leo Kennedy, who brings his great grandfather’s story to life and gives voice to the victims of the iconic Aussie outlaw.

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CULTURAL STUDIES

Mad, Bad, Dangerous to Know | Colm Toíbín | $29.99 | Pan Macmillan | Sylvia’s Pick Tóibín brings his usual thoughtfulness and dedication to this analysis of three influential fathers on three influential sons. Wilde, Yeats and Joyce all experienced the strong will of their unusual fathers – in both positive and negative ways. Tóibín’s exploration of these characters also offers insight into Ireland’s rich literary heritage.

Fascinating.

Books that Saved My Life | Michael McGirr | $34.99 | Text | Dean’s Pick Like all good booksellers, McGirr has had a life-long enchantment with books. Here he selects the forty titles which enriched his own life, featuring beloved classics like To Kill A Mockingbird and Frankenstein as well as recent favourites such as Hagseed and Harry Potter. Each reflection explores how these books have touched McGirr’s life and injected wisdom, solace and pleasure into his every day.

I Might Regret This | Abbi Jacobson | $32.99 | Hachette | Kate’s Pick Fans of Broad City may not realise that Jacobson identifies as a writer rather than an actor or a comedian, but after reading this collection they’ll get it. Composed over a three-week road trip from NYC to LA, a scarce few months after a wrenching break-up, Jacobson’s writing — full of self-deprecation, despair and hope — exposes all of her vulnerabilities in a way that I appreciated immensely.

The Uncollected Plays of Shaun Micallef | $35 | Affirm | Sylvia’s Pick To paraphrase Winston Churchill, a recent TV ad for insurance and Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace, Shaun Micallef is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma, shrouded in a fine Scotch mist. If you like your satire absurd, dipped in batter and deep fried, possibly smothered in chocolate and sprinkled with a large pinch of salt to finish, this is the collection for you. Expect to snort with laughter upon reading.

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Rise & Resist | Clare Press | $32.99 | MUP | Kate’s Pick From the author of Wardrobe Crisis comes this impassioned call to arms with a focus on social justice and climate science. Inspired by the latest surge of activism, Press interviews change-makers from around the globe and presents her own creative strategies for how each and every one of us can make lasting, positive, sustainable changes in our lives and our communities.

Boys Will Be Boys | Clementine Ford | $32.99 | Allen & Unwin | Deserae’s Pick It’s our Feminist (S)hero’s second book, and it’s so Capital-I-Important! Where Fight Like A Girl sought to galvanise women around equality, Boys Will Be Boys is a nuanced evaluation of masculinity.

Clem herself says, “This is not a book about how men are shit.” Instead she unpacks the limited and dangerous notions of Manliness embedded in our culture (i.e. toxic masculinity) and asks how we can do better, for women’s and men’s sakes. It’s powerful, it’s intelligent and it’s a beautiful meditation on motherhood.

Dangerous Ideas About Mothers | Camilla Nelson & Rachel Robertson | $29.99 | NewSouth Books | Bridie’s Pick An intriguing exploration of what it means to be a mother in the 21st century. Its contributors confront issues such as the over-burdened family court system, motherhood in fairy tales, shifting ideas about fathers, and women who choose to remain childfree.

In an era of social media mummies and ‘Mumpreneurs’, the book also explores the commercialisation of mothering advice and scrutiny. Mind expanding.

Notes from a Public Typewriter | Michael Gustafson & Oliver Uberti | $26.99 | Scribe | Lillian’s Pick This cultural experiment began when Gustafson and his wife Hilary opened Literati Bookstore in Michigan and put out a typewriter for anyone from the public to use. They had no idea what to expect.

The result is a compilation of hilarious, philosophical, poignant, and insightful notes – a mixture of musings, questions and admissions. Complete with essays and photographs, this ode to community and the written word will surprise, delight, and inspire in equal measure.

Ever wondered how a memory gets made? Or how a false one takes hold? Diving for Seahorses provides a fascinating and accessible insight into the mysterious workings of our fallible memory. The section on false and implanted memories (think ‘Inception’) was a revelation. And the clear link between memory and imagination shows that we’re all visionaries, creators and owners of our story. In a word: unforgettable!

Brief Answers to the Big Questions | Stephen Hawking | $32.99 | Hachette | Lillian’s Pick

Woo’s Wonderful World of Maths | Eddie Woo | $29.99 | Pan Macmillan | Lucy’s Pick

One of the greatest minds in history leaves us with his final thoughts in this edifying volume, which tackles the most urgent challenges facing humanity now, from climate change to the threat of nuclear war and the development of artificial intelligence.

Will humanity survive? Should we colonise space? Featuring ​​ a foreword by Eddie Redmayne and an afterword by Lucy Hawking, this enlightening work provides an important final message from the world’s most renowned cosmologist.

I am a long-time fan of Eddie Woo. From watching his trigonometry YouTube (WooTube) videos in year 8 maths class to reading this book, Woo has never failed to inspire me in the area of mathematics — in fact, I credit him with my passing of high school level maths (no easy feat)! Whether you’re a seasoned mathematician or simply want to expand your knowledge, Woo offers a unique and clear way of explaining the world that even the most mathsaverse reader will enjoy.

21 Lessons for the 21st Century | Yuval Noah Harari | $35 | Random House | Emma’s Pick

Sloths! | William Hartston | $29.99 | Allen & Unwin | Bridie’s Pick

Harari is a guru for our time and 21 Lessons for the 21st Century is our handbook. 21 Lessons stands apart from earlier masterworks (Sapiens and Homo Deus) as a collection of essays published throughout his academic career. His thesis is profound; as we build a future which improves on our present, we venture further into unknown territory where we can no longer call upon the lessons of the past.

Heart: A History | Sandeep Jauhar | $29.99 | Bloomsbury | Kate’s Pick We’ve crafted quite a romantic figure out of the heart, the first major organ to develop and the last to fail. so it’s fitting for it to finally be the lead in a story.

