Books & Media

A beautiful, thoughtful guide to finding your perfect next read, no matter what life’s throwing at you, from the founder of Aphra a.k.a. ‘your inclusive AF feminist book club’

- Hardcover

Grieving widow or wronged wife ... which would you choose? The witty and heartwarming new novel from the bestselling author of The Scent of You
Sophie blinked and looked down again, relieved that everyone would think she was overcome with devastation at the prospect of reading her husband's eulogy, not that she was in shock, having just looked right into the eyes of his mistress.
Food stylist Sophie Crommelin has a beautiful life. Now that their two boys are grown up, she and her husband Matt - an acclaimed artist - are leaving London for a new start on England's fashionably boho south coast. But the day after the house is sold, a series of shocks leave Sophie reeling - and suddenly she's heading off to Hastings on her own.
Beau Crommelin has always been very much his father's son. Charming, beautiful and creative, he gets on with everyone and is building a name as a jewellery designer. But after Matt's sudden death, Beau finds himself on the wrong end of a scandal and everything he thought he knew about himself is called into question.
As Sophie and Beau try to find their feet, new friends and opportunities appear. But the biggest revelation is still to come ...
A deliciously warm, witty and moving story of love, family, second chances and starting over.
'Delightful ... With a cast of wonderful characters and divine settings, from London to the sea, this is a perfect summer read' Good Reading

A dazzling must-have picture book biography for the rabid Taylor Swift lover. Features illustrations of the pop icon, from childhood to fearless stardom, and the story of how she broke out to share her sparkle with the rest of the world.
Since the release of her self-titled first album, Taylor Swift has enchanted the world again and again. The fearless singer-songwriter empowers her listeners to be confident, brave, and expressive. This gorgeous picture book biography follows the big star from her childhood to present day. Follow Taylor’s earliest performances, her musical inspirations, and—above all else—her passion for writing and storytelling. Sweeter than fiction, Taylor’s story is the perfect collectible for every bejeweled Swiftie. There’s only one question: Are you ready for it

The year is 1859 and the goldfields are filled with diggers -- and danger!

Orphaned twelve-year-old Tigg is the Bandicoot Bushranger, the youngest bushranger on the Ballarat goldfields in 1859.
When a robbery goes wrong, Tigg must flee in disguise as one of the tens of thousands of Chinese men and boys braving heat, thirst, starvation and murderous attacks on the long road from Robe in South Australia to the goldfields in Victoria.
But even further danger threatens. Who has offered a large sum of money for Tigg's capture? And is the mysterious Henry Lau a friend or enemy?
To be safe, Tigg must solve the greatest mystery of all.
Who is Tigg?

With even more hilarious jokes, trivia, facts and cartoons, THE FARTIONARY 2: THE FOLLOW THROUGH is guaranteed to be a hit with kids everywhere!
A book with more POP, BANG and CRACKLE than a 100-year-old vintage car fuelled on baked beans!
Who farts? The why, when and how of farting ... Farting by age, location and climate ... The Whoopee Cushion ... why? All this and much, much more will be revealed by self-proclaimed fart guru to the stars, the 'Fart Whisperer' himself, ANDY JONES! Ably assisted by his go-to gas consultant, world-renowned 'fart-ologist', Dr Windee Wendy (BScGAS, PhdWind).
Science! Facts! Comedy! Rap! Poetry! All things gassy will be discussed, dissected and disposed of in this deliciously whiffy raspberry romp.
So get ready to let one rip with THE FARTIONARY 2: THE FOLLOW-THROUGH!

WINNER ABIA BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR YOUNGER READERS
'Fans of Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events will eat up Withering-by-Sea'
-- Shelf Awareness

High on a cliff above the gloomy coastal town of Withering-by-Sea stands the Hotel Majestic. Inside the walls of the damp, dull hotel, eleven-year-old orphan Stella Montgomery leads a miserable life with her three dreadful Aunts.
But one night, Stella sees something she shouldn't have ... Something that will set in motion an adventure more terrifying and more wonderful than she could ever have hoped for ...
Discover the gorgeously illustrated series that's loved by tens of thousands of readers!

The first in the Dirty Diana trilogy – a story of desire within marriage from the stars of the hit feminist erotic podcast, Dirty Diana …

'Deliciously entertaining, funny, tantalizing' Demi Moore
Diana Wood has a job she likes and a husband, Oliver, she loves. They’re in married love, which isn’t exactly the same as love love, but it’s fine.

Or is it? Is fine good enough?

