Staff Reviews

Minecraft the voyage by Jason Fry

Available in print 

Join a daring expedition into strange new lands with this official Minecraft novel! When a young man is ripped from his quiet life and stranded far from home, he must learn not only how to survive, but how to live.

Stax Stonecutter has lived a peaceful—if unremarkable—life in his small town in the Overworld. The son of great adventurers and wise builders, Stax prefers an easier life. He loves to tend to his gardens and play with his cats all day, rather than venturing out to explore the surrounding lands. It’s quiet on his estate, even lonely sometimes, but it suits Stax well enough.

His solitude is shattered when a mysterious stranger arrives with a band of merciless raiders. In one terrible night, Stax’s old life is taken from him, and he is left stranded in the middle of nowhere, angry and alone. 

The Autist’s guide to the galaxy by Clara Törnvall

Available in print

A playful guide to understanding the ways of ‘normal people’, The Autist’s Guide to the Galaxy flips our usual scripts about neurodiversity. Following on from her internationally successful memoir, The Autists, Clara Törnvall has written a fun, comprehensive, and accessible explanation of neurotypical, or ‘normal’, behaviour. Full of facts, tips, and tests, and developed with input from other autists, this book places the difficulties autists face in the context of a world built for the neurotypical majority. It will help neurodiverse people — and their families, friends, and loved ones — navigate this world, nurture stronger relationships, and thrive.

Long live evil by Sarah Rees Breannan

Available in print

A tale for anyone who's ever fallen for the villain...    

When her whole life collapsed, Rae still had books. Dying, she seizes a second chance at living: a magical bargain that lets her enter the world of her favourite fantasy series. She wakes in a castle on the edge of a hellish chasm, in a kingdom on the brink of war. Home to dangerous monsters, scheming courtiers and her favourite fictional character: the Once and Forever Emperor. He's impossibly alluring, as only fiction can be. And in this fantasy world, she discovers she's not the heroine, but the villainess in the Emperor's tale.

So be it. The wicked are better dressed, with better one-liners, even if they're doomed to bad ends. She assembles the wildly disparate villains of the story under her evil leadership, plotting to change their fate. But as the body count rises and the Emperor's fury increases, it seems Rae and her allies may not survive to see the final page.

The girl who thought in pictures by Temple Grandin

Available in print

If you’ve ever felt different, if you’ve ever been low,
if you don’t quite fit in, there’s a name you should know…

Meet Dr. Temple Grandin—one of the world’s quirkiest science heroes!
When young Temple was diagnosed with autism, no one expected her to talk, let alone become one of the most powerful voices in modern science. Yet, the determined visual thinker did just that. Her unique mind allowed her to connect with animals in a special way, helping her invent groundbreaking improvements for farms around the globe!

The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin is the first book in a brand new educational series about the inspirational lives of amazing scientists. In addition to the illustrated rhyming tale, you’ll find a complete biography, fun facts, a colourful timeline of events, and even a note from Temple herself!

Unlock your aesthetic by Maris Jones

Available in print

Unlock Your Aesthetic guides readers on a journey of brand self-discovery through a series of personal stories, visually captivating guides, and quirky prompts. Jones helps you tap into your creative voice by building on your specific interests and tastes in everything from fashion, music, art, décor, colour, and more. You’ll learn how to bring your unique creative visions to life, whether you’re putting together a show-stopping look for a big party or creating a video for your social media channel.

Whether you are a seasoned professional or just beginning your creative journey, this book offers valuable insights and practical tips for finding your own aesthetic and expressing it through every aspect of your life. With Jones's expert guidance, you'll learn how to embrace your interests and passions and turn them into a visually stunning cohesive brand.

James by Percival Everett

Available in print and eBook

The Mississippi River, 1861. When the enslaved Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a new owner in New Orleans and separated from his wife and daughter forever, he decides to hide on nearby Jackson's Island until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck Finn has faked his own death to escape his violent father who recently returned to town.

Thus begins a dangerous and transcendent journey by raft along the Mississippi River, toward the elusive promise of free states and beyond. As James and Huck begin to navigate the treacherous waters, each bend in the river holds the promise of both salvation and demise.

