My Grandfather Would Have Shot Me: In Conversation with Jennifer Teege Accidentally discovering she was the granddaughter of Amon Goeth, the brutal Nazi commandant depicted in Schindler’s List, shook German-Nigerian author Jennifer Teege to the core. Grappling with the haunted past of a perpetrator, the secrets and denial, she embarked on an extraordinary journey of soul-searching to Pola... Read more

The Booktopia Book Guru asks Mitchell Hogan author of A Crucible of Souls Ten Terrifying Questions ____________ 1. To begin with why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself – where were you born? Raised? Schooled? I was born and raised in Sydney, Australia, and have lived here all my life. Although I’ve travelled quite a bit, there’s no place like home! I grew up with two sisters, a... Read more

We play Five of Five with Aurealis Award-winning author Mitchell Hogan! 1) Name 5 books that inspire you… Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar  Surprised? Don’t be, it’s a classic. There’s not just a hungry caterpillar, there’s a very hungry caterpillar and a twist at the end. Good stuff. It always reminds me of a joke which goes something like this — Author: I have a book about... Read more

The Mudgee Readers’ Festival – now in its sixth year – will welcome a number of big-name authors this weekend. The line-up includes Don Watson, Ramona Koval, Clare Wright, Steven Carroll, Debra Oswald, Wayne Macauley, Bernard Keane and Emily Rodda. ‘Our aim is to run an event that is warm and friendly, and welcoming to all readers. We are so fortunate to have such an incredible line-up of autho... Read more

I love book clubs and it’s wonderful to have one out here in tiny Pingaring – my hometown three hours south-east of Perth. It’s amazing how far ladies will travel to talk about books – and chat, drink wine and eat yummy food!! Our group of around ten come from all directions, some travel sixty kilometres to get here. But what a great way to read books outside of your comfort zone. I usually rea... Read more

Simply put, The Invasion of the Tearling was an awesome read. The book is one giant social commentary and while Erika Johansen’s world is dystopian, it doesn’t follow the standard model. It’s also a must-read novel for all the feminists out there. Following the standard dystopian model I truly believed the following: this world either exists on an uncharted island or this “better world” i... Read more

Did you know the most amazing netball players in the world are in the same place at the same time – right now – in Australia! The Netball World Cup is currently being held in Sydney, wrapping up on the 16th August. If you’re not in Sydney to watch the games, don’t worry, Fox Sports will cover all the Netball World Cup games and Network Ten will broadcast the Australian Diamonds’ mat... Read more

The Booktopia Book Guru asks Kathryn Barker author of In the Skin of a Monster Ten Terrifying Questions ____________ 1. To begin with why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself – where were you born? Raised? Schooled? I was born in Canberra, but growing up involved plenty of travel. I started primary school in Tokyo (the only kid with a sandwich in her lunchbox) and finished high s... Read more

Looking for something the whole family can enjoy that doesn’t involve a dinner table Skype session? At Booktopia you can now find hundreds of games, toys and puzzles the whole family will love! Here are some of our favourites, you can check out the full collection over here. Scroll down to see the winner of our Games giveaway on Facebook! Rock Trumps! The Ultimate Music Buffs’ Card ... Read more

Andrew Cattanach finds plenty beneath the surface of local author Claire Varley’s debut The Bit in Between In The Bit in Between, Claire Varley explores the trials and tribulations of the talented and tortured young writer Oliver, as his ambitious prospective writing retreat is turned upside down by the enigmatic Alison, who enters his world in the most spectacular, stomach churning of wa... Read more