When Sleeping Women Wake | Emma Pei Yin | $32.99 | Hachette
I remember reading Jung Chang’s Wild Swans as a child and becoming completely captivated by the history of East Asia, so much so that I studied Chinese history at university And yet, Emma Pei Yin’s novel taught me so much, had me captivated from start to finish, and is a completely unique take on the period of the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during WWII We follow three extraordinary women (mother, daughter, and their maid) who become separated during the conflict; each must forge their own path under the brutal regime A story of resistance and resilience, with a bit of much-needed romance, this is a masterful debut! – Steph
The Pearl of Tagai Town | Lenora Thaker | $34 99 | Text Publishing
The Pearl of Tagai Town tells the story of the triumph of Pearl, a young Torres Strait Islander woman living in a shantytown on the northeastern coast of Australia during World War II Pearl strives for a place in the wider world, and eventually finds both work and romance When her lover, Teddy, suddenly enlists in the army, Pearl gets more than she bargains for and must embark on a quest to recover the child she had with him – Arabella
Boustany | Sami Tamimi | $59 99 | Penguin
The Ordinary Life of Jacominus Gainsborough | Rébecca Dautremer | $29 99 | Hardie Grant
This is perhaps the most gorgeous picture book to come out this year, a beautiful work of art It follows the life of a humble rabbit, Jacominus From the minute he enters this world, we are drawn into the journey of his life from the small moments to the blissful, the sad, and the life-changing The illustrations are nothing short of stunning It is a book not only to be loved by children but enjoyed and adored by adults as well The Ordinary Life of Jacominus Gainsborough is a book to keep for the ages, shared from one generation to the next – Robert
Sami Tamimi is well known for his work with Yotam Ottolenghi, including his co-authoring of Jerusalem, one of the best cookbooks of this generation – and one that illustrates the possibility of friendship and co-operation between two cultures that have historically (and, sadly, contemporarily) been at war Boustany (my garden) celebrates the stunning produce of Tamimi’s culture with bright, simple and utterly delicious vegetarian recipes Its timely release is a reminder that, like most of us, the Palestinian people love to celebrate life by sharing their delectable food with the people around them Everything in this book had me at hello –and desperately hoping that the people of Palestine may soon be able to celebrate life once more through love and feasting – Sylvia
The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy | Brigitte Knightley | $32 99 | Hachette
Romantasy lovers, this is a healervs-assassin, enemies-to-lovers adventure you’ll fall for instantly! Aurienne is a healer and Osric needs help – but he’s an assassin, and she doesn’t like him I adore new magic systems with a scientific twist, so if you enjoy angsty slowburns and magical rivals, you’ll love this book – Ruby
The Accidentals | Guadalupe Nettel | Translated by Rosalind Harvey | $26 99 | Allen & Unwin
It’s fascinating to look at short stories collated over a number of years rather than written all at once The Accidentals centres around the moment that a decision is made, one that determines a life, and the instant we deviate from a kind of reality The emotional kick in these pieces has elevated Nettel into my auto-buy author list – Lexie
Sweet Nothings | Madison Griffiths | $36 99 | Ultimo Press
There’s something arresting about relationships between students and professors; the intimacy of studying and being studied; and, most significantly, the power imbalance Desire, autonomy, and authority texture this novel as Griffiths traces, with great dignity and nuance, the experiences of four women in pedagogical relationships – Leona
Flashlight | Susan Choi | $34 99 | Random House
Louisa and her father go for a walk on the beach Later, Louisa wakes by the shore, her father gone and presumed drowned Told from multiple perspectives, this is a beautifully woven multigenerational story Lovers of postWWII Korean/Japanese fiction or fans of Pachinko will love this story! From the first chapter, I could not put it down – Meabh
When the Museum is Closed | Emi
Yagi | $34 99 | Random House
A surprisingly emotional novel! Rika, a language expert, is hired to speak regularly with a statue of Venus As they discuss beauty, freedom and more, they fall in love and break free from the museum This study of loneliness was so moving, I couldn’t help but shed a tear I absolutely love a small weird book and this was no exception – Angus
Letters from Gaza | Mohammed Al-Zaqzooq & Mahmoud Alshaer | $34 99 | Penguin
A collection of raw and unfiltered stories from a wide array of Gazans, from all ages and walks of life, who have known unimaginable suffering and loss By turns heartbreaking, harrowing, and inspiring, this is a diverse and necessary snapshot of the ongoing genocide and of the people living through it – Connor
