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 Dietland by Sarai Walker

I’ve had Dietland sitting on my TBR pile for, oh, about two years now, and it’s been recommended to me countless times, but it took the release of a new TV adaptation to give me the kick in the butt that I needed to finally start reading it. Sarai Walker’s debut novel is about Plum Kettle – a young woman who’s sleepwalking through her days, saving up for weight-loss surgery so that her ‘real life’ (as the newly slim and confident Alicia Kettle) can begin. She’s spent so much of her life trying hard to be invisible that it comes as a shock to discover that she’s caught the attention of an underground community of women who are determined to upset the status quo in this male dominated society. Subversive, political, genuinely funny, and unexpectedly heartfelt, Dietland reminded me of everything that I loved about Naomi Alderman’s The Power.

Gabrielle Williams is reading The Animators by Kayla Rae Whitaker

So many things to love about this book: the characters, the story, the way it unfolds, the way it’s written, the authenticity, the generally very cool vibe of it. Even the cover, I adore. At first, I thought it was one sort of story – your conventional friendship-over-the-years type drama with fallings out and fallings back in – but a little before page 100 it took a completely unexpected, dark turn, and I ended up choosing long tram rides over the much faster train, simply so I could read more of it. This is a finger-clickingly cool book, that I have no hesitation in recommending.

Chris Gordon is reading Root to Bloom by Mat Pember & Jocelyn Cross

This beautiful book recently landed in my lap and I’m loving reading bits and bobs in every spare second I have. Imagine this – you head out onto your balcony, or into your backyard, and pick something growing at random – a herb, flower or vegetable perhaps. Then, by using Root to Bloom from two local authors and wonder gardeners, you can find out everything you need to know about this wonderful plant in your hand. For example, I learned about the secret power of sweet violas, including how to use their juices to cure love sickness and coughs, and about the heritage of geraniums. I was very pleased to discover directions for making ‘poor man’s capers’, and a geranium scented pound cake. Root to Bloom is rich with information, sound ideology and inspiration. A complete treat for anyone that has a pot or two growing in their home – I absolutely adore it.

Bronte Coates is reading Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol

I fell in love with Vera Brosgol’s cute artwork and skewed sense of humour a few years ago when I picked up her picture book, Leave Me Alone – a grandmother is harassed so much that she’s forced to escape to another dimension to finish her knitting in peace! So I was very excited to get my hands on her new graphic novel this past week.

Be Prepared is a semi-fictionalised account of Brosgol’s own experiences at a Russian summer camp and it’s a wonderful pick for children who are navigating those tricky years between childhood and adolescence. The 9-year-old Vera struggles to fit in with the American girls in her class (there’s an excruciating sleepover party at the book’s start that is all too relatable) but when she hears about a summer camp for Russian children, she jumps at the chance. Unfortunately, the camp is not what she expected and Vera endures lots of challenges, not least using the outhouse, before she finally finds herself making a true friend. The book’s end includes some explanation notes from Brosgol about how she created the book, including a copy of one of her actual letters from camp, which was a lovely inclusion.

Be Prepared is a warm, authentic graphic novel that will definitely appeal to fans of books such as Cece Bell’s El Deafo, Raina Telgemeier’s Ghosts and Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham’s Real Friends.