Book Recommendations Archives

Cookbooks have been around for centuries, so finding an original, accessible way to present new recipes is pretty darn tough. But Rosie Ramsden has invented a whole new way of planning meals: it’s called The Recipe Wheel. She takes one simple, core recipe – like risotto – that sits at the centre of its own recipe wheel. From there lead spokes or threads to new, more developed recipes – se... Read more

The Booktopia Book Guru asks Brooke Davis author of Lost & Found 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 Geelong Hospital in Victoria, and my family (Mum, Dad, and my two brothers) lived on ten acres in a quiet nearby bush town called Bellbrae. It was pretty idyllic:... Read more

The book that the world fell in love with, The One Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed out the Window and Disappeared, will soon be movie the world fell in love with. The first trailer has arrived and it looks absolutely brilliant. The film doesn’t come out until August 21, so if you haven’t read the book don’t worry, you still have time! Grab a copy of The One Hundred Year Old M... Read more

The Winner of the Maeve Binchy Book Pack is: L.Raftery, Vaucluse, NSW CHESTNUT STREET by Maeve Binchy A delightful collection of linked stories from No.1 bestselling author Maeve Binchy – simply the best Just round the corner from St Jarlath’s Crescent (featured in MINDING FANKIE) is Chestnut Street. Here, the lives of the residents are revealed in Maeve Binchy’s wonderful col... Read more

Irish author Eimear McBride has won the 2014 Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction with her astonishing debut novel, A Girl is Half-Formed Thing. The chair of the judging panel, Helen Fraser, said: “This has been a fantastic year for women’s fiction, as the quality of both the long- and shortlist made clear, and I think what has emerged as the worthy winner is a really original new voic... Read more

Getting invited to an advanced screening… On the way to the cinema… When the movie is starting… Five minutes after the movie has started… Every time Augustus Waters appears on screen… Every time anyone says the word “Okay”… Isaac’s eulogy… Augustus’s letter… The End… Grab a copy of The Fault in our Stars here Sarah McDuling is a contributor ... Read more

Booktopia is so excited to be in an exclusive partnership with New South Books to present the debut novel of Arjun Basu. If you’re a fan of twitter, chances are you’re a fan of Arjun Basu. Arjun has over 142,000 followers on twitter, where his 140-word short stories have drawn a huge following and a mountain of imitators. We caught up with Arjun to chat about his new book, writing c... Read more

Luigi’s Freedom Ride is a first novel by Alan Murray, an established writer of non-fiction which can be categorised as a “feel good” read with strong Australian, Italian and cycling themes. It tells the story of Luigi, growing up in Mussolini’s pre-war Italy in a small Tuscan village, who, while still a young teenager, luckily acquires a damaged bicycle left with him by a British tourist.... Read more

The Winner of the 1000 Ultimate Series set from the May Travel Buzz: K.Smith, Endeavour Hills, Vic   1000 Ultimate Adventures Hankering to tackle a long-distance trek, or an icy mountain peak? 1000 Ultimate Adventures brings together activities and challenges to captivate and inspire gung-ho adventurers and armchair travellers alike. From the epic to the local, on land, sea or even in mid ... Read more

Popular Australian novelist Cathryn Hein, author of Rocking Horse Hill, Heartland and more gives her verdict on the books she’s been reading. I had a slow reading month and didn’t get as many books read as I would have liked, but those I did read were excellent. Some made me cry. Always good! Unless it’s on public transport… Here’s what I’ve read this month: Marina by Carlos Ruiz Za... Read more