Staff Reviews

The hidden book by Kirsty Manning

Available in print and large print

Europe, 1940s: Imprisoned in the Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria, Spanish fighter and photographer Mateo Baca is ordered to process images of the camp and inmates for a handful of photo books being made for presentation to top Nazi figures. Just five books in total, or so the officials think …

Mateo manages to make a secret sixth book and, with the help of a local woman, Lena Lang, it remains hidden until the end of the war.

Australia, present day: When thirteen-year-old Hannah Campbell's Yugoslavian grandfather, Nico Antonov, arrives in Australia to visit his family, one of the gifts he brings with him is an intriguing-looking parcel wrapped in a flour sack, which Roza, Hannah's mother, quickly hides.

Later, Hannah sneaks off in search for the mysterious package. She is horrified to find in it a photo book full of ghastly historical photographs of a terrible place full of people suffering.

At first Hannah has little context for what she sees, but over the years, as she experiences love, grief, and trauma, she understands what these photos came to mean, for herself, her freedom and for those who risked their lives to 'bear witness' to history.

A startling story of clandestine courage and treachery in World War Two, and how we must meet and overcome our pasts to move into our futures.

That Bligh girl by Sue Williams

Available in print, large print, CD and eAudiobook

Mary Bligh is no shrinking violet. After an horrific six-month sea voyage from Britain, she proves as strong-willed as her bloody-minded father, the newly appointed Governor William Bligh. The pair immediately scandalise Sydney with their personalities, his politics and her pantaloons.

When three hundred armed soldiers of the Rum Rebellion march on Government House to depose him, the governor is nowhere to be see. Instead, Mary stands defiantly at the gates, fighting them back with just her parasol.

Despite being bullied, belittled and betrayed, Mary remains steadfast, even when her desperate father double-crosses her yet again in his last-ditch attempt to cling onto power. But will Mary turn out to be her father's daughter and deceive him in pursuit of her own dreams and ambitions?

Sue Williams returns to the untold stories of the women of colonial Sydney with another fascinating, meticulously researched historical novel.

Paris dreaming by Anita Heiss

Available in print, large print and eBook

Libby is determined to stay on her no-man fast: no more romance, no more cheating men, no more heartbreak. But in the city of love there is no escaping fate … A hilarious and heartfelt romantic comedy from bestselling Wiradyuri author, Anita Heiss.

Libby has given up on romance. After all, she has her three best girlfriends and two cats to keep her company at night, and her high-powered job at the National Aboriginal Gallery in Canberra to occupy her day – isn't that enough?

But when fate gives Libby the chance to work in Paris at the Musée du Quai Branly, she's thrown out of her comfort zone and into a city full of culture, fashion and love.

Surrounded by thousands of gorgeous men, romance has suddenly become a lot more tempting.

Sleepless in Stringybark Bay by Susan Duncan

Available in print, large print and eAudiobook

When five couples pool their resources to live in a house located where a turquoise lagoon meets the sea, the quirky little offshore community of Cook's Basin is shocked. How will ten people - one in a wheelchair and one with a hauntingly familiar face - survive where the only way in or out is by boat?

When a member of the household is found floating face down in the bay, the police insist the death was accidental, but the bizarre circumstances have locals scratching their heads.

Former journalist turned café owner Kate Jackson is curious to discover why a group of retirees in their late seventies would choose such an isolated location. Then a throw-away line in an old magazine story leads to shocking revelations.

Wrapped in the colourful culture of a boat-access-only community, Sleepless in Stringybark Bay celebrates having a go at any age, revels in the magic of the bush and explores the fragility of relationships, old and young.

Other people's homes by Sandy Weir

Available in print

A book for all fans of nostalgic Aussie architecture.

A delightfully curated collection that celebrates the eclectic, the innovative, the showstoppers, the elegantly decaying and the quirkily heartwarming homes hiding in plain view. This book showcases the houses that remind us of where we grew up or where we wanted to grow up. What's captured here is a snapshot of a disappearing Australia.

The many lives of Barry Humphries by Rowan Dean

Available in print

Actor, comedian, raconteur, writer, poet, painter, songwriter, music lover and one of the most gifted artists of the last century, Barry Humphries was an Australian global superstar.

In this affectionate tribute, Rowan Dean, one of the last people to spend time alone with his friend Barry, reminisces the many lives of Barry Humphries with a plethora of Humphries’ closest colleagues and associates about their unique and untold personal relationships with the extraordinary creator of Dame Edna and Sir Les Patterson.

