Some people are handy with a glue gun, a sewing machine, a pair of scissors, and a large box. Some people relish the annual challenge of the Book Week costume and the opportunity to show off their crafty prowess to an assembly of peers. Some people . . . don't.

If Book Week's snuck up on you again this year, and you're in desperate need of a book to team with the generic costume you found in the shops (no…

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There's never a bad time to pick up one of these remarkable novels from women writers around the world. But since August is also Women in Translation Month, this is a particularly good time to seek out a writer you're not already familiar with.

Women in Translation Month was created in response to the dearth of women writers being translated into English. Ten years later, it's a growing movement to champion international writers and help readers discover books they might…

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The start of a new month means that there's a new issue of Readings Monthly available online and in our shops. Below you can read the foreword from the latest issue – and keep an eye on the blog for more updates and recommended new releases throughout the month!

There has been a lot of talk in the media about the recent collapse of Booktopia. Although Booktopia was a competitor of Readings, its closure is not something we are celebrating…

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Each week our wonderful staff share the books that they've been enjoying.

Joanna is reading Close to Home by Michael Magee

A novel from a new Irish novelist always gets my attention and I’m so glad I picked up a copy of Close to Home by Michael Magee. It’s the story of Sean, who returns home to Belfast after attending university in Liverpool. He falls into old habits and a violent act threatens to derail him further. There’s trauma in…

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With the 2024 Paris Olympics fully underway, even those of us who don't normally follow sports are feeling the olympic spirit! Whether you've discovered a sudden new interest in a niche sport (sharp shooting, for instance . . . ), are obsessively tuning in to see a certain team, or are just enjoying the highlights and reactions on social media, these books are the perfect companions for your Olympic viewing.

Sports romance is an exploding subgenre that's been taking readers…

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In response to the lack of Australian authors in the recent New York Times' 100 Best Books of the 21st Century we were inspired to put together our own list of the best Australian literature of the 21 century.

We reached out to members of the Australian literary community, from writers to publishers and our own passionate booksellers, asking them to nominate their favourite Australian books, published since 2000. Those votes led to our list of the 30 Best Australian…

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Alexis Wright has been announced as the winner of the prestigious Miles Franklin Literary Award, for her novel Praiseworthy. In winning this year’s award, Wright joins a distinguished group of two-time winners including Michelle de Kretser, Kim Scott, Thomas Keneally and Patrick White. Wright previously won the award in 2007 for her novel, Carpentaria.

On winning the award, Wright said: 'I am both amazed and humbled to win the 2024 Miles Franklin Award for Praiseworthy. To win…

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Melbourne is home to famous chefs and restaurants, with a foodie culture that gets excited about everything from tiny bakeries to degustation fine dining. And now that more and more of Melbourne's culinary icons are releasing cookbooks, it's possible to get that gourmet experience from the comfort of your own kitchen!

This round-up has exciting new releases that are already flying off shelves, as well as beautiful books from the past few years that you might have missed. And make…

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The State Library of New South Wales (SLNSW) has announced Lamisse Hamouda’s 'powerfully told' and 'accomplished' debut memoir, The Shape of Dust, as the winner of this year’s $25,000 National Biography Award. Inner Song by Jillian Graham was also announced as the winner of the 2024 Michael Crouch Award for a debut work.

The Shape of Dust tells the story of Lamisse’s father, Australian–Egyptian citizen Hazem Hamouda, who was wrongfully detained in an Egyptian gaol, and of her mission…

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The 2024 Paris Olympics are here! Whether you’re setting alarms to and getting up early to watch, or simply waiting for the highlights to appear on social media, there’s no better time to dive into these exciting, sporty books, perfect for both children and young adults. Biographies, graphic novels, picture books and more, there’s something here for lovers of all sports.

A highlight of our favourites

Kid Olympians by Robin Stevenson, illustrated by Allison Steinfeld

Triumphant, relatable, and totally true…

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