OUR FICTION BOOK OF THE MONTH

The Last White Man by Mohsin Hamid

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‘ The Last White Man opens with one of the most scintillating lines to grace a first page this year: ‘One morning Anders, a white man, woke up to find he had turned a deep and undeniable brown … Although Anders may be the first to turn, he isn’t the last. In a turn of events worthy of José Saramago, slowly every white person in the unnamed (although presumably Scandinavian and, therefore, presumably majority Caucasian) city turns brown, leading to crises of identity, vigilante white supremacy and even suicide. The novel explores white anxiety – the anxiety of feeling ‘threatened’ by the loss of privilege and a majority position.

The novel also tackles what Hamid has referred to as ‘violently nostalgic visions’ that prevent our ability to imagine new futures. Individuals, along with society, must reconcile who they were with who they are now and who they want to be in the future – a philosophical, sociological, and political question that is prompted by a physiological change. Who are you if you’re no longer white?’

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OUR CRIME BOOK OF THE MONTH

Better the Blood by Michael Bennett

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‘Better the Blood is a superb police procedural, one that delivers a pitch-perfect crime novel that never ceases to be entertaining, all while challenging its readers to consider how they feel about death, revenge and the notion of bad guys versus good guys in fiction and real life. The footnote translations of Māori words lend the book authenticity, depth and immersion in a culture just across the Tasman Sea. Michael Bennett is in full control, effortlessly juggling these enthralling characters, gripping story, and the ever-shrinking distance between past and present when it comes to acts that must never be forgotten. Readers, let yourself hear what he has to tell you.’

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OUR NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE MONTH

Melbourne on Film: Cinema That Defines Our City by Melbourne International Film Festival

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‘MIFF is celebrating its platinum jubilee with a specially curated Melbourne on Film strand – a selection of well-known and overlooked gems made right here and indelibly associated with Melbourne’s streets. This new collection of essays from some of Melbourne’s favourite writers was commissioned by MIFF to commemorate and illuminate this diverse, colourful history.

The 16 essays take a mostly personal approach. Nostalgia plays its part; cinema as time machine. Judith Lucy, writing on Malcolm, entangles the film with memories of moving here from Perth; Osman Faruqi approaches The Castle via the insularity and racism of Howard’s Australia. As Christos Tsiolkas suggests in his sharp (and personal) introduction, there are many ‘Melbournes’ – even if it seems cameras can’t find their way to the suburbs where most of us actually live – and how we live in it mediates our filmgoing experience.’

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OUR KIDS BOOK OF THE MONTH

Naturopolis by Deborah Frenkel & Ingrid Bartkowiak

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‘Naturopolis invites the reader to look carefully beyond the concrete and skyscrapers to see the life that abounds within the cracks … Stunning production values make this a book to really treasure and will have little ones begging for a walk down the street to discover and investigate the tiny pockets of nature that have made the city and the suburbs their home. This is an absolute treat that revels in nature for children aged 3 to 6.’

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OUR YOUNG ADULT BOOK OF THE MONTH

Sadie Starr’s Guide to Starting Over by Miranda Luby

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‘Sadie Starr is starting over. Her parents are moving her from Sydney to Melbourne, which means a fresh new identity. She has a new wardrobe, a new diet and a clean slate. Once in Melbourne, she’s immediately taken under the wing of the coolest girl in school and everything seems perfect. But then things begin to go wrong and Sadie is sent into a downward spiral …

Sadie is an incredibly relatable character. At times, she just follows along with what her new friends tell her and doesn’t stop to question things for herself. She often can’t see what is right in front of her and I just wanted to reach into the book and shake her. At other times, I wanted to give her a hug and tell her she’s going to be okay. Powerful and engaging, Sadie Starr’s Guide to Starting Over explores performative feminism, #MeToo, eating disorders, bullying, family dynamics and grief. For ages 14+. ’

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CHILDREN’S CLASSIC OF THE MONTH

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams

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‘This picture book is unique in so many respects; the story could easily feel dated (scarlet fever isn’t a death sentence any longer, and most dirty toys can get chucked in the wash) but instead of succumbing to obscurity like many other children’s books of the era, it has remained a timeless classic.’

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CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE MONTH

Christoph W. Gluck: Don Juan and Semiramis

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‘Savall’s care and attention to the historical details never seem to constrain his performances; instead, they give wings to the music. Being able to hear exactly what the original composers wrote, just the way they would have heard it, is a blessing that continues to give modern listeners delight into the 21st century.’

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