Painting Portraits of Everyone I’ve Ever Dated | Joseph Earp | $34.99 | Pantera
We love a local debut! Especially one as funny and sharply observed as this one Ellie Robertson has always wanted to be a painter Off the back of a big prize win, she decides her next project will be painting portraits of her exes What follows beautifully represents the intersection of two of my favourite micro genres: women artists and slightly insane women While I find it hard to trust not-women authors to write ‘difficult’ women, Ellie is authentically petty, hysterical and root-for-able Within the first few pages I’d laughed out loud multiple times, and exhaled sharply through my nose with a regularity that was probably concerning to outside witnesses – Leona
Not Telling | Alison J Barton | $27 00 | Simon & Schuster
This new book of poetry is a compelling metaphor for cultural silence and its ongoing effects Alison J Barton’s debut poetry collection tells, through its non-linearity and bold depictions, of the deep-seeded realities of colonial dispossession, its ongoing legacy and the legacy of those who continue to feel the weight of their own survival In examining inter-generational grief, loss, a disruption of cultural practice and community, Not Telling offers a unique perspective on the invasion of Australia – Francesca
The Dream Will Devour Us | Emma Clancey | $24 99 | Allen & Unwin | 13 + Nora is gifted, beautiful, poor and desperate; her dead father has left her nothing but debts and her brother has contracted a mysterious illness While trying to hold it all together, she is thrown into an abyss full of rich, ruthless, reality-warping characters There’s dazzling fame, high-stakes magic, thrilling romance, and smirk-worthy banter Set in a New York contemporarily familiar yet completely alien, in a world where only the rich and powerful have access to magic this is a captivating fantasy that blends a delightfully twisting plot with swoon-worthy romance, and an exploration of celebrity and inequality The overall concept – when science and magic are fused together and those that have power will do anything to keep it – leads us through a cut-throat, adrenaline-charged page turner – Robert
Recipes Remembered from Vietnam | Thi Le | $55 00 | Murdoch
With two restaurants and a bánh mì bar under her belt, it is no wonder that Melbourne-based chef Thi Le has been hailed by many as the new voice of Vietnamese and South East Asian cuisine In her debut cookbook, Thi takes a deep-dive into her culture’s food, sharing the mouth-watering (and beautifully photographed) recipes that have shaped her life and restaurants Yet it is the intimate and surprising stories that Thi includes here of growing up in Sydney’s West with a foot in two cultures that give us a true insight into her determination and passion for bringing us her heart-lifting, inspiring food – Sylvia
Vanishing World | Sayaka Murata | $29 99 | Allen & Unwin
The more outlandish Sayaka Murata’s stories become, the more sense they seem to make This one led me to ask what is more sinister – state mandated artificial insemination or how quickly we shift our social norms? Straddling sci-fi and social commentary, Vanishing World harks back to Eden, purity and how exactly we all got in a sex mess – Lexie
The Book of Guilt | Catherine Chidgey | $34 99 | Penguin Chidgey’s works are incredibly unsettling yet utterly compelling Here, we follow identical triplets raised in a care home in 1970s England. Governed by three ‘mothers’, their lives are structured around a series of tasks This is at once a sinister thriller, a critique of the Thatcher government and a meditation on who matters most in a society – Steph
Hunchback | Saou Ichikawa |
Translated by Polly Barton | $24 99 | Penguin Shaka has congenital muscle disorder Although this could have been a dark story, instead it is an incredibly funny social commentary where Shaka posts erotica, rages against ‘the machismo of book culture’ and queries the role of subversiveness as a complement to those with physical subversion – Lexie
The Nights Are Quiet in Tehran | Shida Bayzar, translated by Ruth Martin | $29 99 | Scribe
A family story told by many voices, this translated tale is a powerful image of the struggle between culture, oppression and resistance The narrative spans a couple’s love, their expulsion and emigration to West Germany and their eventual reintegration into an Iran that looks reformed, but is rife with revolution – Angus
The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin | Alison Goodman | $34 99 | Harper Collins
The second in this series is everything I wanted and more! There’s dens of iniquity, dastardly disguises and heart-fluttering banter, plus more romance action with Julia and Mr Kent Smart, swoon-worthy and suspenseful, this Regency romp is just as immersive as the first! – Mischa
Money To Burn | Asta Olivia Nordenhof | $34 99 | Random House
This book flickers with the toxic intimacy of Kurt and Maggie, who are bound by something greater than affection Jumping between past lives, trauma, duty and loss, the novel's fleeting nature is a reflection of the couple’s disjointedness, highlighted by the text’s subtle exploration of capitalism – Francesca
I Want Everything | Dominic Amerena | $34 99 | Simon & Schuster
