‘Can you remember who you were before the world told you who you should be?’ That’s a quote by Danielle LaPorte and it’s one of my favourites. You know why? Because it resonates with me. There are times I think as women (and possibly men too, but since I’m not one, I can’t judge!) that our true selves get lost. Not intentionally. But we become busy being ‘someone’s daughter, someone’s girlfrien... Read more

First of all the cover: this has to be one of the most stylish and eye-catching jackets of the year, signposting both the amorous subject matter but also a kind of sexily suave Mad Men Don Draper silhouette that suggests surface sleekness concealing enigmatic multiple identities. The sophisticated packaging delivers on its promise – and then some. This is one of the big books of the year.... Read more

Now in its third year, The Newcastle Writers Festival’s steely strength has little to do with this city’s industrial past and everything to do with the iron will of its founding director, Rosemarie Milsom. She wanted a writers festival and she got herself one, virtually single handed. This year, she has eighty volunteers, and a program that’s expanded from two to three days, but she’s still not... Read more

The Booktopia Book Guru asks Laura Greaves author of The Ex-Factor 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 hail from Adelaide (or Radelaide, as only native South Aussies are allowed to call it). I lived there until I was 21, and then I did what so many young Australians do and went ... Read more

MADRID — In a discovery that could create a new venue for literary pilgrims, Spanish investigators said on Tuesday that they might have located part of the remains of Cervantes, whose novel “Don Quixote” has enthralled readers over centuries with stories of its eponymous knight and his servant, Sancho Panza. Cervantes, often lauded as having written the first modern novel, died in 1616 after re... Read more

What’s that saying in showbiz? Always leave ‘em wanting more? Well, I guess then it’s mission accomplished. Because I know I’m not the only one who will forever more be wanting more Sam Vimes, more Granny Weatherwax, more Captain Carrot and Lord Vetinari and Susan and Death of Rats and Nanny Ogg and Magrat and … and … and … When we learned in 2007 that the man who created the Discworld was affl... Read more

It’s For Dummies Month and to celebrate we have some awesome prize packs to give away! Just order a book from any For Dummies category before March 31st and go in the draw to win a prize pack. *Terms and Conditions apply. FOR DUMMIES: BUSINESS & FINANCE Order from the For Dummies: Business & Finance collection by March 31st and go in the draw to win a Business & Finance prize ... Read more

The 2015 Australian Romance Readers Convention has come and gone, but we are not sad because we are left with a great list of award winning authors and having met so many new authors, hundreds of new books to read. See what Booktopia’s John Purcell and Andrew Cattanach got up to at the convention here. WINNERS Favourite Cover: the winner was Play by Kylie Scott. Sexiest Hero: the winner was Ada... Read more

Terry Pratchett, the man who kept readers around the world laughing after the premature death of Douglas Adams, has died in his home surrounded by family eight years after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Author of over 70 books, many of which make up his celebrated Discworld series, Pratchett redefined comic fantasy writing and made some of the biggest and most complex issues accessible to la... Read more

The shortlist for the 2015 Stella Prize has just been announced, and what an exciting list of Australian authors it is! Named after one of Australia’s most important female authors, Stella Maria Miles Franklin, The Stella Prize celebrates Australian women’s contribution to literature, awarded last year to Clare Wright for The Forgotten Rebels of Eureka. Don’t miss the chance to grab a cop... Read more