Staff Reviews

Inside Mercedes F1: life in the fast lane of Formula One by Matt Whyman

Available in print 

With exclusive and unprecedented access to the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, award-winning writer Matt Whyman charts the journey of the Silver Arrows as they face their greatest challenge- the race back to the front. Once untouchable, the winner of seven Drivers' World Championships and eight consecutive Constructors' World Championships confront the reality of no longer being F1's top dog.

Whyman, fully embedded across the 2023 and 2024 seasons, follows decorated drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, Team Principal Toto Wolff, and the extraordinary men and women that design, build and race the team's cars as they fight back - on and off the track.

From the tension of pre-season testing to the thrill and glamour of race weekends - including blue riband events such as Silverstone, Monaco, and the first-ever Las Vegas Grand Prix - the book provides fascinating insight into the world of the fastest sport on earth and one of its most successful teams. Whyman reveals the pressure cooker environment of elite competition, shares the secrets of teamwork and high performance, and foregrounds the remarkable individuals who push to the limits in their quest for victory. The book will also include never-before-seen photographs of life inside the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team.

I hear motion: bands that soundtracked our lives 1980–89 by Jane Gazzo

Available in print

The ‘80s.The era of Hawke, a booming economy, big hair, genderbenders and the new-wave synth-pop explosion.

Every Sunday night, Australians would be glued to Countdown to watch the latest and local bands strut their stuff. Bands who became household names and soundtracked our lives in one of the most colourful and creative decades in Australian music.

I Hear Motion is a celebration of the Aussie bands we loved: Models, Machinations, Wa Wa Nee, Real Life, Kids in the Kitchen, Do-Re-Mi, Koo De Tah, Eurogliders, Boom Crash Opera and more – and what happened to them following the end of the decade. With interviews, never-before seen photos and archives of the time, plus never-before told stories about the songs, bands, excesses and break-ups, I Hear Motion is a must-have for every Australian music fan.

Crochet monsters by Megan Lapp

Available in print

Crochet Monsters contains instructions for 37 unique bodies and more than 15 teeth patterns, tongues and horns, hair and scales, tails and limbs and more! Nearly everything is interchangeable so with over 30 limb options and so many more ways to customize your Monster, you can make a unique creature every time you return to this book.

With more than 35 Monster body options, plus myriad variations for limbs, mouths and teeth, horns, antennae, tails, scales, and so much more, you will never make the same Monster twice. Choose from wide-open mouths with fangs to adorable Monsters with bunny ears and a cat tail to Monsters with hair poufs and scales. Make one-eyed spiders or three-eyed aliens, dragons with scales or little friends that don’t match any known monster to date. There is nearly no limit to the variations you can combine!

All Monsters use worsted weight and/or sport weight yarn and a size G-6 (4 mm) hook. Patterns are appropriate for beginner through advanced crocheters. If a stitch is new to you, just turn to the Glossary for detailed instructions on how to work it. Photos are included for each pattern piece and any complex stitches so you can be sure you are on the right track as you work.

Choosing your next Monster’s look is half the fun. Get family and friends involved in picking options for their own Monster and share the creativity! Get excited for these Monsters to skitter, galumph, stomp, and roll right off your hook!

The last dynasty: Ancient Egypt from Alexander the Great to Cleopatra by Toby Wilkinson

Available in print

When Alexander the Great arrived in Egypt, he overthrew the hated Persian overlords and was welcomed as a saviour. He repaid them by showing due reverence to their long-held traditions. After his death, as the Greek empire broke up and his closest advisers squabbled over the spoils, a Macedonian general named Ptolemy seized the Egyptian throne, ushering in a new dynasty that would last for 300 years.

What followed was as dramatic and compelling as any period in Egyptian history. The unique blend of Greek and Egyptian cultures led to an unprecedented flowering of learning, as the new city of Alexandria became home to the Great Library, the largest in the ancient world, that attracted the brightest minds. Wars, incest, double-dealing, foreign empires and huge wealth all followed, but the rise of the Roman empire would eventually bring the Ptolemaic era crashing to a close.