Cardiologist Jauhar explores the evolution of humanity’s knowledge of the heart, from Ancient Greece to the transformative modern scientific advances, and shares his own affecting personal and professional anecdotes. This is an impactful scientific history that leaves you pondering the future.

SCIENCE

Diving for Seahorses | Hilde Ostby & Ylva Ostby | $29.99 | NewSouth Books | John’s Pick

For lovers of sloths and biology alike, this beautifully illustrated book is an entertaining celebration of the sloth.

It covers the fascinating history of the sloths, from the prehistoric Ground Sloth to the modern Pygmy Sloth. It also reveals the truth and science behind sloth behaviour.

Touching on a variety of topics including sloth myths, anatomy and their relationship with global warming, this book has something for all kinds of science enthusiasts.

The Library of Ice | Nancy Campbell | $39.99 | Simon & Schuster | Bridie’s Pick In this poetic memoir, Nancy Campbell explores the world’s vanishing ice. This book is a combination of science and cultural history, and an account of place and landscape. Seven years of exploration have been beautifully compiled here to examine the impact the rapidly disappearing ice has humanity and our fragile planet.

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OUR FAVOURITE BOOKS OF 2018

DEAN’S PICK

KATE’S PICK

ZAK’S PICK

BRIDIE’S PICK

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Convenience Store Woman | Sayaka Murata | $24.99 | Granta

Boy Swallows Universe | Trent Dalton | $32.99 | HarperCollins

This book is an absolute gem; it’s small but speaks volumes about unconventional people who find happiness by fitting in somewhere, even if it’s in a Tokyo convenience store. Murata’s storytelling is funny and offbeat in a marvellous way and makes you adore everything about this perfect book, leaving you much to think about afterwards. She has been hailed as one of the new exciting voices of Japan and I agree!

Rarely do you come across a book that is simultaneously heartwrenching and heart-warming, yet this is the case with Dalton’s superlative novel. I could not put this book down. The beautifullywrought characters, combined with Dalton’s poetic lyricism, make this a sensational read. A gripping novel abounding in adventure, heartbreak, love, and overwhelmingly a will to survive and grow.

I’ll Be Gone in the Dark | Michelle McNamara | $29.99 | Faber

Sabrina | Nick Drnaso | $32.99 | Granta | John’s Pick

The case of the Golden State Killer is a fascinating one, sure, but it’s the way in which McNamara writes about it that makes this story so riveting. Her narrative voice and personal obsession are so enveloping that you immediately notice when you get to a section that has been pieced together by her researchers after her death. A true crime read for those who don’t typically dabble in the genre. I find myself still thinking of it several months later.

Drnaso’s deeply disturbing take on our deeply disturbing times, the fake news, echo chambers, fringe fantasists and conspiracy theorists, violence against women, and the disconnection of men. Simmering with a quiet dread, the pages ache with loneliness and lunacy. The first graphic novel to be longlisted for the Booker Prize, it will convert newcomers to the form and deserves all the praise it has been given.

The Odyssey | Homer translated by Emily Wilson | $26.95 | Wiley

Normal People | Sally Rooney | $29.99 | Faber | Fabienne’s Pick

This translation is red hot. Wilson, the first woman to translate the Odyssey into modern English, has turned an ancient text into a contemporary cultural landmark.

To navigate literalism, musicality, clarity, beauty, and readability in translation is one thing. To take one of the oldest works in the Western tradition, and make it feel new?

That’s an achievement worth writing home about.

Rooney’s ability to inhabit her characters is very impressive. I was captivated by the honesty and realness of this story. It effortlessly draws you in and lets you experience the life of two young people without the filters of nostalgia or sentimentality. You inhabit their psyches and, regardless of your background or age, you identify with them and feel their pain and turmoil.

This is a powerful book.

The Female Persuasion | Meg Wolitzer | $32.99 | Random House

Dopesick | Beth Macy | $32.99 | HarperCollins

Wolitzer starts her latest novel with the political awakening of one of the main characters, Greer, through a MeToo moment. She then explores the relationship between Greer and an older feminist, Faith Frank. The book explores ideas about feminism, compromise, betrayal and loss and Wolitzer’s prose is elegant, authentic and a pleasure to read. A witty, engaging novel to be enjoyed by all generations.

With the opioid addiction crisis rapidly escalating in the US, Macy’s brutal examination of the role of ‘big pharma’ reads as an urgent call to arms. With a needle-like investigative focus, Macy surveys hundreds of doctors, patients and industry leaders at the heart of the epidemic. Dopesick exposes the cracks in what is supposedly the most developed and expensive health care system on earth.

LILLIAN’S PICK

JOHN’S PICK

FABIENNE’S PICK

EMMA’S PICK

The Lebs | Michael Mohammed Ahmad | $27.99 | Hachette Ahmad’s fearless novel charts Bani Adam’s final years of high school in Western Sydney and the one beyond in his ongoing search for self. Being a “Leb” makes him an outsider for much of the wider community, but as a writer with a romantically poetic soul, surrounded by toxic, ubermasculinity, he’s also an outsider to his peers. Bani’s voice is both rock hard and lyrical. Brutally honest and unapologetic, The Lebs is the real deal!

SYLVIA’S PICK

The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart | Holly Ringland | $32.99 | HarperCollins

STEPH’S PICK

They say it takes a village to raise a child. In the case of Alice Hart, it took three; the seaside village of her birth, the community of women at Thornfield Flower Farm where she grew up, and the residents of a desert town where she went to find herself. It was this interlocking of strong female characters and richly drawn settings that stood out to me most when reading this debut novel.

Bluebottle | Belinda Castles | $29.99 | Allen & Unwin

Flood Damages | Eunice Andrada | $24 | Giramondo

Set in the beach suburb of Bilgola, this delicately crafted story explores the lasting effects of a charismatic yet unpredictable father’s actions on his young family’s life. Castles’s observations on the subtle signs of emotional damage sustained by the children, in particular in the son Jack, is acute and, at times, devastating.

