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Australian Book Retailer of the Year 2021
Explore these insightful works of biography and memoir, curated and recommended by Readings staff.
Samah Sabawi
The story of a family over the past 100 years, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland.
In stock at 8 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 8 shops
Lamisse Hamouda
The Shape of Dust is a haunting appraisal of the way Australia treats its citizens, both at home and abroad.
In stock at 3 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 3 shops
Alyssa Huynh
This is a book for anyone who believes that racism has no place in Australia’s future and is ready to take action.
Khin Myint
A powerful debut, from an extraordinary voice, gentle in the face of extremity
In stock at 7 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 7 shops
Nicholas Shakespeare
A fascinating new biography of the man behind James Bond, by an award-winning biographer and novelist who has unprecedented access to the Fleming Archive.
Griffin Dunne
A charming, hilarious account of Griffin Dunne's coming of age among a family of larger-than-life characters in Hollywood and Manhattan.
Ariane Beeston
A frank, hopeful and darkly funny memoir of postpartum psychosis and recovery
Anna Shechtman
Combining the soul-baring confessional of Brain on Fire and the addictive storytelling of The Queen’s Gambit, a renowned puzzle creator’s compulsively readable memoir and history of the crossword puzzle…
In stock at 4 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 4 shops
Iain McCalman
A rich biography of artist-turned-environmental campaigner John Büsst.
Behrouz Boochani
Written in secrecy on a contraband mobile phone from Manus detention centre by journalist Behrouz Boochani, No Friend but the Mountains became the bestselling, award-winning book of 2018.
Sasha Sarago
In a time where the patriarchy obstructs women from the divine feminine, and sexism, racism and ageism violate our sovereignty, Gigorou invites us to explore the interconnectedness of Aboriginal culture…
Kris Kneen
Fat Girl Dancing is a frank, beautiful and triumphant ode to self-respect from one of Australia's most original and acclaimed writers.
Helen Ennis
Biography of leading Australian modernist photographer Olive Cotton, covering her life through childhood, early marriage to fellow photographer Max Dupain and her successful commercial work of the 1930s to her…
In stock at 2 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 2 shops
Amy Thunig
The most inspirational and important memoir of 2022
Maggie MacKellar
A gorgeously written reflection, set in Tasmania, on motherhood, farming, nature and home.
In stock at 6 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 6 shops
Stanley Tucci
From award-winning actor and food obsessive Stanley Tucci comes an intimate and irresistible memoir of life in and out of the kitchen
Sabine Cotte
Mirka Mora features a rich insight into the intellectual life and art practice of one of Australia’s most versatile, creative and prolific modern artists.
Rob Wilkins
At the time of his death in 2015, award-winning and bestselling author Sir Terry Pratchett was working on his finest story yet - his own.
Available to order, ships in 3-5 daysAvailable to order
Anna Spargo-Ryan
A memoir about anxiety, our minds, and optimism in spite of it all
Available to order, ships in 10-14 daysAvailable to order
Monica Potts
An unforgettable story of friendship and lost promise in 21st-century America
Michelle Obama
The powerful, insightful follow-up to the critically acclaimed, multi-million #1 bestselling memoir Becoming
Alan Rickman, Alan Taylor (ed.)
Alan Rickman was one of the world-class actors of his generation, as well as a tireless political activist, an avid traveller and a devoted confidant and friend. Through his never-before-seen…
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Lisa Taddeo
Three Women is a record of unmet needs, unspoken thoughts, disappointments, hopes and unrelenting obsessions.
Evelyn Juers
The new book by prize-winning biographer Evelyn Juers, author of The House of Exile and The Recluse, portrays the life and background of a pioneering Australian dancer who died…
Available to order, ships in 5-9 daysAvailable to order
Trent Dalton
Trent Dalton, Australia’s best-loved writer, goes out into the world and asks a simple, direct question: ‘Can you please tell me a love story?
Patti Smith
From the National Book Award-winning author of Just Kids and M Train, a profound, beautifully realized memoir in which dreams and reality are vividly woven into a tapestry of one…
Alison Bechdel
Fun Home is a darkly funny family tale, pitch-perfectly illustrated with Alison Bechdel’s sweetly gothic drawings.
Jeanette Winterson
In 1985 Jeanette Winterson’s first novel, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, was published. It was Jeanette’s version of the story of a terraced house in Accrington, an adopted…
Yumiko Kadota
Emotional Female charts Kadota’s rugged journey through ambition and dedication to exploitation and eventual collapse - and beyond. Yumiko Kadota is a voice for her generation when it comes to…
In stock at 5 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 5 shops
Dianne O'Brien
From a victim of the ‘stolen generations’ comes a remarkable memoir of abuse, survival - and ultimately hope.
Fiona Murphy
A vivid and essential memoir of deafness, disability and identity by Australian writer Fiona Murphy
Deborah Levy
Fearless and essential - the highly anticipated final instalment in Deborah Levy’s critically acclaimed ‘Living Autobiography
Clem Bastow
Clem Bastow grew up feeling like she’d missed a key memo on human behaviour. Then at age 36 she received a life-changing diagnosis: she was autistic.
Available to order, ships in approx 2 weeksAvailable to order
Sarah Sentilles
A devastating memoir about motherhood, from the award-winning author of Draw Your Weapons
Lech Blaine
What is it like to survive a crash that kills your best friends, and how do you move on? From an exceptional debut writer comes a stunning memoir about grief…
Veronica Gorrie
The story of an Aboriginal woman who worked as a police officer and fought for justice both within and beyond the Australian police force.
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
The voices Australia should hear
Jack Charles
Stolen from his mother and placed into institutional care when he was only a few months old, Uncle Jack was raised under the government’s White Australia Policy. The loneliness and…
Anna Wiener
‘Joan Didion at a startup’ Rebecca Solnit ‘Impossibly pleasurable’ Jia Tolentino ‘This is essential reading’ Stylist
Cathy Park Hong
A fearless work of creative non-fiction about racism in cultural pursuits by award-winning poet Cathy Park Hong.
Dr Robert Isaacs
Told with grace and strength, this memoir shares the inside story of a respected Elder and his drive to break down cultural barriers and improve the lives of his people.
Archie Roach
A powerful memoir of a true Australian legend: stolen child, musical and lyrical genius, and leader.
Sarah Krasnostein
Before she was a trauma cleaner, Sandra Pankhurst was many things: husband and father, drag queen, gender reassignment patient, sex worker, small businesswoman, trophy wife…
Long Litt Woon
One woman’s journey to overcome grief by delving into an overlooked wonder of nature.
Julie Kavanagh
Born on a train in Stalin’s Russia, Rudolf Nureyev was ballet’s pop icon. Nureyev’s achievements and conquests became legendary: he rose out of Tatar peasant poverty to become the Kirov’s…
Maxine Beneba Clarke
‘Maxine Beneba Clarke is a powerful and fearless storyteller…Clarke is the read deal, and will, if we’re lucky, be an essential voice in world literature for years to come’ -…
Tara Westover
An extraordinary memoir about a woman’s discovery of education, its transformative power and the price she has to pay for it.
Bri Lee
A fiercely intelligent, heartbreakingly honest memoir and feminist call to arms in the tradition of Fight Like A Girl