With sex and intimacy more like a memory, Diana decides to rediscover the deeply feeling woman she once was, embarking on a journey of art, sensuality – and sexual fantasy.

But does rediscovering her own desires means dissolving the safe life she’s so carefully cultivated? And is it worth it…?

Intelligent, entertaining, and contemporary, Dirty Diana explores female desire in a fun and honest way – and also explores how two partners can find their way back to each other through perseverance, connection and sex.

Readers are already loving Dirty Diana…

'Absolutely loved this book. It focuses on the female desire, ambitions and needs and wants out of their lives. It looks at marriage and relationships from the point of view of a woman which I found to be a refreshing take.'

'I read this book in a day, I couldn’t put it down!'

'This is perfect for a holiday read'

Join the small community of Summerfield in this warm-hearted, charming romance about trying not to fall in love - and failing - from an award-winning Australian author. For readers of Stella Quinn and Fleur McDonald
Mackenzie Henry is happy enough with her life in the small town of Summerfield. She loves her work as a saddler, the bushland surrounding her home, and the feeling of safety her beloved grandfather brings her. She doesn't want anything-or anybody-else.
So when her grandfather asks her to lead the fight to rehabilitate land destroyed by an open-cut mine, and work in front of the camera with a Norwegian documentary-making team, Mackenzie fears her life will be tipped on its axis. And she's right. The documentary not only reignites old resentments but unearths secrets that threaten her family's reputation and her own safety. To make matters worse, the enigmatic scientist, filmmaker and adventurer Kit Thorsen is a threat to the heart Mackenzie has kept safe.
Handsome, arrogant and infuriating (read: Viking), Kit is in equal parts as fascinated and frustrated by Mackenzie's mix of independence and vulnerability as she is by his. Given the demons in both of their pasts, they should run a mile. Will the compulsion that brings them together unite them or tear them apart?
'A rural story that has it all ... simmering romance [...], a complex heroine and a swoon-worthy hero. What's not to love?' Karly Lane, bestselling Australian author

A weekend away that has lasted a century. True love's kiss can't break this spell ... A cosy, romantic fantasy mystery for all fans of Rebecca Ross, Legends and Lattes and Assistant to the Villain.

A hundred years ago, Genevieve and Oliver spent an amazing weekend together in Riverswood manor. They wished they could stay there forever ... and then their wish come true.
Blessed with immortality but trapped for eternity, the two former lovers are now thoroughly tired of one another's company. Then, one dark and stormy night, a stranger called Ella arrives with a cheery disposition and a secret that could be the key to their salvation. With the help of Ella and the return of their best friend, Fionn, Genevieve and Oliver learn more about Riverswood's tangled history.
If they can come to terms with their own feelings, and the truth that has kept them locked away, they might stand a chance at breaking this curse. True love certainly hasn't worked.
'The definition of a comfort read. Riverswood manor and Almond's cast of characters glow with the same warm depth of detail and loveability that shines from every page. Thoroughly Disenchanted revels in the power of belonging, both to people and to place. If you are on the hunt for a cosy, contemporary fantasy with a love story that foregrounds friendship (and more than a dash of heartwarming queer romance), then this is the story for you.' Sarah Street, author of A Curse of Salt

'a candid, rollicking read…roars with honesty, chaos, self-awareness, literary ambition and drunken benders.'

The Times
From Josh Brolin, a unique and decidedly un-celebrity memoir, by turns affecting, funny, uncanny, and unforgettable. A remarkable and an unforgettable read.

Weaving a latticework of different strands, moving back and forth through time, Josh Brolin captures a life marked by curiosity, pain, devotion, kindness, humor. He recounts an unconventional childhood far from Hollywood. Raised on a ranch in Paso Robles, California, he was surrounded as a child by the wolves, cougars and other wild animals gathered by his fearless and explosive mother, Jane Agee Brolin. Her tragic, early death haunts this book, and the force of her unforgettable personality is felt throughout.

Brolin also brings to life his career in the film industry —from his breakout role in The Goonies to the set of No Country for Old Men—and the professional and personal ups and downs in between and since. With unflinching honesty but also great humor, he shares insights into relationships, addiction, love and fatherhood, while letting the white space in between words speak for itself. Grappling with the mysteries of life and death in a way that will catch readers by surprise, From Under the Truck is an audacious and riveting memoir from a born writer.

With one unexpected email from her estranged best friend, Lucy, Mina Murray’s carefully curated life is turned upside down. Leaving behind her psychiatric practice in London, along with her routine and the calm it brings, she returns to the windswept shores of Wales. Faced with everything she’s left behind, she soon discovers that Lucy’s symptoms mirror those of her mysterious patient with amnesia hundreds of miles away.
With nothing but an untreatable sickness connecting the two women, and with Lucy’s life on the line, Mina finds herself asking questions and being drawn ever deeper into a web of secrets, missing girls and the powerful, nameless force at its centre — one that has been haunting her for years.
As terrible, ancient truths begin to reveal themselves, Mina prepares to confront her own darkest secrets, and with them, an evil beyond comprehension. Together with a group of smart, savvy women, Mina seizes one last, desperate chance to stop the cycle that began so long ago. But there are dangers to inviting the attentions of what might not be a man, but a monster...

Paddington Bear has been delighting adults and children alike with his earnest good intentions and humorous misadventures for more than sixty years. To celebrate his enduring popularity, six bestselling classic paperback novels are brought together in this special slipcase edition. Paddington is now a major movie star!
Paddington Bear had travelled all the way from Darkest Peru when the Brown family first met him on Paddington station. Since then their lives have never been quite the same . . . for things just seem to happen to Paddington. Wherever there is excitement to be found, whether a flooded bathroom, a DIY disaster or a kitchen calamity, Paddington is never far from the scene!

Set includes:
• A Bear Called Paddington
• More About Paddington
• Paddington Helps Out
• Paddington Goes to Town
• Paddington Here and Now
• Paddington’s Finest Hour

Dogs, puppies and more dogs!
Since Muster Dogs first hit our screens in 2022, it has captured the hearts of people worldwide. The gorgeous hard-working puppies and their dedicated breeders, educators and trainers not only charmed us, they taught us about the drive and capacity needed to work this land and feed our population.
But what really resonated with fans was the loyalty, connection and mutual dependence between dog and handler. The intuition and drive of the muster dog, whether kelpie or collie, is truly something to behold.
In this book, captured in vivid colour are the characters - both canine and human - and moments of drama that have made the show, as well as the tough but glorious locations around Australia that they call home.
With more than 200 photos of these pups at work and play - creating mischief and demonstrating mateship - this is a tribute to the uncomplaining, reliable and often unsung heroes of our land.

'Compelling, haunting and beautifully written. You'll be thinking about it long after you turn the last page!' Liane Moriarty
Two women. A tragedy on the lake. And secrets beneath the surface ... The lyrical, haunting new novel from the author of The Beautiful Words

For fans of The Lovely Bones, Before You Knew My Name and Everything I Never Told You
Paige White kayaked across the lake each morning at dawn. Someone was watching her. Many someones watched her online. But was anyone with her the day she was found?
Paige White's beautiful life is documented closely for her thousands of followers: lakeside picnics with her daughter, sunny afternoons in the family van, and romantic dinners with her husband. So when she posts an ominous image, and her body is shortly after discovered in the lake, everyone immediately wonders - suicide or foul play?
Paige finds herself suspended in a strange, idyllic place that resembles her most 'liked' Instagram post, forced to watch as life continues without her.
When Paige's death makes national news, Jane Masters, a journalist who was close to Paige in childhood, reluctantly travels home. Struggling with the morality of covering her friend's death, Jane will confront the town she left behind and the dark undercurrents that she's always known run underneath.
'Compelling, haunting and beautifully written, The Last Illusion of Paige White is a clever, page-turning modern mystery as well as a thoughtful exploration of female friendship, family dynamics and the complex impact of social media on self identity. You'll be thinking about it long after you turn the last page! ' Liane Moriarty
'An addictive read which nimbly combines a twisty small-town mystery with a thoughtful critique of influencer culture, all set against the wild, irresistible beauty of the Australian coastal landscape.' Mikki Brammer, author of The Collected Regrets of Clover
'Lyrical and evocative, and with a twisty whodunnit edge, this is Vanessa McCausland's best book yet.' Fiona Lowe
'Atmospheric and poignant' Petronella McGovern
'An ambitious and evocative novel that will appeal to both young and old. Vanessa McCausland has written a modern classic with family, friendship and beauty on the surface, and dark currents swirling beneath.' BM Carroll

Amid the rising flood waters and shearers' strike violence, can one brave woman reclaim her future? From an Australian bestselling author comes a riveting historical adventure about one woman's journey from a life of isolation to one of love and acceptance.
1894, Echuca, Victoria, Tess Hawthorn is a woman on the run from her abusive husband. All she has to do is get on the riverboat and she will be free. But with tensions at an all-time high between unionist shearers and Scabs, Tess isn't the only person trying to board a boat under the cover of night. When a brawl erupts between the union and non-union men, Tess is mistaken for a fellow Scab and in the chaos pulled aboard the PS the same boat heading up the Darling River that her husband was bound for. The last person Bram Kempster expects to see on board is Tess Hawthorn, the girl he's loved from afar since they were young. But he can't afford to get distracted, not when he's on an urgent trip to Renmark. Tess didn't want him back then and, if her haughty behaviour is anything to go by, she certainly doesn't want him now. But childhood hurts are the least of their problems. The continent is a tinderbox of violence and bloodshed waiting to ignite, and at home the Murray River is rising fast. Can they overcome their past in time to work together and survive? PRAISE FOR DARRY FRASER: Fraser has established herself as one of Australia's most loved historical fiction authors. The Milliner of Bendigo, Fraser delivers another enthralling adventure, sweeping us along on the remarkable journey of a woman determined to forge her own path. Darry Fraser is at the top of her game with her latest Australian historical The Milliner of Bendigo is another wonderful tale to immerse yourself in.

A sumptuous, shocking, steamy thriller set in the vineyards of California's Napa Valley…
What happens when the husband you thought died years ago shows up alive?
'Sensuous and intoxicating' Ashley Winstead

'Atmospheric and twist-packed' Ellery Lloyd

'Suspenseful, sexy, gritty, and empowering' Marissa Stapley



Ten years ago, June’s beloved husband drowned on their honeymoon. Josh’s body was never found. Now, a decade later, June is finally ready to move on. She owns a natural wine bar in Brooklyn and is engaged to a patient, supportive man named Kyle. She’s excited to begin a new chapter in her life, enjoy a picture-perfect wedding, and start a family.

But out of the blue, she sees…him. Josh, her first husband. Is this just a hallucination from the guilt June carries about finally moving on, or is it possible that her husband never died in the first place?

June tries to forget about this vision, chalking it up to grief and nerves, but soon enough, she stumbles across a website for a winery in Napa, and the owner in the photo is identical to her dead husband. With her upcoming wedding looming and a fiancé who’s already worried she hasn’t left her past behind, June flies to Napa for answers. But she’s not prepared for all the secrets she’s about to unlock, because everything she thought she knew about her first love is a lie.

Till Death Do Us Part is a simmering, page-turning thriller brimming with revelations, betrayals, and shocking twists.



Readers LOVE Till Death Do Us Part:
'A captivating look at love, lies, family bonds, and the twisted measures some will take to hide a horrible truth'

'Spellbinding and completely captivating'

'My favorite book of the year to date'

'The story kept me on the edge of my seat, with twists that made me gasp'

'I could not put it down'

'So well crafted'

'Sultry, enthralling, and utterly unputdownable'

Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell and Adele Parks!

Welcome to the secret diary of future tennis star Ash Barty and her adventures at Tennis Camp! By Ash Barty, Jasmin McGaughey and Jade Goodwin - the team behind the bestselling Little Ash series!
TOP SECRET! This is the PRIVATE diary of Ash Barty, future tennis SUPERSTAR! So don't tell anyone what I'm about to tell you... Okay? Ash is back at TENNIS CAMP and so HAPPY to see her friends again. When they all find out that they will COMPETE at the end of camp in a singles tournament and the WINNERS will get to be a ball kid at the local grown-ups tournament, they all get SUPER EXCITED! Especially when there's a chance they'll get to meet their tennis heroes AND go on TV! Will Ash get to meet her HEROES and be a BALL KID to the STARS?

The grand story of the famous 'Birdman' John Gould and his talented wife Elizabeth, who revealed the astonishing world of Australian birds and wildlife in one of the most important naturalist expeditions in history - from the bestselling author of Sister Viv, Flinders, Banks, Mrs Kelly and The Remarkable Mrs Reibey.

John and Elizabeth Gould sailed into Australia on a cold spring day in 1838 prepared for the most astonishing adventure of their lives. They had crossed three oceans from their London home to find the treasures of Australia's birdlife and showcase them to the outside world.Elizabeth had fallen pregnant for the seventh time at just 34, and there would be little rest for her in illustrating her husband's exquisite books that had made him England's celebrated 'Bird Man', and a force of nature in both science and publishing. Elizabeth had always worked in his shadow, but perhaps with his new book 'The Birds of Australia' she would finally receive the deserved acclaim for her work.Gould had studied birds from the Galapagos Islands and helped Charles Darwin expound his controversial theory of evolution by natural selection. In Australia, with the help of Aboriginal guides, he would gaze upon a vast array of Australian wildlife which would generate huge praise and profits. 'The Birds of Australia'would become a landmark publication and cement the reputation of the husband and wife team forever, but tragically it was one that Elizabeth would never see. This rollicking story of the astute Gould and his brilliant wife brings Elizabeth and her extraordinary talent to life - the woman behind the man and his fame - as well as the incredible array of Australian birds and wildlife that astonished the world.

A masterwork from the world's greatest Jiu Jitsu fighter and international bestselling author of BREATHE.
A mythic figure in fighting and a legendary member of the “first family of martial arts,” Rickson Gracie is considered the godfather of what we recognize today as Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Although Rickson’s three decades of total dominance in Jiu Jitsu is astounding, even more astounding is the serenity and spiritual depth of his approach to combat. Some consider Jiu Jitsu a martial art, others consider it a sport, but to Gracie, it is a philosophical system he uses to face and evaluate life’s challenges and maintain happiness and peace of mind.

Gracie wrote Comfort in Darkness after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, a terminal sentence which he views as the greatest fight of his life, one he knows he will eventually lose. This is Gracie’s defining life statement about his spiritual and technical practice. For the first time, he reveals his time-tested theories and techniques of invisible Jiu Jitsu, a combat system anyone can use to awaken their power and apply it to their everyday lives. An indispensable tool for any fighter or seeker, Comfort in Darkness teaches how to balance and align the mind, body, and spirit.

You know the songs by heart. You’ve traded the friendship bracelets. You’ve worn the cowboy boots and the bejewelled bodysuits.

Now, get the inside track on this generation’s biggest super star – Taylor Swift.
An intimate look at the life and music of modern pop's most legendary figure, Taylor Swift, from leading music journalist Rob Sheffield.

A cultural phenomenon. A worldwide obsession. An agent of emotional chaos. There's no parallel to Taylor Swift in history: a teenage girl who turns into the world's favorite pop star, songwriter, storyteller, guitar hero, live performer, changing how music is made and heard. An all-time great on the level of The Beatles, Prince, or David Bowie.

Heartbreak Is the National Anthem: How Taylor Swift Reinvented Pop Music is the first book that goes deep on the musical and cultural impact of Taylor Swift. Nobody can tell the story like Rob Sheffield, the bestselling and award-winning author of Dreaming the Beatles, On Bowie, and Love Is a Mix Tape. The legendary Rolling Stone journalist is the writer who has chronicled Taylor for every step of her long career, from her early days to the Eras Tour. Sheffield gets right to the heart of Swift and her music, her lyrics, her fan connection, her raw power.

At once one of the most beloved music figures of the past two decades and one of the most criticized, Taylor Swift is known as much for her life beyond her music as she is for her hits–the most public of stars, yet also the weirdest and most mysterious. In the tradition of Sheffield's Dreaming the Beatles, Heartbreak Is the National Anthem will inform and delight a legion of fans who hang on every word from Taylor and every word Rob writes on her.

Trawling through a vast family archive and arcane sources in half a dozen languages, Adam Zamoyski has revealed the dramatic life of his great-great-great grandmother, an uneducated, vulnerable girl cast into a man’s world.
Her aristocratic position enmeshed her in high politics and close encounters with Frederick the Great, Benjamin Franklin, Rousseau, Joseph II, Marie-Antoinette and Tsar Alexander I, and earned her the enmity of Catherine the Great. She lived through revolution and no less than five wars, in which her cherished homes were devastated, her possessions looted and her children scattered. Caught up in tempestuous love affairs which led her to nervous breakdown and the brink of suicide, exploited by her lovers, she remained undaunted and liberated herself through education. And, unusually for her time, she became a caring mother devoted to her children.

She learned much by travelling extensively around Europe at a time of political and ideological change, and her observations, particularly on Georgian Britain, are remarkable. She gradually won the admiration of learned men and intellectual honours. She pioneered schooling for children of the poor and developed her own educational methods. Fascinated by the power of objects to kindle memories and arouse emotions, she was an avid collector of anything with a sensuous association and built two unique museums to act as teaching aids.

This is a story of triumph over adversity and betrayal. It was not achieved by her looks: ‘I have never been beautiful, but I have sometimes been pretty,’ she wrote. It was achieved by force of character and resilience.