FREE SEPTEMBER 2020

The Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction 2020 shortlist

page 5

New books by Elena Ferrante, Yotam Ottolenghi, Yaa Gyasi, Jock Serong and more

BOOKS MUSIC FILM EVENTS

VIKA & LINDA page 22

ELENA KATE BRIAN DEER HELEN FIONA HARDY FERRANTE MILDENHALL page 13 MACDONALD page 18 page 6 page 6 page 16

CARLTON 309 LYGON ST 9347 6633 KIDS 315 LYGON ST 9341 7730 DONCASTER WESTFIELD DONCASTER, 619 DONCASTER RD 9810 0891 HAWTHORN 701 GLENFERRIE RD 9819 1917 MALVERN 185 GLENFERRIE RD 9509 1952 ST KILDA 112 ACLAND ST 9525 3852 STATE LIBRARY VICTORIA 285-321 RUSSELL ST 8664 7540 | SEE SHOP OPENING HOURS, BROWSE AND BUY ONLINE AT READINGS.COM.AU 2020 SHORTLIST

THE READINGS PRIZE FOR NEW AUSTRALIAN FICTION

Available now at Readings readings.com.au | search ‘Readings Prize shortlist’ on our website to buy all six books in one specially priced pack NEWS September 2020 READINGS MONTHLY 3

a copy of the book from Readings, and will his highly anticipated new novel on Tuesday run until 30 September 2020. The entry 6 October, and many more! For details on Bargains September form is online. For all of the details about how to watch, and to see what’s on offer You might notice something missing from how to enter, visit readings.com.au/news/ across our whole events program, visit your Readings Monthly this month. Due to enter-our-how-to-write-the-soundtrack-to- readings.com.au/events the ongoing lockdowns, restrictions and News your-life-competition or search for the book supply issues in Victoria, we are unable on our website. to include our Bargains page in this Readings Puzzle September edition. But don’t worry, the If we have learnt anything this year, it’s Bargains page will return to the Readings Readings shops & COVID-19 The Readings Prize for New Australian that puzzles are essential. And just in Monthly, and, in the meantime, you can We’d like to thank all of our customers for Fiction 2020 Shortlist time for the end of the year, the Readings still browse our wonderful range of bargain their continued support throughout the This year’s shortlist for the Readings 1000-piece puzzle is back. This updated books at readings.com.au/bargains past few months. Due to the ongoing public Prize for New Australian Fiction has been version of the puzzle features a new range (You might also notice that ‘Mark’s Say’ health situation in Melbourne, our shops are announced! The shortlisted books are The of our favourite recently released books. is missing this month. Again, don’t worry! operating a little differently. For the most Animals In That Country by Laura Jean You can find the puzzle online (search His column will return next month.) up-to-date information about how we’re McKay, Dolores by Lauren Aimee Curtis, for ‘Readings puzzle’ on our website), or trading, our trading hours, and any special Lucky Ticket by Joey Bui, A Lonely Girl is a contact our shops for more information. trading conditions, please visit readings. Dangerous Thing by Jessie Tu, Smart Ovens com.au/our-shops. You can also follow for Lonely People by Elizabeth Tan and us on social media (@readingsbooks on The House of Youssef by Yumna Kassab. Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook) or sign This year’s guest judge is author (and 2019 up to our enews (readings.com.au/sign-up) Readings Prize winner) Alice Robinson. She to get current information as it happens. will join our staff judging panel to select a winner from the shortlist. Read more about the shortlisted titles on page 5. How to Write the Soundtrack to Your Life competition We are utterly delighted to have a Readings online events brand-new children’s novel from author In response to the COVID-19 health crisis, extraordinaire (and Readings bookseller) Readings has moved its events program Fiona Hardy this month! How to Write the online. Each month, we’re bringing you Soundtrack to Your Life is a funny and an array of local and international authors moving mystery about family, friendship and discussing their books, all accessible finding your voice. To celebrate its release, and available to watch right from your we’re partnering with publisher Affirm Press home. Upcoming highlights include Hetty to offer Readings customers the chance to McKinnon talking about her new cookbook win an ultra-special prize pack, including on Tuesday 29 September, Jane Harper a CASIO keyboard, keyboard stand and discussing her new thriller, also on 29 Bluetooth headphones. This competition is September, Craig Silvey (author of the open now for anyone who has purchased award-winning Jasper Jones) chatting about

READINGS MONTHLY SUBSCRIBE Free, independent monthly newspaper You can subscribe to Readings Monthly published by Readings Books, Music & Film and our e-news by visiting our website: readings.com.au/sign-up EDITOR A tender and fierce Elke Power DELIVERY UPDATE [email protected] A note on delivery charges: as of September 2020, we have increased our rates. Please story about secrets, EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS find the new rates below. Judi Mitchell & Ellen Cregan love and family. DELIVERY CHARGES FOR PROOFREADERS MAIL-ORDER & OVER-THE- PHONE PURCHASES Ellen Cregan & Marie Matteson $6.50 flat rate to anywhere in Australia for KIDS & YA CURATORS orders under $120. Free shipping for orders Angela Crocombe & Dani Solomon $120 and over.

MUSIC CURATOR DELIVERY CHARGES FOR ONLINE PURCHASES Dave Clarke $6.50 flat rate to anywhere in Australia for orders under $120. Free shipping for orders CLASSICAL MUSIC CURATOR $120 and over. Phil Richards PRICES AND AVAILABILITY DVDS CURATOR Please note that all prices and release Lou Fulco dates in Readings Monthly are correct at time of publication, however prices EVENTS & PROGRAMMING and release dates may change without Chris Gordon notice. Special price offers apply only for ADVERTISING the month in which they are featured in Readings Monthly. Ellen Cregan [email protected] COVID19 CARTOON While all title release dates were correct at the time of going to press, due to the Oslo Davis ongoing COVID-19 crisis the unexpected may happen along the supply chain. ‘Kokomo is a delight, a book I wanted to finish in FRONT COVER a greedy rush but one I also wanted to savour.’ The September Readings Monthly cover Please bear with us as we bring you books features artwork from the cover of Kate in these rapidly changing circumstances. J. P. POMARE, AUTHOR OF CALL ME EVIE Mildenhall’s new novel, The Mother AND IN THE CLEARING Fault, courtesy of the publisher, Simon & Readings donates 10% of its profits each Schuster. Book cover design by Sandy Cull/ year to the Readings Foundation: OUT NOW gogoGingko. Cover image by Daniel Lint. readings.com.au/the-readings-foundation 4 READINGS MONTHLY September 2020 COLUMNS

have published another excellent collection, New Australian Fiction 2020. We recently Dear announced the books shortlisted for this year’s Readings Prize for New Australian A REPORTER Reader Fiction. It’s an outstanding group: read the with Alison Huber report on the books on page 5, written by the chair of the judging panel, Joe Rubbo. UNCOVERS THE Our nonfiction Book of the Month If, after six weeks at home is investigative journalist Brian Deer’s SECRETS BEHIND during Stage 4 restrictions, exposé of medical misconduct, The you’ve been staring at your Doctor Who Fooled the World. The ongoing shelves thinking, ‘I’ve read impacts of Andrew Wakefield’s actions are THE SCIENTIFIC all these’, then have I got even more concerning right now. Readers some great news for you. September is of essay collections are spoilt for choice SCAM OF THE usually the month that gets me prepping for this month, with new work from Helen the Christmas season, with lots of the Macdonald, Eula Biss, and Kylie Maslen, biggest books of the year due in store. This as well as debut memoirs from Katerina CENTURY. September is bigger than ever, full of books Bryant and Gemma Carey. The many readers are waiting for, some of them fans of James Rebanks’s A Shepherd’s Life delayed from earlier in the year. Our Fiction and Raynor Winn’s The Salt Path will be Book of the Month is a case in point: Elena excited to hear they each have a new book. Ferrante’s admirers have been desperate to Other notable nonfiction releases include read her new book, The Lying Life of Adults, books from Marlee Silva, Alan Davies, and it’s finally here. There are many, many Natasha Trethewey, Jacqueline Kent, A world of Ferrante superfans here at Readings, so Anthony Sharwood, Yanis Varoufakis, expectations were nervously high. Our Nick Bryant, Marian Wilkinson, Ben heartbreaking reviewer calls it ‘a vivid, volcanic Macintyre, and Richard Broinowski on masterpiece’: I think that means everyone the life of E.W. Cole. The final few months uncertainties, can relax because it’s pretty good! of this year will be joyous for cookbook tantalising Other eagerly awaited international aficionados because there are so, so many releases out this month include books from great books on the horizon, but this month possibilities, and Sigrid Nunez, Yaa Gyasi, Andrew O’Hagan, we have two of the best: the vegetarian’s Emma Cline, Donal Ryan, Ian McGuire, delight, Ottolenghi FLAVOUR (which thorny questions Sarah Moss, Tiffany McDaniel, Michel Faber, follows Plenty and Plenty More), and Ayad Akhtar, Juan Gabriel Vásquez, Ken from Melbourne’s own emerging foodie of morality. Follett, and Sue Miller. Blue in Chicago is a icon Julia Busuttil Nishimura, A Year of collection of short stories by the late Bette Simple Family Food (her first book, Ostro, is Howland which was originally published already a Readings classic). in 1978; Howland was much celebrated And finally, dear reader, it is again during the 1980s in particular, but her name my pleasure to congratulate our beloved has somehow fallen out of the canon. This staff member and ‘Dead Write’ columnist, republication should rectify that. the incomparable Fiona Hardy, on the There is so much great new Australian publication of her second novel for middle- fiction I don’t quite know where to start, but grade readers (and anyone who loves great perhaps you should begin with the books our stories), How to Write the Soundtrack to reviewers recommend from Kate Mildenhall, Your Life. Fiona is now officially a ‘book-a- Epic tale of Ewa Ramsey, Steven Conte, Sam Coley, year author’, so get reading her work right Laura Elvery, Emma Ashmere, Jock Serong, now before there are just too many books blood and and Barry Lee Thompson. Kill Your Darlings to catch up on! revenge

next hour take you from your home and place you firmly in the world of our speakers. ‘The Abstainer pulses On I can see the audience sitting at their and hums with the kitchen benches, in their bedrooms or on dark, unspoken Events their couches. It feels like we are together rhythms of life’ with Chris Gordon as we lean forward, listening to thought Mark Brandi author of leaders, to novelists, to creators. As all good parents know, there are The Rip I’ve been considering the no favourites, but I would like to call out a collective noun for hello to those who were fortunate enough Melburnians of late, and to eavesdrop on Tegan Bennett Daylight have come up with (The Details) and Alice Robinson (The ‘despondency’ as a term Glad Shout) in conversation. I would also that seems to capture how we are all feeling: a like to comment on how beautiful Kate little lost, a little sad and a little worried. Some Grenville’s bookshelves are, and ponder days this emotion weighs heavily on me; I rise why cooking with Julia Busuttil Nishimura A gripping tale of and don my activewear, walk for my allotted (A Year of Simple Family Food) looked so hour, talk with my family, tidy a little and easy. Tom Doig (Hazelwood) and Melissa one woman taking contemplate dinner. But there are moments in Davey (The Case of George Pell) taught me on the world to my day when I am taken elsewhere. things I hadn’t considered. Also, how funny It may be when I receive an email from is Richard Fidler (The Golden Maze) – who save her own a customer who attended one of our online knew? (Everyone, I know!) All of these events and wants to talk more about the memorable moments have happened while subject, or simply to thank the authors my dogs slept at my feet during lockdown. and Readings for the event. Ooo, I think, Over the next few weeks, we have online ‘Brilliant. A raw, urgent, how lovely. It may be when I speak with a events happening every weeknight. We will publishing house about a new title and we white-knuckle ride through be offering more opportunities to escape and organise an event with the author because a world only a heartbeat to consider other people’s imaginations and I just know we will all want to hear about learnings. And please do write and let me away’ how this particular story came about. know how you are finding our online events. James Bradley, author of However, those transportable moments Reaching out makes all the difference when Ghost Species happen mainly when I sit, perched in we are isolated from one another. my corner of the house, and welcome an audience scattered near and far to one of To see what’s on offer across our whole events program, visit readings.com.au/events our Zoom events. Welcome, I say, let the FEATURE September 2020 READINGS MONTHLY 5

The Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction

Lucky Ticket Joey Bui 2020 Text. PB. $29.99 This staggering debut collection is built on Joey Bui’s interviews with Vietnamese people from refugee Shortlist backgrounds. Each story thrusts the reader into a different world; in each Congratulations to the six emerging Australian story Bui harnesses a voice that is authors who feature on this year’s Readings powerful, distinct and nuanced.

Prize for New Australian Fiction shortlist: Lauren

Aimee Curtis, Joey Bui, Yumna Kassab, Laura Jean McKay, Elizabeth Tan and Jessie Tu. Joe Rubbo, our Carlton shop manager and chair of the 2020 judging panel, shares more details below. A Lonely Girl is a Dangerous The world was a different place when the other judges – Thing Kara Nicholson (Readings online), Kara McQueen Jessie Tu (Readings Carlton) and Andras Kerekes (Readings A&U. PB. $29.99 online) – and I started reading for this prize in the second This darkly compelling debut heralds half of last year. Despite the monumental distractions we Jessie Tu as a young writer to watch. have experienced since then, it was a fascinating and, as The story of a former violin prodigy a bookseller, rewarding experience. This is my first time battling with past demons while trying judging this prize, and as my colleague Alison Huber to make her way in the world, it draws pointed out to me, it is a unique selection of reading — you in and won’t let you go. the first and second novels or short-story collections by Australian writers. The books published over the year were innovative and challenging, and many shed light on aspects of Australian culture that have long remained in the dark. Disconcertingly, there were a few striking novels that featured pandemics, one of them making the shortlist. Smart Ovens for Lonely Deciding on the shortlist was extremely difficult, People and so many good and interesting books just missed Elizabeth Tan out. Our final choices include three assured short-story Brio. PB. $29.99 collections, two compelling novels and one gut-punch Elizabeth Tan’s second work of fiction of a novella. Four of these works come from first-time is a collection of stories that pushes authors, while two are sophomore outings, and it’s the form but never alienates the heartening to note that six different publishers are reader. Full of incisive commentary featured. Through this reading process, I was reminded and pin-sharp prose, this is a of the vibrancy of our local publishing scene, and its marvellous and highly rewarding read. commitment to telling Australian stories by new voices. It’s something we readers should all cherish and support, now more than ever. It is with great pleasure that I offer a very brief introduction to each of the six books shortlisted for The Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction shortlist 2020. The House of Youssef Yumna Kassab Giramondo. PB. $24.95 The Animals In That Country A debut collection that charts the lives Laura Jean McKay of Lebanese immigrants in Australia, Scribe. PB. $29.99 these short, sharp stories are One of the most unsettling books on structured in a compelling fashion, this list, Laura Jean McKay’s second building on each other to create a larger book features a hard-bitten narrator whole. Yumna Kassab knows what to who’s struggling to deal with a leave out to ratchet up the intensity. pandemic that has swept Australia which allows humans and animals to

communicate. Gripping from the

get-go, this is one of the stand-out

novels of the year. Now the shortlist has been decided, Readings’ managing director Mark Rubbo and author Alice Robinson will be joining our judging panel to help decide the winner. Robinson won The Readings Prize for New Australian Dolores Fiction in 2019 for her gripping climate-fiction thriller, The Lauren Aimee Curtis Glad Shout, and we’re excited to hear her thoughts on this W&N. PB. $19.99 year’s prize contenders. Look out for the announcement This is a highly enigmatic novella that of the winner online in late October and in the November manages to work some strange magic edition of the Readings Monthly. In the meantime, you can on the reader. The writing is superb get ahead on your reading with our shortlist pack at the and the imagery leaves an indelible special price of $134.90 (was $164.90). impression. Lauren Aimee Curtis’s debut is one of those books you can’t Due to the impact upon Readings of the ongoing global health crisis, wait to discuss with other readers. we are unable to offer prize money for any of our three prizes in 2020. We do hope these prizes will still guide readers towards wonderful emerging voices. 6 READINGS MONTHLY September 2020 FICTION

