We have just returned from the annual gathering of Australia’s bookselling association (formerly known as the ABA, recently renamed BookPeople). It was a terrific event, and we heard some fantastic presentations during the two-day conference, including from writers Melissa Lucashenko, David Marr, Julia Baird, and Richard Flanagan, as well as a range of panels about the business and practice of bookselling. It’s always interesting to hear about the experience of bookselling in other places and contexts, and the sense of collegiality and belonging that is generated by meeting together can’t be found any other way. The events of recent years were a harsh reminder that we should never take these kinds of meetings in person for granted.

A number of awards were presented at the conference dinner, including for Books of the Year in a range of categories, as well as in three categories for booksellers. The award for the Text Publishing Bookseller of the Year was given jointly this year: to Bronwyn Druce from Red Kangaroo books in Alice Springs (a shop I would love to visit), and to our very own Mark Rubbo. Mark has been an innovator, visionary, leader, and mentor since he bought Readings from its founders in 1976, and it is impossible to think about Australia’s local book and publishing industry without acknowledging his influence and its legacy, which is based on a profound support for Australian writers. On a personal note, I’m not quite sure where I’d be or what I’d be doing without him and all that he has built, and I’m lucky to have been learning things from him for almost 20 years now. Those of us who know him well also know his generosity and kindness, and countless more have benefited from the same. Mark: congratulations on receiving this accolade which is, dare I say, long overdue!

It’s only fitting that our Book of the Month is one that Mark himself champions: Southern Aurora by Melbourne’s own Mark Brandi (which also happens to be our Melbourne City Reads pick for July). We’ve been following Brandi’s work as an emerging writer since his 2017 debut, Wimmera, and Southern Aurora is the work of a writer who has most definitely ‘emerged’ and is really hitting his stride. You can find signed copies at all our stores (while stocks last). Look out mid-month for the major new work by Kate Grenville, Restless Dolly Maunder (read an extract on page 5). Around the same time, you’ll also see the debut novel from the winner of the 2022 Penguin Literary Prize, Annette Higgs. Our reviewers also commend books by Zeynab Gamieldien, Briohny Doyle, and Rachael Mead. International fiction is strong this month too, with our reviewers introducing you to a short story collection from staff favourite Tessa Hadley, and new novels from Patrick deWitt, Emily Perkins, Aurora Venturini, Tania James, and Tony Santorella. Fellow fans of Lorrie Moore, who have been patiently awaiting a new novel from this brilliant writer for close to a decade and a half, will not be disappointed: I am Homeless if This Is Not My Home is about life, death, and everything in between (and on the other side), and it’s funny too, despite the bleakest of circumstances (how does she do it?).

Anna Funder’s Wifedom is our Nonfiction Book of the Month, a major piece of work blending literary history, creative biography, and memoir that our reviewer calls a masterpiece: enough said! So many early readers have fallen for Robert Skinner’s memoir, I’d Rather Not. I found myself reading multiple passages aloud (not something I usually do!) to convince people of its delightfulness. This is genuinely hilarious and warm-hearted, and I hope lots of people will join in his fun: enjoy an extract on page 13. Our reviewers recommend books by Frieda Hughes, Amy Key, and Shoji Morimoto, and Megan Davis’s Quarterly Essay, Voice of Reason: On Recognition and Renewal, is essential reading for these times.

And finally, dear Reader, please drop in some time this month to take advantage of July’s 3-for-2 offer on a range of nonfiction titles represented in the Australian market by our friends at Allen and Unwin. You’ll find books from some of our favourite publishers here, including Faber, Granta, Fitzcarraldo, Canongate, Daunt, and Profile, who bring us the work of authors such as Rachel Cusk, Rebecca Solnit, and Annie Ernaux, as well as great music writing. Enjoy!