Helped by the latest archaeological discoveries and using original papyrus documents, Toby Wilkinson uncovers a story that can only now be fully told. From courtly life to the role of women, from international trade to the tensions between native Egyptians and incoming Greeks, all aspects of life are here. Filled with surprising insights, vivid descriptions and larger-than-life characters, and written in the author's compelling narrative style, The Last Dynasty will appeal to all lovers of history, archaeology, art and culture.

Australia's 50 best multi-day walks edited by Wendy Bruere

Available in print

Australia contains a vast wealth of magnificent long-distance walks, each sure to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Whether you seek to gaze at profound mountain views or experience a living green cathedral, be awed by some of the world’s best coastal scenery or thrilled by an unexpected wildlife encounter, there is something out there for you. Some of Australia’s most experienced guidebook writers, including John and Monica Chapman, have come together with editor and writer Wendy Bruere to showcase the very best of Australia’s multi-day walks, from two-day hops to major multi-week challenges. Evocative descriptions, vivid photography, essential planning information and easy-to-grasp maps will both inspire you and help you to decide on which trail will be the right one for your party’s next adventure.

Lonely Planet's best in travel 2025 from Lonely Planet

Available in print

Discover the greatest places to experience right now in this epic annual bestselling guide that ranks the world's hottest countries, regions, and cities. Featuring Lonely Planet’s traditional top 10 lists plus NEW top 10 categories, amazing photography and insider tips, you'll find mountains of inspiration to take you from the ordinary to the unforgettable.

Want to know more about the emerging travel hotspots and best value destinations for 2025? You've come to the right place. An expert panel of self-confessed travel geeks have joined forces once again to present a year's worth of exciting must-visit places and out-of-this-world experiences. This book features details on when to go with practical advice and indispensable travel tips to help you get there. Destinations voted on by Lonely Planet's writers, staff and community

Never has there been a more hotly contested topic at Lonely Planet than the best places to visit. This book is our answer. It is the perfect gift for globetrotters in search of new adventures, and the ultimate self-purchase for anyone thinking of planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip in the year to come.

Vegan Japan by Julia Boucachard

Available in print

Warming soups and slurp-able noodles. Refreshing vegetable sides. Indulgent street foods. Adorable bite-size desserts.

Japanese French chef Julia Boucachard grew up devouring all of the above. When she went vegan, she was determined not to give up any of her childhood favourites. In Vegan Japan, she shows that cooking nourishing, flavour-packed plant-based Japanese food doesn’t have to be complicated.

With an emphasis on seasonality, balanced flavours, and simple techniques, this is her plant-based celebration of Japanese cuisine and the myriad vegetables that make their way onto the Japanese plate.

With beautiful photography and charming illustrations throughout, Vegan Japan is your one-stop ticket to authentic plant-based Japanese home cooking.

Chloe's vegan kitchen by Chloe Wheatland

Available in print

Mouth-watering food meets mindfulness in this modern vegan cookbook by social media sensation, Chloe Wheatland.

With 90 recipes full of flavour, vibrant colour and nutrition, Chloe has you covered for any time of the day, from breakfast to snacks and dinners to desserts. Over one million followers online love Chloe’s irresistible and easy-to-make vegan recipes, and now you can enjoy them too! Whether it’s tucking in to a tray of loaded nachos or cosying up with a warm raspberry crumble, Chloe’s Vegan Kitchen is brimming with plant-based eats that are good for the mind, body and soul.

Chloe’s holistic, joyful approach to life also goes beyond her amazing recipes, helping you to identify, affirm and manifest your personal goals. From cultivating a better morning routine to letting go of perfectionism, Chloe shares her practices for succeeding beyond the kitchen and into everyday life.

If you are on the search for fresh and tasty vegan meals or interested in improving your wellbeing, you are sure to take something away from Chloe’s collection of delicious recipes and tips for a gratifying life.