Reclusive cult author Brenda Shales took the world by storm before she disappeared from the public eye after a mysterious plagiarism case When an ambitious young writer meets Brenda, he realises he must pretend to be someone he’s not to trick the truth of her work out of her – but as Brenda unravels her past, can she be trusted as a reliable narrator? Or is she, like him, little more than a talented thief? This astonishing debut is a dazzling novel of desire and deception, authorship and authenticity, and the costs of creative ambition
Lonely Mouth | Jacqueline Maley | $34 99 | Harper Collins
Matilda and Lara are half-sisters who share an unreliable mother and a chaotic past, but are different in every other way Lara is a model in Paris Matilda works in a Sydney restaurant, and has an unrequited crush on her boss If she’s careful, she can keep everything in its proper place Then Lara’s errant father comes back into the sisters’ orbit and Matilda’s life goes seriously awry She is forced to come to a reckoning with who she is, and how to satisfy the hunger she wants to deny A tender, vivid and fiercely relatable novel
The Victoria Principle | Michael Farrell | $29 95 | NewSouth Books
Michael Farrell extends his humour and narrative drive to the short story This collection begins with a writer trying to do literary justice to the fear of birds; other stories feature creative activity, and would-be writers attending a nude retreat There is pathos, too, and some stories revisit classical and popular myths, such as the judgement of Paris and the life of Andy Gibb The associations are unexpected or absurd, but the process has its own logic: we may think of these fictions as meta-fictions, as 'thought stories' that offer inflections and reflections on queer Catholicism and mental breakdown, amidst the ongoing contradictions and ironies of contemporary Australian life
The Names | Florence Knapp | $32 99 | Hachette
Following a great storm, Cora sets out to register the birth of her son Her husband intends for her to call the baby after him But Cora hesitates; going against his wishes will have consequences, but should her child inherit a name from generations of domineering men? Seven years later, her son is Bear, a name chosen by his sister Or he is Julian, the name Cora set her heart on? Or is he Gordon, named after his father and raised in his cruel image? Powerfully moving and full of hope, this is the story of three versions of a life, and the infinite possibilities that a single decision can spark It is the story of one family, and love's endless capacity to endure
The Unquiet Grave | Dervla McTiernan | $34 99 | Harper Collins
The boglands of Northern Europe have often given up ancient bodies, many with injuries suggesting ritual torture and human sacrifice When a corpse is found in a bog in Galway, Cormac Reilly assumes the find is historical But closer examination reveals a more recent story Progress on the case is slow but when Cormac is sure that he has found the killer, two more bodies are found Is there a serial killer at work in Ireland? And if so, can Cormac find the murderer before they strike again?
The Fire in the Flint | Walter F White | $27 99 | NewSouth Books
Kenneth Harper, a Black doctor and WWI veteran, returns to his hometown in Georgia Harper believes racial tensions are a thing of the past, but when he helps local Black share croppers seek higher pay, he draws the ire of the Ku Klux Klan He soon realises he has no choice but to fight against white supremacy
Paradise Logic | Sophie Kemp | $29 99 | Simon & Schuster
Reality Kahn is on a quest to become the greatest girlfriend of all time A zine maker, an aspiring notary, an actress, she receives messages from the beyond from Girlfriend Weekly When Reality meets Ariel, she strives to gain his affection She soon learns that sheer will and determination are not always enough to make true love manifest
Legion | William Peter Blatty | $36 99 | Pan Macmillan
A boy is found murdered in a mock crucifixion Lieutenant Kinderman follows a bewildering trail that links the many suspects, and confronts new enigmas as more murders surface Is there a connection between these crimes and a series of murders that took place over a decade ago? A classic novel of breathtaking terror from the author of The Excorcist
Saturation | William Lane | $32 99 | NewSouth Books
Librarians Ambrose and Ursula’s story is dominated by a fascist leader who preys on a populace saturated with information and the act of remembering He persecutes librarians and begins to selectively cull collections The couple are impelled to save the books they spent years preserving, realising they must save the past for a new generation to understand it
Rytuał | Chloe Elisabeth Wilson | $34 99 | Penguin Marnie Sellick is adrift when she lands a job at the coveted beauty brand rytuał cosmetica. She and the enigmatic founder, Luna Peters, grow closer and Marnie becomes intoxicated by the life that Luna, and rytuał, can offer her But all is not what it seems; as Marnie edges closer to the darkness at the centre the company ’ s millennial-pink facade, cracks begin to show Luna is hiding something, but will Marnie uncover the truth – and the role Luna has placed her in – before it’s too late? And what if your favourite cult beauty brand was actually a cult?