Wonderful, powerful writing by an award-winning Australian author.

I have never felt so haunted by language. Andrada spits out poem after defiant poem, taking us deep into the intergenerational trauma caused by centuries of colonial occupation. It is angry, powerful, and passionate. Her pain is visceral; her honesty erotic. If you’re going to read one book of poetry this year, please let it be this, and lose yourself in Andrada’s world of diaspora, longing, and female empowerment.

Spinning Silver | Naomi Novik | $29.99 | Pan Macmillan

ALISHA’S PICK

OUR FAVOURITE BOOKS OF 2018

JAMES’S PICK

MEGAN’S PICK

Novik is fast becoming a master of the new fairytale. Spinning Silver takes the Rumpelstiltskin idea of spinning straw into gold to an incredible new extreme, spinning silver into gold, not through magic but cleverness. Then discovering what happens when gold has a different value than predicted and deals are made to be kept. This book is a rich unputdownable tale.

My Year of Rest and Relaxation | Ottessa Moshfegh | $35 | Random House | Picked by Virginia, Deserae AND Emma Cooper!

Virginia: I thought this novel might be an acquired taste only, but its appeal is great. How to live when one does not want to live? Moshfegh upturns the memoirist’s genre of the R&R and pushes the idea of rest to a caustic kind of reconfigurement via recognisable and invented psychiatric medication. The result is perfect painful writing. Put it in the shrine!

— OUR FAVOURITE KIDS BOOKS OF 2018 — Find our favourite kids reads of the year on page 31 and in the Better Read Kids Summer Reading Guide, in-store and online now!

Deserae: Have. You. Read. This. Yet. If. Not. Why. Not. Quick, it’s so brilliant! The narrator is young, hot, rich and, despite her many privileges, completely exhausted by the world and everyone in it. Set in a pre-9/11 New York, this novel is so wickedly dark and hilarious and tender.

Emma: As always, Moshfegh’s language is gorgeous and visceral and her characters, original, truthful and funny. A young woman so apathetic she can’t stand to be conscious experiments in pharmaceutical-induced hibernation. She’s helped by Dr. Tuttle, a hilariously inept psychiatrist and goldmine for the narrator and her love for narcotics. Comic, devastating and dark, I can’t recommend it more highly!

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BETTER READ LITERARY TOURS

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BETTER READ LITERARY TOURS

Sartre, Camus, de Beauvoir, Hugo, Maupassant, Baudelaire, Flaubert… If you’ve ever been curious about the lives and works of these canonical authors, this is your chance to experience where they lived, wrote and conceived all their oeuvres! Step back in history to discover remnants of Paris’ rich literary past: explore the houses these authors lived in; the landscapes and sites their novels describe; and, not least of all, visit the very cafés they frequented! It will be a thoroughly enchanting experience for bibliophiles and Francophiles alike.

From Moscow to St Petersburg, join us as we explore the home of literary masters such as Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Chekhov, Nabokov and Pushkin. Rosamund Bartlett, a biographer and translator of Tolstoy and Chekhov, and the co-author of ‘Literary Russia: A Guide,’ is perfectly poised to walk alongside you as you retrace the footsteps of these famous authors and immerse yourself within the legendary settings of their world-renowned novels.

You will learn how politics, history and the arts intersect in Russian culture and witness how Russia’s turbulent history has informed its present culture, all while enjoying the famous Golden autumn.

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COOKING

Suqar | Greg & Lucy Malouf | $55 | Hardie Grant | Steph’s Pick Middle Eastern sweets are acclaimed for their unique combination of spices, scents and syrups. Greg and Lucy Malouf show us how to make these delectable treats, from puddings and pastries, to ice-creams, cookies, cakes, confectionary, fruity desserts and drinks, in the follow up to one of my all-time favourite cookbooks New Feast. Accompanied by gorgeous photography and illustration, this cookbook contains Malouf’s signature cooking style – combining childhood favourites with modern cuisine.

The Getting of Garlic | John Newton | $32.99 | NewSouth Books | Sylvia’s Pick What is Australian cuisine? While acknowledging an Indigenous heritage spanning eons, Newton’s answer to this question focuses on the history and development of our food culture post-1788.

His comprehensive and engaging discussion explores the many outside influences on what we eat today and why, especially the all-important touchstone of garlic (which I can’t imagine life without! Quelle horreur!).

Seven Deadly Sins and One Very Naughty Fruit | Mikey Robins | $35 | Simon & Schuster | Sylvia’s Pick Comic Mikey Robbins takes the Seven Deadly Sins as a starting point for a discussion on the decidedly odd history of food. With his usual curiosity and easy charm, Mikey makes even the most unpalatable food fact entertaining and sometimes snortingly funny. Who was ‘The Great Masticator’? What’s the definition of ‘farctate’? Why should a bloke avoid smashing his avocados?

Gorge yourself on this highly amusing culinary treat.

Lateral Cooking | Niki Segnit | $45 | Bloomsbury | Lillian’s Pick The latest from the author of The Flavour Thesaurus encourages creative and/or hesitant cooks to develop their own recipes, thanks to its ground-breaking design. The book is divided into twelve chapters, each covering a basic culinary category. Recipes are then arranged on a continuum, smoothly transitioning from one to the next with only minor adjustments required in method or ingredients. This ingenious layout encourages improvisation, resourcefulness and, ultimately, confidence in the kitchen.

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Meat: The Ultimate Companion | Anthony Puharich & Libby Travers | $79.99 | Murdoch | Virginia’s Pick This is the true meat lover’s companion. Let the farmer, the butcher and the best cooks share everything they know about cooking meat. Illustrated with animal diagrams and recipes, there is nothing like it. From fifth generation butcher Anthony Puharich, owner of Victor Churchill in Woollahra, food writer Libby Travers, and forworded by the late and great Anthony Bourdain, you won’t find a more comprehensive, accessible book on meat.