The Tolstoy Estate described as seventeen interlinked stories. Steven Conte I found coming to each story individually New and not worrying too much about how it Fourth Estate. PB. Was $32.99 $27.99 should ‘fit’ resulted in me slowly seeing Fiction Available now the possible links between them. By the time I read the final and longest It’s 1941, in the story, ‘Angel’, I had developed my own depths of the perspective on how these stories worked Russian winter, and the together, which bought a sense of closure Last year, when I heard that a new Elena Ferrante novel beginning of the end of for me as a reader. The stories cover two was imminent, I experienced palpable waves of the German advance on BOOK OF THE main themes. The first focuses on stories excitement through my body. That’s the kind of writer Russia. A German MONTH from gay male perspectives: fantasies as Ferrante is – she inspires feverish devotion. Like many of my medical unit stumbles a young boy, first approaches, random International colleagues, I worship her Neapolitan Novels, the quartet set through the gates of encounters with strangers, sex work, and Fiction in postwar Naples centred on brilliant friends Lenù (also Yasnaya Polyana, Tolstoy’s country estate, the continuing search for true intimacy. known as Elena) and Lila. It secured Ferrante’s place as one of twelve kilometres from the front at Tula. Scattered between these stories is a group the most perceptive writers of women’s psyches, and They have come to set up a field hospital. of tales that centre on family dynamics, especially of the highly flammable territory of adolescence. The estate is inhabited by its director, with a particular focus on the relationship Her first novel in five years, The Lying Life of Adults (with Katerina Trusbetzkaya, and her small between mother and son. translation again by Ann Goldstein), justifies this belief. staff. Trusbetzkaya is incensed, not cowed, by the German presence that is violating Regardless of connections the The Lying Life of Adults is a book I will one of Russia’s national shrines. She individual reader may make between believes that, like the French 140 years the stories, there is not one weak link. return to again and again. It’s a vivid, All pieces capture your attention quickly volcanic masterpiece. ago, it is only a matter of time before the Germans will be driven out of Russia. and none outstay their welcome. It is Thompson’s ability to create a vivid sense Surgeon Paul Bauer has a smattering With The Lying Life of Adults, Ferrante returns to the of place and tone that makes this an of Russian and is delegated by Metz, his city she knows best. But rather than the impoverished exciting (although sometimes unsettling) commanding officer, to act as liaison neighbourhood of the quartet, here we start up high, in reading experience. At this point I am still The Lying Life of between the Germans and Trusbetzkaya. the Vomero, among the educated middle classes in the wondering if I can forgive the author for Adults In Tolstoy’s library, he discovers a German early 1990s. Giovanna – shy and twelve when we meet her, the terrifying pictures in my head after Elena Ferrante translation of War and Peace and begins provocative at sixteen when we depart – has her world reading the opening story! & Ann Goldstein a reading that mirrors the world outside. unstitched when she overhears her parents compare her (trans.) Bauer is a reluctant participant in the Amanda Rayner is from Readings Carlton to her estranged Aunt Vittoria. Disillusioned, Giovanna Europa Editions. PB. war; he’s a humanist, an intellectual and descends into the other Naples – poorer, coarser, and more Was $32.99 a supremely competent surgeon. He is explosive – seeking the truth about her aunt and a mirror in The Morbids $27.99 fascinated by Tolstoy and by Trusbetzkaya, which she might see herself more clearly. Ewa Ramsey Available now who is also the author of two novels written A&U. PB. $29.99 The Lying Life of Adults reads like a raw confession. in the heady days of the early Soviet Union. Available now Ferrante excavates her protagonist’s turbulent inner life with So begins an unlikely relationship between About a month or so unvarnished prose. Amidst routine adolescent pains, Giovanna also learns that everybody the fiery Soviet and the German doctor. lies, and takes pleasure in the lies she tells; in their power to transform and punish. ago, our head book The rest of the German corps are all Ferrante portrays Giovanna’s changing body and mind with a ferocious volatility – her buyer Alison Huber flagged affected in one way or another by the feelings of indignation and shame are rendered so intensely they are practically stifling. this book with me, saying enormity of the estate and Tolstoy’s legacy. that it was something I The question persists: how much of Ferrante’s writing is autobiographical? Is The Even Metz, while experimenting with might like. Oh yeah, I Lying Life of Adults a portrait of the artist as a young rebel or a work of pure imagination? drugs, becomes obsessed with Tolstoy. In thought at the time, this Ferrante sees writing as the communication of truth, but also perhaps the definitive the background, the hospital receives a sounds interesting, I’ll give deception. Lies are stories; they give Giovanna’s life shape and order. That’s an intriguing never-ending procession of wounded and it a go. You see, Alison has this uncanny conundrum. The Lying Life of Adults is a book I will return to again and again. It’s a vivid, dying soldiers. Steven Conte’s descriptions knack of pairing books to people. She’s some volcanic masterpiece. of clinical procedures is fascinating, and sort of book-matchmaking wizard. Joanna Di Mattia is from Readings Carlton he masterfully evokes the extra impact of Lockdown has done strange things to the bitter cold, a quiet enemy driving the my brain, and I was expecting a different Germans to defeat. sort of book. Anyway, this novel is about Conte won the inaugural Prime Australia and China. Ben’s role there is to Caitlin: about her daily struggles as a Minister’s Literary Award with his Australian minimise environmental damage, but this waitress at a swanky wine bar, about how novel The Zookeeper’s War in 2008. This acknowledged paradox is significant. she walks everywhere, and, importantly, Fiction new, big, ambitious novel is a major Mim’s comfortable, microchipped life why she walks everywhere, and why she achievement. It deserves many readers as in outer Melbourne is abruptly derailed can’t get a full night’s sleep. Metaphorically, it will give them great pleasure. The Mother Fault when Ben disappears from the mine she is running, but barely hanging on, Kate Mildenhall and his personal chip cannot be traced. Mark Rubbo is the managing director of hiding behind a façade of statements I’m Readings S&S. PB. $32.99 One minute, Mim’s biggest daily worries fine, really, or I’m just tired. Every Tuesday Available now are tween angst and eyerolls from her she meets with her support group, the Kate Mildenhall’s contemporaries at the school gate when Broken Rules and Other Stories titular Morbids, where she listens to the debut novel, she cuts too close to the morning drop-off Barry Lee Thompson irrational death-fears of her fellows. Shame Skylarking, found many time once again, the next, representatives Transit Lounge. PB. $29.99 follows Caitlin as she struggles with her fans at Readings. With her from The Department (the alternative Available now increasing sense of guilt over her very second novel, The Mother government that has been in power for some The short-story existence following a fatal car accident. The Fault, Mildenhall is sure years) are drinking tea in her home and collection from a imminent marriage of her best friend, Lina, to cement herself as a ‘offering support’ by confiscating passports. single author is something or prospects of a new relationship with Dr reader favourite. While This riveting novel has everything: a I have grown to appreciate, Tom, are not enough to shake her out of this the two novels are very different, both are daring, desperate adventure across land especially in the last ten negative spiral, which eventually forces her memorable for unusual predicaments, and sea; impossible familial choices; a years or so. Australian to confront this trauma, and another from evocative depictions of place, and dangerous rebellion against a glossy, writers have definitely the past, head on. characters that linger in the mind. draconian regime; an unexpected romance made their mark in this While The Morbids is about all of the Set in a climate-crisis altered yet still from the past bolting with tension in area, ranging from those works with a above, it is also about friendship – the very recognisable Australia in the near the present; encrypted international strong sense of concept (Ceridwen Dovey’s longstanding, non-judgemental variety, future, The Mother Fault is the story of communications with a dogged journalist Only the Animals), those linked by a sense of and how much of a solid foundation Mim. A formerly tenured geologist, Mim on the scent of an earth-shattering mood (This Taste for Silence by Amanda that can represent, especially during is considering returning to her field of scoop; children’s milestones blithely O’Callaghan) and those that are simply an crisis. Ewa Ramsey’s book is more of a expertise, having stepped away from ticking over with all the incumbent impressive, varied collection (Fabulous heartwarming and affirming novel than I that career some years earlier in order to emotional collateral despite the strangest Lives by Bindy Pritchard). Broken Rules and was expecting. It’s not twee, though: there shoulder the bulk of her family’s parenting of circumstances; loyalty exacting an Other Stories by Barry Lee Thompson (who is great empathy in the portrayal of the and household responsibilities. It’s a unbearable price – and more. If this all was born in Liverpool but now lives in characters, and Caitlin’s situation. She decision with which Mim is still reckoning sounds a bit melodramatic, rest assured Melbourne, so we’re claiming him!) touches could easily be someone you or I know. now that her children are aged eleven the true power of this novel is in its on all these approaches but is its own Another reviewer said it was ‘quietly and six. Meanwhile, her environmentally appalling plausibility. That, and the fact unique collection and brought unexpected devastating’. I have to agree. This is a conscious FIFO engineer husband, Ben, that it is impossible to put down. tears to my eyes in the closing pages. strong debut from an emerging talent. works in Indonesia at a mine operated by Elke Power is the editor of Readings Monthly Broken Rules and Other Stories is Julia Jackson is from Readings Carlton FICTION September 2020 READINGS MONTHLY 7

The Burning Island the Harbour Bridge before its completion, State Highway One Jock Serong although the narrator is reluctant to return Sam Coley Text . PB. $32.99 to the city where her estranged family lives. Hachette. PB. $32.99 Available now In ‘Standing Up Lying Down’, a woman Available now ‘An important book.’ You may have read meets a potential girlfriend on the same Sam Coley won the Jock Serong’s day she pursues a diagnosis for troubling 2017 Richell Prize RICK MORTON gripping 2018 novel, symptoms. This is one of the most powerful for Emerging Writers for Preservation, based on stories in the collection, notable for what it his very deserving debut real events surrounding a leaves out and is left to the reader to intuit. novel State Highway One. shipwreck’s survivors and ‘Seaworthiness’ contains another of The story is centred on their doomed walk along Ashmere’s pet themes: war and its effects. Alex, a young Aucklander the south east coast of In 1948, Arthur proposes to Clarice and who returns home from Australia to Sydney in the late 1790s. If you gives her a sizeable diamond ring. But abroad after the sudden death of his did, you will be thrilled to hear that Serong almost in the same breath he tells her he parents. Alex and his estranged twin sister, takes up the story thirty years later in his will work his passage to England on an old Amy, set off on a road trip through New latest novel, The Burning Island. If you sailing boat. She asks why and he replies, Zealand, traveling Highway One to didn’t, the first few chapters artfully distil ‘To get the war out of my system.’ She reconnect with each other. It is a story that the key points of the earlier book to get waits for word from him, and establishes bounces from childhood memories to every reader up to speed. another life she enjoys, with a woman. present day. Alex and Amy’s parents were This story is told from the point of When she receives news about Arthur, she famous and spent most of their childhood view of Eliza Grayling, the daughter of must make a difficult decision. absent from them. Despite their Lieutenant Joshua Grayling – the man Ashmere’s writing is full of metaphor differences, the two are entwined as whose investigation tried to establish why and description, and while it may not suit siblings are: only they understand each only three of the seventeen walkers who those who prefer spare prose, I particularly other, only together can they make sense survived the shipwreck made it to Sydney. enjoyed this line from ‘Lush Life’, which sees of their parents and of the disaster that has We discover that the Lieutenant has become the narrator, ‘… staring at the dimming gold- fallen their way. a shadow of his former self, haunted by the toothed sneer of the Centrepoint Tower’. Coley has written a tremendous novel demons of the past, and deep in the grip of Annie Condon is from Readings Hawthorn that will keep you on your toes. It is a the alcoholism that has blinded him. When coming-of-age book. And it is an adventure the opportunity arises to make peace with Ordinary Matter story filled with car crashes, mountain at least one of those demons, Eliza finds Laura Elvery edges, camp sites, the kindness of strangers, herself joining her father on a seafaring UQP. PB. $29.99 junk food, booze and way too many Lucky mission of their own, investigating another Available now Strikes. However, at the heart of this novel is shipwreck and the whereabouts of its cargo. Alex and his overwhelming grief. Consider Laura Elvery has Bold This voyage takes them to Furneaux Islands State Highway One as a portal into the effect merged art and in Bass Strait, and is also inspired by actual of traumatic stress and how that can change science with a clever twist events and figures. you and submerge you. in her collection of short voices. Serong tells a gripping tale, a literary stories, Ordinary Matter. We all know literary characters that historical thriller with twists and She has won multiple become so real that they form part of your turns aplenty, and the same menacing awards for her stories, and own consciousness. By the end of this Inspiring undercurrent perfected in Preservation. her previous collection, novel, I wanted to comfort Alex and let He is a master of character drama, and his Trick of the Light, was widely praised. him know that these intense feelings will rich storytelling is populated with many not last forever; that peace will arrive. I stories. Each of the stories in this collection vivid personalities: some are resisting read this novel in one day while outside is prefaced with the name of one of the and surviving the brutality of Australia’s it rained heavily and the clouds covered twenty Nobel Prize-winning female OUT SEPTEMBER invasion; others are exploiting and the skyline in enormous bouts of grey. It scientists. While some of the stories revelling in it; others still are set adrift in its was the perfect weather for reading such a involve the scientist herself, others contain turbulence. There is also the story’s narrator, novel that swept me up until the very last only vague references to the nature of her a single white woman born in the colony, reckoning on the very last page. You’ve read work. Connecting these dots is something now well into her thirties and in the service Into the Wild and On the Road, now try this astute readers will enjoy. of her father, loyal to him with unshakeable one. It will break your heart. The longest (and in my opinion, the daughterly love, but who privately hopes for best) story in the collection is ‘Wingspan’. Chris Gordon is the events and programming another life. These competing experiences This piece imagines a young Elizabeth manager for Readings are carefully rendered, charging this novel Blackburn – Australia’s only female Nobel with emotion. Prize winner – on a day of great excitement. Bluebird Alison Huber is the head book buyer for Readings While her anticipation is about the visitors Malcolm Knox coming for dinner, Elizabeth has also come A&U. PB. Was $32.99 Dreams They Forgot to an exciting realisation – she wants to $29.99 Emma Ashmere become an artist like her mother’s friend, Available now Wakefield. PB. $24.95 not a scientist as she had previously Gordon Grimes lives in Available now decided. The whole day she feels electric The Lodge, a crumbling Emma Ashmere’s with this secret. Conversely, her mother, house in a prime location. debut collection Val, feels ill at ease. Her friend Pam’s arrival It is the last relic of an contains stories that have stirs up a familiar discomfort, especially endangered world – one been published and won when their conversation threatens to that Gordon is desperate awards over the last expose their disparate lifestyles. to conserve. But what will twenty years. Generally, Other stories feature Marie Curie it cost him to hang onto an author’s work improves and her daughters (one also won a Nobel the past? Savage, funny, and revelatory, with time, but all twenty- Prize), a woman who has been disgraced Bluebird exposes the hollowness of the ‘Daring, three stories in Dreams They Forgot are of in her postgraduate lab work, and a young stories told to glorify a dying culture. equal quality. In some collections, stories woman watching her mother die from whole-hearted can blur together, but the diverse locations cancer. Elvery writes dialogue beautifully, Sorrow and Bliss and wickedly funny.’ and historical periods utilised in these and her characters are fully realised, Meg Mason stories make each piece memorable. especially in the longer stories. Fourth Estate. PB. $32.99 BROOKE DAVIS ‘Nightfall’, shortlisted for the There are a number of stories about Available now Commonwealth Short Story Award in student scientists or what a life in science There is something wrong 2019, features “Irish Iris”, a young woman or academia might look like. The final with Martha, but she incarcerated in 1860s Adelaide. When story, ‘A Brief History of Petroleum’, follows doesn’t know what it is. she is visited by a woman looking for a Phoebe’s commitment to both chemistry And by the time Martha lost sister, we learn about Iris’s trauma and her enigmatic American teacher, until finds out what is wrong, it through what she says and by what she a life-changing event occurs in her final is too late to get the only chooses not to reveal. year of school. Despite this, her path in thing she has ever Many of Ashmere’s characters are science resumes and her discoveries offer wanted. Or maybe, it will hiding their relationships from family or solutions to environmental issues, leaving turn out that you can stop loving someone the larger world. In ‘Sketchers’, a couple the collection on a promising note. and start again from nothing – if you can www.uqp.com.au drive from Melbourne to Sydney to see Annie Condon is from Readings Hawthorn find something else to want. 8 READINGS MONTHLY September 2020 FICTION

