If you want to journey to far off lands through your summer reading, or want to bring some extra magic to the holidays, try one of these great sci-fi and fantasy reads!

2024 brought long-awaited sequels to beloved series by TJ Klune, Jeff VanderMeer and Karl Ove Knausgaard, as well as exciting new releases from authors including Keanu Reeves, Alan Moore and Leigh Bardugo. So explore the list below to find our highlights of the year and make sure you…

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I don't know about you, but I am counting down the days until I have a lovely two weeks off! And one thing I'm most excited for is getting some reading done. If you're a one book kinda person but still want to get a lot of reading done, or if you've been waiting to dive into something thick until you had the holidays in front of you, then these chunky books are the way to go!

If that's not…

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It's finally summer here in Australia! So it's time to pull out the swimwear, grab your oversized hat and sunnies and head to the beach. But I know what you're thinking: 'what will I possibly read as I laze in the sun?!' Well don't you worry, I've taken the time to curate this list of perfect beach reads for you to binge this summer.

For those who like the obvious ...

Beach Read by Emily Henry

Starting off, I just…

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Usurping Sally Rooney's throne at number one this month is Helen Garner's first new work in a decade The Season, a tender portrayal of the relationship between grandmother and grandson, and of that moment on the cusp of adulthood when a boy is both child and man.

Not far behind in second place is Taboo by Cheek Media co-founder and CEO, Hannah Ferguson. Part memoir and part feminist manifesto, Taboo is a vulnerable exploration of modern womanhood that weaves…

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From England's Bloody Assizes to a pub in Fitzroy, from a Japanese brothel to the centre of power in the Soviet Union – these gripping works of historical fiction span continents and centuries, giving readers a powerful glimpse into fascinating chapters of history. Learn a little something while being caught up in incredible stories with our top picks of 2024's historical fiction.

Rapture by Emily Maguire

The motherless child of an English priest living in ninth-century Mainz, Agnes is a…

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I don’t know if any of you have heard of this thing called the Cost of Living? It’s a new phenomenon sweeping the world. It’s wild, it’s thrifty and it is, by all accounts, relentless. But I will not let that dampen my Christmas spirit, because I too am wild, thrifty and relentless with spreading Christmas joy both in the office and at home. In fact, I am so relentless I have roped my family into a Kris Kringle…

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This time of year is often fraught with end-of-year activities, to-do lists and, of course, shopping. If you're buying a Kris Kringle gift, a stocking filler, or even treating yourself, here are some festive-themed fiction ideas to help ease your mind.

For the cosy crime lover 🕵🏻‍♀️

Everyone this Christmas has a Secret by Benjamin Stevenson

My name's Ernest Cunningham. I used to be a fan of reading Golden Age murder mysteries, until I found myself with a haphazard career…

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Every year our staff vote for their favourite books of the past year. Here are the best international fiction books of 2024, as voted by Readings' staff!

The titles are displayed alphabetically by author.

Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel

‘American author Rita Bullwinkel’s debut novel Headshot followed up on the success of her Whiting Award-winning short story collection, Belly Up, with a Booker Prize longlisting. Headshot has been variously described as “poignant and visceral” (The Guardian); “the complete…

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By far and away our bestselling translated fiction for 2024 has been Asako Yuzuki's Butter, translated from Japanese by Polly Barton. In fact, as you'll notice below, Japanese fiction in general has been increasing in popularity from publishers and readers alike. You'll also find wonderful books translated from French, German, Italian, Spanish, Polish and Icelandic, rounding up a stellar year!

Butter by Asako Yuzuki, translated from Japanese by Polly Barton

Manako Kajii sits in Tokyo Detention Centre convicted of…

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The winners of this year's National Book Awards have been announced! Since 1950, the National Book Awards have been celebrating the best writing in America.

Fiction

James by Percival Everett

The Mississippi River, 1861. When the enslaved Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a new owner in New Orleans and separated from his wife and daughter forever, he decides to hide on nearby Jackson's Island until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck Finn has faked…

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