Fruit | Bernadette Worndl | $55 | Smith Street | Alisha’s Pick If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, then Bernadette Worndl’s new culinary delight could hold back an entire epidemic with its scrumptious fruity recipes! She proves that fruit has been eternally misunderstood - it need not be isolated to jams, cakes, and the (occasional) dessert.

Fruit is for duck! Fruit is for chicken!

Fruit is for savoury as well as sweet!

With over a hundred recipes, this is bound to be a kitchen staple.

Fruitilicious!

Smith & Deli-cious | Shannon Martinez & Mo Wyse | $50 | Hardie Grant | Zak’s Pick Leave your preconceptions about veganism at the door. Smith & Daughters – a Melbourne must-visit for all things plant-based – are back, with delectable recipes straight from the deli!

Cruelty-free cookbooks have come a long way from the days of simple salads, and boy does it show, with Smokey Spanish Baked Beans featured alongside delightful Pink Grapefruit and Black Pepper Slices. This is playful, delightful, forward-thinking food that will leave you begging for seconds.

Well Read Cookies | Lauren Chater | $24.99 | Simon & Schuster | Steph’s Pick Feast your eyes on the works of Jane Austen, J.K. Rowling, J.R.R. Tolkien and other literary greats – in cookie form! Lauren Chater, author of the incredible debut novel The Lace Weaver, has another amazing talent! Based on her blog ‘The WellRead Cookie’, Lauren’s whimsical cookbook contains all the steps required to translate your favourite books into biscuits.

This luxe hardcover combines two of my all-time favourite activities – spying on other people’s stunning homes, and meeting new dogs.

Melbourne-based photographer Nicole England has a particular interest in the everyday spaces we inhabit and her approach here is to present impressive architectural design and interiors through the lens of the dogs that live in these homes. I keep revisiting the photographs of dogs staring out some very impressive windows.

Akira Isogawa | Georgina Safe | $80 | Thames & Hudson | Virginia’s Pick

LIFESTYLE

Resident Dog | Nicole England | $75 | Thames & Hudson | Kate’s Pick

Boys With Plants | Modern Books | $19.99 | Thames & Hudson | Dean’s Pick Love plants, love boys, or love both?

This is the gift for you. Proud plant nerd Scott, aka TropicaLoco has profiled 50 lush plants and the men who care for them in their homes across the world. Each entry includes top tips for plants.

From ferns to cacti, backyard to courtyard, Boys with Plants is the ideal gift for any green thumb.

Australian Dreamscapes | Claire Takacs | $70 | Hardie Grant | John’s Pick

Landing in Sydney for a working holiday in 1986 with little money and no English, Isogawa started designing costumes for an eclectic group with whom he felt a rapport.

After studying Design at East Sydney Tech, he opened a boutique. Only two years later, after a meteoric rise, he started showcasing at Paris Fashion Week. Cate Blanchett has written the foreword to this gorgeous book that celebrates a notoriously humble and shy designer.

Cicero once said: “If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” And Australian Dreamscapes proves this in spades, its sumptuous photos and insightful essays showcasing a newer, more naturalistic approach to garden design. Here are diverse mini Edens, rich with texture and visual appeal, that sit quietly within their surrounding landscapes. The sort of book you buy as a gift and then keep for yourself!

A Sporting Chance | Titus O’Reily | $34.99 | Penguin | Dean’s Pick

Shame | Joseph Burgo | $32.99 | Pan Macmillan | Dean’s Pick

Our most respected sports satirist offers up a bunch of ridiculous tales from Australia’s chequered sporting history: the scandals, the coverup mistakes, and the sordid paths back to redemption. Part social commentary and part history, with his trademark rambling nonsense, O’Reily offers a sort-of guide to sports because to understand Australia, you must understand its sporting history and not take it all so seriously!

An intimate look at the full spectrum of shame and how we can use this difficult emotion as a tool to better understand ourselves and our relationships with others. Richly illustrated with clinical stories from Burgo’s 35 years in private practice, Shame offers a positive route forward on the road to authentic selfesteem with the view that shame should not always be considered a toxic influence in our lives.

The Planthunter | Georgina Reid | $59.99 | Thames & Hudson | Kate’s Pick I’m a fan of The Planthunter online magazine and am so thrilled that their years of inspiring work have culminated in such a beautiful book.

Reid shares how people all around the globe find beauty, purpose and wellness through nurturing plants and inspires readers to develop a deep respect for humans, culture, plants and the environment.

Places We Swim | Caroline Clements & Dillon Seitchik-Reardon | $39.99 | Hardie Grant | Lucy’s Pick Whether you’re looking to take a swim, dip, dive, plunge or bathe, Places We Swim has it all. Covering the 60 best places to swim in Australia, this is an epic handbook celebrating some of Australia’s most extraordinary natural beauties, from your local neighbourhood pool to some of the remotest rock pools the country can offer.

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GIFT

A Velocity of Being | Maria Popova & Claudia Bedrick | $45 | NewSouth Books | Dean’s Pick An expansive collection of love letters to books, libraries and the joy of reading, from a wonderfully eclectic array of thinkers and creators, pulled together by Brain Picking’s Maria Popova. Writers such as Neil Gaiman and Ursula La Guin muse on the joy of reading, and celebrated graphic artists such as Shaun Tan and Chris Ware create visual replies that are absolutely stunning. Pure delight for anyone who adores books between the ages of 10 and 100.

Sad Animal Facts: Baby Talk | Brooke Barker | $19.99 | Pan Macmillan | Dean’s Pick The cutest and saddest compendium of baby animal cartoons ever! Do you laugh or stick out your bottom lip? Or find a baby animal to hug because their life is so sad? Quirky facts and unfortunate truths on the complicated world of baby animals.

An adorably heartbreaking book.

Free the Tipple | Jennifer Croll & Kelly Shami | $24.99 | Peribo | Jan’s Pick

I Touched A Cat and I Liked It | Anna Blandford | $19.99 | Hardie Grant | Dean’s Pick

Puppy Styled | Grace Chon | $18.95 | Wiley | Alisha’s Pick

Do you cross the street to pat a cat? Do people always tag you in kitten pictures? Do you own over five cat-themed T-shirts? Are you thinking about cats right now? Then this book is for you! The ultimate book for quintessential cat lovers — just purrrfect!