Poly novel is something less like a plot, and more The Abstainer trace Betty’s childhood. Comparisons Paul Dalgarno like an expedition of thought and everyday Ian McGuire to Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird or Ventura. PB. $32.99 experience with the writer. You can trust Scribner. PB. $32.99 Toni Morrison’s Beloved seem apt here. Available now Nunez, because she’ll take you where Available 16 September As a work of biographical fiction, it also Chris and his wife Sarah you need to go (truly, is there any better In my reading life, reminded me of Tara Westover’s Educated suddenly find themselves kind of writer than this?). She eventually there are a handful of and Jeanette Wall’s The Glass Castle. in the depths of polyamory introduces one of the narrator’s friends into writers whose next novel I Be forewarned: this is not an easy or after years of a near-sexless the novel: the kind of friend who has been anxiously await. In 2016, I gentle read. It contains graphic descriptions marriage. Their new life part of the narrator’s life for a long time, read the rollicking, of sexual and domestic abuse. One of the features late nights, love but whose presence has been intermittent, adventure-filled historical novel’s main concerns is the legacy of affairs and rotating sometimes distant, but always a companion thriller The North Water. trauma and McDaniel pulls no punches in childcare duties. But as on the journey. This friend is dying of With that, its author Ian that regard. But the author’s main talent tensions grow between family and lovers, cancer, and asks the narrator to support her McGuire became another to add to my list. lies in her ability to make the harrowing, Chris begins to wonder if something sinister decision to take charge of her own fatality, The Abstainer is his third work of fiction. I’m the mundane, and the everyday into is brewing. Poly is a hilarious, and moving but more than this: to accompany her as she not an avid reader of nonfiction so I love something lyrical and rewarding for the portrait of contemporary relationships, and ends her life on her own terms. historical fiction – I’ve often learned about a reader. Again, this is not an easy read, but it an intimate exploration of the fragility of love. What then unfolds is much more subject that I normally consider outside my is an important one. plot-driven, as the two work together interest. It’s especially enjoyable when it’s Tristen Brudy is from Readings Carlton Revenge: Murder in Three Parts pragmatically to plan a journey that fiction as impressively researched as this. resembles a luxury life-affirming/life- S.L. Lim Setting the scene, the novel opens in Transcendent Kingdom ending vacation. It is heartbreaking Transit Lounge. PB. $29.99 Manchester with the real-life hanging of Yaa Gyasi but often hilarious, as the writer, her Available now three men, now known as the ‘Manchester Viking. PB. $32.99 characters, and the reader alike, deliberate A family favour their son Martyrs’ who were members of the Irish Available now on the uncomfortable reality of the over their daughter. Shan Republican, or Fenian, Brotherhood, I loved God, my common event that all human life must go attends university before who’d been charged with the murder of a brother, and my through: its conclusion. Brilliantly clever making his fortune in policeman. It’s against this backdrop that mother, in that order. When but also modest, What Are You Going Australia while Yannie must Irish police detective James O’Connor is I lost my brother, poof went Through is a really wonderful novel. It asks find menial employment. assisting Manchester police. O’Connor the other two. that we practice the art of making ourselves is a recently widowed former alcoholic After her mother’s death, Yaa Gyasi’s sophomore available to others, a skill that all of us need who is forced to move to Manchester by Yannie travels to Sydney novel is a study of to master, because we need it of others. his superiors in Dublin. His task is to to undermine her psychopathic brother’s relationships. With Alison Huber is the head book buyer for obtain information from spies regarding new life. This novel brings to vivid life the family. With God. With science. With Readings possible upcoming attacks by the frustrations of a vengeful sister in a addiction and depression. Fenian Brotherhood. On learning that nuanced, riveting and unexpected way. It Born in Alabama to Ghanian parents, the murderous ex-U.S. Civil War soldier will not be easily forgotten. Piranesi Gifty bears witness as her family crumbles Stephen Doyle has been employed by Susanna Clarke under the pressure of achieving the the Brotherhood in a plot to cause chaos The Wreck Bloomsbury. HB. $27.99 American dream. Her mother’s unceasing and destruction to the English, O’Connor Meg Keneally Available 15 September efforts can’t pull them out of poverty, her begrudgingly acquiesces and allows the Echo. PB. $29.99 Published in 2004 brother Nana’s talent with sports can’t police to employ his young nephew Michael Available now and the winner of a keep him from falling victim to the opioid to infiltrate the Brotherhood as a spy. In 1820 Sarah McCaffrey, slew of literary awards, epidemic, and her father’s kindness can’t Part cat and mouse chase, part police fleeing arrest for her part Susanna Clarke’s debut save him from being cast as a ‘dangerous procedural, The Abstainer is a thoroughly in a failed rebellion, Jonathan Strange and Mr black man’ in the American South. The captivating thriller. It has the air of an thinks she has escaped Norrell is one of those dissolution of her family turns Gifty away old fashioned ‘penny dreadful’, but not when she finds herself remarkable books that from God and the fervent religiosity of her pejoratively. The story glides along at aboard the Serpent, changes the landscape of mother and towards neuroscience, seeking cinematic pace with some wonderfully bound from London to the an entire genre. Fifteen years later, Clarke answers to both her brother’s addiction tense scenes. Its characters are beautifully colony of New South has finally released a second novel, and it and her mother’s depression. The story written: complex and humane, violent and Wales. Adopting a false identity, she is wholeheartedly worth the wait. travels through time and across continents perfectly flawed. With an ending that I becomes the right-hand woman of Molly The world of Piranesi begins and ends to explore the legacy of loss and sorrow. could never have predicted The Abstainer Thistle. As time passes, Sarah begins to within the walls of an extraordinary House How can Gifty reconcile her professional has been one of the most rewarding reading believe she might have found a home – that is made up of limitless halls, staircases, ambitions and success with her burden of experiences that I have had so far this year. until her past follows her across the seas. passages and vestibules. It is home to personal trauma? birds, fish, countless allegorical statues, Jason Austin is from Readings Carlton I was obsessed with Gyasi’s debut the bleached remains of precisely thirteen Homegoing and eagerly pushed it into the International humans, and two people: our narrator – who Betty hands of anyone that would let me. The BBC Fiction calls himself Piranesi, though he is certain Tiffany McDaniel agreed with me and selected Homegoing that it is not his name – and the Other. W&N. PB. $32.99 as one of the ‘100 Novels That Shaped It is through Piranesi’s journals that the Avaialble now Our World’ in 2019. I came into this novel What Are You Going Through reader discovers the world that he inhabits. I’m still a child, with high expectations and Transcendent Sigrid Nunez Seen through his eyes, the House is a place only as tall as my Kingdom did not disappoint. Gyasi has an Virago. PB. $29.99 of surreal beauty that gives food, shelter father’s shotgun. especial talent for taking the profound (and Available 8 September and comfort to those who seek it. Piranesi’s So begins Betty’s story. the profoundly important) and massaging Sigrid Nunez’s The childlike naivety overlooks the dangers Betty is a fictionalised it into a page-turner. Her work is timely, Friend is one of my and dark secrets that the house holds: the account of the author’s literary, unpretentious, and unputdownable. highlights of recent reading flooding Tides, the bitter cold, the isolation, own mother as she comes Her work, like the best fiction, transports years, and it has become so and the fact that the only other inhabitant of age in Breathed, a town the reader to another time, place, and much a part of my own of the House certainly knows more than set in the foothills of Ohio Appalachia. perspective. Transcendent Kingdom cements reading autobiography that he’s letting on, and definitely doesn’t have The daughter of a Native American man Yaa Gyasi’s position as one of the best young it’s hard to believe that is Piranesi’s best interests at heart. and a white woman, Betty is half Cherokee American novelists and I will be first in line has only been in my It’s impossible to talk about this book and, unlike her siblings, looks it. A source for anything she writes for years to come. memory bank for about eighteen months. I without giving too much away, and one of of consternation for the oft-bullied “Little Tristen Brudy is from Readings Carlton already feel the same way about Nunez’s the great pleasures of Piranesi is the gentle Indian”. But for Betty, the scariest place latest work, What Are You Going Through. unravelling of the mystery at the heart of the may be at home, where secrets and trauma Mayflies Though not related to that earlier novel, it is, novel (and at the heart of Piranesi himself). plague her family members and sour every Andrew O’Hagan in many ways, a companion piece, working This is a gorgeously written piece of fiction interaction. This is the story of a young girl. Faber. PB. $29.99 – at once poetic and sparse, metaphysical across the common concerns of friendship This is a story of a family, of a loving father. Available now and cinematic. I tore through it at breakneck and mortality. Replete with Nunez’s incisive This is a story of women and how abuse gets Everyone has that pace, simultaneously desperate to learn the observations of human foibles that I found mapped upon young female bodies. one friend who is so truth and begging myself to slow down and so entertaining and invigorating about The Set primarily in the 1960s, Tiffany vibrant that when you’re enjoy the journey. For readers who love the Friend, it also shares the same critical McDaniel’s work transports the reader, with them, everything else literary fantasies of Haruki Murakami, Neil literary sensibility, referring extensively to particularly the Australian one, to a dissolves to mere Gaiman or Erin Morgenstern, Piranesi is the work of other writers and thinkers. completely different time and place. backdrop. And everyone simply a must-read. The book begins with its narrator Told from a child’s perspective, the novel has had those nights that attending a lecture at a university. Lian Hingee is the digital marketing manager draws upon Bible verses, Native American seem to simultaneously Unfolding beyond this in the first half of the for Readings folklore and a series of news articles to last forever and be over in an instant – in FICTION September 2020 READINGS MONTHLY 9