With rumours of a brewing war, James must face the burden he carries: the family he is desperate to protect and the constant lie he must live. And together, the unlikely pair must face the most dangerous odyssey of them all . . .

From the shadows of Huck Finn's mischievous spirit, Jim emerges to reclaim his voice, defying the conventions that have consigned him to the margins.

Sister Viv by Grantlee Kieza

Available in print, large print, eBook and eAudiobook

Bangka Island, 1942: Australian Army nurse Vivian Bullwinkel was just twenty-six when Japanese soldiers marched her and her fellow nurses into the shallow waters of a remote beach to be executed.

Miraculously, Vivian would be the lone survivor - and she committed the rest of her long life to an exceptional peacetime career which she lived in tribute to her lost friends. The Lieutenant-Colonel would also be the first woman to be honoured with a statue at the Australian War Memorial for her extraordinary bravery and service - a country girl who became one of the highest-ranking women in the Australian army, and who spent her life caring for others.

Growing up in Broken Hill, New South Wales, Vivian started work at a local hospital and joined the Australian Army Nursing Service in World War II. When the Japanese attacked Singapore in 1942, she and sixty-four other nurses were ordered to evacuate, but soon their ship was bombed by enemy aircraft. Some of the women drowned, but Viv made it to Radji Beach on Bangka Island, off Sumatra, with twenty-one of her nursing colleagues.

Wing by Nikki Gemmell

Available in print and eBook

Students from an elite girls' school go on a camping trip into the Australian bush. Four of them - a girl gang, a group of best friends dubbed 'The Cins' by the teachers - become separated from the main group. A male teacher volunteers to look for them.

None of the five come back.

A major search immediately gets underway. Days crawl past, agonisingly, with no sign of the girls or their teacher. The principal of the school, godmother to one of the missing students, is desperately trying to hold the parents, the school community - and herself - together. She needs to find out what happened before the police do. Finally, separated and traumatised, the four girls re-appear. But the male teacher does not.

And The Cins aren't talking.

Just for the summer by Abby Jimenez

Available in print 

To find their soulmates, all they need is four dates, a kiss and a breakup . . .

Justin has a curse, and thanks to a Reddit thread, it's now all over the internet. Every woman he dates goes on to find their soul mate the second they break up. When a woman slides into his DMs with the same problem, they come up with a plan: They'll date each other and break up. Their curses will cancel each other's out, and they'll both go on to find the love of their lives. It's a bonkers idea . . . and it just might work.

Emma hadn't planned that her next assignment as a traveling nurse would be in Minnesota, but she and her best friend agree that dating Justin is too good of an opportunity to pass up, especially when they get to rent an adorable cottage on a private island on Lake Minnetonka.

It's supposed to be a quick fling, just for the summer. But when Emma's toxic mother shows up and Justin has to assume guardianship of his three siblings, they're suddenly navigating a lot more than they expected - including catching real feelings for each other. What if this time Fate has actually brought the perfect pair together?

This is why we lied by Karin Slaughter

Available in print 

Everyone here is a liar, but only one of us is a killer...

Welcome to the McAlpine Lodge: a remote mountain getaway, it's the height of escapist luxury living. Except that everyone here is lying. Lying about their past. Lying to their family. Lying to themselves. Then one night, Mercy McAlpine - until now the good daughter - threatens to expose everybody's secrets. Just hours later, Mercy is dead. In an area this remote, it's easy to get away with murder. But Will Trent and Sara Linton - investigator and medical examiner for the GBI - are here on their honeymoon.

And now, with the killer poised to strike again, the holiday of a lifetime becomes a race against the clock ...

From here to the great unknown by Lisa Marie Presley & Riley Keough

Available in print, eBook and eAudiobook

In 2022, Lisa Marie Presley asked her daughter to help finally finish her long-gestating memoir.

A month later, Lisa Marie was dead, and the world would never know her story in her own words, never know the passionate, joyful, caring, and complicated woman that Riley loved and grieved.