Pissants | Brandon Jack | $34 99 | Simon & Schuster
The embittered fringe players of an unnamed football club follow rules of their own, kidnapping a teammate’s dog for a gag; taking potent painkillers to get through the a sponsors ’ event; ticking off their Pissants bingo cards to survive the club’s weird psych Fangs, Stick, Squidman and Shaggers speak in a cryptic code of inside jokes and WhatsApp exchanges, chained to each other by their place on the outskirts of the team Together, these characters present a jawdropping snapshot of life within the chaotic world of a professional sports club
Call Me Ishmaelle | Xialou Guo | $34 99 | Random House Kent, 1843 After loss and abandonment, Ishmaelle is desperate for a life at sea She disguises herself as a cabin boy and travels to New York, where she boards a whaling ship led by the obsessive Captain Seneca, a Black free man haunted by a tragic past Through the violence of whaling, and the revelation of her feminine identity, Ishmaelle discovers a bond between herself and the mythical white whale, Moby Dick Guo’s feminist retelling of the epic classic is a powerful exploration of nature, gender and human purpose
Bring the House Down | Charlotte Runcie | $34 99 | Harper Collins Theatre critic Alex Lyons made his name from his brutal, brilliant reviews So when he sees Hayley Sinclair's dismal one-woman show at the Edinburgh Fringe, he thinks nothing of dashing off another of his trademark one-star pans for the newspaper. He also thinks nothing of taking her home after the performance, failing at any point to mention who he is What he doesn't expect is for Hayley to revamp her show into a review of Alex's entire life, exposing what an awful person he really is Worse, the show is a smash hit, and Alex is about to become national news But can Hayley bring the establishment down without taking herself with it? Funny and thrilling, this book is about art, performance, female rage, and how revenge may be sweet, but can also be perilous
What Kept You? | Raaza Jamshed | $32 95 | Giramondo
Jahan was raised in Pakistan listening to her grandmother's stories, influenced by folklore and the violence and displacement caused by Partition – tales that taught her to be wary of the world Later, Jahan rebels, migrating to Australia and marrying an Arabic man While reckoning with a miscarriage and the bushfires threatening their home and livestock on the outskirts of Sydney, Jahan is forced to confront the violence that haunts her – against women, animals and in nature A feminist anti-tale, written in a unique, compelling and expressive style, What Kept You? explores survival, metamorphosis and the radical freedom of choosing one ' s own ending
The Peak | Sam Guthrie | $34 99 | Harper Collins
Political hatchet man Charlie always protects Sebastian, government minister and his best friend – yet both are keeping a secret One day, a phrase in Mandarin is spoken in Sebastian's ear and he does the unthinkable As Charlie tries to piece it all together, the world start to fall apart and the secret service comes knocking What the hell did Sebastian do? From Beijing's shadowy halls of power to the Machiavellian workings of Canberra’s Parliament House, The Peak is a nailbiting, propulsive debut thriller
Name | Constance Debré |
Translated by Laurance Elkin | $22 99 | Allen & Unwin
In the world of the bourgeoisie, names are everything: currency that gives their owners access, respect and protection For the narrator, her name is a dead weight She becomes resolute in her choice to live an existence unencumbered by responsibility, expectations – and a name she has long been ready to part with
What I Know About You | Éric Chacour | Translated by Pablo Strauss | $24 99 | Allen & Unwin Cairo, 1980s Tarek's whole life is laid out for him: he’s taken over the family medical practice, married his childhood sweetheart and is well respected in society But when he meets Ali, Tarek's marriage, career and entire existence his thrown into question Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, someone is compiling the chapters of his story
Big Feelings | Amy Lovat |$34 99 | Macmillan
Top five things about Sadie: 1
She wants the perfect love story 2 She meets Chase and falls in love with her 3 Sadie is ready for her happy ending – but will her insecurity mess everything up? 4 Self-sabotage is Sadie's greatest skill 5 Cue break-up As Sadie tries to figure out how life went so wrong, hard truths are uncovered and family secrets revealed
Murder by Cheesecake | Rachel
Ekstrom Courage | $29 99 | Random House
When Dorothy's obnoxious date is found dead in a hotel freezer, it not only ruins a gorgeous cheesecake but threatens the St Olaf-themed wedding Rose is hosting The Golden Girls must ID the killer, get the couple down the aisle, make sure nobody gets lost in the wilds of Miami and help friendship and love win the day!