Parable of the Talents | Octavia E Butler |
Graphic novel adaption by Damian Duffy & John Jennings | $39 99 | Thames & Hudson
A powerful graphic novel adaptation of Butler’s groundbreaking dystopian novel told in Lauren Olamina’s daughter’s voice and interspersed with sections of Lauren’s own journals Facing a war-torn continent under the control of a Christian fundamentalist fascist state, Asha searches for answers about her past while struggling to reconcile with her mother’s choice between familial duty and her calling to lead humankind into a better future among the stars
Broken
Brains | Jamila Rizvi & Rosie Waterland | $36 99 | Penguin
At 31, Jamila Rizvi was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour Her friend Rosie Waterland proposed the tumour be named ‘Jam's Jerky’ and kept on display in a jar While this was declined, Jamila turned to Rosie for support as Rosie knows what it’s like to live with a broken brain: she had been dealing with significant trauma symptoms for years In this brave and honest book, the friends share their parallel experiences, alongside advice from those who’ve been there before Sometimes funny, sometimes brutal, this book is essential reading for anyone who has been very ill, or loved someone who was
A Bunker in Kyiv | John Lyons with Sylvie le Clezio | $34 99 | Harper Collins
By day, Kyiv appears to be a charming European city But by night, sirens wail and citizens sleep in bunkers to escape the dangers of incoming missiles Resourceful civilians provide every bit of help they can, outwitting the Russian army with drones, cyber tech and sheer ingenuity John Lyons takes readers into the heart of a nation under siege as he interviews Ukrainians who stand tall in the face of a brutal conflict and an uncertain future
The Loves of My Life | Edmund White | $39 99 | Bloomsbury
With his trademark wit, candour and relentlessly perceptive eye, Edmund White, the beloved 85-year-old ‘paterfamilias of queer literature’ (New York Times) delves unflinchingly into the aspect of his life which has inspired so many of his masterpieces: sex Documenting everything from covert fumblings in the repressed American Midwest of the 1950s to the Arcadian gay debauchery of New York in the 1970s, through the terror of HIV and the age of sex on apps, White has seen and experienced it all Unyieldingly honest, outrageously raucous and arrestingly touching, The Loves of My Life can but further cement White’s unquestionable role at the apex gay canon
No Power Greater | Liam Byrne | $34 99 | Melbourne University Press/Simon & Schuster
Unions are making a comeback Labour disputes around the world have hit the headlines as unions take action to challenge inequality But while media coverage has increased, understanding of unions has not In this lively history of Australian unionism, Liam Byrne seeks to illuminate what unionism means, exploring why successive generations of working people organised unions and nurtured them for future generations Foregrounding the pioneering efforts of women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, culturally and linguistically diverse, and LGBTIQA+ workers as central to the union story today, Byrne uses case studies of worker action and struggle to better understand the lived reality of unionism, its challenges and its contribution to Australian life
I Regret Almost Everything | Keith McNally | $36 99 | Simon & Schuster
A memoir by the legendary proprietor of iconic New York institutions Balthazar, Pastis, Minetta Tavern and Morandi McNally takes us from his gritty London childhood to his arrival in New York, where he founded the era-defining establishments Odeon, Cafe Luxembourg and Nell’s Eloquent and opinionated, McNally writes about his stint as a child actor, his travels along the hippie trail, his wives and children, his devastating stroke and his Instagram notoriety
The Eyes of Gaza | Plestia Alaqad | $29 99 | Pan Macmillan
This moving memoir is an intimate glimpse at the first days of the 2023 genocide in Gaza Told as diary extracts, Palestinian journalist Alagad describes the horrors of her experience while sharing the spirit and humanity of Gaza’s people From the epicentre of turmoil, she recounts moments of unexpected tenderness, and gentle acts of quiet heroism and hope amid the chaos
Moral Ambition | Rutger Bregman | $34 99 | Bloomsbury