Discover the unbelievable richness and surprises of the many, many lives of Barry Humphries in The Many Lives of Barry Humphries.

Pitfall by Christopher Pollon

Available in print

A compelling investigation into the global race to exploit our world’s dwindling natural resources.

In order to transition to clean energy in the coming decades, billions of tons of copper, nickel, silver, and other metals will be required to build electric vehicles and green infrastructure, and power smart technology. We need more metals than ever before, yet the qualities and quantities are diminishing, making the extraction process more polluting to land, air, and water. And most of these metals will be mined from the global south, where social conflict will only grow, led by Indigenous peoples demanding a greater say in how their wealth is used.

In Pitfall, investigative journalist Christopher Pollon charts how transnational companies have controlled copper, precious metals, and lithium mining in Latin America, made inroads into war-torn countries in Africa, and extracted nickel, industrial and rare earth metals across Australia, Asia and the Pacific. Industry attention is now moving to deeper and darker places, including the depths of the ocean, sacrifice zones, and near-Earth asteroids.

The stakes couldn’t be higher: How can we mine the metals we need without replicating the environmental and human rights abuses of the past?

Ultimate guide to walks, patios & walls by the editors of Creative Homeowner

Available in print 

Designing the outside of the home adds to curb-side appeal, creates ambiance and increases the value of the home. A complete DIY guide to enhance your home with walkways, garden walls, and patios this guide provides the homeowner with all the information needed to integrate popular hardscape designs into their overall home landscape.

Included are dozens of design ideas with easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions for a variety of landscape projects, including brick, mortar, and concrete walks and patios, flagstone and tile patios, brick and mortared stone walls, and so much more.

With hundreds of building tips and construction drawings for projects, also included in this updated edition is new content on hardscaping design and materials, choices to consider that combat climate change, pervious versus impervious surfaces, terracing, and other elements that influence stormwater runoff and site planning, and more.

Tax for Australians by Jimmy B Prince

Available in print 

The end of the financial year is fast approaching who better to help you breeze through tax time, than Jimmy B Prince, a fellow of CPA Australia, and former lecturer in income tax law at La Trobe University. Created especially for the Australian customer. In Tax for Australians For Dummies ,2nd Edition, Jimmy B. Prince steers you through the labyrinth of everyday tax issues. Whether you're an employee, investor, business owner, retiree or student, this easy-to-follow guide answers your tax questions.

Bonus materials are available online at www.dummies.com. Build your tax knowledge, lodge a tax return or deal with an audit with confidence Investigate tax-effective investment, take advantage of investing in shares and property.  Information for the individual, small businesses and advise for future retirees.

Top stocks 2024

Available in print

Australia’s bestselling guide for smart investing in the share market. When it's time to invest your earnings, you need accurate and trusted guidance that will weather cycles, outlive fads, and stand the test of time. In this 30th anniversary edition of definitive bestseller Top Stocks, market expert Martin Roth gives you the essential knowledge you need to grow your portfolio and profits.

An invaluable resource for novices and professionals alike, Top Stocks 2024 shares the clear, objective information and tried-and-tested techniques you need to make right picks and get more for your money. You'll learn how to use selection criteria and rigorous analysis to form a clear picture of the best, low-risk, long-term value, public companies to buy into. You'll see beyond the hype, the pricing, and the punditry. And you’ll become an expert at evaluating the best of the Australian share market, using concrete factors like profitability, debt levels, and dividends.

With numerous charts and tables that provide easy reference to essential company data points, Top Stocks 2024 is the jargon-free, up to date, go-to guide you need to make wise decisions for your future wealth.

The 5-minute noodle salad lunchbox by Alexander Hart

Available in print

Get your lunch organized in record time with this foolproof, noodle-packed cookbook.

Sometimes it seems like too much of a chore to get our lunch prepped for the day ahead. We can often run out of inspiration too, meaning we end up with the same dull lunch every day—a drudgery that makes healthy eating much harder than it should be.

The 5-Minute Noodle Salad Lunchbox aims to make prepping your lunch each day a breeze—ensuring your days are deliciously healthy. The 52 recipes cover a range of diverse salads, utilizing the power of all varieties of noodle, as well as low-carb zoodle options. There’s also advice throughout on how to make bulk lunches for your week, if that’s your style, and how to overhaul last night’s leftovers into a great midday meal.