Hunger | Choi Jin-Young | $29 99 | Hachette
A woman finds her man murdered on the street She carries his corpse home, where she disinfects every inch of skin before seating herself to begin What follows reverberates from this realm into the next, where the man witnesses his own funeral The lovers lament working in a country sucking everyone dry – but time's up The woman is already eating and beating them at their own barbaric game as she entombs the body in her own A psychologically and philosophically thrilling work that cuts to the very heart of love, money and the things they do to us
Nock Loose | Patrick Marlborough | $34 99 | Freemantle Press
Bodkins Point is a tiny town with a big secret –and Agincourt, an annual, screwball medieval festival that will make you a hero if it doesn't kill you first This year ' s festival is more dangerous than ever, with mock battles, bushfires, and the need to watch out for vengeful former-Olympic archer and stuntwoman Joy Robyn, who’s on a quest to use Agincourt as her platform for vengeance The perfect read to surpass the wildest dreams (and nightmares) of the most dedicated cosplay fanatic
What Artists See | Quentin Sprague | $29 99 | Monash University/NewSouth Books
Why do we revere the figure of the artist? Why do artists do what they do, day after day, in a display of discipline and will? These twelve essays offer glimpses into the lives of some of Australia's best contemporary artists, exploring the impetus for creativity and the role of art in making meaning Tied together by an enduring curiosity for how artists practice, what motivates them, what confounds them and what compels them to keep creating, these pieces span the islands of Carpentaria, Perth, Malaysia and the Northern Territory What emerges is art as an act of wilful vision, of alternative ways of seeing that illuminate the otherwise invisible
Modern Australian Baking |Christopher Thé | $60 00 | Hardie Grant
Christopher Thé, founder of Blackstar Bakery, offers us a masterclass in cakes, breads and pastries that are defined by the Australian landscape and its distinctive produce Here you’ll find Geraldton Wax Cheesecake with Strawberry Gum Biscuit, Saltbush Scones with Desert Lime Marmalade, Kangaroo Shepherd's Pie with Bush Tomato Relish and much more Thé’s recipes are uniquely Australian, informed by place and expertly crafted with a sustainable future in mind
Looking for Elizabeth | Helen Trinca | $36 99 | Black Inc /Penguin
After publishing four books that earned the admiration of Patrick White, Shirley Hazzard and Christina Stead, Elizabeth Harrower stopped writing Years later, her work was rediscovered and acclaimed internationally Here, Helen Trinca explores the personal and artistic forces that shaped Harrower's writing, painting a sensitive portrait of a wounded 'divorced child' and detailing the legacy of abandonment Harrower carried throughout her life Trinca also examines the way Harrower wielded extraordinary insight into others' lives but guarded her own fiercely, and vividly describes the literary circles of this fascinating era in Australian culture Based on interviews with Harrower and full access to her archive, Looking for Elizabeth is the first full biography of this significant figure in Australian letters
Flower | Ed Atkins | $26 99 | Allen & Unwin
'I like eating cold, clammy wraps from big pharmacies that are open late ' Flower is a book of realistic admissions, likes, dislikes, memories and no-brainer observations, treating personal truth as unavailable – something that must be made up and convincing Taking cues from confessional literature, his daughter's improvised games, poor internet writing and shitty AI, Ed Atkins, in his first work of non-fiction, equivocates between inanity and divinity, ease and pain, sentimentality and sterility An anti-memoir, a list, a listless blur, Flower is an original, moving and absurd book by one of the most influential artists of his generation, formally inventive and disturbingly of our time
Minority Rule | Ash Sarkar | $34 99 | Bloomsbury 'Minority rule' describes the irrational fear that minorities are trying to overturn majority populations But Sarkar reveals how minority elites rule majorities by creating the culture wars that have taken over politics, stoking fear in the media landscape She exposes the strategic misdirection of blame that keeps the majority divided as the real ruling minority remain on top and grab for power She also shows us that avoiding the culture of distraction, understanding what is going on and how we got here could be the first step towards a better future
