When I was younger, so much younger than today, I used to get books from my mother every Christmas, every birthday, for every good report card, for every selfless deed I performed. It was magical. Sometimes I had only just turned into the kitchen and told her the good news when she would dash up the hallway and out would arrive a new Graeme Base, or a new Goosebumps book. I was astounded, and a... Read more

My name is Andrew Cattanach, and my family home had a cricket book wall. Many of them, in fact. When I was growing up I noticed my walls had a different look to them than other family homes. Sometimes there were tasteful awnings, feature walls drowned in colour, even red bricks peering through the paintwork. But no other home had a cricket book wall. So it was like smelling my mother’s cookies ... Read more

Booktopians, I’ve got a real treat for you. Within the folds of The Orchardist, I give you not only Amanda Coplin’s debut as a novelist, but also her debut as one of the most poignant, tender and gripping writers to emerge from the US in many years. The Orchardist, set in the late 1800’s, tells the story of the tender, if slightly hermitish orchardist, William Talmadge, as he encounters two pre... Read more

Ladies and Gentlemen we have found a philosopher for our dinner party. The father of Western philosophy Socrates joins Ernest Hemingway, Jane Austen and Stephen Fry at our table. Your wisdom, voters, is, as always, first class. But there is still work to be done, for one seat remains. Remember, I want particular kinds of guests. I want variety. I want spice. I want argument and passion. The per... Read more

And so there was three. It’s been a great ride and we now have three places filled at the table. Joining Hemingway and Austen will be the modern master Stephen Fry, who pipped Oscar Wilde by just a couple of votes. What a treat! Now let’s get down the business. I still need your help. Remember, I want particular kinds of guests. I want variety. I want spice. I want argument and pass... Read more

Thank you, I’ve now filled two places on my literary dinner party table. Ernest Hemingway has been joined by Jane Austen. More than I could have hoped for! Which brings us to today’s task. I still need your help. Remember, I want particular kinds of guests. I want variety. I want spice. I want argument and passion. I’d like this dinner party to be filled with spectacular wit a... Read more

Thank you, you have filled the first place at my table, The Drunkard. You have chosen Ernest Hemingway. A brilliant choice. As you know, now that the Olympics are behind us I want to celebrate the intellect. And to do so I am going to host my very own dinner party. An imaginary dinner party, with some of the greats of literature. But my imaginary dinner must be a small intimate affair. I want t... Read more

I need your help. After all this sport I want to celebrate the intellect. I’m going to host my very own dinner party. An imaginary dinner party, with some of the greats of literature. But my imaginary dinner must be a small intimate affair. I want to be able to talk with my guests. I don’t want it to be overcrowded or too grand. So I need your help. I’ve compiled a guest list. I wan... Read more

In a world where sportsmen fight, drink and tweet their way into trouble on a daily basis, Parramatta, New South Wales and Australian great Nathan Hindmarsh is a different breed. The softly spoken people’s champion is now playing his last season for his beloved Parramatta Eels. Sadly he will end his career never winning a premiership, but in Old School he has released one of the best auto... Read more

Gold, Gold, Gold! If that famous phrase has you bleeding from the ears, you’re probably not alone. But before you run to your Olympic proof, Penguin Classics lined bunker, I would like to point out the incredible parallels to be drawn between the world of literature of the Olympic Games. Just in time for the glory, the majesty and the spandex of the coming weeks here are 11 interesting fa... Read more