The easy gardening handbook by Stephanie Jackson

Available in print

A guide to creating a low-maintenance garden, a handbook that reveals the many and varied techniques that can be utilised. This book focuses on tough resilient and drought tolerant plants (native and exotic) while also providing tips on how to grow plants in containers.

There are approximately 250 plants including annuals and perennials, bulbs, bromeliads, succulents, trees, and shrubs with information on how to care for and cultivation requirements. The wide range of plants featured include both familiar species and some that are a little more unusual. 

Pickle & ferment by Susan Crowthers and Julie Fallone

Available in print

60 classic and unique recipes for probiotic-rich ferments such as sauerkraut, pickled veggies, salsas, kimchi, sourdough, Jun tea, and more! 

This book explores a specific type of fermentation: raw pickling or live-fermentation. Live-fermented foods are the healthiest to eat and easiest to make. Live fermentation is simpler than canning and the food lasts longer than freezing. This technique saves time and energy, as it cuts down on heating and cooking. Live-fermented foods do not require refrigeration. Plus, they can stay fresh indefinitely.

In addition to saving energy costs, fermenting increases a food's health benefits. Live-fermented foods are healthier than their original raw products. Vital nutrients and vitamins - often destroyed with heating are not only kept alive but improved. Susan Crowther and Julie Fallone offer step-by-step instructions for pickling and fermenting.

The tea ladies by Amanda Hampson

Available in print, CD, eBook and eAudiobook

Sydney, 1965: After a chance encounter with a stranger, tea ladies Hazel, Betty and Irene become accidental sleuths, stumbling into a world of ruthless crooks and racketeers in search of a young woman believed to be in danger.

In the meantime, Hazel’s job at Empire Fashionwear is in jeopardy. The firm has turned out the same frocks and blouses for the past twenty years and when the mini-skirt bursts onto the scene, it rocks the rag trade to its foundations. War breaks out between departments and it falls to Hazel, the quiet diplomat, to broker peace and save the firm.

When there is a murder in the building, the tea ladies draw on their wider network and put themselves in danger as they piece together clues that connect the murder to a nearby arson and a kidnapping. But if there’s one thing tea ladies can handle, it’s hot water.

The cryptic clue by Amanda Hampson

Available in print and eAudiobook

In ZigZag Lane, in the heart of Sydney’s rag-trade district, tea ladies Hazel, Betty and Irene find themselves in hot water. Having already solved a murder, kidnapping and arson case, and outwitting an arch criminal, they have proved themselves a useful resource and earned the respect of a local police officer. Now he needs their help to solve a plot that threatens security.

As if that’s not enough, Irene gets a coded message directing her to the spoils of a bank robbery, which sends the tea ladies on a treasure hunt with an unexpected outcome.

There’s also trouble brewing within the walls of Empire Fashionwear, where an interloper threatens not just Hazel’s job but the very role of tea lady. It’s up to Hazel to convince her friends to abandon their trolleys and take action to save their livelihoods – before it’s too late.

Big yum by Chloe Joy Sexton

Available in print

Cookie fanatics, rejoice! Bakery owner and beloved TikToker Chloe Joy Sexton is here to bring you the biggest, yummiest, most indulgently scrumptious cookies you’ll ever taste. Discover outstanding recipes for oversized confections that will recall all the joys of your childhood cookie jar. Sweet or salty, fruity or stuffed— thanks to Chloe’s bold and inventive approach to cookie-making, there’s a giant cookie recipe for every giant craving.

Delight in whimsical creations like Marshmallow- Stuffed Fruity Funfetti Cookies or the Giant Coffeedoodle. Get your chocolate fix with melt-in-your-mouth Chocolate Churro Cookies, decadent Brownie-Stuffed Cowboy Cookies or drool-worthy Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Cookies. Each creative, showstopping recipe in this book is sure to yield big cookies and bigger smiles!

Sweet France: the 100 best recipes from the greatest French pastry chefs by Francois Blanc

Available in print

France has a rich history of sweet traditions and talented patissiers, and with Sweet France, readers will discover 100 recipes for irresistible cakes and pastries to satisfy every sweet tooth. The book includes the essentials, classics revisited, pastries, signature cakes, cookies, and other bite-size treats.

Indulge yourself with caneles de Bordeaux, gateau Basque, traditional fraisier cake, chocolate eclairs, and the legendary Saint-Honore. Inside, you'll find recipes for every level of proficiency to try at home, including the favourite creations of Cedric Grolet, Yann Couvreur, Pierre Herme, Philippe Conticini, and a host of other big names and up-and-coming talents in contemporary French patisserie.

