Book Recommendations Archives

REVIEW: The Raider by Monica McCarty (Review by Hayley Shephard)

Looking for an historical book to read, where the actions and emotions of the characters involved are realistic? Where passion is always high, and the atmosphere is so sensual it’s bordering on primal? Then look no further than The Highland Guard series by Monica McCarty, and more recently her new novel, The Raider. Think of The Highland Guard, after which this gripping series is named, as the ... Read more

by | February 4, 2014

Caroline Baum Reviews… When Mr Dog Bites by Brian Conaghan

Caroline Baum: I’m going to say what everyone else is going to say: When Mr Dog Bites does for Tourette’s what Mark Haddon’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time did for Asperger’s. Dylan Mint (great name) is a wonderfully realised creation, a boy with a wonderfully fruity turn of phrase and a great attitude. Of course he gets the wrong end of the stick about a lot of adult things,... Read more

by | February 4, 2014

John Purcell: What I Am Reading Now

These days I always have more than one book on the go. It is part of the job. A perk, if you like. An abundance. At the moment I am moving between three books. Three black, to varying degrees, comedies. And all three I want to finish because I am enjoying them so much. Which is tricky. I want to give each my full attention. But I also do not want to be seen to be preferring one over the other. ... Read more

by | February 3, 2014

Your Invitation to an Advance Screening of Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom

Live in Sydney? Want a chance to see one of the biggest films of the year before everyone else? Hachette Australia are giving you and a friend the opportunity to attend an exclusive pre-screening of Long Walk To Freedom, the award-winning film starring Idris Elba and Naomi Harris, on February 5th at Event Cinemas, George Street, Sydney. All you need to do is buy Nelson Mandela’s bestselli... Read more

by | January 31, 2014

ElBulli 2005-2011 – Every recipe from the last seven years of the world’s most creative restaurant

elBulli 2005-2011 is the catalogue raisonné of elBulli, which was widely regarded as the world’s best restaurant until its closure in 2011. Having held three Michelin stars from 1997 to 2011, and regularly voted ‘Best Restaurant in the World’ by a panel of 500 industry professionals, elBulli was at the forefront of the restaurant scene from when Ferran Adrià became sole head c... Read more

by | January 31, 2014

Win a signed poster of The Youngs: The Brothers Who Built AC/DC

The Youngs: The Brothers Who Built AC/DC is unlike any AC/DC book written before. Less a biography, more a critical appreciation, it tells the story of the trio through 11 classic songs and reveals some of the personal and creative secrets that went into their making. Buy a copy of The Youngs before the end of February 2014 to go in the draw to win a laminated poster of The Youngs signed by: &#... Read more

by | January 28, 2014

Nicola Moriarty, author of Captivation and Paper Chains, answers Ten Terrifying Questions

The Booktopia Guru asks Nicola Moriarty author of Captivation and Paper Chains 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, raised and schooled in Sydney – but as that sounds a bit boring, I’ll be a little more specific. Let’s see, I was born in Hornsby, raised in Kellyvill... Read more

by | January 22, 2014

What Katie Read – The December Round Up (by award-winning author Kate Forsyth)

One of Australia’s favourite novelists Kate Forsyth, author of Bitter Greens and The Wild Girl, continues her monthly blog with us, giving her verdict on the books she’s been reading. I discovered some wonderful new writers this month, which always makes me happy. I also managed to read five books by Australian women writers, as part of the AWW 2013 Challenge (bringing me to a total of 30 for t... Read more

by | January 9, 2014

The Booktopia Buzz Evolves

Booktopia is proud to present a special podcast edition of the January Buzz with Caroline Baum. Click here to download and get the latest in book reviews and tips for the new year. You can visit Caroline Baum’s Booktopia page here for other great recommendations, news and authors interviews. To subscribe to the Buzz or any of our many other newsletters click here Read more

by | January 3, 2014

Australia’s Favourite Novelist 2014 – You decide

This month we’re back with the poll that stops the nation, as we ask you who is Australia’s Favourite Novelist for 2014. Booktopia is Australia’s Local Bookstore, Australia’s truly locally owned and operated online bookstore, full of people who love books and more importantly, Australian books. January at Booktopia is the month of Australian Stories. To celebrate, we need your... Read more

by | January 1, 2014