which memory and experience dance and an American best-selling novelist, tangle and become indistinguishable. And understands that the truth lies in the most this mélange is itself usually inseparable mundane of details. from that vibrant friend who was Chris Gordon is the events and programming inevitably there that night and is still with manager for Readings you now – forming a bridge that runs from past to present and makes some kind of The Great Offshore Grounds future imaginable, too. The justly famous Vanessa Veselka W.B. Yeats poem ‘Sailing to Byzantium’ provides a crystalline distillation: ‘That is W&N. PB. $32.99 no country for old men. The young/ In one Available now another’s arms, birds in the trees, / — On the day of their Those dying generations—at their song’. estranged father’s When Jessie Andrew O’Hagan’s latest book, Mayflies, wedding, half-sisters and Kay find a is premised on a particular instance of Cheyenne and Livy set off book, The History this universally relatable trajectory. The to claim their inheritance. of Mischief, hidden beneath first half of the book takes place over one It’s been years since the the floorboards in night in Manchester. The protagonist is two have seen each other, but the promise of a shot at their grandmother’s James, then twenty-one years old, new house, they uncover financial security brings the two together to disciple of Yeats and also of English poetry, a secret world. From claim what’s theirs. Except instead of enjoying the carefree interim between high Ancient Greece to Victorian London, the school and university. The friend is Tully: money, their father gives them information book chronicles how mischief-makers outrageously charismatic, loyal, lost, lover that reveals a stunning family secret. have clandestinely shaped the past. of post-punk, disciple of a good time. They But the History hides many secrets, and watch The Fall, lay eyes on Morrissey, drink D (A Tale of Two Worlds) Adult • Young 9781925816266 unravelling its mysteries might be the biggest mischief of all. a disgusting number of pints – the night Michel Faber & Brett Helquist (illus.) lasts a lifetime. Doubleday. PB. $32.99 ‘Each “history” is a powerful, fabulist short story in its The second half of the book is everything Available 15 September own right, exploring the brutality and the beauty of else. That is, the afterlife of that night – the Twelve-year-old humanity.’ Books+Publishing youthful friendship that matures with age Dhikilo was born in a and has to deal with ruptures and resilience faraway country, More great reads that would have been inconceivable to a though she’s doing her young twenty-something on his tenth drink. best to feel at home It’s a heartbreaking book, but it never loses with her new parents in the euphoria established in its first half, the crumbly seaside and so it becomes a testament to the time- town of Cawber-on- traversing nature of friendship, to its power Sands. Until one day, the letter D in opening the compatible registers of sorrow disappears from the language, and Dhikilo and ecstasy, confinement and freedom. It’s a is the only person who notices it’s gone. joy – and the soundtrack rocks. Can stop the D from disappearing for ever? Jeremy George is from Readings Malvern The Invention of Sound Monogamy Chuck Palahniuk Corsair. PB. $29.99 Sue Miller Available 8 September Bloomsbury. PB. $29.99 Mitzi is a sound engineer Available 8 September who creates dubbed The devil is always in screams, secretly the detail. Graham A YEAR OF SIMPLE harvesting them from the and Annie have been real cries of people in their FAMILY FOOD married for nearly thirty death throes. In pursuit of years, seemingly with great JULIA BUSUTTIL NISHIMURA her dark art, Mitzi creates devotion. Graham is a the perfect scream, one bookseller. (Do I know From the bestselling author of Ostro. that compels anyone who hears it to mirror him? I thought several the sound – and cause an event with the Family food is generous, unfussy and times throughout the novel: is he based on potential to bring the country to its knees. someone I’ve met?) He is a gregarious man, demonstrates love and care. No matter curious and attentive, while his second wife what busyness the day brings, the act Annie, a photographer, is more reserved Strange Flowers of setting the table and enjoying a and introspective. She is confident that Donal Ryan simple meal together is comforting Doubleday. PB. $27.99 despite Graham’s past, she is Graham’s last and ever-reassuring. and greatest love. When Graham suddenly Available now dies, peacefully, Annie is overcome with In 1973, twenty-year-old grief. While she is still in mourning, she Moll Gladney takes a discovers that Graham had been unfaithful morning bus from her to her. (The novel’s title is a give-away here.) rural home and Her despair is tangible, crushing and the disappears. Bewildered milieu for self-evaluation. and distraught, Paddy and Sue Miller’s skill is to invite you into Kit must confront an Rising Heart a broader examination of what makes unbearable prospect: that AMINATA CONTEH-BIGER a relationship sustainable, loving and, they will never see their daughter again. indeed, monogamous. Using the character Five years later, Moll returns. What – and of Annie, she examines the frailty of who – she brings with her will change the ‘Aminata knocked me out at our first humans: our flaws, our gifts and our deep, course of her family’s life forever. meeting...courage shining through as dark secrets. Surely this is a story for us she spoke of some of her experiences all because the overarching issue of this Love Orange in Sierra Leone. Her story will particular novel is simply, love. Natasha Randall never leave you; searing, powerful, You do need a little patience with Riverrun. PB. $32.99 disturbing, hopeful.’ this story, and time to consider your own Available 8 September landscape. You will marvel at Miller’s Jenny Tinkley lives to The Hon. Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO ability to drop a clue here and there. You mother her two will draw a perverse delight in Miller’s complicated sons and well-considered skill of drawing you into prop up her technology an exposé of how people live and why. I obsessive husband Hank, Love talking about books? was intrigued by this novel. Fans of the who has installed Find us online at Pan Macmillan Australia work of Anne Tyler or Liane Moriarty gadgets all over their will delight in this novel because Miller, smart house. She starts 10 READINGS MONTHLY September 2020 FICTION writing to John, inmate 6587 at Flainton spellbinding tales of circus legends, The Evening and the Morning forever by an unexpected encounter or by Correctional Facility, as an antidote to her earthly magic and folklore. Ken Follett the operation of incomprehensible forces. high-tech isolation. But Jenny is Pan Mac. HB. Was $44.99 becoming curiously dependent on the Daddy $39.99 The Midnight Library sweet orange glue that seals John’s Emma Cline Available 15 September Matt Haig envelopes, and their lives begin to C&W. PB. $27.99 It is 997 CE, the end of the Canongate. PB. $29.99 converge with toxic consequences. Available now Dark Ages, and England Available now A man travels to his son’s faces attacks from the When Nora Seed finds Homeland Elegies: A Novel school to deal with the Welsh in the west and the herself in the Midnight Ayad Akhtar fallout of a violent attack. Vikings in the east. Into Library, she has a chance Tinder. PB. $32.99 A young woman trying to this uncertain world three to make things right. Available 8 September make it in LA turns to a people come to the fore: a The books here enable Ranging from the riskier way of making young boatbuilder, a Nora to live as if she had heartland towns of money. And a family Norman noblewoman, and a capable monk done things differently, America to palatial suites coming together for at Shiring Abbey. In this masterful prequel and she can now undo in Davos to guerrilla Christmas struggle to skate over the to The Pillars of the Earth, Ken Follett takes every one of her regrets as she tries to work lookouts in the mountains brutality of a troubled father. The stories us on a journey into a rich past. out her perfect life. But before time runs of Afghanistan, in Emma Cline’s stunning first collection out, she must answer the ultimate Homeland Elegies blends explore the fault lines of power between Islands of Mercy question: what is the best way to live? fact and fiction to tell an men and women, parents and children, Rose Tremain epic story of belonging and dispossession past and present. C&W. PB. $32.99 On Earth We’re Briefly in the world that 9/11 made. Part family Available 15 September Gorgeous drama, part satire, part picaresque, at its The Liar’s Dictionary In the city of Bath, in the Ocean Vuong heart it is the story of a father and son, and Eley Williams year 1865, a young woman Vintage. PB. $19.99 the country they call home. William Heinemann. HB. $32.99 awaits her destiny. But Available 15 September Available 15 September when she finds herself This is a letter from a son A Girl Made of Air In the final year of the torn between her female to a mother who cannot Nydia Hetherington nineteenth century, Peter lover and a conventional read. It tells of Vietnam, Quercus. PB. $32.99 Winceworth is toiling marriage to a respectable of the lasting impact of Available 8 September away for the much- doctor, her desires begin war, and of a family’s Born into a postwar anticipated Swansby’s New to lead her towards a future she had never struggle to forge a new circus family, our Encyclopaedic Dictionary. imagined. Islands of Mercy is a bold future. And it serves as a nameless star was Overwhelmed at his desk, exploration of the human urge to seek doorway into parts of the unwanted and forgotten, Winceworth begins places of sanctuary in a pitiless world. son’s life his mother has never known – abandoned in the inserting unauthorised, fictitious entries episodes of bewilderment, fear and shadows of the big top. into the dictionary. In the present day, A Saint from Texas passion – all the while moving closer to an Until the bright light of Mallory is tasked with uncovering these Edmund White unforgettable revelation. Serendipity Wilson entries. As their two narratives combine, Bloomsbury. PB. $29.99 threw her into focus. Now an adult, Winceworth and Mallory must discover Available now Summerwater haunted by an incident in which a child how to negotiate the complexities of an Yvette and Yvonne Sarah Moss was lost from the circus, our narrator, a often nonsensical, untrustworthy, Crawford are twin sisters, Picador. PB. $32.99 tightrope artiste, weaves together her hoax-strewn and undefinable life. born on a humble patch of Available now East Texas prairie but On the longest day of the bound for far grander summer, twelve people sit fates. As the decades cooped up with their unfold, Yvonne will families in a Scottish cabin It starts with science. ascend the highest ranks park. The endless rain of Parisian society as Yvette gives herself leaves them with little to to a lifetime of worship in the streets of do but watch the other Jericó, Colombia. And yet, even as they residents. Each person is remake themselves, the twins find that the wrapped in their own cares but bonds of the past are unbreakable. increasingly alert to the makeshift community around them. Tensions rise Perfect Tunes and all watch on, unaware of the tragedy Emily Gould that lies ahead as night finally falls. Scribner. PB. $29.99 Available now Tennis Lessons It’s the early days of the Susannah Dickey new millennium, talented Doubleday. PB. $32.99 songwriter Laura is just Available 15 September beginning to book gigs You’re strange and wrong: when she falls hard for a this is the voice that rings troubled but magnetic in your ears. But you know musician. Fifteen years what it is to laugh with later, Laura has built a your best friend, to take stable life that bears little resemblance to exquisite pleasure in the the one she envisioned all those years ago. affront of your unruly But then, opportunity knocks for a second body. You just need to find time. Has growing older changed who she your place. Susannah Dickey’s revitalising is and what she most wants? debut novel plunges us into the private world of one young woman as she Songs for the Flames navigates her rocky way to adulthood. Juan Gabriel Vásquez MacLehose. PB. $32.99 The Testaments Available 8 September Margaret Atwood Sixteen years after his Vintage. PB. $19.99 first collection of short Available now fiction, Juan Gabriel The Republic of Gilead is Vásquez returns to the beginning to rot from form with an outstanding within. At this crucial moment, two girls with Visit the CSIRO Publishing website for more quality set of nine morally complex stories. The radically different science books, journals and magazines characters in Songs For experiences of the regime the Flames are men and women touched by come face to face with the www.publish.csiro.au violence – sometimes directly, sometimes legendary, ruthless Aunt only tangentially – whose lives are changed Lydia. But how far will each go for what she FICTION September 2020 READINGS MONTHLY 11

believes? In this electrifying sequel to The talent before all but disappearing from Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood answers public view for decades, until nearly the the question that has tantalised readers for end of her life. Mining her most precarious decades: What happened to Offred? struggles for her art in each of these stories, Howland chronicles the fears and V2 hopes of her generation. Robert Harris Hutchinson. PB. $32.99 To Cook a Bear Available 15 September Mikael Niemi & Deborah Bragan- The Space Between In the winter of 1944, Rudi Turner (trans.) Michelle Andrews & Zara McDonald finds himself in a bleak MacLehose. PB. $32.99 From the creators of the hit podcast seaside town in Occupied Available 8 September Shameless: relatable ruminations on the mess, the madness and the magic of not- Holland, tasked with firing It is the summer of 1852 quite-adulthood. V2 missiles at London. Kay in Sweden’s far north, is an officer in the WAAF. and Jussi has fled a cruel When America Stopped Being Great Nick Bryant As the rockets rain down, home to become the A comprehensive analysis of the political, she joins a mission to faithful disciple of economic, cultural and technological locate and destroy the V2 launch sites. The revivalist preacher Lars factors that contributed to America’s decline and inadvertently paved the way separate stories of Rudi and Kay ricochet off Levi Laestadius. One day for Trump’s presidency. one another, until in a final explosion of a maid goes missing in violence their destinies are forced together. the forest, and the locals suspect a predatory bear is at large. The constable is 'An elegant and insightful dissection of Burnt Sugar quick to offer a reward for capturing the how a great nation lost its footing and the world’s respect.' Avni Doshi bear, but Lars and Jussi see traces that LEIGH SALES ON WHEN AMERICA STOPPED BEING GREAT Hamish Hamilton. PB. $29.99 suggest a far worse killer is on the loose. Available now In her youth, Tara was The Book of Two Ways Jodi Picoult The Kingdom wild. She abandoned her Jo Nesbo A&U. PB. $32.99 marriage, joined an Set in a small town filled with secrets, ashram, and lived as a Available 23 September this is a compelling, atmospheric new beggar – all with her young Dawn specialises in thriller from multi-million copy bestseller, Jo Nesbo. child in tow. But now she is helping her people make forgetting things, and her peace with the end of Ottolenghi FLAVOUR grown-up daughter is faced their lives. But when she Yotam Ottolenghi & Ixta Belfrage with the task of caring for a woman who is forced to confront her The third instalment in the bestselling and multi-award- never cared for her. This is a story of love own mortality for the winning Plenty series. and betrayal, but not between lovers – first time, instead of FLAVOUR celebrates the limitless potential of vegetables and reveals between mother and daughter. seeing her husband and how to transform them into their beloved daughter flash before her magical dishes. Real Life eyes she sees only one face: Wyatt Brandon Taylor Armstrong. Dawn now faces a desperate Daunt Books. PB. $19.99 decision. Should she return to her Available now family and the life she knows, or Wallace is four years into reconnect with Wyatt? a biochemistry degree at a midwestern university, a Who They Was life that’s a world away Gabriel Krauze A powerful new novel from his childhood in Fourth Estate. PB, $32.99 Alabama. His father died Available now set in a divided Naples a few weeks ago, but Who They Was is a story by Elena Ferrante, the Wallace has not been of a London you won’t home, or told any of his friends. Over the find in any guidebooks. beloved bestselling author course of one blustery end-of-summer This is a story about boys of My Brilliant Friend. weekend, a series of intense confrontations too eager to become force Wallace to grapple with the trauma of men, growing up in the the past and the question of the future. hidden war zones of big cities. This is a story of The Stray Cats of Homs reputations made and lost, of violence Eva Nour and vengeance. And it’s a story of Doubleday. PB. $29.99 concrete towers and blank eyed Heart-wrenching, windows, of endless nights in police Available now heartwarming and Sami is growing up in stations and prison cells. This is about Syria, a country at war what’s left behind. ultimately uplifting-a with itself. His hopes for a story about the power better future are ripped Anthologies away when he is of a little kindness. conscripted into the military and forced to New Australian Fiction 2020: train as a map maker. A New Collection of Short Inspired by extraordinary true events, this Fiction from Kill Your Darlings is the story of a young man who will do Rebecca Starford (ed.) anything to keep his dreams alive, even in Kill Your Darlings. PB. $24.95 ‘Filled with biting the face of unimaginable devastation. Available now observations about our The stories in this Blue in Chicago collection explore human culture and our families Bette Howland connection, finding so starkly insightful they Picador. HB. $34.99 empathy with the natural Available 20 September environment and each make you gasp.’ Blue in Chicago brings other, the enduring spirt CHARLOTTE WOOD together the sharp, of our society, and more. bittersweet stories of Bette New Australian Fiction Howland and restores to features brilliant writers with distinct our bookshelves an experiences, voices and styles from all extraordinarily gifted corners of Australia. Together they writer. Howland was showcase the strength and diversity of recognised as a major Australian short fiction at its best. 12 READINGS MONTHLY September 2020 CRIME Dead Write with Fiona Hardy & Kate McIntosh