Comfort eating: what we eat when nobody's looking by Grace Dent

Available in print

From one of the nation's best-loved food writers and inspired by the award-winning podcast, Comfort Eating is a wonderfully scrumptious, life-affirming journey through the foods that really mean the most to us.

Have you ever wondered why eating cheese can sometimes feel like a cuddle? Or how a big bowl of pasta can be just what we need after a tough day? Oh, and what is it about butter that seems to make everything just that little bit better… ?

The foods we turn to behind closed doors are deeply personal, steeped in nostalgia and topped with a healthy dollop of guilty pleasure. In Comfort Eating, Grace Dent throws open her kitchen cupboards to reveal why we hold these secret snacks and naughty nibbles so dear to our hearts.

Exploring her go-to comfort foods through a series of joyous encounters, Grace reflects on the memories they uncover and pays tribute to her parents, the people who taught her what comfort eating truly means. Along the way, she catches up with some famous friends to chat about their own favourites - from Jo Brand's fried bread sandwich and Russell T. Davies' 'butterpepperrice' to Scarlett Moffat's crushed-Wotsits-topped beans on toast and many, many more . . .So grab a plate and pull up a chair: unfussy, honest and filled to the brim with heartwarming stories and comfort food tales, Comfort Eating is the perfect treat for food lovers everywhere.

Me vs Brain : an overthinkers guide to life by Hayley Morris

Available in print 

Do you run through imaginary arguments while showering?

Do you panic about your partner hearing you fart?

Do you constantly overanalyse every aspect of your life?

The Queen of overthinking - Hayley Morris takes us on an adventure through panic attacks, intrusive thoughts, menstrual cups and everything else that wakes you up in a cold sweat at 3am. 

Why am I like this? : the science behind your weirdest thoughts & habits by Dr. Jen Martin

Available in print

Why can’t I stop taking photos?

Why do I always feel like I’m missing out?

Why can’t I remember why I walked into this room?

You’re not the only one. Whether it’s procrastinating, feeling like an imposter or blushing when you don’t want to, our strange thoughts and habits are hardwired into us. Award-winning educator with a PhD from the University of Melbourne, Dr. Jen Martin delves into the science behind our strangest thoughts and habits, from why smells make us homesick to why we stick our tongues out when we’re concentrating.

The health habit by Dr. Amantha Imber

Available in print

Are you trapped in a cycle of unhealthy habits? You are not alone - we all have unique barriers that get in the way of making permanent changes to our health. Eat healthier, boost your energy, and sleep better with this easy-to-use, practical guide inspired by the latest scientific research.

In The Health Habit, psychologist Dr Amantha Imber steps away from the one-size-fits-all approach and brings together:

• The specific psychological barriers stopping you from achieving better health.
• Cutting-edge research into what we should eat, how to get fit, and how to sleep better, by professors at institutions including Harvard and Oxford, plus health experts such as Dr Norman Swan, Dr Layne Norton and Jessie Inchauspé.
• The latest behavioural science that helps us make these changes stick for good.
• An easy method to create your own personalised and actionable plan to change your habits.

The vagus nerve reset : train your body to heal stress, trauma and anxiety by Anna Feguson

Available in print

Harness the power of your vagus nerve to reduce stress, overcome anxiety and release past trauma.

The vagus nerve connects our brain with other major organ systems in our bodies, it has both a mental and physical role in relaxing tension and counteracting stress. Stimulation of this nerve can help restore calm, moving us out of the ‘fight or flight’ response, and activating the parasympathetic nervous system ‘rest and digest’ response.

Feeling anxious and disconnected are signs of a nervous system that's out of balance. Something as small as a curt message from our boss can be perceived by our bodies as a threat to life. By understanding our physiological stress response, we can override and heal our emotional response, and fix the behaviours sabotaging our health and happiness.

Including a programme of mindful movement, breathwork and meditation, journalling, and more, this comprehensive guide allows us to find anchors of safety amongst the chaos, reclaim a sense of control and step into the most confident, resilient and grounded version of ourselves.

The summer of songbirds by Kristy Woodson

Available in print and large print

Four women come together to save the summer camp that changed their lives and rediscover themselves. Nearly thirty years ago, in the wake of a personal tragedy, June Moore bought Camp Holly Springs and turned it into a thriving summer haven for girls. But now, June is in danger of losing the place she has sacrificed everything.