Riley got the tapes that her mother had recorded for the book, laid in her bed, and listened as Lisa Marie told story after story about smashing golf carts together in the yards of Graceland, about the unconditional love she felt from her father, about being upstairs, just the two of them. About her singular, lifelong relationship with Danny Keough, about being married to Michael Jackson, what they shared in common. About motherhood. About deep addiction. About ever-present grief. Riley knew she had to fulfill her mother's wish to reveal these memories, incandescent and painful, to the world.

This extraordinary book is composed of both Lisa Marie's and Riley's voice, a mother and daughter communicating across the transom of death as they try to heal each other. 

Maggie’s recipe for life by Maggie Beer

Available in print 

With over 200 delicious recipes and the latest scientific research, bestselling author Maggie Beer and leading Alzheimer’s researcher Professor Ralph Martins show us how to eat and live well to promote optimum brain health to help fight one of the most debilitating diseases of our later years. This second edition contains a new introduction and 13 recipes from the ABC TV series Maggie Beer’s Big Mission.

Maggie Beer and Professor Ralph Martins have teamed up to fight one of the most debilitating diseases of our later years. Based on the latest scientific research, Maggie has created more than 200 recipes that help provide the nutrients we need for optimum brain health. More than one million Australians are affected every day by Alzheimer’s, directly or indirectly, but the good news is that you can eat well to age well, from this moment on.

Not just jam by Matthew Evans

Available in print

Farmer, former chef and food critic Matthew Evans shares the art of preserving when the bounty is at its best.

This book is Fat Pig farm's ode to the surplus of the seasons. Overwhelmed by ripe fruit, or mountains of rhubarb, we have found ways to preserve what we grow, and what grows near us.

Not Just Jam is farmer Matthew Evans' collection of more than 90 modern recipes for old-fashioned preserving methods. It is for the forager, who scours the suburbs looking for fruit trees whose bounty is overlooked by others; for the cook, who wants their dishes to resonate with flavours borne from their own hands; and for anyone who is passionate about flavour.

It’s not hysteria by Dr Karen Tang

Available in print

Did you know that up to 90% of women experience menstrual abnormalities or pelvic problems in their lifetime? Yet these issues are overwhelmingly misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or dismissed. Conditions such as PCOS, endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts, PMDD, or pelvic floor dysfunction, don’t receive the stream of funding for research and new treatments that other conditions do, despite affecting up to half the population.

It's Not Hysteria shares critical knowledge that anyone impacted by these conditions desperately needs. Covering everything from the anatomy and reproductive health basics you wish you learned at school, to issues such as abnormal periods, PCOS, endometriosis, and fibroids, to more complex aspects of gynaecologic care like fertility, sexual health, and hysterectomies. Dr Tang's accessible advice empowers readers to act and advocate for themselves with healthcare professionals.

Archaeology by Colin Renfrew, Paul Bahn, Elizabeth DeMarrais

Available in print

Known for being an accessible and authoritative introduction, Archaeology: Theories, Methods and Practice has been updated in the Ninth Edition to include new discoveries in archaeology, innovations in field and laboratory methods, as well as covering the latest developments in archaeological theory.

Collaborating with Colin Renfrew and Paul Bahn, new co-author, Elizabeth DeMarrais, updates earlier editions’ clear presentation of archaeology’s history, theory and ethics. The contributions made by women, people of colour, and Indigenous communities to the study of the human past are highlighted. New theoretical sections address Indigenous archaeology, ontology, post-colonial theory and historical archaeology. Sections on the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage and the changing role of museums are included. The Ninth Edition includes broader coverage of approaches to identity, ethnicity, and the archaeology of the modern world.

The caretaker by Gabriel Bergmoser

Available in print, large print and eAudiobook

Pushing fifty and reeling from an ugly divorce, Paul has decided it's time for an adventure. With the Bee Gees on the radio and the open road ahead, he sets out into the middle of nowhere, open to whatever comes.