A Girl’s Guide to Personal Hygiene | Tallulah Pomeroy | $26.99 | Scribe | Kate’s Pick

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Tribute cocktails are a celebration, a little toast to someone we admire.

These refreshing cocktail recipes give kudos to 60 iconic women whose contributions to culture have shaped the world — and the drinks are delicious! The perfect stocking stuffer for kick-ass women!

Puppy Styled is a gorgeous collection of full-page photographs, featuring the most adorable beforeand-afters of tiny little pooches. On the left page, they’re a mess; on the right, they’re pint-sized canine glamour models. This might just be the best thing I have ever seen in my entire life. No exaggeration.

Be the Person Your Dog Thinks You Are | C.J. Frick | $19.99 | Black Inc | Lillian’s Pick

Pomeroy’s illustrated collection of anecdotes about the female body from real women celebrates all that is weird and wonderful about being a girl and strives to redefine femininity. A subversive, hilarious, all-too-relatable and ultimately liberating collection that girls everywhere both need and deserve.

This gorgeous little book is the perfect gift for any canine-lover. Dogs have the most remarkable quality of always seeing the best in us, even when we feel at our worst.

Complete with illustrations from The New Yorker’s Liza Donnelly, this funny yet wise volume reminds us to be a team player, know when to break the rules, understand that life comes with messes, and (my personal favourite) be the best part of someone’s day.

GAYBCs: A Queer Alphabet | Rae Congdon | $24.99 | NewSouth Books | Alisha’s Pick

Suburbia: The Familiar and Forgotten | Warren Kirk | $39.99 | Scribe | Lucy’s Pick

This playful gift strikes the perfect balance between humour and education. Packed with cute illustrations — B is for Bisexual, F is for Femme — GayBCs is the progressive alphabet you didn’t know you needed.

Kitschy and nostalgic, featuring icons such as the Hills Hoist and extravagant hedge designs, Kirk’s Suburbia will strike a chord with anyone who spent their childhood roaming the dusty streets of Australia’s extensive suburbs.

Bob the Artist loves to paint but he hasn’t mastered the art of tidying just yet — in fact, he’s made quite a mess! And he needs your help! Match the colours and numbers on these 28 sturdy domino cards and you’ll be helping Bob clear up his paints. A super fun, vibrant game for two to four players, perfect for ages 3 and up.

Rainbow Stacking Toy | Wooden Story | $75 | Axis Toys | Mandy’s Pick This gorgeous wooden stacking toy exercises young children’s senses as they play, stacking tall towers and mixing and matching the different colours and shapes. It’s made of wood from FSC certified suppliers and finished with natural rainbow stains, beeswax and botanical oils, sanded perfectly smooth and soft to the touch, and it’s packed in a cardboard gift box and tied with string. It is ecofriendly and kid-friendly for ages 3+, which is the ideal combination for gift-giving!

Monkey Bingo & Scary Bingo | $35 & $24.99 | Laurence King | Kate’s Pick There’s nothing better than a good ol’ game of bingo and it’s even better when you can play it at home with your family and friends. This range is incredibly illustrated, extraordinarily educational and comes in two sizes — 64 tiles and 48 tiles — so young and old can get in on the fun. And on the down-low, Scary Bingo even comes with a cardboard monster head to stash your tiles in — how cool is that! Also available: Dog Bingo, Cat Bingo, Bird Bingo, Bug Bingo, Ocean Bingo, Dinosaur Bingo, Royal Bingo, Book Bingo... okay, I made that last one up but surely it’s only a matter of time!

CHILDREN’S GIFT IDEAS

Bob the Artist Dominoes | Marion Deuchars | $16.99 | Laurence King | Mandy’s Pick

Tales from the Inner City | Shaun Tan | $35 | Allen & Unwin | Lillian’s Pick This latest Shaun Tan book has captured my heart.

Through a series of breathtaking illustrations, this masterful companion to Tan’s previous Tales from Outer Suburbia presents a deep, poetic and thought-provoking work for both kids and adults alike. With his characteristic wit and emotion, Tan tackles urban destruction and our cohabitation with the natural environment in an imaginative and poignant way.

Tropical Tumble Tower | WWF | $40 | Axis Toys | Kate’s Pick Jenga with a tropical, eco-friendly twist! Stack the blocks in a tower, 3 across and 16 high, then roll the wooden die and match the animal print to the blocks.

Find a matching block and try to pull it out without tumbling the whole tower! Kids have a tonne of fun while learning about balance, keeping calm and improving their hand-eye coordination. This game is made from green materials and a percentage from each purchase helps fund the WWF’s conservation work, making this both a thoughtful and thoroughly entertaining gift for ages 3-103.

The Forest | Riccardo Bozzi, Violeta Lopiz & Valerio Vidali | $34.99 | NewSouth Books | Steph’s Pick You are absolutely allowed to judge this book by its cover! The Forest is a stunning picture book for children and adults alike; from its luminous vellum cover to the folded pages of bright illustrations and stark white embossed images within. The story subtly follows the birth, life and ageing of an unnamed character, however it is the paper engineering, illustration and evolution of the forest which truly defines this work, suitable for readers aged 4+.

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PICTURE BOOKS & BOARD BOOKS

Giraffe Problems | Jory John & Lane Smith | $24.99 | Walker Books | Jan’s Pick

Potato Pants | Laurie Keller | $24.99 | Pan Macmillan | Jan’s Pick

Poor Edward the Giraffe just can’t understand why his neck is so long and awkward. He hides it behind the bushes, disguises it, but it still remains a ridiculous, bendy thing he just doesn’t know what to do with! But then his friend Turtle comes along and tells him he should be proud — after all, his neck would look amazing with a bow tie. A laugh-out-loud, fun story about accepting who we are.

