Detail from “The Rebuke of Adam and Eve” (1740) by Charles Joseph Natoire. From the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This month in books: John le Carré looks back in anger; Claire Messud delivers a subtly devastating coming-of-age novel; Stephen Greenblatt tells the story of how the first couple became embedded in our cultural DNA; […]

It’s been a long time since I’ve read a series of books as I did here: one immediately after the other. It almost feels like I’m cheating the author in a way. I mean, this guy took five years to write these three books, and I go and burn through them all in just a […]

Title: Wilde Like Me Author:  Louise Pentland Published: June 29th 2017 Publisher: Allen & Unwin Pages: 400 Genres:  Fiction, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Romance, Women’s Fiction RRP: $29.99 Rating: 5 stars Meet Robin Wilde! You’ll make a friend for life and she’ll take you on a journey you’ll never forget … Single mum Robin Wilde adores her six-year-old daughter and loves her job as […]

Bookshops: A Reader’s History Jorge Carrión Biblioasis 204pp; $32.95 Bookshops have a certain comfort to them. No matter what city you’re in, no matter whether it’s your first or your hundredth visit, there is a sense of familiarity as you enter. “A single bookshop relates to every bookshop that exists, has existed and will ever […]

This book came highly recommended by many people and when I read the blurb I was intrigued. What followed was horror disguised as romance. Maybe I’m special – or have seen and experienced real life – and that is why I can see the dark truth hidden in this story geared towards young adults who […]

Indonesian muslims perform Eid Al-Fitr prayer on ‘sea of sands’ at Parangkusumo beach in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. (Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images) This month in books: John DeMont returns to his Nova Scotia roots; Garry Willis writes about the Qur’an after a lifetime studying Christianity; Jennifer Egan defies expectations again with an expansive historical novel; and Edward St. […]

I suppose I should be embarrassed for the squees involved in a series meant for middle grade readers. Certainly I am an Elitist, but that doesn’t mean I won’t give recognition where it is due. And Johnathan Stroud is due recognition for a smart, well-written, engaging horror series known as Lockwood & Co. In THE […]

Title: Ridgeview Station Author:  Michael Trant Published: June 28th 2017 Publisher: Allen & Unwin Pages: 336 Genres:  Fiction, Contemporary, Rural, Australian RRP: $29.99 Rating: 5 stars A vast outback property. An unforgettable season. A family’s fight to save their livelihood. A sweeping tale of love and loss, and the highs and lows of life on the land, from an utterly authentic new voice […]

Unqualified By Anna Faris Dutton 320; $37   Anna Faris’s new book, Unqualified, is a cut above the usual celebrity memoir. The entertainer’s autobiography cum romantic advice book – based on her podcast of the same name – presents readers with a fascinating case study on the politics of memoir, marriage and celebrity. An actress […]

I really enjoy storylines that are very different and unique. So, right up front I’m going to let you know this one is about vampires. Usually vampires don’t hold my attention, what with all the blood drinking and stuff going on, but this is not the typical vampire tale. (Still drinking blood, just a little […]