Our latest blog posts
Books for when you want to quit your 9 to 5
Stop fantasising about sending your boss that too-honest resignation letter, and try reading one of these books instead. Whether you're looking for joyful escapism or just want to put your own daily grind in perspective, reading a good book will be less work and stress than writing a new job application.
Workplace dramas, so your job doesn't seem so bad
The Opposite of Success by Eleanor Elliott Thomas
All Lorrie wants is to get promoted, accept her body and end…
Contemporary takes on children's classics
New stories with beloved characters
Saving Neverland by Abi Elphinstone
A magical, modern and adventurous reimagining of the much-loved classic, from one of today's most exciting children's writers.
When Martha Pennydrop and her little brother Scruff discover a drawer full of mysterious gold dust in the bedroom of their new house, it's the start of an incredible adventure to a magical world – Neverland!
The Pennydrop's new house used to belong to another family – the Darlings – who once…
If you love Agatha Christie, read these . . .
Agatha Christie's legacy as the queen of crime means she's often the first author suggested to readers looking for a cosy, yet devilishly ingenious mystery. But despite the huge number of Poirot and Miss Marple available, there must come a time when every reader has to ask – what next? What else can I read that will have the same combination of picturesque settings, lovable detectives and incredible twists?
Fortunately, there's actually a wealth of books and series available that…
What we're reading: Patchett, Rushdi
Each week our wonderful staff share the books that they've been enjoying.
Lian is reading These Precious Days by Ann Patchett
Ann Patchett was a guest at this year's Melbourne Writers' Festival, and hearing her speak on a panel with our own Chris Gordon was all the inducement I needed to dive head-first into her delightful collection of essays. These Precious Days is an absolutely charming, desperately relatable, heartfelt and humorous book that provides an insight into the experiences that…
Picture books about emotional resilience
Children all face different obstacles through their lives, whether it’s an internal hurdle, a one-off catastrophe, or the routine struggle that is heading back to school. Kids' books are a helpful way to show them they’re not alone in the hardships they experience, or to display the tools children can use to tackle whatever obstacles they may face.
Here are some of my favourite picks for picture books that focus on resilience, perseverance, or overcoming adversity.
Grey by Laura Dockrill…
Our Best of the New York Times' Best Books
To mark the first 25 years of the century, The New York Times Book Review sent a survey to hundreds of literary luminaries, asking them name the 10 best books published since Jan 1, 2000. They tallied the votes to create their list of The 100 Best Books of the 21st Century – and naturally book lovers around the world have been scouring the list to see how many they've read, and how many they have sitting untouched on a…
A beginner's guide to Ranger's Apprentice
by Amelia DumesnyRanger’s Apprentice is one of my all-time favourite book series. When I was 9, I made myself a mottled green cloak, I fashioned a longbow out of bamboo and liked to think I was a Ranger myself. When I don’t know what to read or listen to, I still inevitably fall back to Ranger’s. I love the excitement when author, John Flanagan, releases a new book and couldn’t wait to get my hands on his latest: Ambush at Sorato.
…
The July Crime Review
These are the crime books which have been read and reviewed by our excellent booksellers this month – all in one place!
Middle of the Night by Riley Sager
Reviewed by Aurelia Orr from Readings Kids
Set in the affluent neighbourhood of Hemlock Circle, New Jersey, a group of families surround each other in a cul-de-sac, closely bound together like a ribcage. Every Friday for the summer, best friends Ethan and Billy camp out in Ethan’s backyard. There should have…
New junior book series
Everyone knows that feeling when you read a book that you absolutely love, but when you finish it, you're left wanting more. And this is even worse when you're trying to coax the little people in your life to read. Well lucky for you, there's some wonderful new series that have hit the shelves this year. Here is just some of them!
Goldfish-Finger by James Foley
Max is a mole on a mission. With Helen Hippo and June Bug by…
A beginner's guide to Russian literature
The monolith of classic Russian literature can be daunting and perhaps a tad depressing to look at, as under the wrong light it can seem grey and harsh. The stereotype of Russian literature may have a serious countenance to an outsider, but when you get to reading them, holding the books under the lamp of curiosity, you will find that these books do have a great sense of the absurd, a quotidian humour and a litany of unique characters.
You…