Do you believe in what you do? Is your own happiness not your only life goal? Bregman shows us that with moral ambition, we can be both idealistic and successful, and change the world along the way He examines qualities that made great change-makers so effective, and shows us how we, too, can use our talent to address the biggest challenges of our time
Kanpai! | Naomi Coleman | $32 99 | Smith Street Books
Inspired by the meticulous traditions and craftsmanship of Japanese mixology, Kanpai! features fifty Japanese cocktails, from much-loved classics to modern favourites Indeed, there is a cocktail for every occasion! With playful illustration to accompany the recipes, this colourful cocktail guide is the perfect gift for both seasoned imbibers and budding bartenders
Goodlord: An Email | Ella Frears | $22 99 | Hachette
Asked to make an account with ‘Goodlord’, the narrator launches into a rage-fuelled reply that swings between stories of houseshares, exploitative hospitality jobs, troubling relationships, and an artists’ residency that demands a transaction in return This is a blistering exploration of what it is to live in a world where everything has a price tag
Inconvenient Women | Jacqueline Kent | $34 99 | NewSouth Books
Throughout the 20th century, a group of trailblazing women writers challenged the nation's status quo: Miles Franklin invigorated the women ’ s movement, Mary Gilmore pioneered feminist journalism, Eleanor Dark explored the colonial displacement of Australia's Indigenous people, First Nations poet and activist Oodgeroo Noonuccal was crucial in reform for Indigenous peoples Kent traces these and other women ’ s stories, illuminating their courage and determination to change the world
Ritual | Edited by Sara M Saleh and Zaimab
Syed with Manal Younus | $19 99 | NewSouth Books
As Australia’s first-ever publication to showcase the work of Muslim-Australian poets, this ground-breaking new collection centres and celebrates the diversity of contemporary Muslim-Australian identities and experiences Through the timeless power of the written word, this anthology reaffirms that there is no single way to be Muslim and offers an urgent and necessary contribution to the global tradition of Islamic-inspired poetry
Mettle | Anne-Marie Te Whiu | $24 99 | Penguin
Mettle explores themes of land, community, language and culture Anne-Marie’s connection to her Maori culture is the heartbeat of this debut collection, allowing her to paint a world that is beautiful, at times tragic, but always home These poems speak to those who yearn for a far-away homeland – Meabh
Proto | Laura Spinney | $36 99 | Harper Collins
Spinney chips away at hundreds of contemporary languages to echo one of history’s most unlikely journeys: the way an ancient tongue spoken when the last ice age receded has shaped almost every present-day language
Through retracing Proto-IndoEuropean, those who carried and contributed to the spread of this language come alive – Arabella
Always Home, Always Homesick | Hannah Kent | $36 99 | Pan Macmillan
Burial Rites is one of my all-time favourites, so I was thrilled to read about Kent’s time researching the haunting story of Agnes Magnúsdóttir This is a love letter to Iceland (one of the most unique places in the world), a meditation on creativity and a compelling story of a writer at the start of a now successful career – Steph
The Devils | Joe Abercrombie | $34 99 | Hachette
Abercrombie is a tour de force in the grimdark fantasy genre His new book, set in an alternative European history where the Church rules with holy magic and devils hide in the dark, we follow a ragtag crew of heretics and criminals as they escort the long lost heir to the Holy Empire to her throne Laden with intrigue and dark magic, I loved it – Lewis
Pathamata Or, The Story of My Mouth | Maggie Nelson | $29 99 | Penguin Random House
Nelson’s new work thinks through the literal and symbolic role of the mouth of a writer, delivered through the clenched teeth of her experiences with chronic jaw pain Nelson writes about something by writing about something else, and here, the body in pain becomes a fascinating companion/adversary – Leona
The Children of Eve | John Connolly | $34 99 | Hachette
This is my first John Connolly, but suffice to say, I’m now a convert Charlie Parker is a superb character with a long and twisted history to draw from, and, despite the novel’s dark themes, he wears his wry humour with deft grace
