Our latest blog posts

What we're reading: Riordan, Roach

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

Alicia is reading Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Wrath of the Triple Goddess by Rick Riordan

Rick Riordan has done it again with his brand new instalment of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. Our golden trio are back as Percy, Annabeth and Grover work together for a college letter of recommendation. Their quest? Pet-sitting . . . for the goddess Hecate, during the week of Halloween…

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At Home with Chris Gordon, the best lifestyle books of the month

by Chris Gordon

The October edition of Readings Monthly is available online and in our shops, but if you haven't picked up a copy yet, below you can read Chris Gordon's column from the latest issue. And check the blog for more updates and recommended new releases throughout the month!

Good Cooking Every Day: Simple Recipes, Beautiful Menus, All Year Round by Julia Busuttil Nishimura

Julia Busuttil Nishimura is Melbourne’s sweetheart. I have not met a person who has not fallen in love…

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Readings SLV recommends

Our team at the State Library Victoria shop, also known as SLV, have some great recommendations for your next read! You can always get expert advice on your TBR by visiting the shop in the State Library and asking our lovely booksellers, but in the meantime here's a curated guide to some of the their favourite titles.

📖Fiction

Holly recommends:

Foster by Claire Keegan

'All of Keegan's books are brilliantly written, with not a word outside of necessity. Foster

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Books to read if you can't afford to travel to New York

by Lucie Dess

Welcome to New York (Readings Version).

Have you been longing to visit the city that never sleeps, but a trip to New York isn't on the cards for 2024? Then live vicariously by diving into some literature set in the concrete jungle where dreams are made of . . .

For those into romantic comedies . . .

The Work by Bri Lee

Lally has invested everything into her gallery in Manhattan and the sacrifices are finally paying off. Pat…

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The October crime review

Discover the new crime books our booksellers are excited about this month!

The Ledge by Christian White

When human remains are discovered in the forests of regional Victoria, the police are baffled, the locals are shocked, and one group of old friends starts to panic. Their long-held secret is about to be uncovered.

It all began in 1999 when sixteen-year-old Aaron ran away from home, dragging his friends into an unforeseeable chain of events that no one escaped from unscathed…

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A musical guide to the 2024 Readings Young Adult Prize

by Alicia Vu

The Readings Young Adult Prize is a perfect reading list for ages 14+. This year’s shortlist spans worlds of fantasy and realism, exploring the complexities of growing up – whether you're fighting off sea monsters, learning about your magical abilities, or simply finding your own pathway in life as an adolescent.

It has been an absolute pleasure to be able to immerse myself into each of these incredible novels. As a music lover, books and music go hand-in-hand for me…

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A Day in Carlton: Mark Rubbo's pick

by Mark Rubbo

Mark Rubbo, Readings Chairman, shares his top pick from the event program of the upcoming A Day in Carlton Festival. Explore the program now, and join us for 24 hours celebrating books, culture and community!

Earlier this year I was at the Clunes Booktown Festival. The opening event was sold out but I managed to get tickets. It was a show called Underscore with Sally Ford and the Idiomatics. I was vaguely familar with Sally, a member of…

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Spooky picture books for Halloween

Get in the Halloween spirit with these spooky reads!🦇

With stories about magic, bravery and friendship, as well as things that go bump in the night, these books are captivating reads for little ones with an interest in the eerie.

Grandma Murphy's Pussycat by Maura Finn, illustrated by Lucinda Gifford

At midnight's strike as all lay sleeping, comes a figure, crawling, creeping . . .

It's Grandma Murphy's pussycat!

Where is this mysterious black cat going in the deep, dark…

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Our September 2024 children's and young adult bestsellers

In first place on our bestseller list for the second month in a row is the first book in Andy Griffiths brand new adventure series!

Other titles making the list include a heartwarming story of nature and technology colliding, the movie tie-in for Craig Silvey's Runt, Percy Jackson's latest adventure, and a story of the unsung heroes of war.

The Land of Lost Things by Andy Griffiths & Bill Hope (illus.)

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

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Our September 2024 bestsellers

September is traditionally one of the biggest months for exciting new releases and this year is no exception. Unsurprisingly one of 2024's most anticipated books, Sally Rooney's Intermezzoan exquisitely moving story about grief, love and family – went straight to number one after less than a week of sales.

There are so many highlights this month it's tempting to mention them all, however we think the list below speaks for itself. From Australian and international literary icons to…

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