But things take a sinister turn when he impulsively decides to pick up a hitchhiker. Clutching a ragged backpack with his eyes locked on the rear-view mirror, it's clear this twitchy young man is running from something. But what? And when the truth is revealed, how far will he - and Paul - go to survive?

A talent for murder by Peter Swanson

Available in print and eBook

Martha Ratliff conceded long ago that she'd likely spend her life alone. She was fine with it, happy with her solo existence, stimulated by her work as a librarian in Maine. But then she met Alan, a charming and sweet-natured salesman whose job took him on the road for half the year. When he asked her to marry him, she said yes, even though he still felt a little bit like a stranger.

A year in and the marriage was good, except for that strange blood streak on the back of one of his shirts he'd worn to a conference in Denver. Her curiosity turning to suspicion, Martha investigates the cities Alan visited over the past year and uncovers a disturbing pattern--five unsolved cases of murdered women. Is she married to a serial killer? Or could it merely be a coincidence?

Unsure what to think, Martha contacts an old friend from graduate school for advice. Lily Kintner once helped Martha out of a jam with an abusive boyfriend and may have some insight. Intrigued, Lily offers to meet Alan to find out what kind of man he really is . . .but what Lily uncovers is more perplexing and wicked than they ever could have expected.

The bell tower by R J Ellory

Available in print

Injured during a drug bust, Deputy Garrett Nelson finds himself out of the Sheriff's Department. Uncertain of his future, he takes a job at a Florida Penitentiary. Situated on the grounds of an old Spanish mission, the bell tower is now an execution chamber.

After a dangerous manhunt for escaped convicts through the Everglades, Nelson's belief in the justice system is tested to the limit. In a heartbreaking conflict of duty versus conscience, he must decide whether he's willing to let the State execute an innocent man or risk his own life and family in order to find the truth.

The mercy chair by M W Craven

Available in print and eAudiobook

Washington Poe has a story to tell. And he needs you to listen. You'll hear how it started with the robber birds. Crows. Dozens of them. Enough for a murder . . . He'll tell you about a man who was tied to a tree and stoned to death, a man who had tattooed himself with a code so obscure, even the gifted analyst Tilly Bradshaw struggled to break it. He'll tell you how the man's murder was connected to a tragedy that happened fifteen years earlier when a young girl massacred her entire family. And finally, he'll tell you about the mercy chair. And why people would rather kill themselves than talk about it . . . Poe hopes you've been paying attention. Because in this story, nothing is as it seems . . .

The ski trip by Sarah Clarke

Available in print and eAudiobook

When four friends embark on a boys’ skiing holiday in the Alps, they anticipate a weekend of fun, drinking, and some healthy competition on the slopes. But their trip is cut short when one of them falls to his death.

A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT… Tom’s widow, Zoe travels to France with her friend, Ivy to collect his body. While Zoe is consumed by grief, Ivy starts to question everything. OR COLD-BLOODED MURDER? The slope Tom fell from wasn’t dangerous, and tensions between the group were at breaking point in the days before his death.

But if Ivy’s suspicions are correct, Tom was killed by one of his closest friends. And they are still in the chalet…

Back Roads: the great Aussie road trip by Heather Ewart

Available in print and eBook

There's no better way to see this vast country of ours than by hitting roads along the coastline, or heading inland to the mountains, deserts and wide, open plains. As host of ABC TV's Back Roads, Heather Ewart has travelled thousands of kilometres over a multitude of routes - some bitumen, some little more than rough dirt tracks - to bring a taste of life beyond the cities to viewers.

At a time when Australians are embracing the country they live in and wanting to explore our richly diverse landscapes more than ever, Heather has some fabulous suggestions to get you started. From the dusty Oodnadatta Track to the spectacular Great Alpine Road to byways along the sparkling and pristine topaz waters around Esperance, Heather's road trips reflect her own distinct experience and come with personal tips on getting the best out of your journey.

You'll learn what sites are a must-see, where to find the town characters, when the festivals and big events are on and what preparations she considers essential. While no selection can do justice to the glorious uniqueness of Australia, Heather's recommendations, across all our states, showcase some absolute ripper road trips, along with some well-kept secrets.