A Users Guide to the Mind | Prof Ian Hickie & James O'Loghlin | $36 99 | Penguin
From the hosts of Minding Your Mind comes a book that examines the key moments in our mental health journey – from our search for identity through to our important relationships, hopes and ambitions, as well as times of crisis The result is a practical guide that will put you on a path to deeper happiness, better relationships and a life of greater meaning
Amazing Worlds of Science Fiction and Science Fact | Keith Cooper | $34 99 | NewSouth Books
Keith Cooper explores fictional planets from films such as Star Wars, Dune and Avatar, and examines just how realistic they are based on our current scientific understanding of space Interestingly, the real exoplanets astronomers are now discovering are truly stranger than fiction
Engulfed | James Montague | $36 99 | Allen & Unwin
In 2034, Saudi Arabia will host the men ' s FIFA World Cup and marks Mohammed bin Salman's ambitious plan to modernise Saudi Arabia But why would a country spend billions of dollars on sport? Engulfed is a story of ambition, family rivalries, extreme wealth, power, murder and disinformation, dictatorship, political corruption and how sport became a vital geopolitical tool for the country
Story of a Murder | Hallie Rubenhold | $36 99 | Random House
The new book by bestselling author Rubenhold (The Five) is a feminist retelling of the historical true-crime story of infamous wife-murderer Dr Crippen In Edwardian England, Crippen was finally brought to justice by the extraordinary women of the Music Hall Ladies' Guild An epic examination of one of the most infamous murders of the 20th century
| Allen & Unwin
In the tradition of Walter Benjamin and other chroniclers of Paris, and with the journalistic attunement of Joan Didion, Feldman tells the story of Le Bloc, a legendary squat at the far edge of Paris which housed artists and activists She also draws on Paris’s revolutionary and bohemian history while sounding issues of the most contemporary urgency about hospitality and refuge, creativity and precarity, ecology and utopia A thrilling dramatisation of possibilities for co-existence in the ruins of a capital city
Dangerously Modern | Edited by Elle Freak, Tracey Lock & Wayne Tunnicliffe | $80 00 | Art Gallery of South Australia
This lavishly illustrated book charts the vital role of Australian women artists in the development of international modernism Part of a wave of women who travelled to Europe in the early 1900s, these artists prevailed against centuries of social constraints to pursue international careers In doing so, they overcame many obstacles, created women ' s networks and became involved in the women ' s suffrage movement
The Dilemmas of Working Women | Fumio Yamamoto | $32 99 | Virago/Hachette
Balancing motherhood and traditional gender norms in a society that prides itself on its rigid structures and productivity, the women in these five stories are independent and barrelling towards self-destruction, bucking social norms in the hopes that it might bring them joy – Lexie
The Hounding | Xenobe Purvis | $34 99 | Random House
Told almost entirely from the perspectives of the men who surround them, love them, and hate them, and then siphoned through a despicable mixture of mob mentality and misogyny, The Hounding may be set over 200 years ago, but could also be a contemporary novel (sans cows) Set in the English countryside, we see five women descend – Lexie
If I Must Die | Refaat Alareer, compiled by Yousef M Aljamal | $39 99 | NewSouth
'If I must die, let it bring hope, let it be a tale ’ Late poet Refaat Alareer was killed by an Israeli air strike in 2023, leaving behind an incredible legacy of poetry on everything from teaching Shakespeare to Palestinian young people to the horrors of living in Gaza A compelling ode to humanity and a vital read – Steph
One Boat | Jonathan Buckley | $29 99 | Allen & Unwin
After the death of her father, Teresa returns to the Greek town where she once grieved her mother It is home to many eccentric, guarded and beautiful people and talking to them about their experiences of longing, regrets, grief and love leaves Teresa grappling with her own story Beautifully written, this is an immersive, moving read – Vevie
Dead Ends | Samantha Byres | $39 99 | UQP
Nell is a hot mess She’s returning home from Sydney to small town NZ, where the girls supposedly ‘ask for it’, and the guys ‘don’t deserve to have their lives ruined’ Highlighting the racism and homophobia of growing up and being stuck in a small town, Byrnes deftly tackles serious issues with a wry smile, teenage embarrassment and the perfect antihero – Lexie