Think Matt Scudder drinking bourbon with John Constantine (I can scarcely think of higher praise) – Connor
I'm Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself | Glynnis MacNicol | $34 99 | Allen & Unwin
In 2020, MacNicol, aged 46, unmarried with no children, spent 16 months alone in her tiny Manhattan apartment When the opportunity to sublet an apartment in Paris arose, she jumped at it What follows is a decadent, joyful, unexpected journey into the pursuit of radical enjoyment, filled with friendship, food and sex; dancing on the Seine; gooey cheese; midnight bike rides through empty streets; and plenty of nudity This is an intimate, insightful, powerful and pleasurable memoir of an intensely lived experience MacNicol documents the beauty, excess and triumph of a life that does not require permission
Bloomer | Carol Lefevre | $34 99 | Affirm Press
Framed by the turning of the seasons in her small suburban garden, Carol Lefevre's Bloomer documents the year she turned 70 Memoir threads through meditations on ageing, grief, loneliness, and our relationship with the past and mortality In this optimistic and eloquent coming-of-old-age book, Boomers – who marched against the Vietnam War, were the first generation to be liberated by the contraceptive pill, and adopted peace and love (with many still engaged in activism) – emerge as Bloomers: people not at the end of things but still on their way, ready to embrace a late-life flourishing
Fearless Beatrice Faust | Judith Brett | $36 99 | Text Publishing Faust was the transformative feminist activist, writer and intellectual who founded the Women's Electoral Lobby in Melbourne in 1972 She campaigned for abortion law reform, and thought, talked and wrote about sex and feminism from the 1960s through to the 1990s A force to be reckoned with, she also endured a miserable childhood and suffered chronic ill health Fearless Beatrice Faust celebrates, explains and questions her struggle to change both herself and her world Judith Brett creates a compelling and psychologically nuanced portrait of a gifted, argumentative woman who refused to be a victim
Garden People | Ursula Buchan | $34 99 | Thames & Hudson
Roald Dahl and his family in their garden at Great Missenden; Nancy Lancaster, society hostess and designer, sporting a a straw sombrero and snipping delicately at her roses; Vita Sackville-West at Sissinghurst – these and many other dedicated gardeners are captured here by Valerie Finnis With a spectacular cast of characters at home in their gardens, weeding, inspecting, watering and standing proudly by their plants, and epitomising life and society in the second half of the 20th century, this book will delight anyone with a love of British gardens or horticulture in general
For the Love of Lemons | Letitia Clark | $55 00 | Hardie Grant
From crisp summer salads to deliciously pasta dishes and indulgent sweet delights, food writer Letitia Clark’s latest book celebrates the versatility of the much-loved lemon Seamlessly weaving history, anecdote and stories, as well as ways to use lemons outside the kitchen, Clark dives into the enchanting world of this zingy citrus fruit with a vibrant collection of Italianinspired recipes Dishes include Lemony Burrata with Spring Vegetables and Pistachio Pesto, Creamy Lemon and Mascarpone Carbonara, Chicken with Lemon, Saffron and Artichokes and Lemon Tiramisu This beautiful book is sure to bring lemon’s appealing freshness and spark to your cooking!
Maggie the Dragon | Tony Armstrong | $24 99 | Hachette Maggie the Dragon is not scared of any creature, but others are sometimes scared of Maggie All she wants is have new adventures, but that’s hard when people run away from her When green lightning starts flashing in the sky, Maggie has to raise the alarm before the storm hits But can Maggie convince everyone she is there to help and not to harm?
Wild | Jack Ashby | $34 99 |
Thames & Hudson
Explore the rich diversity of the animal kingdom! In Wild, you will meet dozens of creatures with extraordinary abilities, then learn how they’ve adapted to thrive in the wild Discover the endless teeth of a great white shark, learn how bats can ‘ see ’ in the dark and understand why gentoo penguins are so cleverly coloured This book is bursting with life!