Good cooking every day by Julia Busuttil Nishimura

Available in print

Julia Busuttil Nishimura is one of Australia's best-loved food personalities, renowned for her generous, uncomplicated, seasonal cooking.

Good Cooking Every Day is all about simple food and creating memorable meals. This collection of brilliant recipes includes a guide to creating menus for any occasion, from a celebration of summer produce to pure comfort food in cooler weather, a simple family dinner to a relaxed lunch with friends. Julia pairs ingredients in harmonious and delicious ways, with recipes for every season. This is everyday eating at its very best.

Dogs and their humans: stories of healing and hope from the Supervet’s surgery by Noel Fitzpatrick

Available in print 

There’s no love quite like that between a dog and their human.

When people come to see Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick at his referral hospital, they are in desperate need of his help. No matter who they are – a serving member of the military, a young boy whose dog is his best friend, a couple at a crossroads – they all have one thing in common: hope that Noel may be able to heal their animal companion.

In his thirty years as a vet, Noel has seen people from all walks of life come through his doors. And through stories of his cases, he shares his unique perspective on our often hilarious and sometimes heartbreaking relationship with dogs. Filled with warmth, love and characters from Thor the Pyrenean Mountain Dog to Bertie the Pomeranian, with every shape and size in between, this is a celebration of our connection with man’s best friend.

Fix your dog in three easy steps: be your own dog behaviourist by Leon Towers

Fix any problem and become your own dog behaviourist in three simple steps.

Does your dog have a rogue recall? Is your garden a canine racetrack? Are you fed up with your pup barking every time you open the door?

By looking at three things: environment, mental stimulation, and diet, qualified dog behaviourist and nutritionist, Leon Towers, promises to transform any challenging canine behaviour - from biting to barking, and aggression to separation anxiety.

Drawing on science-backed strategies and decades of experience, Leon's approach has improved the lives of over 16,000 dogs so far. In this stress-free guide, he puts himself in your living room, and offers readers a personalised, easy-to-follow training plan, covering diet, exercise, mental stimulation, and more.

Including real-life case studies, a breakdown of all the theory, and a treasure trove of handy dos and don'ts, you'll not only shape up your four-legged friend, but also, sustain lasting, life-long results. Grab some treats, a squeaker, and a long (ish) lead, and let Leon turn you into the ultimate dog behaviourist, right from the comfort of your own den!

Bark! The science of helping your anxious, fearful, or reactive dog by Zazie Todd

Available in print

The must-have guide to addressing anxious, fearful, or reactive behaviours in your dog through positive reinforcement, from certified dog trainer and animal behaviourist Zazie Todd.

Is your dog showing signs of fear, anxiety, or reactivity, such as biting, food guarding, shyness, or aggressive barking? You’re not alone. Close to 75% of dogs struggle with fear-based behaviours and require our support and understanding to feel safe and secure.

In Bark!, Zazie Todd provides solutions for these behaviours. Decoding the latest canine science, she shows readers how to address the root cause of your dog’s fears, with expert advice and practical tips on:

• How to tackle common canine fears, such as loud noises, the vet, separation anxiety, and other dogs.
• How to manage a dog’s natural fear responses through positive reinforcement.
• How to keep your dog, yourself, and others safe when they are fearful or reactive.
• How to create safe havens for your dog and make yourself a secure base for them no matter where they are.

Compassionate, practical, and rooted in science, Bark! helps dog owners understand the many factors that might be causing fear within your dog, and how you can help them lead a safe and happy life.

Pet selector! A hilarious guide to all the usual and unusual household pets by Russell Kane

Available in print

Pet Selector! is both a practical guide to finding a pet and a hugely entertaining account of pet personalities from one of the BIGGEST animal lovers out there. Each entry includes an overview of the breed, an account of its temperament, the history of the breed or pet, and a handy score so you can rank each pet based on playfulness, lovingness and more.

