Each week we bring you a sample of the books we’re reading, the films and TV shows we’re watching, and the music we’re listening to.

Chris Gordon is reading this month’s edition of The Monthly

There is a truly excellent article in the latest edition of The Monthly from editor Nick Feik, in which he tackles the immense global power of Facebook. This is a thought-provoking essay that clearly illustrates the changing landscape of information dissemination across the world. Reading it, I was horrified at the power Facebook has on so many of us, but also strangely thrilled by how data can be manipulated. I’m sure there must be something good we can take from all this learning – some sort of strategy that can and will address our dissent into environmental and political ruin. Though, after reading Feik’s assessment, I am trying to be more considered about the posts that I like. Now is not the time to be flippant.

Ellen Cregan is reading Fortune’s Son by Jennifer Scoullar

In preparation for an event I’ll be taking part in next week at Readings Doncaster, I’ve been reading Jennifer Scoullar’s latest book. Fortune’s Son is a historical novel set in gold-rush era Tasmania. Protagonist Luke’s adventures are thrilling, and I am especially enjoying Scoullar’s descriptions of the Tasmanian wilderness. Luke’s tale spans across a number of social classes too, which I’m finding interesting, and Scoullar has also skilfully captured the way the working classes and aristocracy collided in this period of Australian history. This is a really fun book, and I’m looking forward to speaking with Scoullar about it next week.

On a totally different note, I’ve also been flipping through Cecilia Granata’s excellent cookbook, Mama Tried. In my five years of veganism, I’ve been searching for an Italian cookbook that is both authentic and vegan friendly. My search has now finally come to an end. Mama Tried presents a mix of veganised recipes from the author’s childhood in Italy with her own tattoo-style illustrations. There is an exciting range of recipes in this book – stews, pastas, pizzas, and even one for vegan Nutella, which I am extremely excited to try out. And the best thing of all is that most of the recipes follow a fairly simple formula. You use the best ingredients you can find, and give yourself as much time as possible to let things cook.

Bronte Coates is reading two brilliant children’s novels

A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to get my hands on two forthcoming children’s novels from Australian writers. One was a much-hyped debut from a first-time author, and the other was a brand-new book from an author I’ve loved since I was a teenager. I’m so pleased to report that both books were thrilling and magical in equal measure – transporting me into weird and fanatical other worlds, and introducing me to two determined, capable and funny young heroines.

The debut came from QLD writer Jessica Townsend whose The Trials of Morrigan Crow is the first book in the Nevermoor trilogy. It’s the story of Morrigan Crow, a cursed child who is fated to die on her ninth birthday. Instead of this decidedly morbid event, Morrigan is whisked away a mysterious stranger who helps her escape a pack of terrifying shadow hounds and then offers her a home in the eccentric, wonderful Hotel Deucalion within the secret city called Nevermoor.

This trilogy created a major buzz at Frankfurt Book Fair where it went to auction, eventually being won by Hachette, and has going on to sell film rights to 20th Century Fox. It’s a fast-paced read that is sometimes funny and sometimes scary, but always completely magical. Nevermoor is drawing comparisons with the Harry Potter series which is always a big ask, but this time I think it’s deserved!

The author I’ve loved since my teen years is Jaclyn Moriarty, whose Feeling Sorry for Celia has remained a well-thumbed and pleasingly squished fixture on my ever-changing bookshelf. I’ve read all of Moriarty’s Ashbury/Brookfield novels which are all funny and heartbreaking stories of friendships, and I adored her Colours of Madeleine trilogy which tracks unexpected and exciting territory. You can read why I loved this trilogy here.

Her forthcoming book is The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone and it’s exactly the kind of ironically whimsical offering only Moriarty can give us. When Bronte Mettlestone’s parents are killed by pirates, they leave her extremely detailed (and bossy) instructions in their will that she must follow to the letter, or else disaster will befall her home. Moriarty’s fantasy world building is refreshing and imaginative, and uniquely hers. I loved this book to bits.

Both books are due for release in November, and are ideal for ages 8 and up.