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.

Lian Hingee is reading Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

I’ve just finished reading Big Little Lies, which is the second book by Liane Moriaty that I’ve read and, coincidentally, the second book by Liane Moriaty that I’ve absolutely loved.

A death occurs at the Pirriwee Public School ‘Audrey and Elvis’ themed trivia night. The circumstances are suspicious and the police have their work cut out for them, unravelling the complicated dynamics between the parents. The novel flashes backwards to the months leading up to the trivia night, during which three women whose children have started kindergarten together develop a close friendship.

Big Little Lies is a story about love, betrayal, class warfare, secrets and abuse – a compelling page-turner that left me feeling like I wanted some quiet time for a cathartic cry. Not because it was sad, but because it was full of big emotions, and wonderful characters that I wanted to ring up and meet for coffee.

The novel is destined for the small screen, with an upcoming HBO mini-series starring Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman and Alexander Skarsgård premiering on 19 Feb. That gives you a bit over a month to read the book first, which I wholeheartedly recommend.

Leanne Hall is reading This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki

After moving house six months ago I’ve finally joined our local library and discovered that it has a most excellent graphic novel section. Years ago I read the wonderful and sombre Skim by Canadian sisters Mariko Tamaki (words) and Jillian Tamaki (art), so it was a no-brainer that my first loan should be another book from the same talented team.

The coming-of-age story in This One Summer is simple, but the execution is nuanced and complex. Rose travels with her unhappy parents to their usual summer house at Awago Beach, to reunite with her vacation friend, the irrepressible Windy. The two girls share slightly different positions on the cusp of adolescence, but both are obsessed with horror movies, boobs, and the town’s older teenagers and their love lives.

The reverie and disharmony of a family holiday is captured perfectly in words and pictures. I spent so long poring over the gorgeous indigo illustrations of waves, floating, bed-flopping, dance moves, and couch-slouching that I’m definitely going to have to buy my own copy.

Jan Lockwood is reading Goodwood by Holly Throsby

I thoroughly enjoyed Holly Throsby’s first novel. Goodwood is the name of the quiet NSW country town where, as we learn from the first line of the book, tragedy is going to strike. I found it a perfect summer read. I was caught up straight away in the characters and rhythm of life – thanks to the compelling narrator, Jean, who is looking back to the events of 1992 and her 17-year-old self.

Similar to the awesome Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey, Goodwood is an evocative Australian story, though a bit gentler and with more humour.

I’m also currently listening to the brilliant and diverse ARIA Awards: 30th Anniversary CD. This 3-disc collection contains single and album of the year winners over the past 30 years in progressive order; from John Farnham’s ‘You’re The Voice’ through to Tame Impala’s ‘The Less I Know, The Better’. Aussie ear gold.

Ellen Cregan is reading Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil by Melina Marchetta

I picked up this book as an antidote of sorts to Ian McGuire’s fabulous, but extremely grisly, novel, The North Water. After reading about bloodthirsty nineteenth-century whalers, I needed a contemporary palate-cleanser. Marchetta’s first foray into crime fiction was the perfect candidate.

I really loved this book. I looked forward to coming home to it each night. I very nearly cancelled social engagements to stay in and read it. Marchetta’s effortless prose strikes such great balance. It is clear and simple, but still has the ability to pull at your heartstrings. There’s something quite special about writing that makes you forget you’re reading, and Marchetta has this skill mastered. Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil had it all – a fast paced plot; well developed, realistic character; and a satisfying ending.

The only downside of this reading experience was that I enjoyed the book so much, I got through it in just a few sittings!

Stella Charls is reading The Mothers by Britt Bennett

Britt Bennett initially made a name for herself through her essays, often focusing on the experience of being black in contemporary America. Fiction can be an equally powerful way of addressing political issues – as novelist Angela Flournoy put it in a recent New York Times article: ‘Writing about ordinary black people is actually extraordinary… it’s absolutely its own form of advocacy.’ (You can find the full article here.)

Keen to read more about contemporary America in the wake of the election, and inspired by a recent blog post by my colleague Nina Kenwood, I picked up Bennett’s debut novel a few days ago and could not put it down. Bennett started writing The Mothers when she was just 17 the same age as her novels young protagonist, and has steadily worked on it for eight years. At once a coming-of-age narrative and a layered portrait of a community, this extraordinary novel is ambitious yet accessible, and utterly affecting. Bennet writes with delicate insight and deep empathy for her characters.

If you’re looking for something poetic and compelling to start your reading year, I could not recommend this novel more highly. I look forward to reading more from this exceptional writer.

Nina Kenwood is reading Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

Over my summer holidays, I had grand plans to catch up on a bunch of books I missed from 2016 – serious literary fiction, mostly. Then the holidays came around, and all I wanted was something light, something funny, something that would distract me entirely from everything happening in the world.

So I read Crazy Rich Asians, which was an absolute delight and the most perfect summer read you could ever want. I look forward to reading its sequel, China Rich Girlfriend, but I am saving it for the next time I am relaxing by the beach and needing to escape.

I also read The Husband’s Secret, as part of my plan to catch up on Liane Moriarty’s backlist. (I’d read and loved Truly, Madly, Guilty and Big Little Lies already.). I thoroughly enjoyed it, of course – there’s a reason Moriarty is a worldwide sensation.

Mike Shuttleworth is reading Lisette’s Paris Notebook by Catherine Bateson

For Christmas this year I had hoped to find a return ticket to Paris under my tree. But though the ticket failed to appear, I continued to dream about my favourite city in the world – Catherine Bateson’s new novel for teenage readers, Lisette’s Paris Notebook, helped me cope with the disappointment.

Teenage Lisette leaves Australia for a three month break, moving into a tiny Marais loft apartment as the guest of the clairvoyant Madame YY. In Paris, Lisette explores the markets, streets and cafes, and becomes romantically entangled (bien sûr!). But bigger discoveries – about her past and her future await – so that beneath this brightly told holiday story are themes to gently challenge the reader.

The author Bateson wrote Lisette’s Paris Notebook while in Paris and the book is something of a love letter to the city, as well as the freedoms and possibility of youth.

Bronte Coates is reading Lady Helen and the Dark Days Pact by Alison Goodman

I just finished the second book of Alison Goodman’s supernatural / regency romance mash-up series. I read book one early last year and have been looking forward to continuing the story for a while. Goodman has a flair for blending historical detail with a action-packed narrative.

A Buffy-esque figure, Lady Helen must contend with the expectations on her as a woman living in polite Regency society, and her newly discovered destiny as a reclaimer (a kind of demon fighter). In order to do this she must learn to control her new powers, fend off gossip, make sense of the dense politics that thrive within the Dark Days Club, and basically unlearn all that she has been taught all her life (i.e. submission, deference, etc). She also must contend with the complicated – usually irritatingly presumptuous – feelings of the men around her, and in particular those of the enigmatic Lord Carlston, a fellow reclaimer with a dubious past, and the gentlemanly Duke of Selburn, an eligible bachelor who wishes Helen to be his wife. I am of course very interested to see how the situation resolves itself in the next book.