So, whether you're looking for the purrfect pet or you just want to learn all about our furry and scaly friends, giggle through this guide full of facts, photos and more

The elements of Marie Curie: how the glow of radium lit a path for women in science by Dava Sobel

Available in print

For decades Marie Curie was the only woman in the room at international scientific gatherings, and despite constant illness she travelled far and wide to share the secrets of radioactivity, a term she coined. She is still the only person to win a Nobel Prize in two scientific fields.

Her ingenuity extended far beyond the laboratory walls; grieving the death of her husband, Pierre, she took his place as professor of physics at the Sorbonne, devotedly raised two daughters, drove a van she outfitted with x-ray equipment to the front lines of World War I, befriended Albert Einstein and inspired generations of young women to pursue science as a way of life.

Approaching Marie Curie from a unique angle, Sobel navigates her remarkable discoveries and fame alongside the women who became her legacy – from Norway’s Ellen Gleditsch and France’s Marguerite Perry, who discovered the element francium, to her own daughter, Irene, a Nobel Prize winner in her own right. The Elements of Marie Curie deftly illuminates the trailblazing life and enduring influence of one of the most consequential figures of our time.

Boy from the Valleys by Luke Evans

Available in print

From his humble beginnings in a quaint Welsh mining village to the dazzling lights of Hollywood, much-loved star, Luke Evans takes us on a poignant and inspiring journey that spans from the heart of Wales to behind the scenes of the global stage.

Growing up in a small village in the Rhymney Valley, south Wales, Luke Evans’' early life was shaped by his Jehovah's Witness upbringing. While most children of his age spent their Saturday mornings watching Going Live on television, young Luke would dress in a suit and tie and join his parents to knock on doors to spread the word of his religion. From an early age, he felt different. This feeling of displacement was not limited to his faith; as he came to terms with his own sexuality, he also faced a difficult and uncertain path. In his poignant, tender and often humorous account, Luke shares his bold decision to leave home – and the religion – at seventeen to move to London, where the vibrant Soho scene captured his heart, invigorated his creative journey as an actor and opened a whole new world of opportunity.

In finding himself, Luke also discovered his passions of singing, acting and performing. Starring first on the West End stages in iconic productions like Miss Saigon, Avenue Q and Rent, he quickly captivated the hearts of audiences and caught the eye of Hollywood's elite, going on to secure roles in blockbuster films such as The Hobbit, Beauty and the Beast, Fast and Furious and Dracula Untold.

In this intimate memoir, Luke takes us behind the scenes of his career on the stage and screen. He writes beautifully of the relationship he now has with his family and the respect they all have for one another on their different paths. Luke's story is a powerful tale of resilience, courage, and the pursuit of finding a sense of belonging and identity, but mostly (and hopefully) a story of inspiration.

Songbird: an intimate biography of Christine McVie by Lesley-Ann Jones

Available in print

Christine McVie - born Christine Perfect - was the quintessentially English rock star, as both the backbone and the beating heart of Fleetwood Mac.

Straddling the band's incarnations to achieve global fame alongside Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood, Lindsey Buckingham and John McVie, the classic line-up, she wrote and performed many of their greatest hits.

As famous for their occasionally life-threateningly decadent lifestyles as for their musical brilliance, they were held together by this strong, constant figure whom they dubbed 'the mother' of the band. It was Christine who contained the flock, regrouped them when they went AWOL, focused and blended their talents and always got them back on track.

And yet, as the 'engine' of the band during their Rumours era - an album that unwittingly charted the complete romantic disintegration within the band - Christine's personal life was every bit as tempestuous as those of her bandmates, weathering affairs, divorce, addiction and fiery passion, all of which bled into her now iconic song-writing.

Told by an author who herself was friends with Christine, and with new contributions from those who knew her best, Songbird offers a true insider's view, and deep psychological insight into Christine as a both a woman and a musician - the first, the only, the ultimate picture of a rock legend and a national treasure.

