As years go by, time after time, humans around the world are drawn to the same books, connecting us from every corner of the globe: some notable examples include plays, such as Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare, classic novels such as Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None, as well as Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky, to name a few.

But why should we be chained to the books of our past…

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Olivia from our Teen Advisory Board has curated a selection of all-time favourite fantasy novels to tempt you.

Fantasy novels are totally immersive. They’re perfect for staying up late over summer (or during term!), to read on the tram home from school, or really, just to crack open in any situation! Below are four fantasy books I highly recommend escaping into.

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

This is the book that made me fall in love with fantasy; strange…

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Melissa Keil is one of the most talented romantic comedy writers for young adults today. We are delighted that her three stunning YA novels have been re-released with gorgeous new covers for a new generation of readers to discover. She recently visited our Teen Advisory Board and below is what they had to say.

'Her books read like a love letter to Melbourne, and you will find yourself falling in love with both the story and the city!’ — Aalia…

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Poppy from our Teen Advisory Board reflects on how attending book launches, author signings and workshops can enrich your reading experience as well as be inspiring and educational.

Books can be so much more than something you read once and put on your shelf. Attending book launches, author signings and workshops can enrich your reading experience. It allows you to meet the creator behind the work, understand their point of view and motivate you to try something new.

I still…

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In this blog, our TAB explore perceptions and expectations around genre by answering two questions.

Do you think all book genres and readerships are treated the same, or are some viewed as more worthy of our time and attention? Do you think as a society we value the right kinds of books?

Anahatt Kaur: As a society on the whole, I feel that we’ve stigmatised certain genres as 'trashy' or 'mind-numbing', while placing other genres on pedestals for their 'literary…

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All writers need their inspiration, especially aspiring teen writers. In the four YA novels below, the main character is a teenager who writes to search for a personal or universal truth.

Hollow Fires by Samira Ahmed

Samira Ahmed’s Hollow Fires is about Safiya Mirza and her journey pursuing the truth. As editor of her school’s newspaper, she believes journalists need to write facts not personal biases. However, when a 14-year-old boy is killed for no reason other than racism, she…

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Alina from our 2023 Readings Teen Advisory Board has been working to contextualise Ukraine through literature.

As Ukraine is in the centre of a war near global proportions, its literature and art are drawn upon to sustain its cultural identity and presence in the world. From poetry in the soviet era, and authoritative texts on Ukraine's vital history, to fictional works by Ukraine's most dynamic writers, this list of books has been created to help deepen my own understanding, and…

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Studying a novel in secondary school introduces you to new authors, new genres and new eras. Close analysis of a text can be a way to dive deep into a particular book over a term or two. But why stop there? Personally, I love a good coming-of-age YA novel. But in the past year, I’ve used the texts I’ve studied at school as a starting place to explore more widely in the shelves at the bookstore.

It had never crossed…

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Each week we bring you a sample of the books we’re reading, the films we’re watching, the television shows we’re hooked on, or the music we’re loving.

Caspian is reading The Isles of the Gods by Amie Kaufman

Last month I read The Isles of the Gods by Amie Kaufman.

I’m a sucker for fantasy and a sucker for pirates so this book was perfect. The magic system was so unique and awesome with the spirits and sacrifices. The world…

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Poppy from our 2023 Teen Advisory Board has put these plant-based cookbooks through their paces and thinks they pass the test!

Running out of meal ideas for the never-ending hunger of a teen? Below are six delicious vegetarian dinners and snacks from three plant-based cookbooks, approved by a teenager for teenagers. They provide perfect energy boosting for studying, smile-making on test days or even just comfort food when necessary.

David Frenkiel and Louise Vindahl write the popular Green Kitchen cookbook…

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