As we say goodbye to July, award-winning novelist Kate Forsyth gives her verdict on the books she read for the month. Thanks to a lot of time spent in planes and airports, and a weekend sick in bed, I read 14 books this month, with an eclectic mix of fiction, non-fiction, children’s and adults, historical and contemporary. Stay: The Last Dog in Antarctica by Jesse Blackadder This is Jesse Black... Read more

Aaron Patrick, author of the brilliant book Downfall: How the Labor Party Ripped Itself Apart is not only an bestselling writer on politics, but also an avid reader. He was kind enough to share his five must read titles for those with a keen interest in the world of politics. Enjoy! Read more

With the Australian Cricket Team on the brink of annihilation, times are tough for cricket lovers. To soften the blow Booktopia’s resident cricket nerd Andrew Cattanach takes a look at some of the best cricketing memoirs around, and finds his love of the pun, as well as anecdotes of the leather and willow, comfortably satisfied. No Holding Back by Michael Holding Pun: It’s quite sim... Read more

Australian thriller writer Max Barry is back with a dazzlingly original high concept thriller. Booktopia’s Andrew Cattanach takes a closer look. I love writers who take risks. I live vicariously through them as I deliberate whether or not I add raspberry cordial to my lemonade, a gutsy maneuver. Max Barry is one of those writers, an Australian author who constructs worlds that exist withi... Read more

Booktopia’s Hayley Shephard is one of the most prolific readers. Here she reviews Scarlett Dawn’s new ebook King Hall. King Hall is a fantasy, full of love, friendship and heartbreak. Sound familiar? Well it’s not. The main character Lily Ruckler, is a hybrid: born from a vampire father and a shifter mother. While it’s surprising that these two types of creatures mix in this story, ... Read more

Saying we’re excited doesn’t really cover it, as novelist Chuck Palahniuk has confirmed that he is currently working on a follow-up to his groundbreaking 1996 novel Fight Club. But in a twist befitting his award-winning transgressive fiction, it will be published as a graphic novel. Everyone knows the first (and second) rule of Fight Club is do not talk about Fight Club, but thankfu... Read more

Shane Jacobson, actor, comedian and now published author, stopped by the Booktopia offices to meet the staff and have a chat about his new book The Long Road To Overnight Success. Little did he know he would be the first contestant in the Booktopia TV Quiz Show, hosted by John Purcell. This is a Quiz Show like no other, equal parts literary and ridiculousness, and Shane aced it. Take a look at ... Read more

The Man Booker Prize is usually an event on the calender that doesn’t cause much surprise. In the past it has rewarded established writers and familiar names of the literary elite. But in the last few years, things have changed. The panel has clearly cast their net wider and this year’s list may be the most eclectic in recent memory. From the extraordinary, sweeping The Luminaries t... Read more

Helen Fielding fans the world over have been going crazy as the cover of her new book Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy was released yesterday. If you haven’t seen it, here it is. Drink it in…. Read more

We’re so excited to be hosting award-winning novelist Kate Forsyth on the blog for a series of contributions on books and writing. Here’s her first installment, on the art of writing. Stay tuned for more! I read a lot. I read for my own selfish pleasure, and I read for work. I read stories submitted to me by my students. I read manuscripts by aspiring writers hoping I’ll help them w... Read more