Scenes from a Roman Century 1924-2024 | David Lane | $39 99 | NewSouth Books
This offbeat history of Rome is a vivid journey encompassing the people and places that have defined the Eternal City’s last 100 years Lane expertly explores the horrors and wonders of a city transformed time and time again, bringing his own insights to the fore and painting a complex picture of the great Italian capital – Hugh
How
to Hold Someone in
Your Heart
| Mizuki Tsujimura | $34 99 | Random House
Ayumi is a young man with special powers to bring back the dead to meet the living, a gift passed down in his family He is arranges meetings according to strict rules and always under a full moon After years in this role, he begins to question its meaning, and how his powers affect his own desires in the real world Meanwhile, he helps out five characters: a young film star, an amateur historian, two people who have lost their daughters, and a former cook Find out how Ayumi and his clients learn to lose their regrets, open up to the unexpected, and cherish what they already have in this profound and moving novel by Japan's leading storyteller
The White Crow | Michael Robotham | $34 99 | Hachette
As the daughter of a London crime boss, Police Constable Philomena McCarthy walks a thin line keeping the two sides of her life apart On patrol one night, she discovers a young child wandering alone Returning her family, Phil discovers a deadly home invasion Three miles away, a prominent jeweller is found strapped to an explosive in his ransacked store All evidence points to Phil's father as the mastermind behind the crimes Phil's worlds are colliding, trapping her in the middle of a gang war that will threaten everything The question is: who can she trust – the badge or her own blood?
Men in Love | Irvine Welsh | $34 99 | Random House
It’s the late 1980s For Renton, Sick Boy, Spud and Begbie, a new era is about to begin – a time of hope, love, raving Seperated after a drug deal went wrong, they fill their days with sex, romance and the dance floor, and try to get ahead When Sick Boy sets a date to marry Amanda, his 'princess' – rich, connected, everything he’s not – he sees a chance for his generation to take control at last But as the 1990s dawn, will finding love be the answer to the group ' s dreams or just another doomed quest? Irvine Welsh's sequel to Trainspotting tells a story of riotous adventures, wild new passions and young men determined to get the most out of life
The Enchanted Greenhouse | Sarah Beth Durst | $34 99 | Macmillan
Terlu Perna broke the law. As punishment, she is turned into a statue and tucked away into the Great Library of Alyssium Strangely, one day Terlu awakes to find herself on a nearly-deserted island full of magical greenhouses tended by a grumpy gardener, who offers her shelter, clean clothes and honey cakes until she's ready to sail home But Terlu can't return and doesn't want to – the greenhouses are a dream come true When she learns that the magic sustaining them is failing, Terlu must unravel the secrets of a long-dead sorcerer to save the island – and perhaps find happiness and love
Stone & Sky | Ben Aaronovitch | $32 99 | Hachette
Detective Sergeant Peter Grant takes a much-needed holiday up in Scotland. If more ' s the merrier, then it's ecstatic – his partner Beverley, their young twins, his mum, dad, his dad's band and their dodgy manager all tag along Even his boss, DCI Thomas Nightingale, takes in the coastal airs as he trains Peter's cousin Abigail in the arcane arts Looks like they'll need them – Scotland's Granite City has more than its fair share of history and mystery, myth and murder When a body, fresh from the sea, is found at a bus stop, the case smells fishy from the off Something may be stirring beyond the bay – although there's something even stranger stirring in the sky
Two Cranky Bears | Nick Bland | $19 99 | Scholastic
Two bears, one hill
Everything was fine until they reached the top and that’s when fine turned quickly into ‘Mine!’
Can these cranky bears learn to share?
A new book by award winning author and illustrator Nick Bland, known and loved for his many bear picture books
CHAOS! Which Way Will You Choose? | Andrew Cranna | $15 99 | Walker Books
When Bodhi, Jemima and Kevin the pig find Grandpa's famous Amazonian Chilli Collection, the fate of their world depends on the choices they make Laugh out loud at the most ridiculous, absurd adventures ever, where you get to choose what happens next But BEWARE of the CHILLIES!
BWAH HA HA HA HA HA HA!