Downpour | Yuko Ohnari, translated by Emily Balistrieri | $29 99 | Thames & Hudson
A boy smells the air, listens to the raindrops, observes the symphony the downpour makes He feels the droplets on his skin, sees rivulets on the sidewalk, hears the rain hit his umbrella, and uses all his senses to experience the refreshing summer storm This gorgeous book is full of onomatopoeia to sound out and enjoy, rain or shine
Junkyard Fairies 2: Set Sail | Edwina Wyatt | $19 99 | Walker Books Fur, Tip and Nug are messy, bossy junkyard fairies who never eat their vegetables Having left their corner of the junkyard, they sail down the river on the back of a turtle called Old in search of a new place to live Join them as they navigate life on the river, meet new friends and learn what truly makes a home This delightful book is full of magic, charm, mischief and mayhem
Voice of the Ocean | Kelsey Impicciche | $19 99 | Hachette
As the Siren queen ’ s daughter, Celeste is desperate to prove her worth When she defies Siren law to save Prince Raiden’s life, the penalty should be death, but the queen asks her to right the wrong by assassinating the prince Determined to discover the truth, Celeste becomes human and discovers a world nothing like she expected Will Celeste be able to save herself? Or will her choices unravel a kingdom?
A Wizard of Earthsea | Ursula Le Guin | Graphic novel adaption by Fred Fordham | $27 99 | Walker Books
A stunning graphic novel edition of Le Guin’s classic fantasy adventure Ged, a poor smith’s son discovers a magical talent and is sent away to a wizard school where he summons a terrible shadow creature that continues to haunt him long after he finishes his training Eventually, he seeks advice from his old master who tells him that fears and shadows are to be faced, and that darkness is as much a part of us as the light
Dog by the Bakery Door | Jaime Bruce | $24 99 | NewSouth Books
Rudie and his mother visit a bakery and are entertained by a talented line-up of dogs (ever seen a dog juggle? They have!) This is a wonderful story for young children looking for whimsy coupled with rhyme, perfect for a reading session that will guarantee a good time! – Adina
The Gnome Book | Loes Riphagen | Translated by Michele Hutchison | $26.99 | Allen & Unwin
It’s tough being a Gnome in the modern world Luckily, this book has all essential information about Gnome life: what they eat, what they learn at school, how to make a signature Gnome hat, and much more! With its rich illustrations, fun facts and step-by-step guides, this book offers a healthy dose of magic, humour and fun! – Caro
The Surface Trials | H M Waugh | $18 99 | Allen & Unwin
On an alien planet, Ammy Antares and her fellow competitors vie for entry into an elite interplanetary academy – while being broadcasted to the entire Galaxy With mind-blowing action and twists around every corner, this amazing journey is ideal for adventurous kids, and perfect for fans of The Hunger Games – Hugh
Lulu is a Rhinoceros | Jason Flom | $29 99 | NewSouth Books | 3+
Lulu may have soft, fuzzy fur, but in her heart, she’s a rhinoceros and what she would really like is her very own horn As she sets out to find the thing that would make her complete, she discovers adventure, new friends, asks and answers questioning minds, and faces and overcomes challenges This is a story of bravery, courage and finding the true you – Robert
Taking the Long Way Home | Jack Hope | $18 99 | NewSouth Books
Not every trip home from school is boring in fact, it can be an unexpected adventure! Uncle Jerome proves just this to Zarah and her brother Through forests, crocodile-infested waters and encounters with tigers, this exciting picture book shows us the power of imagination! – Francesca
Song of the Lioness Book 1: Alanna | Tamora Pierce | Graphic novel adaption by Vita Ayala & Sam Beck | $24 99 | Thames & Hudson
I am beyond excited to see my favourite series become a graphic novel! Tamora Pierce is the queen of writing strong three-dimensional female characters who kick ass With intricate magic systems, unusual creatures, and complex characters, this series thrives in a diversely cultured world – Ruby
When She Was Gone Launch: Sara Foster in-conversation with Anna Downes
Thursday 8th May at 6.30pm
Upstairs at Better Read Than Dead
Mettle Launch: Anne-Marie Te Whiu in-conversation with Jazz Money
Wednesday 14th May at 6.30pm
Upstairs at Better Read Than Dead
The Introvert’s Guide to Leaving the House Launch: Jenny Valentish in-conversation with Benjamin Law
Thursday 29th May at 6.30pm
Upstairs at Better Read Than Dead