Sometimes it’s pretty easy to categorise a crime book. The Kingdom keep the coppers on their toes in this BOOK OF THE I’ll say ‘procedural’, or ‘psychological thriller’, and Jo Nesbo witty and rather delightful mystery. –KM MONTH while every book is original, you’ll have an idea of what to Harvill Secker. PB. $32.99 Crime expect. Then you get a book like Electric Blue, and the Available 15 September Troubled Blood genre it slides into – true crime – doesn’t seem like enough A year older than his Robert Galbraith to explain it. A follow-up to Verhoeven’s first true crime brother Carl, Roy was Sphere. PB. $32.99 book, Loose Units, this is a continuation of the years of always his protector. Available 15 September Paul’s dad John’s life in and around the police force. Now, when Carl If you haven’t read the returns to the village previous four books in Paul can’t understand the straightforward they both grew up this series then I decisions John makes in every case, in – one Roy has never suggest you beg, left – with grand plans while John can’t understand Paul’s way borrow, or preferably, to save the dying town, buy them immediately. of seeing every choice branching out the brothers must come to terms with Do not delay. Once you endlessly. Essentially, the two men solve their past and their family’s secrets. Carl, let Cormoran and the mystery of each other while dead with his new wife and his big ideas, stirs Robin into your life, bodies pile up around them. up trouble in a place where it has always you will wonder how you ever survived been thought best to let sleeping dogs lie. without the war veteran and his trusty The town’s inhabitants are having none Electric Blue While John always had aspirations of being a sidekick. There is a new case to be of it. Roy has to make a decision: will he Paul F. Verhoeven detective – plain-clothes, gun holster, suede shoes – he investigated, in Cornwall this time, a choose blood and his innate instinct to Viking. PB. $34.99 didn’t have the temperament for it. Instead, he moved into cold case involving a woman who has keep his little brother safe? Or self- been missing for over forty years. As Available now Scientific, something like forensics, which still had the preservation? A slow burn to begin with, plain-clothes and the gun and the suede shoes, but you always, when this private detective and this stand-alone thriller by a didn’t have to be quite so amoral to join. And thus begins his partner start snooping, they will Scandinavian master will have you a series of gruesome, heartbreaking, eye-opening tales, as John learns the ropes of uncover a mysterious, elaborate plot that cancelling all your plans (and avoiding how to read the story a dead body’s telling. And, in hearing these stories, Paul learns will keep both you, and them, guessing all of your siblings …). to read his father’s story – and his own. Diagnosed with ADHD, but not back when he right to the very end. –KM was a kid and life was pretty miserable, Paul can’t understand the straightforward Kate McIntosh is the manager of Readings decisions John makes in every case, while John can’t understand Paul’s way of seeing Doncaster The Inheritors every choice branching out endlessly. Essentially, the two men solve the mystery of Hannelore Cayre each other while dead bodies pile up around them. The Good Teacher Black Inc. PB. $29.99 This really, really isn’t for the faint of heart. I read a lot of crime, but this still Petronella McGovern Available now shook me – life and death can be graphic and this doesn’t hold back, and remembering A&U. PB. $29.99 When Blanche de Rigny that these were all real, living people (probably with some details fudged slightly for Available now inherits more money legal reasons) is pretty devastating. There are threads of corruption and looking the Wirriga is a community than she could have other way that frustrate, knowing it’s probably the same all these years later. Despite where everyone knows ever dreamed of, she the gore, though, it’s also incredible wholesome. Paul’s family shines with love. His everyone else, no one soon learns a lot more mother – one of the first female cops in NSW – also gets some time in the spotlight, ever really leaves, and about her family fighting for equality against a confused and vast majority. It’s lashed with gallows Allison teaches at the history. She had humour. And the final section – well, I don’t want to give too much away, but I haven’t very same primary assumed she was the seen anything like it in modern crime writing. Make the choice, and give it a go. school she attended as black sheep, but in fact Fiona Hardy is from Readings Carlton. She is also the bestselling author of the acclaimed How a child years ago. When she is just the latest in a long line of To Make a Movie in 12 Days. Her new book, How To Write the Soundtrack To Your Life, is out this two strangers move them, an entire flock, perhaps. Intrigued, month – you can read our review on page 18. into the area and one of them is a little Blanche sets out to discover more about girl with cancer, Allison knows she will these potentially wicked ancestors and to do everything she can to help them out, use her new-found wealth to save the even inviting Gracie and her father into world. A family saga that takes place over Either Side of Midnight Hermit her home. Gracie and Luke appear to be two centuries, Hannelore Cayre’s new Benjamin Stevenson S.R. White the perfect distraction from Allison’s novel is sharp, subversive and irreverent Michael Joseph. PB. $32.99 Headline. PB. $32.99 broken marriage and her own midlife with truly memorable characters, a Available now Available now crisis, and yet suddenly Allison finds political undertone and the kind of dark True-crime In between two rural herself with too many questions and not humour only a French crime writer of the documentarian Jack Queensland towns lies enough answers. Is Luke really the highest calibre can do so well. –KM Quick, imprisoned Jensen’s Store – the heartbroken yet charming stoic he thanks to the after- go-to for all your appears to be? Has anything he’s told Stranger in the Lake effects of Stevenson’s shopping needs or a Allison been the truth? I think not! –KM Kimberly Belle debut, Greenlight, is coffee. One night, HQ. PB. $29.99 watching television when the store’s owner The Thursday Murder Club Available now from his cell when he camps out overnight Richard Osman Now I don’t know sees the same shocking to stop thieves, the Viking. PB. $32.99 about you, but if I event everyone else in the country does: boundary alarm alerts the police, who Available now found a body floating TV presenter Sam ‘Mr Midnight’ Midland arrive to find the owner dead – with the If a good crime novel is in a lake in exactly the shooting himself in the mouth in the only suspect trying to staunch the your way of escaping same spot as my middle of a show. When Sam’s twin wound. Nathan isn’t like other suspects: the annus horribilis husband’s previous brother comes to ask for help proving the he’s defensive, strange, and barely talks, that has been 2020, wife was found death wasn’t a suicide, Quick doesn’t even for a criminal. Detective Dana then this one is for you. drowned, I would be believe it at all, but he also needs the Russo, who has her own problems, is the Richard Osman not asking A LOT of cash that comes with the request. So only one who can figure out a way to only provides the questions. And if my husband asked me once he’s released, he starts an find the truth of what happened – and, murder and mayhem to lie to the police and then left me to investigation into a death that everybody when they start to retrace his footsteps we’re all looking for, pick up the pieces, I would also be saw – and finds that any secret could be and find none, the question becomes, but he also gives us the humour, heart experiencing some serious trust issues. lurking in the darkness of a TV studio, or where has he been for the past fifteen and fun we need right now. Four elderly All of this is true of Charlotte in Kimberly the dead of midnight one night years years? –FH residents of a very British retirement Belle’s new atmospheric and creepy earlier. –FH home hold weekly meetings to chat about psychological thriller, as she tries to unsolved murders (as you do), and are separate the truth from the apparent web sure they could have done a better job of deceit the love of her life has left her with these cold cases than the police did. with. Maybe she shouldn’t have married When a dead body shows up they finally the wealthy older man, but deep down have a real murder to investigate and she knows he’s a good person. He has to they do so with gusto. The feisty four will be. Doesn’t he? –KM NONFICTION September 2020 READINGS MONTHLY 13

of the Australian financial system. Just Redfern: Aboriginal Activism in Money is a timely book that reveals how the 1970s New years of political opportunism and Johanna Perheentupa rapacious business practices have forged Aboriginal Studies Press. PB. $39.95 Nonfiction a nation that is leaving the next Available now generation to pick up the tab. In the 1970s the Sydney suburb of Redfern was a My Tidda, My Sister gathering place for On day one of Dr Andrew Wakefield’s hearing for Marlee Silva Aboriginal intellectuals BOOK OF THE serious professional misconduct, the staff of the UK’s Hardie Grant. HB. $29.99 and ambitious young General Medical Council (GMC) took turns to read out MONTH Available now radicals. They set about ninety-three pages of charges against Wakefield and two of My Tidda, My Sister shares fulfilling their vision – a Science his colleagues. The hearing was a result of the GMC the experiences of many new way of living, where reinvestigating and confirming the research of Indigenous women and Aboriginal people could control their own investigative journalist Brian Deer, a specialist medical girls, brought together by lives – politically, economically and reporter with the Sunday Times and now author of The author and host of the culturally. Redfern: Aboriginal activism in Doctor Who Fooled the World. Tiddas 4 Tiddas podcast, the 1970s is the story of how they set about Nearly ten years earlier in February of 1998, Wakefield, Marlee Silva. This book is a fulfilling their dreams. then a gastroenterologist of the Royal Free Hospital Medical celebration of the School in Hampstead, had a paper published in the Lancet, Indigenous female experience through Windfall: Unlocking a Fossil one of the world’s top medical journals. The paper outlined truth-telling. Some stories are heart- Free Future a pilot study of twelve children and suggested the existence warming, while others shine a light on Ketan Joshi of a ‘new syndrome’ of regressive autism and bowel disease, terrible realities. But what they all share is NewSouth. PB. $29.99 and also suggested an association between the syndrome the ability to inspire and empower, creating Available now and the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) triple vaccine. a sisterhood for all Australian women. In Windfall, renewable A strong reaction from the media and the public followed, energy expert Ketan Joshi with vaccination numbers plummeting and parents left People of the River: Lost examines how wind power feeling guilty and confused. Worlds of Early Australia was hampered by a flurry The Doctor Who Deer has found overwhelming evidence against Grace Karskens of policy disasters. He then Fooled the World Wakefield, including invasive testing, selection bias, data A&U. PB. $39.99 plots a way forward to a Brian Deer fixing, and lack of ethical approval, as well as refusal to Available now future where communities Scribe. PB. $35.00 recreate the study to a ‘gold standard’. Worst of all is a In the mid-1790s, champion equitable new Available now jaw-dropping conflict of interest involving an agreement Dyarubbin, the clean tech projects, where Australia grows with a lawyer, made two years before the paper was Hawkesbury-Nepean, past a reliance on toxic fuels, and where published, that Wakefield would specifically target the became a seedbed for the power of people is used to rattle fossil MMR vaccine in an upcoming study. Wakefield was struck off the medical register by violent invasion of fuel advocates from their complacency. the GMC and cannot practice as a doctor, but his influence has followed an entirely Aboriginal lands to the different trajectory. north, south and west by Vaccination is an emotional and often polarising issue, but it is important to note the British. Yet despite Biography that Deer’s primary concern here is to hold Wakefield accountable for the stress, fear this sorry history, Dyarubbin’s Aboriginal and guilt he created just to forward his own fame and fortune. It is in the final chapters people managed to remain on their where Deer revisits the parents of the pilot-study children that this really hits home. Show Me Where It Hurts: Country. People of the River journeys into Living with Invisible Illness The writing comes from a more emotional place and we see why Deer has said he could the lost worlds of the Aboriginal people and Kylie Maslen not let the story go. the British settlers of Dyarubbin. Text. PB. $34.99 Amanda Rayner is from Readings Carlton Available now Quarterly Essay 79: The End of In Kylie Maslen’s Certainty – Scott Morrison and generous debut Pandemic Politics Architecture something?’ The Carbon Club reveals the collection of essays, Show truth behind Australia’s two decades of Katharine Murphy Me Where It Hurts, she Quarterly Essay. PB. $24.99 climate inaction. It’s the story of how a invites the reader into her Available now Living in the Mountains loose confederation of influential climate- experience of chronic Where is Scott Morrison Phaidon Editors science sceptics, politicians and business pain. Hers, not anyone – leaders sought to control Australia’s taking the country? How Phaidon. HB. $59.95 or everyone – else’s: ‘I response to the climate crisis. does his office and Available 8 September only hope that others find some kinship government operate? Whether snow- here, or by understanding one story see How to Win an Election What does Morrison’s capped, rocky, or that there are many more to be told.’ approach owe to John covered with verdant Chris Wallace Maslen, like Stella Young (whose words New South. PB. $29.99 Howard – and what to forest, the sublime are recollected in several essays), refuses Available now Donald Trump? After wilderness of to be ‘inspiration porn’, in which a person seven years of Coalition government, and mountains has Labor’s surprise loss in with disability is held up as inspirational two years of Morrison as prime minister, inspired humans for 2019, like the Liberal and solely or on the basis of their disability. In Katharine Murphy takes stock. This is an millennia. Offering National parties’ defeat in an incisive essay about the fetishisation of urgent, grounded essay about Scott Morrison respite from urban living and a profound the so-called ‘unloseable’ Frida Kahlo, Maslen argues that the physical and conservatism today by one of Australia’s connection to nature, mountain 1993 election, showed how body and the political body are enmeshed, leading commentators and analysts. landscapes also present unique challenges careful attention to basic as she critiques the cultural tendency to that have resulted in innovative, political craft can yield dissect and celebrate the parts that suit, and resourceful, and beautiful residential big dividends – and how Under the Rainbow: The Life ignore those aspects that bring discomfort. architecture. Living in the Mountains is the inattention to it can turn apparently and Times of E.W. Cole Speaking of her own body, Maslen says: ‘I definitive global tour of these dwellings. certain favourites into losers. How To Win Richard Broinowski would hate to be remembered only for my An Election spells out the ten things a MUP. HB. Was $44.99 face and not my body. […] It is not my body political leader and their party must excel $39.99 that is at fault, but society’s failure to deal Australian Studies at to maximise the chance of success. Available now with bodies like mine. I might be in pain, Under the Rainbow is the but I am whole. I refuse to have the difficult Just Money: Misadventures in life story of E.W. Cole, a parts cropped out.’ The Carbon Club the Great Australian Debt Trap colourful and much- Nothing is cropped out in this Marian Wilkinson Royce Kurmelovs loved figure of 19th collection. The essays span memoir, pop Allen & Unwin. PB. $32.99 UQP. PB. $32.99 century Melbourne. culture and social commentary. They are Available now Available now Cole’s journey from an at once deeply revealing of the person As the climate crisis As the result of a car impoverished sandwich and the body behind the words, but also threatens more extreme crash without insurance, seller on the streets of of the various ways in which society bushfire seasons, Royce Kurmelovs London to owner of one of the most fails them. Maslen speaks as eloquently droughts and floods, became one of the memorable establishments of early about SpongeBob SquarePants and many Australians are millions of Australians Melbourne is remarkable. His passion for finding community online as she does demanding their leaders grappling with debt, and learning, insatiable curiosity, and enduring about the inherently ableist structures answer the question: embarked on a journey faith in the essential goodness of humanity of aged care, the medical system and ‘Why didn’t you do through the underbelly make him a figure worth celebrating. the economy. Show Me Where It Hurts 14 READINGS MONTHLY September 2020 NONFICTION rejects the sympathy of the reader as The Hungover Games biography of Graham Greene, the first Cultural much as it evokes their empathy and Sophie Heawood undertaken in a generation, deals understanding. Maslen’s breadth of Jonathan Cape. HB. $35.00 sensitively with questions of private life, Studies knowledge and willingness to frame her Available now sex, and mental illness. Above all, it arguments within her lived experience Sophie Heawood had no follows the growth of a writer whose make her a compelling writer. idea how to commit to works changed the lives of millions. Having and Being Had Bec Kavanagh is from Readings Kids another human being. Eula Biss She could barely commit Memorial Drive: Text. PB. $34.99 Hysteria: A Memoir of Illness, to reading a magazine, A Daughter’s Memoir Available 15 September Strength and Women’s Stories and she wrote for Natasha Trethewey Having and Being Throughout History magazines for a living. Bloomsbury Circus. PB. $27.99 Had is the new book from American essayist Katerina Bryant But her life in LA was Available now Eula Biss and, as with her NewSouth. PB. $29.99 happy; free of care and consequence. That Natasha Trethewey was two previous very good Available now was, until she came down to earth – with a born in Mississippi in the works, this is the kind of I’m an avid reader bump. This is a story of going from ’60s to a black mother and enthralling read that of Australian debut partying in Hollywood to bringing up a a white father. Her parents opens up your thinking writing, especially from very unexpected baby. divorced when she was six, in new and exciting ways. Prompted by younger authors. If you and her mother remarried the purchase of a house, Biss reflects haven’t heard of it, Just Ignore Him an abusive man. Then candidly on what it means to live and Voiceworks is a literary Alan Davies when Natasha was participate in a capitalist society, journal produced by and Little Brown. PB. $32.99 nineteen, her stepfather shot her mother encompassing everything from the purely for writers and artists Available 8 September dead. With penetrating insight and a financial, to the larger emotional and under twenty-five. That in itself is In this compelling searing voice that moves from the cultural implications. amazing, but what is truly extraordinary memoir, comedian and wrenching to the elegiac, Memorial Drive In crafting this genre-blurring work, is the sheer number of books that have actor Alan Davies recalls is a piercing glimpse at the enduring Biss draws from memoir, cultural studies, come out of these writers. This year alone his boyhood with vivid effects of racism and domestic abuse. history, economics, literary criticism, has seen debuts or new books from Emily insight and devastating and more. Brief chapters are loosely Clements, Ronnie Scott, Liam Pieper, Ella humour. Shifting between Vida: A Woman for Our Time divided into four sections (Consumption, Jeffrey and Elizabeth Tan. Joey Bui is on his 1970s upbringing and Jacqueline Kent Work, Investment, and Accounting) but The Readings Prize for New Australian his life today, Davies Viking. PB. $34.99 the ideas they explore all overlap. Biss Fiction 2020 shortlist (see page 5) and moves poignantly from innocence to Available 15 September elegantly moves between these pieces, was on the 2020 Stella Prize longlist for experience to the clarity of hindsight, Blazing her trail at the sometimes circling back to extend an Lucky Ticket, and Josephine Rowe on the always with a keen sense of the absurd. dawn of the twentieth earlier discussion, and the effect is Stella shortlist for Here Until August. Just Ignore Him is not only an century, Vida Goldstein cohesive rather than fragmented. The This leads me to Hysteria by Katerina autobiography, it is a testament to a remains Australia’s most thrill of reading Biss lies in her almost Bryant, who has been both a writer and survivor’s resilience and courage. celebrated crusader for supernatural ability to draw connections editor for Voiceworks. the rights of women. Her between seemingly disparate topics. Hysteria is a journey. It follows Munkey Diaries life – as a campaigner for At first glance, kids swapping Pokémon Bryant’s life-long mental illness, Jane Birkin women’s suffrage in cards in a playground today may seem to but focuses primarily on her chronic W&N. PB. $32.99 Australia, Britain and America, an have nothing to do with Virginia Woolf’s seizures – is it epilepsy or something Available now advocate for peace, a fighter for social attitudes towards her servants, but if this psychological? Bryant’s world becomes Jane Birkin attained equality and a shrewd political book has a central message it is about the smaller as she tries to navigate her international fame with commentator – marks her as one of ubiquitous and often invisible power of symptoms. She researches historical her decade-long musical Australia’s foremost women of courage capitalism to shape our behaviours and concepts of hysteria and how these still and personal relationship and principle. relationships on every level. influence the treatment of women’s health with Serge Gainsbourg. Biss’s preoccupation with language and mental illness in particular. In true She worked as an actor, More Than a Woman is another key theme here, and another creative nonfiction style, she blends her singer, songwriter and Caitlin Moran reason why reading her is such a concerns with the stories of ill women model. And then there is Ebury. PB. $35 pleasure. She’s also drily funny and her or researchers over history: Edith, a the Birkin bag ... Munkey Diaries not only Available now particular wry humour is especially contemporary of Freud; Mary, whose recreates the flamboyant era of Swinging A decade ago, Caitlin evident in acknowledgement of her own symptoms led to questions of possession London and Saint-Germain-des-Pres in the Moran thought she had privilege as a member of the middle and witchcraft; Katharina, a one-off 1970s, it also lets us into the everyday life womanhood all figured class. At one point, while reflecting on patient of Freud; and Blanche, an ill of an exceptional woman. how time-consuming not having money woman painted by André Brouillet in Jean out. But when middle age was in her twenties, Biss rings her sister Charcot’s public hysteria demonstrations. arrived, a whole new No Matter Our Wreckage to say that by buying a house she’s Bryant finds elements of herself and her bunch of tough questions Gemma Carey needed answering. Now simply bought a $400,000 container illness in each of these stories. Allen & Unwin. PB. $29.99 with ageing parents, for a washing machine. She writes: ‘As Hysteria demonstrates that writing is, Available now teenage daughters, a bigger bum and a I say this I am aware that the cost of as always, a cathartic and healing process. When Gemma Carey was to-do list without end, Caitlin Moran is our house was closer to $500,000. But It can be part of the puzzle of solving twelve years old, a man back with this guide to growing older. It’s I don’t say this out loud, it makes me a diagnosis, or a way to articulate the twice her age would a manifesto for change, and a celebration too uncomfortable.’ While there are demons of a disease that others mightn’t sneak into her bedroom of all those middle-aged women who keep no solutions to be found here, Biss’s understand, in the hope that there’ll be a on a weekly basis and the world turning. frank and thoughtful discussion of reader who will. This is a fascinating read sexually assault her. money will hopefully encourage further for anyone interested in mental health, Years later, after her conversation – even at dinner parties! women’s health, and the process of writing mother’s death, Gemma about oneself. A strong debut. Cinema Bronte Coates is the digital content manager reckoned with her own history, as well as and prizes manager for Readings Clare Millar is from Readings Hawthorn her family’s. No Matter Our Wreckage is a powerful, poetic and unflinching memoir A Light in the Dark Men Who Hate Women Not That I’d Kiss a Girl about what it means when society acts David Thomson Laura Bates Lil O’Brien like you don’t matter. W&N. PB. $32.99 S&S. PB. $29.99 A&U. PB. $32.99 Available now Available 16 September Available now Russian Roulette: The Life and In little more than a In this ground-breaking Lil O’Brien Times of Graham Greene century of cinema our investigation, Laura Bates accidentally outed Richard Greene sense of what a film traces the roots of herself to her parents at Little Brown. PB. $34.99 director is, or should be, misogyny across a the age of nineteen. Half Available 8 September has shifted in fascinating complex web of groups an hour later she found Probably the greatest ways. A director was extending from Men’s herself on the side of the British novelist of his once a functionary, Rights Activists and Pick road, with instructions to generation, Graham eventually becoming up Artists to Trolls and come back and pick up Greene’s own story was as seen as an artist and a hero. But the the Incel movement. Going undercover on her suitcase the next day. Bit by bit, strange and compelling world has changed. David Thomson’s and offline, Bates provides the first, Lil – the deputy head girl from a posh as those he told. A work of brilliant A Light in the Dark is an comprehensive look at this phenomenon, private school – found the inner strength wit, insight, and imaginative new history of a medium including interviews with former to pull herself into an entirely new world. compassion, this new that has changed the world. members of these communities, the NONFICTION September 2020 READINGS MONTHLY 15