A quirky, funny tale about Potato who is so excited that Lance Vance’s Fancy Pants Store is going to be selling potato pants.

He has his eye on the stripey pair with stripey suspenders for added stripey-ness that are in the window. One problem though: Eggplant is in the store and they are not friends. Can they put aside their differences aside so Potato can purchase his fancy pants?

Clever Crow | Nina Lawrence & Bronwyn Bancroft | $24.99 | Magabala Books | Mandy’s Pick A very hungry crow lucks upon some people dancing at a ceremony, and making a fire to cook a lovely big turtle egg. Yum! He swoops down and steals that egg, is startled by a kookaburra, drops it into a wallaby’s pouch, and watches it roll out along the grass and into the river where an old man lifts it into his canoe, paddles over to some people at a ceremony and gives it to them. Watching from a tree, that clever crow swoops down, grabs that egg and flies away! This delightful, dramatically illustrated picture book is presented in English and Djambarrpuynu, one of the many languages of the Indigenous people of north east Arnhem Land.

But Not the Armadillo | Sandra Boynton | $9.99 | Little Simon | Jan’s Pick Armadillo goes where his nose leads him. He is charming, curious, independent but still needs reassurance. Join him on his travels as he picks cranberries, stops and smells the flowers, and takes a nap in the meadow. A gentle and cute read for littlies to follow the Armadillo wherever he goes.

Kahlo’s Koalas: The Great Artists Counting Book | Marcus Chown | $14.99 | Buster Books | Lillian’s Pick From Monet’s mice to Picasso’s pandas and Kandinsky’s kangaroos, this beautiful 1-10 counting book provides an imaginative learning experience for tiny tots, complete with information about each artist. Helmer’s illustrations are the highlight, providing quirky renderings of each animal in the style of their associated worldrenowned artist. Overall, Kahlo’s Koalas is an alliterative, informative and innovative introduction to numbers, animals and art appreciation.

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Midnight at the Library | Ursula Dubosarsky & Ron Brooks | $24.99 | National Library of Australia | Sylvia’s Pick

How To Nab A Rabbit | Claire Freedman & Monika Filipina | $24.99 | Simon & Schuster | Jan’s Pick

This beautifully thoughtful book by the exceptional Ursula Dubosarsky and talented Ron Brooks (both winners of numerous awards) centres on libraries as a home for culture and story-telling. As we follow the golden book (an inhabitant of the library) and its writer, we learn about the journey of a book, from being written, printed, made, bought and sold, to being read by generation after generation. A true inspiration for booklovers young and old.

Big Bad Wolf is revealing some daring stunts for how to nab a rabbit to cook in your pie. You must be sly or go in disguise, and if you make a shamble of it, some vegetable stew will have to do. A fun laugh-out-loud read that will give you a zing and make you believe that vegetables are the most surprising thing.

A collection of 100 famous and notable men and women who have broken the mould and made their dreams come true. With Dr Seuss, Andy Warhol, Bjork and so many more, this factual book will give boys and girls the confidence to know that it is okay to be different. It will encourage young people aged 9+ to resist gender stereotypes and hopefully change their thinking.

Elephants On Tour | Guillaume Cornet | $29.99 | Thames & Hudson | Mandy’s Pick Meet the elephants (five of ‘em, each with their own favourite belonging), check out the map and let’s go! From London we head east on a round-the-world-tour, even visiting Sydney! Each busy, colourful double-page spread has a few fact file boxes with information about language, population, food, culture and top things to do. But the main game is finding those adventurous elephants and their belongings amongst it all. Bon voyage and good luck! Ages 6+.

Hidden In the Sea | Peggy Nille | $24.99 | Affirm Press | Mandy’s Pick The luminous, vibrant illustrations by French artist Peggy Nille are just gorgeous, making this search-and-find book really special. Each page is filled with amazing details that will keep kids aged 4+ entertained and challenged. Dive in!

CHILDREN’S NON-FICTION & ACTIVITY

Stories for Kids Who Dare To Be Different | Ben Brooks | $35 | Hachette | Jan’s Pick

The Silk Roads | Peter Frankopan | $27.99 | Bloomsbury | Steph’s Pick Join Peter Frankopan on an incredible journey across the ancient world from east to west! Readers of all ages will encounter the mighty Persian Empire, the terrifying Huns, the Chinese empire, two world wars and the modern day as they explore the historic routes traversed by so many throughout time. Connecting people with trade, disease, war, religion, adventure, science and technology, the Silk Roads come to life in this beautifully illustrated new edition of Frankopan’s bestselling work for readers aged 12+.

101 Small Ways to Change the World | Aubre Andras | $19.99 | Lonely Planet Kids | Mandy’s Pick

The Book of Trees | Piotr Socha & Wojciech Grajkowski | $35 | Thames & Hudson | Jan’s Pick

Divided into three sections — caring for others, caring for the planet and caring for yourself — this book for kids aged 8+ is full of practical and creative ways to make positive changes in your world. Small actions that help the planet are important, but so is nurturing friendships, respecting yourself and being part of your community. Think big but start small!

Did you know trees are the largest living thing on Earth? In this amazing book we discover the questions and answers about the history of trees from ancient times, the role trees have played in history, the natural world and how we can make sure they survive for the future. A perfect read for anyone aged 12+ with an interest in the natural world.

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BEGINNER & PRIMARY FICTION

The Tales of Mr Walker | Jess Black & Sara Acton | $24.99 | Penguin | Jan’s Pick The Tales of Mr Walker is the story of a real-life dog who lives at the Park Hyatt in Melbourne.

He was trained to be a guide dog to assist and be a companion to people with low vision but with his huge, excited personality, it was decided he would be best as an Ambassador for the Guide Dogs. With four short stories in this delightful book, children aged 6+ will grow to love Mr Walker.