Australia's greatest stories by Graham Seal

Available in print

Some of the world's oldest stories are told beneath Australian skies. Master storyteller Graham Seal takes us on a journey through time, from ancient narratives recounted across generations to the symbols and myths that resonate with Australians today.

He uncovers tales of ancient floods and volcanic eruptions, and shows us Australia's own silk road. He locates the real Crocodile Dundee and explores the truth behind the legend of the Pilliga Princess. He retells old favourites such as the great flood at Gundagai, the boundary rider's wife and the Australian who invented the first military tank, and presents little known figures like mailman Jimmy, who carried the post barefoot across the Nullarbor Plain, architect Edith Emery and Paddy the Poet, as well as the unusual sporting techniques of the Gumboot Tortoise.

These yarns of ratbags, rebels, heroes and villains, unsettling legends and clever creations reveal that it's the small, human stories that, together, make up the greater story of Australia and its people.

Australian ghost stories by James Phelps

Available in print and eAudiobook

The most haunted home that world-famous ghost hunter Lorraine Warren ever stepped foot in was a three-bedroom brick home in suburban Sydney - forget the horrors of Amityville and delve into Australia’s most haunted places.

Australian Ghost Stories is a spine-tingling collection of true crime tales that will leave you feeling haunted long after you've turned the last page. From the ghostly apparitions that haunt historic landmarks to diabolical presences in everyday suburban houses, these are stories of ordinary Australians and their encounters with the unexplainable.

This thrilling blend of true crime and supernatural encounters will leave you questioning everything you know about this world ... and the next.

I decided to live as me by Kim Suhyun

Available in print 

As soon as the author, Kim Suhyun graduated into the adult world, she faced a harsh reality. Everywhere she looked people stepped on each other to get ahead, obsessed over money, and judged others based on the unrealistic standards they saw on social media. It seemed impossible not to compare herself to others and feel that she was ever good enough.

With words of comfort and charming illustrations throughout, Kim Suhyun will inspire you on your own journey of self-love, self-acceptance and self-compassion. Blending self-help and memoir, I Decided to Live as Me will help you free yourself from the pressures of living up to other people’s expectations and focus on what truly matters: living not for anyone else, but for yourself.

The thinking heart by David Grossman

Available in print

A hundred and fifty years of conflict. What does that do to a person’s soul, to the spirit of a nation? To both the occupied and the occupier?

International Booker Prize-winning Israeli novelist David Grossman has spent decades campaigning for peace in Israel and Palestine. But after October 7th, 2023, a day marking the biggest loss of Jewish life in this century, David Grossman was prompted to trace the years leading up to that day and the ensuing war through a string of failures by a morally bankrupt party clinging to power.

He documents the struggle being fought on both sides between those committed to conflict, and the many who simply want to live in peace. Ultimately, Grossman arrives at the most important question of all: Will there ever be a lasting peace in the region?

Together we fall apart by Sophie Matthiesson

Available in print, large print and eBook

A beautifully crafted debut novel from a compelling new voice in Australian fiction.

For the past seven years, Clare has been living in London. She works for a judge on child protection cases. Her partner, Miriam, is devoted to raising their young son, Rupert – their days are dominated by nap times, laundry, and hiding from each other.

When Clare returns to Melbourne to visit her ailing father, another crisis looms – her brother Max’s long-term drug addiction. She turns her efforts towards helping Max into rehab, but is this at the expense of her family back in London? Moving, heartbreaking and devastatingly insightful, Together We Fall Apart is a story about running away and coming home.

The wild reciter by Peter Kirkpatrick

Available in print

Poetry and Popular Culture in Australia 1890-2020

Just over a century ago poetry was all the rage in Australia. Newspapers and magazines published it, entertainers and elocutionists performed it on stages across the country, and ordinary Australians recited it in schools, local halls and suburban parlours. Yet this communal experience of poetry has now largely disappeared.

In The Wild Reciter Peter Kirkpatrick examines how this change occurred by exploring the shifting relationships between poetry and popular culture, and in particular the arrival of a new media and the introduction of poetry slams. Many extraordinary yet wholly forgotten works are brought to light, while some well-known poems and their authors receive a critical makeover.