academics studying this movement and to realise that nothing would ever be the the men fighting back. same – either for him or for the imperilled Australian Alps. The Lonely Century WINDFALL Noreena Hertz On Time and Water UNLOCKING A FOSSIL-FREE FUTURE Sceptre. PB. $32.99 Andri Snær Magnason & Lytton KETAN JOSHI Available 8 September Smith (trans.) From the spread of social Serpents Tail. HB. $34.99 media and the rise of AI Available 15 September ‘A powerful call to action.’ to the architecture of our Icelandic author and cities and the growing activist Andri Snær Scott Ludlum elderly population, Magnason’s ‘Letter to the loneliness is a global Future’, a moving eulogy issue that is affecting our for the Okjökull glacier, health and financial was shared by millions. ‘How to win an election? You could start by listening to Chris Wallace. She doesn’t have all the answers but ten off the top is a great start.’ Barrie Cassidy security. In The Lonely Century, Professor Now he attempts to come ‘Elections in Australia are often decided by remarkably tight margins – a few thousand votes TO WIN AN ELECTION HOW shift in some key seats and you get a different outcome. The campaigns parties run are ‘Ten Commandments for politicians – are you complex and yet need to coalesce around strong, simple core messages. From the inside they listening Labor? – who have forgotten the basics.’ Noreena Hertz challenges us all – and are high-wire acts, often winner-take-all-bets. Chris Wallace brings original thinking and to terms with the issues we clarity to understanding the dynamics of elections and offers practical suggestions on how LAURIE OAKES to win – including some that could probably only have come from an astute outsider.’ Geoff Walsh, ALP National Secretary (2000–2003), former adviser to most importantly, our politicians, all face in his new book On Time and Prime Ministers Bob Hawke and Paul Keating and Premiers Steve Bracks and John Brumby, veteran of nine Australian election campaigns

‘A witty yet Machiavellian explainer of how to win at contemporary politics.’ business leaders and economists – to take Water, taking a path to climate science Books + Publishing HOW TO ••• The 2019 Australian election produced a surprise result showing, not for the urgent action to ensure we thrive in the through ancient myths about sacred cows, first time, that every election is there for the winning – including the next one. Labor’s surprise loss in 2019, like the Liberal and National parties’ defeat in the so-called ‘unloseable’ 1993 election, showed how careful attention to basic CHRIS WALLACE political craft can yield big dividends – and how inattention to it can turn centuries to come. stories of ancestors and relatives, and apparently certain favourites into losers. With the vast challenges of climate change and social and economic equity in the post-pandemic world ahead of ‘Ten Commandmentsus, Australia cannot afford any more costly election accidents. How To Win An Election spells out the ten things a political leader and interviews with the Dalai Lama. their party must excel at to maximise the chance of success, and against which they should be accountable between and during elections. WIN Better performance in even a few of the areas canvassed in this book can for politicians whochange an election outcome,have so full attention should be paid to each of them, AN ELECTION Spoon-Fed all the time, every time, without fail, Wallace argues – in real time when it counts. How To Win An Election is a crucial insurance policy against over- confident leaders imposing learner errors on their supporters over and over Tim Spector again, and for getting the best results from Australia’s democratic system. CHRIS What Can I Do?: My Path From forgotten the basics.’ WALLACE

Jonathan Cape. PB. $29.99 9 781742 236872 AUSTRALIAN POLITICS / Climate Despair to Action CURRENT AFFAIRS A UNSW COMPANY Available now Jane Fonda Barrie Cassidy We are all bombarded Harper Collins. PB. $34.99 with advice about what Available 9 September we should and shouldn’t In the autumn of 2019, eat. Yet the more we are frustrated with the told about nutrition, the inaction of politicians, less we seem to Jane Fonda moved to understand. Spoon-Fed Washington, D.C. to lead reveals why almost weekly climate change ‘Devastating, hopeful, everything we’ve been told about food is demonstrations. There, wrong. Tim Spector explores the she led thousands of comforting and bold.’ scandalous lack of good science behind people in nonviolent civil disobedience. many medical and government food In What Can I Do?, Fonda’s deeply Anna Spargo-Ryan recommendations, and how the food personal journey as an activist is woven industry holds sway over our choices. alongside interviews with leading climate scientists, and discussions of issues, such Design as water, migration, and human rights, to AN IMPRINT OF UNSW PRESS emphasise what is at stake.

Materialising Colour: Journeys with Giulio Ridolfo Health Jane Withers Phaidon. PB. $120.00 Available now My Year of Living Mindfully Denmark’s Kvadrat, Shannon Harvey one of the world’s Hachette. PB. $32.99 leading textile Available 8 September companies, provides In a world-first high-end fabrics to experiment, journalist major design Shannon Harvey companies, recruited a team of collaborating with scientists to put mindful some of the most interesting creative meditation to the test. talents working today. Kvadrat is But what began as an renowned for its beautiful, sophisticated experiment soon became colour palette – and this luxuriously a life-changing experience. From the produced book tells the story of Giulio director of the documentary of the same Ridolfo, the man who helps Kvadrat find name, My Year of Living Mindfully is the right colour for each collection. filled with compelling science, and unexpected insights that go to the heart of what it means to be human in the Environmental twenty-first century. Studies Splitting: The Inside Story on Headaches From Snow to Ash Amanda Ellison Anthony Sharwood Green Tree. PB. $29.99 Hachette. PB. $32.99 Available now Available now Written by a leading At the start of the fiery neuroscientist, Splitting Australian summer of tells the fascinating true 2019/20, Anthony story of headaches, and Sharwood set off on a the secrets they reveal journey. Abandoning his about your brain and post on a busy news overall health. From website, he solo-trekked migraines to sinus pain to the Australian Alps tension headaches – and everything in Walking Track, Australia’s most between – this fascinating book separates gruelling and breathtakingly beautiful fact from fiction, putting you in control mainland hiking trail. Along the way, and helping you practise habits that will this lifelong lover of the mountains came protect you from headache. 16 READINGS MONTHLY September 2020 NONFICTION

Natural investigate a baffling mystery: where our relationships has an impact on how Burning the Books did this tiny scrap of papyrus come happy we can be. Turia unpacks all of Richard Ovenden History from? Veritas is a tale of fierce the above with easy-to-implement tips John Murray. PB. $32.99 intellectual rivalries. and strategies, and hilarious insights Available 8 September into her own life. Burning the Books takes Vesper Flights us on a 3000-year Helen Macdonald Personal Black and White Thinking journey through the Jonathan Cape. HB. $35.00 Development Dr Kevin Dutton destruction of Available now Bantam Press. PB. $35 knowledge and the fight I adored H is For Available now to preserve it. At once a Hawk, Helen The Power of Discord It is human instinct to powerful history of Macdonald’s memoir of Dr Ed Tronick & Dr Claudia M. sort, categorise and civilisation and a grief and falconry, which Gold frame everything in manifesto for the vital importance of took an unconventional Scribe. PB. $32.99 binary black and white. physical libraries in our increasingly approach to the well- Available now It’s how our brains work. digital age, this is also a tale of librarians worn idea that the You might think that Migrant or refugee? and the lengths to which they will go to natural world has perfect harmony is the Muslim or Christian? preserve and rescue knowledge. healing power. Macdonald explored its defining characteristic of Them or us? Black and beauty and horror through her healthy relationships, but White Thinking is an alarm call. It argues Land of Wondrous Cold difficulties taming both her goshawk and the truth is that human that by understanding the evolutionary Gillen D’arcy Wood her pain. That book revealed Macdonald interactions are messy, programming of our binary brains we Princeton University Press. PB. $29.99 as a genre-bending writer of sorts – part complicated, and can overcome it, make sense of the world Available now memoirist, part nature writer, part confusing. And according and in future make much subtler – and Antarctica, the ice philosopher. to renowned psychologist Ed Tronick and far better – decisions kingdom hosting the A collection of Macdonald’s new and paediatrician Claudia Gold, that is not South Pole, looms large selected essays offers similar intelligence, only okay, but crucial to our social and Turning Down the Noise in the human insight and comfort. Vesper Flights seeks emotional development. In The Power of Christine Jackman imagination. The secrets the sublime and finds it in the majestic Discord they show us the path to better Murdoch. PB. $32.99 of this vast frozen desert and the strange. Macdonald’s sense of relationships with romantic partners, Available now have long tempted wonder extends to wild boars; a history family, friends, and colleagues. Author Christine explorers, but its brutal of modern field guides: her blinding Jackman knew her life climate and glacial shores notoriously migraines; the memory of a swan that The Space Between looked successful – an resist human intrusion. A gripping once sat next to her and fell asleep. I love Zara McDonald & Michelle executive position in history of the polar continent, Land of her recollection of a trip to the top of the Andrews Sydney, a house in a Wondrous Cold brings the remotest of Empire State Building to witness a rare Viking. PB. $32.99 harbourside suburb, worlds within close reach. night flight of migrating birds, capturing Available now meetings with CEOs and the absurdity of nature spotting atop this Michelle Andrews and phone calls with iconic steel structure. And the way she Ellis Island: A People’s History Zara McDonald, government ministers – but it didn’t feel catches the synchronised terror and joy of Małgorzata Szejnert creators of the award- that way. So she embarked on a quest to a total solar eclipse. Scribe. HB. $49.99 winning pop culture understand what happens to us as we Macdonald’s writing is beautiful, Available now podcast Shameless, are navigate a never-ending assault on our granting emotional rhythms and texture Ellis Island. How many two twentysomething senses and attention, and how to reclaim to unexpected things. It rejoices in the people had joyfully women trying to make silence in a noisy world. complexity of creatures great and small embarked on a new life sense of it all. – ants, deer, and, always, birds. Bird there – or learnt the Brimming with wit and unflinching nests make her think of what we mean despair of being turned honesty, The Space Between brings by home. A flock of migrating cranes History away? Now a master together their stories of life in your turns her mind to refugees, also on the storyteller brings its past twenties: from heartbreak and mental move, seeking food and a safe place to life, illustrated with health challenges to overcoming career The Secret Life of the Savoy – to rest. The title essay looks at swifts: unique archival photographs. This is a setbacks and letting go of fear. and the D’Oyly Carte family small, light birds that fly very, very high landmark work of history that highlights Olivia Williams and rarely come back down to ground. the voices of the past, transforming our This One Wild and Precious Headline. PB. $32.99 For Macdonald, these vesper flights understanding of the immigrant’s Life Available 8 September offer a new view on what grounds us and experience in America. In 1889, Victorian where we are. Sarah Wilson Macmillan. HB. $34.99 impresario Richard Macdonald says the main theme Available now D’Oyly Carte opened The The Good Germans of her writing is love – mostly love for Catrine Clay The climate crisis, Savoy, Britain’s first non-human species. But her writing W&N. PB. $32.99 political polarisation, luxury hotel. Allowing the also conveys compassion towards her Available 8 September racial injustice and rich to live like royalty, it own frailties and strengths, and other COVID-19 have left attracted glamour, After 1933, most of the 20 people’s. What’s clear is that the essays in many of us scandal and a cast of million Germans who Vesper Flights aren’t ever only about one experiencing a crisis of eccentric characters, with the D’Oyly Carte had never voted for the thing. The best writing rarely is. disconnection – from family elevated to a unique vantage point Nazis tried to keep their Joanna Di Mattia is from Readings Carlton one another, from our on high society. In this, the first biography heads down. They moved true values, from joy. Here, Sarah Wilson of the family, Olivia Williams revives their to the country, or Theology argues that this sense of despair and extraordinary cultural legacy. pretended to support the disconnection is ironically what unites regime to avoid being us. Drawing on science, literature, Broad Band denounced by neighbours. Catrine Clay’s groundbreaking book focuses on six very Veritas: A Harvard Professor, philosophy, and her personal journey, Clare L. Evans different characters. Each experiences a Con Man and the Gospel of Wilson weaves a narrative that lights the Portfolio. PB. $29.99 the momentous events of Nazi history as Jesus’s Wife way back to the life we love. Available 15 September they unfold in their own small lives – The history of the Ariel Sabar good Germans all. Scribe. PB. $39.99 Happy (And Other Ridiculous internet is more than Available now Aspirations) just alpha nerds, In 2012, Dr Karen King, Turia Pitt brogrammers, and male Agent Sonya a star professor at Ebury Press. PB. $34.99 garage-to-riches Ben Macintyre Harvard Divinity Available 15 September billionaires. Female Viking. PB. $35.00 School, announced a Happiness. Everyone visionaries have always Available 15 September blockbuster discovery: wants more of it. But can been at the vanguard of In the quiet Cotswolds she had found an you actually get happier? technology and innovation. This village of Great Rollright ancient fragment of Turia Pitt dives into this electrifying corrective to tech history in 1945, a devoted wife papyrus in which Jesus idea, interviewing introduces us all to our long-overlooked and mother-of-three, calls Mary Magdalene ‘my wife’. As high-profile athletes, tech mothers and grandmothers – Mrs Burton seemed to debates over the manuscript’s comedians, scientists showing us that if there’s a boy’s club epitomise rural British authenticity raged, award-winning and world experts to that dominates Silicon Valley today, it’s domesticity. But Mrs journalist Ariel Sabar set out to explore how everything from money to an anachronism. Burton – born Ursula NONFICTION September 2020 READINGS MONTHLY 17

