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.

Stella Charls is recommending Tony Birch

On Wednesday night I went along to the Wheeler Centre to see Tony Birch in conversation with Chris Flynn about his most recent short story collection, Common People. This event also included an exciting announcement – Tony has been named the winner of the $20,000 Patrick White Literary Award for 2017.

The Patrick White Literary Award is traditionally awarded to authors who ‘have made a significant but inadequately recognised contribution to Australian literature’, and Birch is the first Indigenous writer to win the award in its 44-year history.

Tony is more than deserving of this recognition – not only is he an incredible writer and storyteller, the author of two novels, four short-story collections and a poetry collection, he is also a hugely beloved teacher, a talented critic and a passionate advocate for social and climate justice. In his moving acceptance speech on Wednesday night, he encouraged people to look up two organisations that are building movements in these spaces and support the work that they do – RISE, the first welfare and advocacy organisation governed entirely by Refugees, Asylum seekers and Ex-detainees in Australia, and Seed, Australia’s first Indigenous youth climate network.

On top of this announcement, it was a privilege to hear Tony discuss the stories in Common People with Chris. Our reviewer Annie says that this is a ‘collection that stands out for its voice and compassion’, and it was evident in their discussion that Tony cares deeply for his characters and for the power of the short-story format.

Our Carlton shop manager Robbie Egan also recently interviewed Tony about this book for the Readings podcast, which you can listen to here.

Bronte Coates is reading Almost Midnight by Rainbow Rowell

Last week I indulged in this gorgeous pocket-sized book. Almost Midnight contains two short stories from the totally excellent Rainbow Rowell, complete with charming illustrations from Simini Blocker – a young and exciting artist who’s made some great book covers for YA titles in the past. (You can read an interesting interview with Blocker here.) I’m an enormous fan of Rowell’s earlier books. She writes about big emotions in such an authentic and fully-realised way – perfectly capturing their intense, heightened quality and then undercutting the gravity with her delightful, warming humour. Almost Midnight is an ideal stocking stuffer for a teen or adult reader who wants to snuggle in at home with a feel-good story – or two!

Nina Kenwood is listening to Reputation by Taylor Swift

This week I’m listening to Taylor Swift’s new album. If the singles that came out before the album was released were underwhelming to you, never fear – the album as a whole is really great, and the best songs are ones you won’t have heard yet. I ran home listening to ‘I Did Something Bad’, ‘Don’t Blame Me’, ‘End Game’, and ‘This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things’, and I can confirm all were terrific as workout songs (an important genre for me). The album also has a lovely, old-school Taylor ballad in ‘New Year’s Day’, an addictive, sexy missive called ‘Dress’, and the song I was waiting to hear about Calvin Harris and Tom Hiddleston called ‘Getaway Car’. Other highlights include ‘King of My Heart’ and ‘Delicate’. I think I’m going to end up enjoying this album as much as I did 1989.

Ellen Cregan is reading The Lucky Galah by Tracy Sorensen

I’ve been reading the forthcoming debut novel from Tracy Sorenson. Set in a small town in Western Australia around the time of the moon landing, this novel is told largely from the perspective of a galah named Lucky. Lucky is a born storyteller, frustrated that while her understanding of English is complete, her ability to speak it extends only to swearing and phrases such as ‘Dance, Cocky, dance!’ She spends her days drinking cups of tea with her owner, Lizzie, and receiving transmissions of her neighbours’ innermost thoughts from an errant satellite dish, as well as thinking about the highs and lows of her own life story.

This is an absorbing and kooky novel, and something to look forward to in 2018.

Chris Gordon is reading about Melbourne and food

Humans In Melbourne is a heartwarming book about the people and places in our city.

Inside its pages are portraits and stories of residents. These narratives illustrate that everyone has something to reveal, and what you see is not always the full truth – well, except for young Anastasia. Anastasia’s picture is on page 21 and she is proudly holding a lollipop. She says: ‘I dropped my lollipop but my mum told me about the ten second rule…’ There are stories from migrants, old mates, homeless residents, academics and parents. There are stories of flamboyant individuals (pirate for a day anyone?) and those dressed with purpose. As one resident, Teaghan, says on page 130: ‘You know what I love about Melbourne? You can be whoever you want to be and no one will judge you.’ Colourful photographs feature throughout the book include images of the changing lanes of traffic, purple skies, the Clocks at Flinders Street and more.

This beautiful coffee table book is a gentle reminder as to why we live here (84% said yes), the stories that surround us and the creative pulse of our home. Perfect for your very own home or as a gift for interstate or overseas friends and family.

I’ve also been flipping through a new cookbook with the excellent title: Hungry: For More Crazy Good Vegan Food.

I love this book for many reasons. First, I’m not a vegan but I still want to eat pretty much everything. Second, home chef and author Anthea Amore is not attempting to convince me that I will have a spiritual awakening by eating tofu. (Phew, because the only spiritual alignment I’m going to get is by drinking gin.) Third, each dish has easily accessible and straightforward ingredients – no activated almonds, although there are activated hot cross buns… And finally, the recipes are fun and interesting: Vegan-mite! French Christmas Cake! Rainbow Cake!

Hungry is perfect for those wanting a fresh take of eating well for your body and the environment, without overthinking it all. Simply lovely.