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.

Gabrielle Williams is reading This is Your Mind on Plants by Michael Pollan

I’m currently reading This Is Your Mind on Plants by Michael Pollan, which explores the effects of opium, caffeine and mescaline on the human brain.

I’ve just finished the section on opium, and it follows Pollan’s surprising journey growing opium poppies in his garden in mainstream America (apparently, in a weird quirk of legislation, opium poppy seeds are perfectly legal to sell in plant catalogues, but highly illegal to plant. Go figure). Ironically, while the war on drugs was being heavy-handed with backyard poppy growers, Purdue Pharma was promoting their ‘wonder drug’ Oxycontin, with the approval of the Federal Government (and we all know how well that panned out).

Lucie Dess is reading the graphic novel Seance Tea Party by Reimena Yee

This book has been on my TBR for a while now and I was so excited to finally dive in. Reimena Yee is actually Melbourne based which made this book even more appealing to me. The illustrations are just stunning; Full-colour graphic novels are such a treat and it really brought out the magic of the story.

Twelve-year-old Lora is entering adolescence but is in no hurry to grow up. She wants to keep playing outside and using her imagination but everyone around her is finding new interests and new friends. When she does a seance, she meets Alexa, a fourteen-year-old ghost and they create their own fun. Seance Tea Party is both heartbreaking and uplifting. It will show you that growing old is something to treasure and, just because you are growing up, does not mean you need to let go of the magic and your imagination.

Lou Ryan is reading A Net for Small Fishes by Lucy Jago

I don’t usually read historical fiction, but read an interview with Lucy Jago, loved the cover and thought I’d give it a go. It’s set in the early 17th century and based on historical figures - a widow and a countess - who were arrested for murder.

The complexity of the women’s friendship, one ordinary and poor, the other royal and wealthy is beautifully drawn out. It explores life 400 years ago but so many of the ideas are still relevant today.