Kuczynski, and codenamed ‘Sonya’ – was same ideas that led us here. The Genes That Make Us, he explains a German Jew, a colonel in Russia’s Red Expendables is an exhilaratingly fresh everything you need to know with Army, and a highly-trained spy. Agent perspective on globalisation that is humour, insight, and great humanity. At Sonya is the exhilarating account of one humane, rigorous, and, most woman’s life; a life that altered the importantly, timely. Stephen Hawking: A Memoir course of history. of Friendship and Physics home with Chris Gordon When America Stopped Being Leonard Mlodinow Work: A History of How We Great: A History of the Present Allen Lane. PB. $35.00 Spend Our Time Nick Bryant Available 15 September Ottolenghi FLAVOUR James Suzman Viking. PB. $34.99 An icon of the last fifty Yotam Ottolenghi & Ixta Belfrage Bloomsbury. PB. $29.99 Available 18 August years, Stephen Hawking Ebury. HB. Was $55 Available 15 September The presidency of seems to encapsulate $44.99 The work we do brings us Donald Trump is genius: not since Albert Available now meaning, moulds our commonly seen as an Einstein has a scientific Yotam Ottolenghi has values, determines our historical accident. In figure held such a become associated with social status and dictates When America Stopped position in popular certain flavours. We how we spend most of our Being Great, Nick Bryant consciousness. In this might say at a meal, time. But this wasn’t argues that by 2016 it enthralling memoir, writer and physicist ‘This is an Ottolenghi- always the case: for most had become almost Leonard Mlodinow tells the story of his inspired recipe.’ By that of our species’ history, historically inescapable. In this highly friend and their friendship, offering an we might mean we are work held a radically different personal account, drawing on decades of intimate account of this giant of science. serving chickpeas with importance. How, then, did work become covering Washington for the BBC, Bryant toasted sesame seeds, or a meal based on the central organisational principle of our shows how the history of Trump’s rise is The Organ Thieves the glorious colours that fresh vegetables societies? Here, James Suzman answers also a history of America’s fall. Chip Jones give us. In my household, not a week goes this and other questions. Quercus. PB. $34.99 by without someone consulting one of Available now Ottolenghi’s cookbooks. So, friends, rejoice with me that there is a new one coming to Travel In 1968, Bruce Tucker, a our tables! Cleverly split into three Politics Black man, went into Writing sections: process, pairing and produce, Virginia’s top research and designed to tap into the potential of hospital with a head Blood and Oil: Mohammed Bin ordinary vegetables, this book has been English Pastoral: An injury, only to have his Salman’s Ruthless Quest for written for harried parents, testing Inheritance heart stolen out of his Global Power teenagers and fussy vegetable eaters. And, James Rebanks body and put into the Bradley Hope & Justin Scheck of course, it’s perfect for anyone who is Allen Lane. PB. $35.00 chest of a white John Murray. PB. $32.99 dreaming of new flavour combinations in Available now businessman. Chip Jones exposes the Available 8 September lockdown. This book may be the only As a boy, James horrifying inequality surrounding Thirty-five-year-old holiday we get this year. Rebanks’s grandfather Tucker’s death and how he was used as a Mohammed bin Salman’s taught him to work the human guinea pig without his family’s sudden rise stunned the land the old way. And yet, permission or knowledge. A Year of Simple Family Food world. Political and by the time James Julia Busuttil Nishimura business leaders met with Macmillan. PB. $39.99 inherited the farm, it was the Crown Prince and Available now barely recognisable. This Music came away convinced is a book about what it Eating simply, that his desire to reform means to have love and pride in a place, generously and Saudi Arabia was sincere. But ‘MBS’ began Wild Thing and how, against all the odds, it may still seasonally is at the core to betray an erratic interior beneath the Philip Norman be possible to build a new pastoral: not a of all of Julia Busuttil polish. Blood and Oil is a gripping work of W&N. PB. $32.99 utopia, but somewhere decent for us all. Nishimura’s recipes. investigative journalism about the ascent Available now This Melbourne-based, of one of the world’s most decisive and Almost fifty years after much-adored cook has a The Wild Silence dangerous new leaders. his lonely death, Jimi skill for keeping Raynor Winn Hendrix is the abiding everything modest, and making the kind Michael Joseph. HB. $35.00 Another Now: Dispatches from symbol of musical genius of food you will want to share with your Available 15 September an Alternative Present cut tragically short. This loved ones. Arranged by season, this In The Salt Path, Raynor Yanis Varoufakis biography brings together beautiful book includes uncomplicated and her husband Moth Bodley Head. PB. $29.99 the splendour and recipes for classic dishes with a Busuttil head to the windswept Available 15 September sadness of his brief life, Nishimura twist – there are plenty of quick coastline to try to find a Imagine it is 2025 and and attempts to unravel the recipes and some that require more time to way through that years earlier, in the circumstances of his death. After all these bubble away on the stove. If you enjoyed homelessness, and wake of the financial years of rumour and speculation, Jimi’s her first book, Ostro, waste no time finding ultimately to find crisis of 2008, a global ghost may finally be laid to rest. your way to these pages. themselves. Now in The uprising had birthed a Wild Silence, they come back to four walls. post-Capitalist world in Returning to normality is not easy, but Spirited: Cocktails from which democracy, Visual with their love of each other and the Around the World equality and justice are natural world, they begin to rediscover the Arts Adrienne Stillman truly served. In a thought-experiment of Phaidon. HB. Was $59.95 meaning of home. startling originality, Yanis Varoufakis $49.99 offers a glimpse of this alternative Flower: Exploring the World in Available 17 September reality. Radical in form and in vision, Science Bloom Whatever your taste for Another Now asks how far we are willing Phaidon Editors lockdown cocktails, to go in pursuit of our ideals. Phaidon. HB. Was $79.95 you’re bound to find it The Genes That Make Us $69.99 within the pages of this The Expendables: How the Edwin Kirk Available 9 September beverage bible. Adrienne Middle Class Got Screwed By Scribe. PB. $32.99 Showcasing the Stillman of Dipsology, a Globalisation Available now diversity of blooms curated guide for cocktail Jeff Rubin Whether directly from all over the enthusiasts, reached out Scribe. PB. $34.99 inherited or modified by world, Flower spans to her contacts around the world to draw Available now our environment, genes a wide range of up this truly international survey. It must Global deregulation, and influence almost every styles and media – have been difficult to write a book after all tax policies that benefit aspect of our lives. And as from art, botanical that research! As well as recipes, these the rich have resulted in time goes on, genetic illustrations, and pages contain the history of every cocktail the erosion of the middle screening will become an sculptures to floral arrangements, film you could possibly imagine. I have class. The result, increasingly prevalent stills, and textiles – and follows a considered starting at the very beginning growing global medical tool. Navigating this world of visually stunning sequence with works, and working tirelessly through to the end inequality, is a problem heartbreaking uncertainties, tantalising regardless of period, thoughtfully paired of this collection, dressed as I am in my of our own making. And possibilities, and thorny questions of to allow interesting and revealing leisure wear. All you’d need to do so is the solving it won’t be easy if we draw on the morality is Professor Edwin Kirk. In The juxtapositions between them. desire, the ingredients and the shaker. 18 READINGS MONTHLY September 2020 KIDS

mum’s help to learn how to express her wolfish feelings have a wedding? A warm family story that celebrates and truly howl. Together, they prowl the garden, listen to love and culture from actor, activist, writer and Kids’ the darkness, and make cloud shapes with their breath. Australian sweetheart, Miranda Tapsell. This is a charming story that revels in the delights Books of expressing yourself. With evocative soft pencil and The Goody wax illustrations by Melbourne artist Evie Barrow, Lauren Child there is much to discover on every page, from the tiniest Orchard. HB. $24.99 details in a room to the wolfish shadows outdoors. Howl Available 8 September is a joyous celebration of what it means to be alive, and Chirton Krauss is a good child. He will be enjoyed by youngsters learning how to express eats his broccoli, goes to bed on their big feelings. It may even encourage howling at the time and never, ever sticks his moon! A perfect read-aloud for ages 3+. finger up his nose. Meanwhile, Angela Crocombe is the manager of Readings Kids Chirton’s sister Myrtle stays up late, never cleans out the rabbit’s BOOK OF THE A Polar Bear in Sydney Harbour hutch and drops her choco puffs MONTH Beck Feiner & Robin Feiner all over the carpet! But what will Middle Grade ABC Books. HB. $24.99 happen when Chirton decides that being the goody Available now isn’t so good after all? This new picture book from married duo Beck and This Small Blue Dot Robin Feiner is a sparkling tale Zeno Sworder about a lost polar bear, a smart Thames. HB. $24.99 little girl, and a dash of Available now fascinating true science. With a strong message of When Hannah spots a polar interconnectedness, hope and bear floating on an iceberg in Sydney Harbour, she empowerment, This Small Blue How to Write the assumes he’s an adventurer, but then soon realises he’s Dot follows a little girl exploring Soundtrack to actually lost. Unfortunately, our sharp-eyed heroine the big and small things in life. Your Life seems to be the only one who can see him. How can From contemplating our place on Fiona Hardy she get the attention of someone who can help? Cue: this ‘blue dot’ to the best desserts, Affirm. PB. $16.99 an ingenious plan involving a lighthouse and her new this book provides a broader, more Available now friend’s unique reflective fur. inclusive view of who we are, where we come from Iconic Sydney locations are depicted in the and where our dreams may take us. Feiners’ bright, graphic style, and children will Fiona Hardy, you have done it again! The dreaded relish the book’s fun illustrative details (a dog and second novel that often stalls writing careers is owner wearing matching sleep masks!) and dry Junior Grade nowhere to be seen here. A deft and very capable writer’s sense of humour (when a seagull eats one of the hand has gifted young readers with a mystery that has polar bear’s chips, he eats the seagull). This story The Wolves of Greycoat Hall beautifully developed characters, huge heart and the sort pays tribute to the creative problem-solving of young Lucinda Gifford of inclusiveness that sings a song of acceptance for all people, while also acknowledging the reality of Walker. HB. $19.99 manner of personalities and human conditions. climate crisis. For ages 3+. Murphy Parker loves music and is often to be found Available now Bronte Coates is the digital content manager for Readings composing on her trusty keyboard, with headphones When the Scottish plugged in, a safe place away from the madding crowd Conservation Society where no one can hear her play. Her shyness has kept her The Lost Library announces plans to reintroduce on the fringes of school and friendship, but when she and Jess McGeachin wolves into the wild, the Greycoat her dad go to the local music shop and play around on Puffin. HB. $24.99 family of Morovia is soon boarding the instruments, she feels creative and free. One day, in Available now the Trans-Bohemia Express for the music class, the students are encouraged to experiment; From the local author and land of shortbread and lochs. The thinking her headphones are on, Murphy plays a piece illustrator of the much-loved Greycoats – Boris and his parents that everyone loves and, while shocked that they have picture book Fly, Jess McGeachin, Randall and Leonora – are wolves, after all, and travel heard her music, she enjoys the praise. The next day we now have The Lost Library. is their true passion. Well, travel and good food. is a different story when she is accused of stealing the When Oliver discovers a The Wolves of Greycoat Hall swings with a breezy, song from a band who have posted themselves playing fluttering book stuck behind his impish humour that will have readers aged 7–10 a version of it on YouTube. Her peers ridicule her and bedroom cupboard, he decides turning the pages with a smile. Checking into the once again she is cast out. What happens after this is an to return it, but first he needs to Highland Hotel (carpet and curtains all in matching uplifting story of activism and friendships, with all their find someone to help. Luckily, his new neighbour Rosie tartan), young Boris learns of plans to demolish the thorny compromises and revelations. is keen to assist and has a great idea for where to start historic Drommuir Castle and replace it with cheap Murphy and her friends form a terrific cast, along with – the local library. As Oliver slips the lost book into apartments. Local wildlife is threatened, too. But what her supportive family, and Fiona has a wonderful ability the return slot, he and Rosie find themselves suddenly is the true history of the castle? And what possible to create a safe but flawed society that gives the reader a hurtling down into the depths of the hidden Lost connection could it have to the Greycoat family? realistic experience as well as the added thrill of a mystery. Library. How will they find their way back out again? This first Greycoat family adventure is a total Top notch fiction for ages 9–12. I enjoyed every moment. This story shows us that anything is possible charmer and I can’t wait to share the fun with young Alexa Dretzke is from Readings Hawthorn with the help of friendship, the magic of books, some readers and their families. perseverance, and asking for help when it’s needed. Mike Shuttleworth is from Readings Hawthorn The text is beautifully supported by the illustrations with gorgeous colour and fun things to discover on each page. A clever story for ages 4+. Middle Grade Picture Books Claire Atherfold is the manager of Readings State Library Victoria The Fire Star Howl Aunty’s Wedding A.L. Tait Kat Patrick & Evie Barrow (illus.) Miranda Tapsell, Joshua Tyler and Samantha Penguin. PB. $16.99 Scribe. HB. $24.99 Fry (illus.) Available now Available now A&U. HB. $24.99 When Maven and Reeve, two At the end of a long day, when Available now servant children, meet for the everything is frustrating and Everyone on the island is first time, they barely have time to not quite right, comes a full moon that getting ready for Aunty’s start to dislike each other before the makes it impossible to sleep. Young wedding. Maningawu puts on Fire Star – a precious gem – is Maggie turns wolfish. She develops her best hat and I can wear a stolen. The two then have only a few fangs, pointy ears, and a fierce desire wurrijinga in my hair. We all days to find the gem before they lose to dance by the light of the moon. dress up, but I still don’t their last remaining shreds of Surprisingly, so does her mum. But Maggie needs her understand. Why do people freedom entirely. KIDS September 2020 READINGS MONTHLY 19

