The Booktopia Book Guru asks Ruthie May author of Count My Christmas Kisses, Stew a Cockatoo and Count My Kisses, Little One 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 Perth, Western Australia until my father dragged the family across the Nullarbor when I was 15 ... Read more

With summer holidays upon us it’s a good idea to keep our minds active. Here’s a list of the most thought provoking books of 2014. You know, to get you thinking. Revolution by Russell Brand Unstoppable comedian Russell Brand wants YOU to join the revolution. Are you like him, fed-up with the status quo? Do you ask yourself why 1% of the world owns nearly half the wealth? Are you app... Read more

Liane Moriarty has become one of the biggest novelists in the US market, yet she still hasn’t become a household name in her native Australia. She chats with John Purcell about her career and latest book Big Little Lies. A book John has read and highly recommends. He thinks it one of the best books of 2014! Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty ‘I guess it started with the mothers.̵... Read more

Could Adam Liaw be the cook who drags our Incompetent Cook, Andrew Cattanach into kitchen competency? Adam is very patient with Andrew. He takes his time. Speaks clearly and demonstrates his techniques as simply as possible. But first things first – can he teach Andrew how to say Quinoa!? Adam’s Big Pot  by Adam Liaw Want simple, healthy and delicious meals? Quickly? Masterchef winn... Read more

Australian novelist Cathryn Hein, author of The French Prize, Heartland and much more gives her verdict on the books she’s been reading. Lots of romance recently, from rural to historical, sexy contemporary and suspense. Plus a spooky thriller and a brilliantly written true-life crime thrown in to perk things up. Mr Impossible by Loretta Chase This is one of the best historical romances I... Read more

Sam Armytage came back to Booktopia to sign more copies of SHINE because sales in the first week of publication have skyrocketed! This is turning out to be the book to buy for the young woman in your life. Looking for positive role model? Sam is the real deal. Blurb: Shine is your chance to sit down with Samantha Armytage, co-host of Channel Seven’s top-rating Sunrise, where she takes you... Read more

The Guardian: Girl Online, the first novel by Zoe Sugg AKA “Zoella” has pushed Jeff Kinney’s newest Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul off the top of the chart as the fastest selling book of the year in the UK. Zoella’s book, published by Penguin, has also become the fastest selling hardback of 2014 – pretty impressive as it was only published on 25 November. On hearing the news Zoe said, “It’... Read more

The Booktopia Book Guru asks Tamar Chnorhokian author of The Diet Starts on Monday 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 Dulwich Hill and moved to Villawood when I was two years old. I’ve lived in the Fairfield area ever since. I attended Mary MacKillop Catholic Colleg... Read more

Cathy Kelly is one of the world’s favourite authors. She chats to John Purcell about her incredible career and the inspiration behind her new book It Started with Paris. It Started with Paris by Cathy Kelly It all started with Paris. At the top of the Eiffel Tower, a young man proposes to his girlfriend, cheered on by delighted tourists. In that second, everything changes, not just for th... Read more

P.D. James, well known for her crime novels including the bestselling crime fiction starring the detective Adam Dalgliesh, The Children of Men and Dead Comes to Pemberley, died peacefully at home in Oxford on Thursday morning. It had always been her “intention” to become a writer, and she began writing about a detective partly as an apprenticeship for writing “serious” novels, as she explained ... Read more