I Am Raven | Alastair Chisholm | $16 99 | Allen & Unwin
Once, Brann belonged to Raven She flew high above the world and she was fearless But Raven was destroyed by Dragon Brann's home is gone and her crew is missing Determined to find the truth, Brann heads north But what she and her friends learn will change everything What happened to Raven's crew? And what is the secret Brann is hiding?
A is for A Rabbit's Tale | Jackie Hosking | Illustrated by Lucinda Gifford | $24 99 | Walker Books
A is for A rabbit
B is for Buy this book!
A hilarious alphabet story for anyone who ever wanted a pet and for everyone who loves a wonderful tail um, tale with a twist! A quirky, funny and clever alphabet book with bright, colourful illustrations by much-loved illustrator Lucinda Gifford
Hunger’s Bite | Taylor Robin | $32 99 | NewSouth Books
After growing up on the luxurious SS Lark, Neeta and Emery are ready to start their lives
But neither will have a future if the Lark's new owner, Mr Honeycutt, has his way
Something otherworldly is aboard, something hungry; but it's not Wick Farley: vampire, secret agent and paranormal investigator With Neeta and Emery’s help, he must uncover the truth about Mr Honeycutt – before a ravenous craving for power consumes them all A thrilling new graphic novel
Signed Sealed Dead | Cynthia Murphy | $22 99 | Scholastic
True-crime obsessed Paige and her family move to her father’s eerie hometown and it’s not long before she uncovers it’s dark history –a string of unsolved murders and disappearances When notes about the secrets the house is keeping begin to appear, they lead Paige to a diary concealed in the walls that belonged to one of the missing girls Could this be the key to solving a quarter-of-acentury old mystery? Or will this make Paige the next target?
No Cheese, Please! | Nishani Reed | $24 99 | Allen & Unwin
It’s Little Mo the Mouse’s birthday, but he’s allergic to dairy, and everyone has brought cheesy treats! His true friends soon figure out how to make things right With cute pictures and rhyming fun, this book celebrates what makes us different – and how that makes the best birthday party!
– Francesca
Shmoof | Heidi McKinnon | $19 99 | Allen & Unwin
Shmoofy Shmoof is ready to be friends! But Floof the kitty has reservations so get ready for hilariously adorable cat-and-dog banter that ultimately ends in a forever friendship This picture book is an easy read with cute illustrations, complete with the same charm as Australian Heidi McKinnon’s first book Floof, with a new story and double the floofy shmoofiness! – Adina
The Mushroom in the Sky | Jackie French | $17 99 | Harper Collins
A haunting examination of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Ossie is16, but lies about his age to enlist during World War II After he’s taken prisoner by the Japanese, he becomes a firsthand witness to the devastation wrought by the bombs Based on real-life witness testimony, this is a moving, thrilling read – Caro
Shipshock | Caroline O’Donoghue | $22 99 | Walker Books
Yes, Margo has changed; who wouldn’t after losing their father? All she wants is to be left alone, but when she travels to a boarding school in Dublin, life gets more complicated: summer turns to winter and a man is sitting next to her on the train who wasn’t there before In this new world, time is a commodity, that commodity is power and love can be dangerous A thrilling ride – Robert
The Frog’s First Song | Jazz Money | $18 99 | NewSouth Books
A gorgeously illustrated story that combines Chinese parables with First Nations Dreaming to tell the story of a world in darkness coming to light Through song, dance and community, the well in which the frogs live is illuminated, and young readers learn about the power of togetherness and teamwork to illuminate a way forward – Steph
The Foundation Will Always Welcome You | Melinda Salisbury | $17 99 | Harper Collins
A thrilling new YA read about the dangers of new technology and the way corporations can use it to manipulate and exploit people When Ivy is sent to the Foundation to do an internet safety course, she meets Conrad and is drawn into his dazzling world But Conrad may not be telling her the whole truth about what the Foundation does – Ruby
Brandon Jack in-conversation with Jenna Owen and Vic Zerbst
Thursday 10th July at 6.30pm Wildflower Brewing, Marrickville
Joanna Miller Afternoon Tea with Kyra Geddes
Sunday 27th July at 3.00pm
Upstairs at Better Read Than Dead
Natalia Figueroa Barroso with Camila González Martinez and Daniel Nour
Thursday 31st July at 6.30pm
Upstairs at Better Read Than Dead
For more information, to find out what else is on this month and to RSVP, head to www.betterreadevents.com