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Books for earth conscious kids
This selection of beautiful books – from wildlife bedtime stories and magnificent trees to amazing plants, tigers and a book inspired by David Attenborough's Planet Earth III – are perfect gifts for the earth conscious child.
Secret Stories of Nature: A Field Guide to Uncover Our Planet's Past by Saskia Gwinn & Vasilisa Romanenko (illus.)
This beautifully illustrated field guide explores the histories and mysteries hidden in the wild, just waiting to be shared. Readers are invited on a journey…
2023 fantasy, sci-fi and speculative fiction highlights
It has been a bonza year for all things fantasy, sci-fi and speculative fiction! We've rounded up some of our favourite reads that include cozy fantasies, epic space operas, and multiple not-too-distant dystopias.
Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong
Every year, thousands flock to San-Er, the dangerously dense capital twin cities of the kingdom of Talin, where the palace hosts a set of deadly games. Those confident in their ability to jump between bodies can enter a fight to the death…
A book to gift every history buff
From Roman to modern times, Alexandria to Melbourne, unruly monarchs and women in science there is something to please most history enthusiasts in our recommendations for 2023.
Corners of Melbourne by Robyn Annear
What better defines a city than its street corners? A corner gives you a starting point, a destination and a place to turn. It's furnished with pillar boxes, newsstands and tram stops, and lamp-posts for light and lounging. Where would you be likeliest to find a pub…
First Nations books to gift junior and middle readers
From fast-paced adventures to an illustrated history of Songlines, there's something for every young reader within these pages.
Tamarra: A Story of Termites on Gurindji Country by Violet Wadrill, Topsy Dodd Ngarnjal, Leah Leaman, Cecelia Edwards, Cassandra Algy, Felicity Meakins, Briony Barr & Gregory Crocetti
Did you know there are four types of termite poo? Or that a warm paste made from termite mound is used to strengthen a Gurindji baby's body and spirit? Or that spinifex (which termites eat)…
2023 crime fiction highlights
Crime readers, rejoice! It has been another stellar year for Australian and international authors, including books from longtime favourites as well as those making their debut. From cosy and rural crime to thrillers and high-paced noir we've got you covered!
Everyone On This Train Is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson
Ernest Cunningham returns in a deliciously witty locked room (train) mystery.
When the Australian Mystery Writers’ Society invited me to their crime-writing festival aboard the Ghan, the famous train between…
What we're reading: Iglesias & Parton
Each week our amazing staff bring you a sample of the books or music they're immersed in.
Jason Austin is reading The Devil Takes You Home by Gabino Iglesias
Winner of both the Shirley Jackson and Bram Stoker Awards this year, The Devil Takes You Home is a beautifully paced supernatural crime-noir-horror novel about a man on the brink.
Mario's small daughter has died of leukemia, and he's freshly estranged from his wife, Melisa. Finding himself deeply in debt with…
Great graphic novels for middle schoolers
Graphic novels are a great way to get even the most reluctant of children reading. Here is a collection of standout graphic novels released in 2023 that include fantasy stories about witches, mythical beings, contemporary stories of navigating friendships and new schools, and at least one very cute monster! There's something for every reader aged 8-12.
Nayra and the Djinn by Iasmin Omar Ata
Nothing is going right for Nayra Mansour. There’s the constant pressure from her strict family, ruthless…
2023 LGBTQIA+ fiction favourites
It’s been a fantastic year for LGBTQIA+ stories in fiction. Below, you’ll find some of our 2023 fiction favourites that centre and celebrate a multiplicity of LGBTQIA+ experiences within their pages.
Bored Gay Werewolf by Tony Santorella
Brian, an aimless slacker, works doubles at his shift job, forgets to clean his room and lays about with his friends Nik and Darby. He's been struggling to manage his transition to adulthood almost as much as his monthly transitions to a werewolf…
Excellent Australian picture books to gift
We think you will all agree that books are the best kind of gift to give and receive! And there is nothing more special than gifting a picture book to a child in your life. There have been so many incredible picture books published this year in Australia, you'll have trouble only choosing one!
Penguin Oh Penguin by Gladys Milroy & Helen Milroy (illus.)
‘The Penguin song has lasted throughout the generations and has been sung to my children, grandchildren…
12 literary prize winners to read this summer
2023 has been a wonderful year of prize-winning literature. From across the globe readers have been treated to a myriad of deeply satisfying novels. The 12 winners below were judged for their originality and exemplary writing.
Prophet Song by Paul Lynch
Winner of The Booker Prize 2023
On a dark, wet evening in Dublin, scientist and mother-of-four Eilish Stack answers her front door to find the GNSB on her doorstep. Two officers from Ireland's newly formed secret police want to…
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