So what are you waiting for? Get planning and get cracking. Pack your bags and your swags. Load your vans, fuel up, and let Heather take you across the country to discover the jewels she knows about and ones the locals wouldn't want you to miss.

The secret life of flying by Captain Jeremy Burfoot

Available in print and eAudiobook

How does a plane stay up in the air?
Does the Mile-High Club actually exist?
When you flush the toilet, where does it all go?

Buckle up for some turbulence because nothing flies under the radar for Captain Jeremy Burfoot.

With more than 35 years of airline experience, the former Qantas pilot presents an Airbus-load of stories about unruly passengers and cockpit clashes, and expertly navigates the bizarre myths surrounding everyday air travel. He explains important details like why plane wings actually bend, which in-flight surfaces carry the most germs and how to make plane food taste better.

Jam-packed with hilarity, horror stories and honest insights, The Secret Life of Flying is part memoir and part guide to the skies - a razor-sharp and First Class read for anyone who has ever wondered who's really flying the plane ...

Staying healthy when you travel by Dr Jane Wilson-Howarth

Available in print

This essential travel book is filled with over 300 pages that will prepare you for anything! Staying Healthy When You Travel is your must-have guide to staying healthy while you travel abroad, with practical advice on what to do if sickness strikes, including case histories that provide detailed, real-life perspectives. Learn how to prepare for healthy travel and avoid common ailments like bug bites, upset stomach, diarrhea, viruses, and more.

Author Dr. Jane Wilson-Howarth is an expert in parasitology, vector ecology, and child health, and she's also travelled around the world to treat the sick. In this updated edition she condenses all her years of medical experience into this incredibly helpful guide that's packed with international travel tips and crucial case histories, advice on immunizations and other precautions to take, tables and maps that match disease risk to countries, health tips to protect yourself from insects and worms, and so much more.

Before you prepare to travel in a post-COVID world and head to the airport, do your research with Staying Healthy When You Travel, and you'll be good to go!

Off the leash in Australia by Shandos Cleaver

Available in print

Planning on travel with your dog can be very stressful; whether you've already taken a few trips with your dog or you're looking for the best place to begin, this book will provide information on the top destinations in each state, with recommended pet-friendly accommodation, sightseeing, nature experiences and bucket list trips you can do with your pooch.

With a sleek design and heaps of practical information and helpful overview maps, Off the Leash in Australia will help you find inspiration for daytrips or longer adventures that will make for lasting memories with your favourite furry family member.

Tigga Mac's cake hacks by Tegan MacCormack and Katie Scoble

Available in print 

If you need inspiration and instruction, look no further than Tigga Mac’s Cake Hacks from the Aussie cake artist adored across social media.

From frogs to mermaids, sandcastles to ice-cream trucks, you’re sure to find something your little one will LOVE in this colourful collection of cake creations with its six themed chapters.

No baking skills (or big budget!) needed. You can make these creations with affordable shop-bought sponge cakes or homemade ones. Simply follow Tigga’s step-by-step decorating instructions from start to finish, all accompanied by clear photography and a full-page shot of the finished cake to guide you. The hacks are graded, so you can choose one that suits your skills, time and ambitions. And for the more challenging cakes, QR codes will lead you to follow-along video tutorials to help you on your path to birthday cake glory!

Tigga is loved by millions for her joyful energy, easy-going vibe and down-to-earth creativity. Written with longtime friend and business partner, Katie Scoble, Tigga has designed this book with parents and caregivers in mind to make the process of creating a celebration cake straightforward, foolproof – and fun!

The fishmonger’s son by Anthony Yotis and Laura di Florio Yotis

Available in print

What is the best type of fish to use for a curry or stir-fry or to cook on the barbecue? What should we look for when buying fresh fillets at the supermarket or fishmonger? What are the foolproof techniques for shucking oysters and peeling prawns?

Anthony Yotis and Laura di Florio Yotis know good seafood, and they know how to make it more accessible for home cooks. Anthony is the son of fishmonger Konstantinos Yotis, who ran a legendary seafood stall at Footscray's wholesale market for more than 40 years. Together with his wife Laura, Anthony has brought those years of expertise to their shop, and now to their debut cookbook.