June's niece, Daphne, met her two best friends, Lanier and Mary Stuart, during a fateful summer at camp. They've all helped each other through hard things, from heartbreak and loss to substance abuse and unplanned pregnancy, and the three are inseparable even in their thirties. But when attorney Daphne is confronted with a relationship from her past--and a work issue becomes personal--she is faced with an impossible choice. Lanier, meanwhile, is torn between the commitment she made to her fiancé and the one she made to her first love. And when a big secret comes to light, she finds herself at odds with her best friend...and risks losing the person she loves most in the process.

But nothing is more important to these songbirds than Camp Holly Springs. When the women learn their favourite place is in danger of closing, they band together to save it, sending them on a journey that promises to open the next chapters in their lives. 

Digging for victory at Rookery House by Rosie Hendry

Available in large print

It’s March 1941, and after Flo Butterworth loses everything in Manchester’s Christmas Blitz, she decides to leave the area and join the Women’s Land Army. Putting the past firmly behind her, she arrives at Rookery House in Norfolk hoping for a new start and a chance to do the gardening work she loves. The grip of war has intensified and growing more food is vital to keep the nation going. Thea buys an extra field to grow crops, and in the village, her sister Prue leads members of The Mother’s Day Club and Women’s Institute as they take on a derelict allotment.

Meanwhile the construction of a nearby aerodrome disrupts village life and brings even more new residents to Rookery House, including Hettie’s difficult sister, Ada. With Rookery House now bursting at the seams, will it still be the happy home it’s always been? When an enemy plane crashes nearby, Flo must help German airmen who might have been directly responsible for her family loss. She quickly finds that her heart-breaking past cannot so easily be forgotten. Can she do the right thing? And will her new friends help her move on towards a brighter future?

50 ways to save the honey bees: (and change the world) by J. Scott Donahue

Available in print

Help save the bees – and the world – with these simple and considerate ways! 

Did you know that honey bees pollinate a third of the food we eat, but that a third of them are dying off each year.  You have the power to keep them buzzing for years to come. For decades, bees and bee colonies have been disappearing around the world, worrying beekeepers, ecologists, and farmers. But it’s easy help save and revitalize your local bees, as well as the local ecosystem, with these 50 ways.

Simple contributions can start with sharing a link on social media or buying local, organic foods, while more intense steps can include gardening, building habitats and beekeeping! If you’ve ever wondered what you can do to help, here is the best place to start!

Pickle and ferment by Susan Crowther and Julie Fallone

Available in print

60 classic and unique recipes for probiotic-rich ferments such as pickled veggies, salsas, kimchi, sourdough, and more! Fermenting, in the simplest definition, is changing food into a healthier version of itself—a version that basically stays fresh, forever. Sounds kind of magical, doesn’t it?

This book explores a specific type of raw pickling or live-fermentation. Live-fermented foods are the healthiest to eat and easiest to make. Live-fermentation is simpler than canning and the food lasts longer than freezing. This technique saves time and energy, as it cuts down on heating and cooking. Live-fermented foods do not require refrigeration. Plus, they can stay fresh indefinitely. In addition to saving energy costs, fermenting increases a food’s health benefits. Live-fermented foods are healthier than their original raw products. Vital nutrients and vitamins—often destroyed with heating—are not only kept alive but improved. And other nutrients are actually created during fermentation.

The authors, Susan Crowther and Julie Fallone offer step-by-step instructions for pickling and fermenting all kinds of produce from carrots to garlic to sweet potatoes, plus offers recipes for Live-Fermented Hot Sauce, Fermented Hot Honey, and more unique and healthy goodies, from kombucha jun tea, to chocolate sauerkraut cake. 

Hello, fears: crush your comfort zone and become who you're meant to be by Michelle Poler

Available in print

Are you ready to break free from the grip of fear and embark on a journey of personal growth and empowerment?

This growth mindset personal development book from acclaimed speaker and influencer, Michelle Poler, will help you push out of your comfort zone and find authentic happiness. With a captivating blend of vulnerability, humour, and actionable insights, Michelle shares her story of conquering 100 fears in 100 days and provides a roadmap to help you navigate the uncharted territories of your fears. From public speaking and taking risks to facing rejection and embracing vulnerability, Hello, Fears equips you with the tools and mindset needed to set life-changing goals, embrace courage, and live a life without limits. Overcome the fear of failure and transform setbacks into stepping stones for success. 

Whether you're struggling with fear in your career, relationships, or personal aspirations, Hello, Fears provides the guidance and motivation you need to break free and live a life driven by courage, resilience, and purpose. Embrace the transformative power of fear and unlock your true potential today!