Book Recommendations Archives

If you love flowers, nature, beauty or art start dropping hints now for Christmas if you want to get your hands on this magnificent book by Sydney-based A-list florist, Saskia Havekes, and her team at Grandiflora.  Dipping flowers in wax or encasing them in blocks of ice, Havekes is always experimenting and pushing the limits, whether working on a small bouquet or on a grand scale for a special... Read more

The Booktopia Book Guru asks Julie Anne Long author of The Legend of Lyon Redmond and many more… Nine Naughty Questions ____________   1. Headless washboard abs, a torrid embrace, the sprawling homestead, an elegantly dressed décolletage, or the vaguely kinky object against a dark background – what’s your favourite type of romance cover and why? Some of those covers are pretty artful and s... Read more

Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lanagan and Deborah Biancotti are all big names in the book world in their own right. But when we heard about them joining forces to write a book together, we kind of freaked out. This is a big deal, and we were lucky enough to have all of them visit Booktopia HQ to sign copies of their new book Zeroes and record a podcast with our Queen of YA Sarah. The Podcast will be ... Read more

Charlotte Wood’s latest novel, The Natural Way of Things, seethes with an anger the source of which doesn’t seem to be the text itself. Speaking with her, she does admit on reading an early draft to being surprised at discovering this underlying anger in her novel. Charlotte’s last novel, Animal People, sought out the smoothed over hypocrisy of modern life. The sound of muffle... Read more

Pretend you have never heard the name Magda Szubanski. I know it’s difficult. You’re probably already picturing her as Sharon Strzelecki in Kath and Kim, or as Esme Hoggett in Babe, or as Pixie-Anne Wheatley or Chenille from Fast Forward. But do try. Reckoning isn’t a celebrity memoir. Magda’s story is rich, beautifully told and moving. The daughter of Polish and Scottis... Read more

Booktopia’s Editorial Director, Caroline Baum reviews Shirley Barrett’s Rush Oh! which features in The Buzz as Caroline’s Book of the Month. It’s unusual to move from writing films to writing novels. Most people try to go in the other direction. Shirley Barrett made her reputation with the film Lovesong Serenade, demonstrating her comic sensibility and ability to write charact... Read more

Michael Connelly is one of the world’s most acclaimed and highest selling crime authors in the world. He chats to John Purcell. Grab a copy of The Burning Room here The Burning Room  by Michael Connelly A bullet takes ten years to find its mark. Now Bosch must find the killer … Detective Harry Bosch and his new partner investigate a recent murder where the trigger was pulled years e... Read more

From growing up in country Victoria, to becoming the pride of Brisbane, to his devastating decision to retire mid-season, Jonathan Brown has seen it all. He chats to Andrew Cattanach. Grab a copy of Life and Football here Life and Football by Jonathan Brown Three premiership wins, three-time club best and fairest winner, two-time All Australian and winner of the Coleman Medal: Jonathan Brown kn... Read more

Kate Forsyth is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than twenty books, ranging from picture books to poetry to novels for both children and adults. She chats to Sarah McDuling. Grab a copy of The Beast’s Garden here The Beast’s Garden by Kate Forsyth A retelling of The Beauty and The Beast set in Nazi Germany The Grimm Brothers published a beautiful version of the Beaut... Read more

Michael Robotham is one of Australia’s most loved crime writers, and one of the highest selling both home and abroad. He chats to Sarah McDuling. Grab a copy of Close Your Eyes here Close Your Eyes by Michael Robotham I close my eyes and feel my heart begin racing Someone is coming They’re going to find me A mother and her teenage daughter are found brutally murdered in a remote far... Read more