The Fishmonger's Son is an invaluable collection of information, advice and recipes based on the most popular fish and shellfish to cook at home. It includes general cooking, storage and preparation tips, plus 70 delicious family recipes, from burgers, bao and tacos to pies, pasta and more.

This is the ultimate home cook's guide to buying, preparing and cooking the incredible seafood we have available in Australia.

KLIM by Michael Klim

Available in print

As one of Australia's most celebrated athletes, Michael Klim's impact extends far beyond the pool.

Klim's journey to greatness began behind the Iron Curtain, in communist-era Poland. His family made a bid for freedom in the 1980s and immigrated to Australia, where swimming became his passport into a new culture and eventually led him to become one of his adopted country's great sporting heroes.

His crowning moment came at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where he captured the hearts of millions with his gold medal performances and world record-breaking swims.

But being a champion athlete does not come without personal challenges. Beyond his achievements in the pool, Klim's life has been equally compelling. Through transitions in the business world, family life and major health trials, his natural buoyancy kept him afloat - until he faced a crisis that forced him to reassess his life and fight for his future.

From the heights of Olympic glory to the depths of personal adversity, KLIM is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance and the unsinkable human spirit.

A very French affair by Maria Hoyle

Available in print and eBook

What do you say when a man you've dated a handful of times asks you to go live with him in a mill by a river in France? The obvious answer is: 'Are you out of your mind?' Maria Hoyle's was: 'Okay.'

At the age of 63 she left her life in Auckland - her two daughters, her dog, her friends, a beautiful rental by a beach, and everything she'd loved for more than two decades - to settle in a tiny French village with a partner she barely knew. What could possibly go wrong?

Maria arrived in the remote hamlet with trepidation but also a little bravado - after all, with a degree in French, she was confident about communicating with the locals. And yes - that part was mostly fine (apart from some amusing faux pas). The true challenges were learning to communicate with her new partner, Alistair (they were smitten with each other, but also sitting on a pile of baggage and emotional wounds) and adapting to life in rural France when her idea of a great day out was shopping, lunch in a bustling café and a movie.

Does Maria have it in her to persevere? To make good friends and truly feel at home? Crucially, is she making another terrible romantic mistake - or is she finally growing and learning what it means to move beyond the infatuation stage and make a relationship work?

Maria's tale is about grabbing life with both hands whatever your age, what it means to belong, the joys and frustrations of French living, and why you should always look closely at a map before emigrating. Ultimately, though, it is a story about the greatest adventure of all. Love.

How to not work forever by Natasha Etschmann and Ana Kresina

Available in print 

If you want to live your dream life tomorrow, you need to make the right investing choices today.

If money wasn’t an issue, how would your life be different? The truth is that relying solely on your day job won't guarantee a life free from financial stress. The average nine-to-five might pay your bills, but there’s a gap you need to fill if you want to get to a financially free lifestyle you love. The key is to start investing: start small, and start now. The good news? It’s not as hard as you think! With How to Not Work Forever, you’ll discover how to make your money go further and grow faster — by investing in shares and ETFs.

How to Not Work Forever breaks down the info and tools you need to keep up with inflation and grow your wealth. Tash (aka @tashinvests) and Ana, money experts and hosts of the popular Get Rich Slow Club podcast, walk you step-by-step through setting your goals and getting started in the sharemarket. They share simple, practical advice that can help you create long-term financial freedom — the kind of freedom that lets you seize new opportunities and embrace a life that fulfils you.

Through hands-on strategies and real-world stories, you’ll discover how and what to buy, when to sell, and how to handle taxes and fees.

Take control of your money today. If you want to secure your financial freedom and future-proof your life, this is the book for you. In How to Not Work Forever, Tash and Ana make investing easy to understand and simple to action. You’ll learn how to make a plan, start investing, and build a life you love.

How to Not Work Forever is authored by general advice accredited financial educators.