On its surface, The Fire Star is a fairly traditional Tricky Nick The Forest in the Tree: How Fungi story about knights, lords and ladies. But you’d be Nicholas J. Johnson Shape the Earth foolish to think that’s all there is to it. There is also Pan. PB. $14.99 Ailsa Wild, Aviva Reed, Briony Barr & a secret society called Beech Circle, which is made Available now Gregory Crocetti up of self-educated women who are bound to help I’m Tricky Nick. The world’s greatest CSIRO. HB. $24.99 all girls and women, always. Meanwhile, Reeve goes magician. This is my absolutely not- Available now from thinking all women who can read are witches to made-up story of magical greatness. A little fungus meets a baby cacao being an enthusiastic ally to Beech Circle, willing to Magic changed my life and it could tree and they learn to feed each keep their secrets and help their cause. Beech Circle change yours too. I learnt my first trick other, and cooperate with a forest and Reeve’s character growth add depth to an already when I was ten, and now I’ll teach it, and of plants, as well as a metropolis exciting story. Great for kids aged 9+. more, to you. You’ll also meet Trixie, a of microbes in the soil. But when Dani Solomon is from Readings Kids magical mystery girl, and the strange drought strikes, can they work B.U.M. (Brotherhood of United Magicians), and find out together to survive? The fourth Fly on the Wall other top-secret stuff. This tale is so incredible, you’ll swear book in the Small Friends series, this scientific Remy Lai I’m making it up. But you can trust me, I’m a magician. adventure story explores the Earth-shaping Walker. PB. $19.99 partnerships between plants, fungi and bacteria. Available 15 September Ways to Make Sunshine Henry Khoo has a plan to prove Renée Watson Graphic Novels his independence. His mother, Bloomsbury. PB. $15.99 grandma and older sister are always Available 18 September on his case, but he’s embarking on a Ryan Hart and her family live in Sherlock Bones and the Sea Creature solo journey to visit his dad in Portland, Oregon. Ryan’s dad lost his Feature Singapore. He has another secret, job a while ago, so the whole family Renée Treml too: Henry feels excluded from his are moving to an (old) new house. A&U. PB. $14.99 peers and has been publishing silly, Adjusting to a new life will be hard, Available now unkind online comics about people at his school under but Ryan is the kind of girl who knows Sherlock Bones is a tawny frogmouth the moniker ‘Fly on the Wall’. how to make sunshine out of setbacks. skeleton who spends his days in the The story is presented to us as Henry’s top-secret This charming book is packed with museum. But even though it sounds notebook. It’s told through oddball musings and humour, heart, and meaningful moments. unlikely, he’s also a mystery-solving diary-style entries, comics and diagrams. There’s a superstar. With his trusty partners, little bit of poetry, a recipe and snippets of different When This Bell Rings Watts the stuffed parrot, and Grace languages. It’s such a fun approach, and there are a Allison Rushby the racoon, he’s here to solve the lot of sweet and funny moments in this book. Walker. PB. $17.99 mystery of the monster in the Travelling gives Henry an opportunity to reflect Available now museum. Join this intrepid crew for another on his behaviour, to make new friends and learn how Tamsin lives next door to the famous hilariously funny, action-packed adventure. to be honest with himself and others. Remy Lai’s first graphic novelist Edie St Clair. When book, Pie in the Sky, was shortlisted for The Readings Tamsin offers to help her idol Edie, Children’s Book Prize earlier this year and it’s great to she discovers that this author can Classic of the Month have a follow up so soon! For readers aged 9+. literally draw herself into her stories. Kim Gruschow is from Readings St Kilda When Edie goes missing, Tamsin draws herself into the novel and My Place for Younger Readers lands in a world of danger. She must Sally Morgan The Heartsong of Wonder Quinn Fremantle. PB. $17.99 figure out how to finish the story, but the perfect Kate Gordon Available now UQP. PB. $14.99 ending will come at a great cost to all. A bestseller in the late 1980s Available now and never out of print since, My The Heartsong of Wonder Quinn Nonfiction Place was one of the first books of is an enchanting and layered memoir and family history by an fairytale with a touch of the gothic. Aboriginal author to reach such a The author paints evocative The Bushfire Book: How to Be Aware wide audience. It remains accessible landscapes of emotion and place: and Prepare and engaging for a reader who is dreams and a profound longing for Polly Marsden & Chris Nixon (illus.) coming to Stolen Generations stories friendship loom large alongside dusty Hachette. HB. $19.99 and lived experiences of Indigeneity for the first time. archives, a gloomy crow and shadowy Available now The fact that it is so accessible has led some people to twisted birches. The story’s slow, deliberate pacing The Bushfire Book: How to criticise it for being simplified or sugar-coated – ensures the reader’s empathy for Wonder Quinn, a Be Aware and Prepare is which it certainly isn’t. It is a real, layered and melancholy, otherworldly character living in the attic written by Polly Marsden, the complicated story which develops Sally Morgan’s of an old school. When the funny and bold Mabel creator behind the concept of the discovery of her identity and her family’s history and appears, there’s a splash of colour in Wonder’s upcoming ABC documentary trauma with a gentle and loving refusal to become a monochromatic world; her friendship has a life- series Big Weather and How to stereotype. It comprises the voices and memories of changing influence on Wonder’s soulful outlook. Survive It, which will be hosted three generations of Morgan’s family, Baligu people This unusual tale, with its unexpected twists, by Craig Reucassel and released ahead of this from the Pilbara region, living in suburban Perth in explores themes of loneliness, longing and grief and summer’s bushfire season. the 1950s. celebrates love, friendship, and the power within. I As we saw to devastating effect last summer, My Place is a coming-of-age story about family, suspect it’s for the thoughtful, serious but confident Australia is increasingly a country of extreme weather, love and survival that you can immediately reader, aged 8+, who enjoys big themes with a touch of and as we face longer and more intense seasonal empathise with, and I think young people now will the spirit world. change, so too do we face dangers such as smoke, ash be better equipped to understand and act on its Athina Clarke is from Readings Malvern and fire. We watched as family and friends saw their message than many readers were in 1987. I hope that precious things burn, and it broke our hearts. This is new readers will appreciate the strength and truth- From Stella Street to Amsterdam scary for us all, but also confusing for children who telling they find here as much as I did when I first Elizabeth Honey don’t understand a lot about what causes bushfires or read My Place. Edited to make it more accessible to a A&U. PB. $16.99 what they, as young people, can do. teen audience, it is essential reading in the context Available now Marsden’s text and Chris Nixon’s engaging of Black Lives Matter and anti-racism work around When Henni’s stubborn old illustrations help children to comprehend where the world; it is a beautiful example of how telling neighbour Willa insists on returning bushfires come from, who the skilled and caring your own story can give you the ability to shape and to her childhood home in the people are who work to keep us safe, and, finally, how reframe your identity on your own terms, overcoming Netherlands for a wedding, Henni they can be prepared themselves. prejudice in the process. An important theme in leaps at the chance to be her This is a practical and reassuring guide that also Aboriginal life-writing and memoir is the idea that travelling companion. But during the includes helpful hints on how to build your own telling your story is an act of radical survival, and, long flight to Amsterdam, Willa bushfire plan, with websites and resources you can as enjoyable and engrossing as My Place is, it is still reveals to Henni the real reason for research for more details. It’s a book for every home and most importantly Morgan’s own act of radical her journey: a terrible family secret stretching back to and for kids aged 5+. survival through writing. For ages 10+. the Second World War. And is that the only mystery? Claire Atherfold is the manager of Readings State Library Victoria Georgia Delaney is from Readings Kids 20 READINGS MONTHLY September 2020 YOUNG ADULT

the iconic Hannibal Lecter: equal parts Cronulla, and the resulting culture clash alluring and terrifying in his own right. changes the boys forever. Young Adult Marney has outdone herself with this The F Team is a funny, moving outstanding psychological thriller and I debut novel with a large cast of complex can’t help but think the book’s title is a characters who are each battling their message to all who read it. For ages 16+ own hidden vulnerabilities. Protagonist In the first of a new fantasy duology, readers are swept (strong violence and gore). Tariq is a gem; a natural leader with into an exciting world that embraces science and magic, BOOK OF THE Joe Murray is from Readings Kids fabled ‘potential’, who also has a knack MONTH an ancient prophecy, a goddess, and a prince who literally of constantly disappointing the adults falls from the clouds. Fighting Words around him. The Wolf Pack struggle Young Adult Nimh is considered a living goddess in a harsh world to control their anger, to admit their Kimberly Brubaker Bradley ruled by magic and dust storms that can kill or turn people problems to each other, to submit to Text. PB. $19.99 insane. She was chosen at birth, after the last goddess broke authority, to be sensitive to other’s Available now her sacred vows. Every goddess has a special gift, but Nimh’s feelings, but they’re also responsible and The latest novel by the has not yet manifested. loving family members, faithful to their author of The War that religion, loyal and ultimately very caring. Saved My Life is a powerful, The story is action-packed, with Rawah Arja has painted such a lively, first-person story from the affectionate and hilarious portrait of palace intrigues and violent cultists, an perspective of ten-year-old Tariq’s Lebanese–Australian Muslim unexpected enemy, and utterly surprising Della, who has been the family and the broader Punchbowl victim of a sexual assault. plot twists. community, not to mention the secret She and her sister, Suki, are in foster care teenage world of pranks, revenge, rivalries, with a frank but supportive foster mum. North is a prince in the Cloudlands, which are ruled by crushes and teasing. The F Team depicts The story is age-appropriate with no science and innovation, and exist solely in the sky. His people perfectly the hard work of growing up, The Other Side of graphic details, and gently reveals what abandoned the earth many centuries before and assume it is the incremental moments of change and the Sky happened to the girls prior to them finding unliveable. When North is showing off his glider, something growth, the surprising forms that lessons Amie Kaufman & safety with their foster mum. goes wrong and he plunges to earth. He is rescued by Nimh, come in, and the necessity of taking Meagan Spooner Suki starts a part-time job and Della who believes he is a god because of an ancient prophecy she responsibility for mistakes. It’s a truly wild A&U. PB. $19.99 must navigate a new school, a bully in discovered that says a star will fall from the sky. and enjoyable ride; there’s a hellish boot Available now her classroom, and find friends, all while North struggles to understand the importance of magic, camp, slam poetry, budding romance, recovering from their terrible childhood. but sees it manifest against enemies of the goddess. A romantic organic honey, viral videos, visiting When Suki breaks down from the burden attraction grows between the two, even though, as a goddess, Nimh cannot be touched. Aunties, and of course, lots of action on the of her past trauma, the story feels dark. But There are many rich secondary characters, including the independent bindle cat, football field. For ages 13+. there are also moments of lightness and who protects the goddess, and Nimh’s guard, a female warrior whom Nimh has known humour, with true friends and supportive Leanne Hall is from Readings online since childhood. The story is action-packed, with palace intrigues and violent cultists, an adults. Della finds her voice to fight back unexpected enemy, and utterly surprising plot twists. against the bully at school, to request more Where We Begin This is a thrilling and imaginative story of star-crossed destiny with a breathtaking, understanding from her teacher and to Christie Nieman contemporary twist. Unforgettable and brilliantly plotted, it will be devoured by readers speak out in court. Suki also rallies with Pan. PB. $18.99 aged 12+. counselling and support. Available now Angela Crocombe is the manager of Readings Kids The author was motivated to write this Seventeen-year-old Anna is book because she was a victim of childhood running into the night, sexual abuse herself. She wanted young fleeing everything she The Mermaid, the Witch and until the final pages, and the ending is people to know that talking about trauma knows. She is travelling into the Sea as strange, touching and beautiful as the can help you to heal, that abuse is never the country, to the Maggie Tokuda-Hall story itself. For ages 13+. a young person’s fault -- no matter the grandparents she has never Walker. PB. $18.99 Leanne Hall is from Readings online situation, and that it can happen in all sorts met, looking for answers to Available now of families. The book was published in the questions that have never been asked. Flora has been living None Shall Sleep US as middle-grade fiction, yet released by Every family has secrets – but some secrets the Australian publisher as young adult can never be forgiven. A dark, deeply on the pirate ship Dove Ellie Marney fiction, no doubt because of the potentially compelling, coming-of-age novel from the as the boy Florian, along A&U. PB. $19.99 distressing content. At the back of the author of As Stars Fall. with her brother Alfie, her Available now book are a number of Australian-focused only living family. Life on Some say there are no resources for children and their carers, as The Reckless Afterlife of the Dove is brutal – for the new stories under the well as discussion points for a therapeutic Harriet Stoker well-heeled passengers, sun, and the longstanding or classroom situation. who are informed mid-journey that they tradition of YA Lauren James This is an important and beautifully Walker. PB. $18.99 are to be sold off as slaves, and for the crew, reimaginings of classic written story that is ultimately uplifting Available now who are expected to carry out violent stories suggests there’s but should be given to a young person with orders from first mate Rake and the some truth to this old When Harriet Stoker dies the awareness that further discussion drug-addled Nameless Captain. Lady adage. Ellie Marney’s None Shall Sleep falling from a balcony, she and support may be needed. But for those Evelyn Hasegawa, an upper-class Imperial follows this trend, taking inspiration from discovers a world of ghosts. readers who recognise themselves in the girl, comes onto the ship expecting to be The Silence of the Lambs to tell a chilling As she learns more, Harriet narrative, it will be an important lifeline. delivered to the Floating Islands and her story about two teens who enlist the help is willing to do anything to Recommended for ages 11+. fiancé by arrangement. Florian is asked to of one serial killer to catch another. unleash her own power, but protect Evelyn, Evelyn insists on teaching Although Marney wears her source Angela Crocombe is the manager of Readings quickly learns that the Florian to read, and the two young people material on her sleeve, there is a beating Kids afterlife can be a dangerous place. For slowly, irretrievably fall in love. As the heart of originality in None Shall Sleep that who knows what grudges people have situation on the Dove grows ever more allows it to stand alone as an excellent read The F Team been holding onto for millennia, just dangerous, as a captured mermaid drifts that will set your heart on edge. