A 'giant of Australian letters' and a 'generous and inspirational teacher' – writers, friends and colleagues remember Jean Bedford, who died last Thursday, 11 December 2025. newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/tributes-to-... #BookSky 💙 📚

NRB mourns Jean Bedford Writer and editor Jean Bedford has died after a long illness. Author of eight novels, including Sister Kate and a trio of detective novels, Jean was co-founder of NRB and co-editor 2012-2019. A tribute is planned for NRB next week. If you would like to contribute pls DM.

ICYMI this week's reviews: Robert Goodman on Alix E Harrow's time-travel novel The Everlasting Catherine Pardey on Stuart Everly-Wilson's crime family novel The Maskeys Ann Skea on Lyn Dickens' novel of colonial South Australia, Salt Upon the Water newtownreviewofbooks.com.au #Fiction #BookSky 💙 📚

Lyn Dickens’s novel of an independent woman in colonial South Australia explores prejudice, power and identity: "distinctive, imaginative, carefully researched and very enjoyable." Ann Skea reviews @lyndickens.bsky.social Salt Upon the Water newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/lyn-dickens-... #BookSky 💙 📚

"Everly-Wilson takes you right inside the Maskeys fictional world and keeps you there, entertainingly, for three hundred or so pages." Catherine Pardey reviews Stuart Everly-Wilson's novel The Maskeys: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/stuart-everl... @basicwriter.bsky.social #CrimeFic #BookSky 💙 📚

Gadigal/Sydney based authors & readers, support the Berkelouw/Harry Hartog bookshop workers strike this weekend! Image via RAFFWU

"The Everlasting is ultimately about the way people use stories to create a national identity...[via a] time-travel driven plot with engagingly flawed main characters." Robert Goodman reviews @alixeharrow.bsky.social The Everlasting: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/alix-harrow-... #SFF #BookSky 💙 📚

ICYMI this week's reviews: Robert Goodman on Claire North's new sci-fi Slow Gods Ann Skea on Thomas Schlesser's art history novel Mona's Eyes Braham Dabscheck on Luke Kemp's Goliath's Curse: The history and future of societal collapse Find them at newtownreviewofbooks.com.au #BookSky 💙 📚

"a work of the highest order. He has examined a myriad of complex aspects of the human condition, including whether or not we are heading towards extinction." Braham Dabscheck reviews Luke Kemp's Goliath's Curse: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/luke-kemp-go... @lukekemp.bsky.social #BookSky 💙 📚

"for anyone who loves art, this book is a delight." Ann Skea reviews Thomas Schlesser's novel Mona's Eyes: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/thomas-schle... @europaeditions.bsky.social #ArtHistory #ThomasSchlesser #BookSky 💙 📚

"In her latest book... North moves into the realms of modern space opera, and once again brings something new to the table... [using] her science fiction stylings to consider large, real-world issues." Robert Goodman reviews Slow Gods: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/claire-north... #BookSky 💙 📚

ICYMI this week's reviews of two new novels from Australian authors: Amelia Dudley on Keshe Chow's dark fantasy For No Mortal Creature Annette Hughes on Erin Hortle's second novel A Catalogue of Love Find them at newtownreviewofbooks.com.au #AustralianAuthors #NewFiction #BookReviews #BookSky 💙 📚

"the exhilaration of surfing is crafted with such precision, it’s hard to believe Neika is the work of Hortle’s exceptionally vivid imagination... irresistible." Annette Hughes reviews A Catalogue of Love: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/erin-hortle-... #AustralianAuthors #Fiction #BookSky 💙 📚

We are pleased to announce that entries are now open for the 2026 ASA/HQ Fiction Prize, offering one winner a publishing contract with HQ and a $10,000 advance against royalties. Entries close on 30 January 2026! Find out more: www.asauthors.org.au/news/2026-as...

"gripping, full of misunderstandings and their often terrible consequences ...this is a beautiful, original story about grief, letting go and finding your place." Amelia Dudley reviews Keshe Chow's new novel For No Mortal Creature: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/keshe-chow-f... #ghosts #BookSky 💙 📚

ICYMI this week's reviews: Braham Dabscheck on Richard Denniss's Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us Ann Skea on Nicola Barker's latest novel TonyInterruptor Find them at newtownreviewofbooks.com.au #BookReviews #NewBooks #BookSky 💙 📚

TonyInterruptor is "often very funny and it certainly demonstrates the dissembling, self-delusion and dishonesties of our everyday lives." Ann Skea reviews Nicola Barker's new novel: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/nicola-barke... @grantabooks.bsky.social #NewFiction #BookSky 💙 📚

Great evening at @gleebooks.bsky.social to hear Don Watson discuss The Shortest History of the United States of America. The history, the contradictions, the violence, the energy, the rhetoric of freedom, the racism - and the overturning of conventions by the current president. #BookSky 💙 📚

Some #YeahNoir Reviews today: A House Built on Sand, Tina Shaw: tinyl.co/3zHG Ōkiwi Brown, Cristina Sanders: tinyl.co/3zHH The Mires, Tina Makereti: tinyl.co/3zHJ Different, yet there's something about the threads in all of these that resonates. #BookSky ⚡📚💙 #CrimeFiction

"a clear and concise examination of the timidity of Australian politicians to tackle major issues central to Australia’s long-term needs." Braham Dabscheck reviews Richard Denniss's Dead Centre newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/richard-denn... @australiainstitute.org.au #AustralianPolitics #BookSky 💙 📚

Reading this right now and it's just as T. Kingfishery as I was hoping. I love her, her world building and her stories. She brings a bit of magic with every book she writes.

ICYMI this week's reviews: Ann Skea on Mariana Enriquez's memoir Somebody is Walking on Your Grave: My cemetery journeys Amelia Dudley on T Kingfisher's new novel Hemlock and Silver newtownreviewofbooks.com.au @grantabooks.bsky.social @torbooksuk.bsky.social @tkingfisher.com #BookSky 💙 📚

"This novel is not just for fellow plant biologists or anyone else fascinated by poisonous plants.. It’s hilarious and charming and heartbreaking." Amelia Dudley reviews T Kingfisher's Hemlock & Silver: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/t-kingfisher... @torbooksuk.bsky.social @tkingfisher.com #BookSky 💙 📚

Today's review is the excellent Softly Calls the Devil by Chris Blake (who has hidden form in writing excellent novels) tinyl.co/3xNh Told in a brisk, no nonsense tone that is richly interlaced with laconic humour & compelling observation, this delivers. #BookSky ⚡📚💙 #CrimeFiction #YeahNoir

Mariana Enriquez is "an amusing, thoughtful and well-informed companion" as she details her fascination with cemeteries. Ann Skea reviews Mariana Enriquez's Somebody is Walking on Your Grave: My cemetery journeys: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/mariana-enri... @grantabooks.bsky.social #BookSky 💙 📚

ICYMI this week's reviews: Bernard Whimpress on Brian Stoddart's Playing the Game: How cricket made Barbados Braham Dabscheck on David Price's The Shameful Isles: The true story of north-west Australia’s fatal experiment with medical apartheid Find them at newtownreviewofbooks.com.au #BookSky 💙 📚

"an important book that deals with difficult – and shameful – issues." Braham Dabscheck reviews David Price's The Shameful Isles: The true story of north-west Australia’s fatal experiment with medical apartheid: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/david-price-... #AustralianHistory #BookSky 💙 📚

"an important work and essential reading for anyone who cares not only about the direction of West Indies cricket but the future of the global game." Bernard Whimpress reviews Brian Stoddart's Playing the Game: How cricket made Barbados: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/brian-stodda... #BookSky 💙 📚

ICYMI this week's reviews: Naomi Manuell on John Banville's gothic historical novel Venetian Vespers Linda Godfrey on Andrew Pippos's new novel The Transformations Find them at newtownreviewofbooks.com.au #NewFiction #BookReviews #BookSky 💙 📚

"Pippos offers a nuanced and insightful exploration of second-generation migrant experiences ... and the transformative impact of love." Linda Godfrey reviews the new novel from Andrew Pippos, The Transformations: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/andrew-pippo... #AustralianAuthors #BookSky 💙 📚

"Evelyn Dolman, the book’s narrator.. is a writer, a self-deluded scribe whose comeuppance is a delight to witness." Naomi Manuell reviews John Banville's new novel Venetian Vespers: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/john-banvill... @faberbooks.bsky.social #HistoricalFiction #CrimeFiction #BookSky 💙 📚

newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/garry-disher... I’m currently enjoying this

ICYMI this week's reviews: Karen Chisholm on Garry Disher's latest Hirsch crime novel, MIschance Creek Braham Dabscheck on Graeme Turner's dissection of the crisis in Australian universities, Broken Find them at newtownreviewofbooks.com.au @austcrimefiction.org #AustralianAuthors #BookSky 💙 📚

