Book Recommendations Archives

Already featured in nearly every news outlet in the country, I Am Pilgrim is enjoying the sort of word of mouth publicity that propelled Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl into a mega-bestseller. The first novel by British-born Aussie-raised screenwriter Terry Hayes debuted at the top of the British bestseller list this week, atop a podium featuring the likes of Dan Brown and J.K. Rowling. Read more

Inspired by our own John Purcell’s much publicised call for men to read more female writers, we asked some of our favourite male writers to nominate some of their favourite female wordsmiths. Here are the results, enjoy! Tony Park Fishing for Tigers by Emily Maguire Loved it. Evocative images of Vietnam and an interesting, sensual story. Six years ago, Mischa Reese left her abusive husban... Read more

Romance Specialist Haylee Nash steps a little outside her genre to give us a sneak peak at the Next Big Thing, The Returned by Jason Mott. Eighteen months ago I received an urgent email from a chief editor from the New York office asking me and my publishing colleagues to quickly read a manuscript that they were considering bidding on. By quickly, they meant overnight. They had to make their bi... Read more

Cats are curious, cuddly, and sometimes cantankerous. So it should come as no surprise that they have been the companion of choice for countless writers over the years. Samuel Johnson Once described as “the most distinguished man of letters in English history”, Johnson’s devotion to felines caused a falling out with his friend and biographer James Boswell, who was a big cat ha... Read more

The Secret Lives of Emma series has sold more than 50,000 copies and last year made Purcell one of the best-selling debut authors in Australia. As head of marketing for Australian online bookstore Booktopia, Purcell has tracked a further kick in sales since his unmasking. Read more

Alissa Nutting’s Tampa has been one of the most controversial books of 2013. An erotic tale of a hebephilic, sociopathic sexual predator isn’t for everyone. Some Booktopia Blog regulars take a look and share their thoughts. Haylee Nash “Tampa is an enjoyable story when read as just that – a story. Celeste is a character that, despite her obvious moral turpitude, the reader bar... Read more

Welcome to The Incompetent Cook, a cooking blog with a difference. Booktopia’s Andrew Cattanach will road test a new cookbook each week, picking a starter, a main, and a dessert to cook. He’ll report back on how the dishes fared in his cripplingly unskilled hands. This week’s challenge for The Incompetent Cook…. What’s For Dinner by Curtis Stone The meals: Asian Be... Read more

Donal Ryan, author of new novel The Spinning Heart, has been longlisted for the 2013 Man Booker Prize. A wonderful, career defining achievement. But what is the story behind his nomination? Ryan was born in a village in North Tipperary and works for the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in Limerick. In his 20s, he wrote in short bursts but having children gave him the motivation he ... Read more

Last night England retained the Ashes because it rained. Yes that’s a little strange, in the ultra-professional world of international sport. But cricket is a little strange. You never know what to expect. It’s not all rain delays, dyed hair-tips and white pants in cricket. Sometimes, shock horror, they even read! Here are some of world cricket’s finest players talking about t... Read more

The incredible story of Dick Johnson – the Aussie battler who became an all-time V8 great. Ford legend Johnson did not get his break in motorsport until he was famously smashed out by a rock in the 1980 Bathurst 1000. But true to his never-say-die attitude, he went on to establish one of Australia’s most successful V8 Supercar teams, amidst a dramatic career that, on many occasions, almos... Read more