This reading list is a contribution to the sharing of books. All sorts of books make their way to my bedside table. Some are sent, some recommended, some given as gifts or lent by someone who has enjoyed reading them.
Others (let’s be frank – many) I see on a bookstore shelf, find irresistible and bring home. A few of these become family members who may not leave my bookshelf, but can be read by guests who stay. Some wander on to other homes and hearts.
If you have books you’d like to talk about contact me via the web contact form.
Oceans of Energy, Australia 2026
Cover design Barbie Robinson, Writing with Light
Cover image Valerie Albrecht
Disclosure: Writing with Light undertook the layout and design of this book as well as contributing to the editing, proofing and publication process. Barbie was also the creator of some of the photographs and the editor of Valerie’s photographs for publication. This article is more by way of a report than a review for that reason.
HarperCollinsPublishers, Australia 2026
Cover design Maya Abraham
Cover images Jimena Roquero/stocksy.com /5852005; ohlamourstudio/stocksy.com/4516591; shutterstock.com
In She Lied First point of view is not merely the dominant story telling technique – it is indeed a large part of what the book is about. Dinuka McKenzie has deftly controlled her readers’ understanding of events in this thrilling psychological work by carefully filtering what we learn from the first to the last page.
15 to 18 October 2026
Various venues
With a theme of For the Love of Books, this year’s festival features 113 events including panels, talks and entertainments covering social, political, environmental and economic issues as well as delving into the enjoyment of literary and popular fiction and poetry.
Penguin Books, Australia, 2026
Cover design Nikki Townsend Design
Cover photographs Shutterstock; Theeradech Sanin Erikson Stock
We know there’ll be a love story (maybe more than one), and we know there’ll be a baby. After all, these are Fiona McArthur’s calling cards.
Penguin Books, Australia 2026
Cover design Debra Billson
Cover illustrations Marta Lebek/Stocksy and Shutterstock
With her characteristic compassion and humour, in this second novel, Anna Johnston takes us once again into the world of aged care.
Writing Australia announced the winners of this year’s awards at a ceremony at the National Library of Australia, Canberra, on Thursday 10 September 2026.
Continue Reading“Winners of the 2026 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards”
Penguin, Australia 2026
Cover design George Saad
Cover image ‘Aloe Opuntia Polyanthos’ from Histoire des Plantes Grasses (1799) by Pierre-Joseph Redouté courtesy Creative Commons
What a gloriously happiness-inducing book this is! It is the story of Leslie and her rediscovery of a younger self who had become diminished by life.
Hachette, Australia, 2026
Cover design Christabella Designs
Cover images Shutterstock
Sophie Green understands the interior lives of women. Her books deal with their challenges and triumphs on their diverse paths to empowerment.
Continue Reading“Sophie Green – The Frock Shop“
Allen & Unwin, Australia 2026
Cover design Deborah Parry Graphics
Cover photographs: Deagreez/Shutterstock; fotokostic/iStock; Tara Malhotra/iStock; Gillian Van Stocksy; Paul Shuang/Shutterstock
Maya Linnell has mastered the art of sugar frosting the dark real-world issues she tackles in her fiction with rural romances we can all get behind.
UQP, Australia 2026
Cover design Christa Moffat, Christabella Designs
Cover photograph Shutterstock: swapanpriuanka/Sakibulhasan23
This powerful novel by Sally Piper is primarily about homelessness and financial vulnerability in older women. It looks at the way women’s work is undervalued – especially the caring roles of parenting and caring for others, which often leave no room for caring for oneself.
Forty South Publishing, Hobart, 2026
Cover image Mary Wettenhall (1809-1896) by Robert Wettenhall from the author’s collection
The Mary Poems is an affecting imagining of the life and thoughts of the poet’s ancestor, Mary Burgess Wettenhall née Bussell (1809 to 1896).
Penguin, Australia, 2026
Cover design Christabella Designs
Cover image Posnov/Getty Images
It seems that magical realism meets a seedy underbelly in the small Australian town of Possible Springs.
Allen & Unwin, Australia 2026
Cover design Christa Moffitt, Christabella Designs
Cover images Jaroslaw Blaminsky/Trevillion Images; Shutterstock
Commercial litigation lawyer Ruth Dawson is beset both professionally and personally in Bad Neighbours, a twisty tale of greed, property and betrayal.
EK Books, Australia, 2026
Book design Mark Thacker
Jemima Parker’s gentle story of a creative and resourceful little girl reminds us of the importance of following through one’s ideas, of valuing small treasures and of helping one’s friends.
Continue Reading“Jemima Parker and Karen Erasmus – Poppy makes pockets “
Riveted Press, Australia 2026
Cover art Tamlyn Teow
The Prime Minister Problem is a book of considerable charm. Its main character Wren is a gentle lad, never feeling like he belongs, not ‘in’ with the popular kids and often teased or left out at school.