"provides a clear and concise analysis of the problems that beset universities and a well thought-out program for reform." Braham Dabscheck reviews Graeme Turner's Broken: Universities, politics and the public good: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/graeme-turne... #AustralianUniversities #BookSky 💙 📚

Another brilliant, clever book from the master of the art of rural noir #BookSky 💙 📚⚡ #AusCrime

Historical fiction fans – don’t miss this! The History Unbound festival is on 1st and 2nd Nov at Parramatta Town Hall. Hear from authors inc Anita Heiss, Natasha Lester, Fiona McIntosh, & Pip Williams. willorganise.eventsair.com/2025-history... #AustralianAuthors #HistoricalFiction #BookSky 💙 📚

"Disher.. is master of the art of misdirection, complicated scenarios made easy, and the slow, measured build." Karen Chisholm reviews Garry Disher's latest crime novel, MIschance Creek: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/garry-disher... @austcrimefiction.org #CrimeFiction #RuralNoir #BookSky 💙 📚

ICYMI this week's reviews: Jessica Stewart on Jennette McCurdy's memoir I'm Glad My Mom Died Braham Dabscheck on Evan Osnos' account of the ultrarich, The Haves and Have-Yachts Ann Skea on Heather Rose's new historical novel, A Great Act of Love. newtownreviewofbooks.com.au #BookSky 💙 📚

"Rose weaves many stories into [the book] and strands of poetry lighten some of the darkest parts." Ann Skea reviews Heather Rose's new novel A Great Act of Love, set in colonial-era Van Dieman's Land: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/heather-rose... #AustralianAuthors #HistoricalFiction #BookSky 💙 📚

"provides valuable insights into the conceits of America’s ultrarich and their broader impact on the ‘working out’, or more correctly the dismantling of, the American dream." Braham Dabscheck reviews Evan Osnos' The Haves and Have-Yachts: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/evan-osnos-t... #BookSky 💙 📚

This was a book I started once, wasn't in the right headspace. But eventually picked it back up and ended up really enjoying it.

"I’m Glad My Mom Died is a funny, clever book about trauma and the contortion, pain and reward that accompanies abuse by a carer." Jessica Stewart reviews Jennette McCurdy's memoir I'm Glad My Mom Died: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/jennette-mcc... #ChildStars #BookSky 💙 📚

László Krasznahorkai has won the Nobel Prize for Literature Catch up with: James Arbuthnott on Herscht 07769 newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/laszlo-krasz... Ben Ford Smith on A Mountain to the North, a Lake to the South, Paths to the West, a River to the East newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/laszlo-krasz...

Congratulations to Patricia, who has won this great swag of books in the third and final of our spring giveaways. Thank you to all who entered. To be first to know about new giveaways and reviews, it's free to subscribe at newtownreviewofbooks.com.au #BookGIveawayWinner #BookSky 💙 📚

Just hours left to go in the draw to win our third and final spring #bookgiveaway ... Don't miss out !

Congratulations to Rosemary, who has won this fabulous bundle of books in the second of our Spring Giveaways. Our third and final giveaway is on today and you can find out all about it here: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/2025-spring-... #BookGIveaways #BookSky 💙 📚

Australian #BookGiveaway fans -- it's our 3rd and final spring giveaway, and you could win books by Ashley Kalagian Blunt, @roffwrites.bsky.social, Michael Adams and Amy Lovat. Be quick - entries close midnight TONIGHT Thurs 9 Oct 2025. newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/2025-spring-... #BookSky 💙 📚

Don't miss out! You've got till midnight tonight, Wednesday 8 October, to get your entry in to win this great swag of books in our second Spring Giveaway. #BookGiveaway #BookSky 💙📚

Congratulations to Inez, who has won this fabulous bundle of books in the first of our Spring Giveaways yesterday. There's a second giveaway today for another great bunch of books and you can find out all about it here: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/2025-spring-... #BookGIveaways #BookSky 💙 📚

Attn Australian book fans! Our 2nd spring giveaway is now on, and you could win this fab bundle of books by Samantha Byres, Murray Middleton, Gretchen Shirm, & Katharine Pollock. Entries close midnight TONIGHT Wed 8 Oct 2025. newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/2025-spring-... #BookGIveaway #BookSky 💙 📚