Enola Holmes: The Case of the Missing Marquess | Nancy Springer | $14.99 | Allen & Unwin | Mandy’s Pick

Elizabella Meets Her Match | Zoe & Georgia Norton Lodge | $14.99 | Walker Books | Jan’s Pick

Pages & Co.: Tilly and the Bookwanderers | Anna James | $19.99 | HarperCollins | Sylvia’s Pick

On her 14th birthday, Enola’s mother disappears, prompting a visit from her estranged older brothers, Mycroft and Sherlock (yes, that Sherlock!). Alarmed at her lack of deportment, they pack her off to finishing school but she promptly makes her escape and heads to London in search of her mum. A most entertaining Victorian mystery, ideal for readers aged 10+!

Elizabella loves nothing more than playing pranks on her brother Toddberry and the students at Bilby Creek Primary. She is also a keen poet and collector of unusual treasures. She is nothing like the other girls at school, being very proud of her knotted hair.

A feisty new character, very much like Matilda, from a lovely local author/illustrator duo for children 8+.

11-year old Matilda lives with her grandparents in their bookshop Pages & Co. One day she meets a strangely familiar girl called Anne and Matilda discovers she has the ability to talk to her favourite characters and enter their stories.

Her new talent may even help her find her mother. This gorgeous book for kids 8+ celebrates the magic of books, reading and bookshops – yay!

Lenny’s Book of Everything | Karen Foxlee | $19.99 | Allen & Unwin | Mischa’s Pick This book is so beautiful and tender.

Lenny made my heart feel so full. Foxlee explores the complexities of grief and the many dimensions of familial love with a sensitivity and richness that reads almost like a love letter to humanity. This book taught me so much about empathy and made me feel more human for reading it. Heart-warming and transformative, Lenny’s Book of Everything is sure to be the next Wonder. An Australian classic in the making for readers aged 10+.

The Mapmaker’s Race | Eirlys Hunter | $19.99 | Gecko | Sylvia’s Pick When the Santandar children lose track of their mum, they must enter a mapmaking race to discover a new railway route across the mountains all on their own. They soon meet Beckett, who wants the railway to go through his hometown; together they battle devious competitors and learn to survive in the wilderness. I loved this tale of ingenuity, exploration and nature; the kids sometimes make mistakes, but they always support each other. Go kids!

Perfect for ages 8+.

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Rosie Revere and the Raucous Riveters | Andrea Beaty & David Roberts | $16.99 | Thames & Hudson | Jan’s Pick Rosie Revere the Engineer is called in to help her Aunt Rose and the Raucous Riveters to design a painting machine when June the artist breaks both of her wrists.

There is huge urgency as the art contest begins very soon. After many flops Rosie almost gives up but with the help of her friends Iggy Peck and Ada Twist all is not lost and they manage to get the job done.

The first in a new series for young readers aged 7+.

The Adventures of Catvinkle | Elliot Perlman & Laura Stitzel | $19.99 | Penguin | Jan’s Pick Catvinkle is king of the castle at his owner Mr Sabatini’s house, so he is not impressed when Mr Sababitini arrives home with a beautiful white dog with black spots. What is that dog doing in her home? She is very suspicious and is certainly not going to share her comfortable, cosy spot by the fire with a DOG! Can a cat and a dog become friends? Let’s hope so. For ages 8+.

This book is a stand-out of 2018! Tahereh Mafi deftly depicts the violence, hate, and isolation of growing up as a Muslim girl in a post-9/11 America. Beautiful, raw, and honest, 16-year-old Shirin’s story is engrossing and transformative, and is a journey through a roller-coaster of emotions. An important and impactful YA novel that is up there with The Hate U Give. A Very Large Expanse of Sea is a powerful and heart-wrenching love story that will change the way you see the world. 14+

Dry | Neal & Jarrod Shusterman | $16.99 | Walker Books | Mischa’s Pick From the author of Scythe, this new stand-alone dystopia explores the notion that the true monster during a disaster is not the natural world, but humanity itself. The writing is vivid and all-consuming, the plot plays out like a film; this is a dark and disturbingly believable future world filled with suspense, mystery, and the battle for survival. 13+

What the Woods Keep | Katya De Becerra | $16.99 | Allen & Unwin | Mischa’s Pick A plot-driven page-turner with multimedia scattered throughout in the style of Illuminae so that you, as the reader, feel like you’re piecing the mystery together alongside Hayden. This is a love letter to contemporary urban fantasy, unbreakable female friendships, and the different ways people perceive the world. A spooky and spellbinding read with echoes of Stephen King! 15+

YOUNG ADULT

A Very Large Expanse of Sea | Tahereh Mafi | $19.99 | Egmont | Mischa’s Pick

The Rift | Rachael Craw | $19.99 | Walker Books | Mischa’s Pick A heart-pounding fantasy based on Greek mythology, the intoxicating action and romance of The Rift will have you caught between its claws in the vein of Sarah J. Maas. Craw is a masterful storyteller whose beautifully crafted prose takes the reader on an atmospheric journey through the landscape of her complex and mysterious world.

Thrilling and compulsively readable!

15+

Broken Things | Lauren Oliver | $19.99 | Hachette | Mischa’s Pick A chilling and addictive mystery that centres on the events surrounding the murder of a teenage girl, her two friends who are suspected of being the killers, and the book that is the key to it all. Lauren Oliver seamlessly blends fantasy with thriller in this darkly twisted tale of lies and obsession. With echoes of Pretty Little Liars and numerous red-herrings, Broken Things kept me guessing until its haunting reveal. 14+

For our full range of recommendations for kids of MER all ages these holidays, check out our SUMDING RE A UIDE G 18-19

Better Read Kids Summer Reading Guide

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– available in-store and online now!

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BETTER READ KIDS ACTIVITIES

SCHOOL HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS 2019 Our Better Read Kids School Holiday Workshops have become a mainstay for local families and we’re excited to announce that our 2019 programme is going to be our biggest and best yet! We’re teaming dynamic guest authors and illustrators with our very own Carla, an experienced local teacher with an incredible imagination and boundless creativity, to offer comprehensive and specially tailored workshops in writing, illustration and design.