'The Man from Snowy River' encounters the Wild West; Lesbia Harford turns singer-songwriter; Kenneth Slessor finds his groove; Yevgeny Yevtushenko blows up the Adelaide Festival; rock music inspires both John Laws and the Generation of '68; Dorothy Porter resorts to crime fiction; and Clive James abandons media fame for poetic glory.

This pioneering study reimagines the history of Australian verse to arrive at a more expansive notion of poetry.

Out in nowhere by Fleur McDonald

Available in print, CD and eBook

Left alone on the vast cattle station with her baby while her husband, Alex, works the farm, Hallie Donaldson is having trouble adjusting to the flies, dust, snakes and isolation in the Flinders Ranges.

At least today, Hallie knows that she and their daughter Ruby can watch Alex on the security camera erected at the windmill where he'll be working. But something goes horribly wrong, and he suddenly disappears from view.

Alex is found later, dead at the bottom of the windmill.

The god of the woods by Liz Moore

Available in print

Some said it was tragic, what happened to the Van Laars.

Some said the family deserved it. That they never even thanked the searchers who stayed out for five nights in the freezing forest trying to help find their missing son. Some said there was a reason it took the family so long to call for help. That they knew what happened to the boy. Now, fifteen years later, the Van Laars’ teenage daughter has gone missing in the same wilderness as her brother. Some say the two disappearances aren’t connected.

Some say they are.

The boyfriend by Frieda McFadden

Available in print

She's looking for the perfect man. He's looking for the perfect victim.

Sydney Shaw, like every single woman in New York, has terrible luck with dating. She's seen it all- men who lie in their dating profile, men who stick her with the dinner bill, and worst of all, men who can't shut up about their mothers. But finally, she hits the jackpot. Her new boyfriend is utterly perfect. He's charming, handsome, and works as a doctor at a local hospital. Sydney is swept off her feet. Then the brutal murder of a young woman-the latest in a string of deaths across the coast-confounds police. The primary suspect? A mystery man who dates his victims before he kills them.

Theory & practice by Michelle De Kretser

Available in print and eBook

It's 1986, and 'beautiful, radical ideas' are in the air. A young woman arrives in Melbourne to research the novels of Virginia Woolf.

In bohemian St Kilda she meets artists, activists, students - and Kit. He claims to be in a 'deconstructed' relationship, and they become lovers. Meanwhile, her work on the Woolfmother falls into disarray.

Cher: the memoir, part one by Cher

Available in print

The extraordinary life of Cher can be told by only one person . . . Cher herself. After more than seventy years of fighting to live her life on her own terms, Cher finally reveals her true story in intimate detail, in a two-part memoir.

Her remarkable career is unique and unparalleled. The only woman to top Billboard charts in seven consecutive decades, she is the winner of an Academy Award, an Emmy, a Grammy, and a Cannes Film Festival Award, and an inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame who has been lauded by the Kennedy Center. She is a longtime activist and philanthropist. 

We are the stars by Gina Chick

Available in print, CD and eBook

Gina Chick, the inaugural winner of Alone Australia, tells the story of her extraordinary, indomitable life in one of the most powerful, moving memoirs you will ever read. From day one of her wildly unconventional childhood, Gina Chick blazed her own trail, which led her to dance through the hidden world of 90's Sydney nightlife into the arms of a conman. She fled to the wilderness to find healing, began a wondrous love affair with the deepest lessons life - and death - can offer, and found that all the answers are written in the wisdom of the body and the whirling silence of stars.

If you're ready to get lost in jungles, wander into wolf-dens, sing with storms, rescue orphaned animals, dive to the depths, dance 'til your knees wobble, fall in love, find yourself by losing it all, and most of all be real; this book is for you. We Are the Stars is a magic carpet ride through the exquisite mystery of the human heart. You've never read anything like it.