Our Summer School Holiday Workshops commence Monday January 14 2019, with the full programme being announced in December 2018. Once the programme is live, you can book in-store or online.

STORY TIME

BOOK CLUBS

New year, new Story Time!

The Mysterious Book Society

Every Thursday from January 24 2019 we’ll be sitting down for Story Time at 10am. Each week we’ll have at least three new books to read, and we’re more than happy to take requests from the group! We’re so excited to see you there.

FOR PRIMARY YEARS 3-6 4:00PM, FIRST TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH UPSTAIRS AT BETTER READ THAN DEAD

Miss Peregrine’s Young Adult Book Club FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS 4:30PM, SECOND TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH UPSTAIRS AT BETTER READ THAN DEAD

BETTER READ KIDS WRITING COMPETITIONS Did you know Better Read Kids runs a quarterly creative writing competition?! Open to entrants aged 8-14, each competition has a new theme to kickstart the imagination and, at the competition’s conclusion, we publish all the entries in an anthology which is sold in-store! Plus all entrants score a free copy of the anthology so they can share their success with all their family and friends.

The current theme is ‘Intersections,’ inspired by our September Book of the Month Meet Me At the Intersection. This theme encourages entrants to write about their own stories or family histories in any genre or form they see fit. Entries close December 1 2018.

If you’ve missed out on entering our latest writing competition, worry not! Our next one will be up and running in no time — keep your eyes peeled for an update in-store, online and on our Better Read Kids social media pages.

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Inheritance | Carole Wilkinson | $17.99 | Black Dog | Jan’s Pick

It’s been five years since 10-year-old Livy visited her grandma in Australia and the last thing she expects is to find is Bob, a small green creature wearing a chicken suit, waiting for her in the closet. Written from two perspectives, peeling away layers of memory, this is an endearing tale of loyalty and hope, forgetting and remembering, childhood friendships and change. Perfect for thoughtful readers aged 9+.

Nic lives on a remote property called Yaratgil with her grandfather.

Yaratgil is very hot with no mobile reception and there is very little to do. Exploring the 30 rooms in the house, Nic finds a letter hidden in a copy of Pride and Prejudice, which sets off a chain of events that will lead Nic to discover a dark family secret and turn her life upside down. An intriguing, historical, time-slip novel based on true events for children aged 9+.

The Astonishing Colour of After | Emily X.R. Pan | $16.99 | Orion | Mischa’s Pick

The Storm Keeper’s Island | Catherine Doyle | $14.99 | Bloomsbury | Sylvia’s Pick

If this young adult novel were a colour, it would be “every colour in the world, alight.” The second I began reading this book I knew it was going to be something special. The Astonishing Colour of After painted my world with a kaleidoscope of emotions and has embedded itself in my heart forever. This story of grief, hope and magic is bound to enchant readers aged 13+.

When 11-year old Fionn steps onto Arranmore to visit his grandfather, the island comes alive. Little does he know that his grandad is the island’s Storm Keeper — part historian, part magic-manager.

Who will be the next Keeper? What is the dark magic brewing beneath the island? Right up there with Nevermoor, this magical adventure story will completely sweep readers aged 8+ off their feet.

Oi Duck-billed Platypus! | Kes Gray & Jim Field | $24.99 | Hachette | Dean’s Pick

Fabio the World’s Greatest Flamingo Detective | Laura James & Emily Fox | $12.99 | Bloomsbury | Kate’s Pick

Gray and Field offer the most superb humour that tickles readers aged 3-5 and parents alike. The latest in this series is the absolute best! Gray has raised the bar. Moving on from the hilarious rhyming of animals to objects he comes unstuck… What rhymes with duck-billed platypus?

Me and my four-year-old read this every night and I haven’t got bored of it yet — not even a little bit!

OUR FAVOURITE KIDS BOOKS OF 2018

Bob | Wendy Mass, Rebecca Stead & Nicholas Gannon | $16.99 | Text | Mandy’s Pick

Fabio is a pink Poirot in this fun illustrated mystery, perfect for kids 6+ starting to read independently.

Along with his associate Gilbert the giraffe (who tries and hilariously bungles the art of disguise) and his enraptured reader, Fabio uncovers the mystery behind the case of the missing jazz-singing hippo. Book two is out in February 2019 and I cannot wait to read it.

Cicada | Shaun Tan | $26.99 | Lothian | Lucy’s Pick Scan the QR code to see Lucy’s review.

She’s gone hightech! Or high-tok...

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ANNOUNCING THE BETTER READ THAN DEAD SUMMER GIVEAWAY! These holidays we’re giving away a stack of brilliant books featured here in the Better Read Than Dead Summer Reading Guide, each and every week!

To be in the running, email your name, postcode, contact number and the title of the book you’re most excited to read this summer to kate@betterread.com.au with the subject ‘Summer Book Pack’.

We’ll be annoucing a winner each week through December and January. Winners will be notified via SMS.

Good luck and happy reading!

Summer Trading Hours

Better Read Than Dead 265 King Street Newtown NSW 2042 E books@betterread.com.au P (+61 2) 9557 8700 W www.betterread.com.au @betterreadbookshop @betterreadthandead

Sunday - Thursday Friday - Saturday

9:30am-9:00pm 9:30am-10:00pm

Holiday Trading Hours December 3 - 13 December 14 - 16 December 17 - 20 December 21 - 23

9:00am-10:00pm 9:00am-11:00pm 9:00am-10:00pm 9:00am-11:00pm

Christmas Eve Boxing Day New Years Eve New Years Day

9:00am-6:00pm 9:30am-9:00pm 9:30am-5:30pm 12:00pm-8:00pm

Please note that we are closed on Christmas Day

The books featured in the Better Read Than Dead Summer Reading Guide have all be hand-selected and reviewed by our Better Read Than Dead and Better Read Kids booksellers. Price and information are correct at time of print.

The front and back cover illustrations have been created by our bookseller and talented artist Sally Ann Conwell. They are reproduced here with her permission. For more, visit www.sallyannconwell.com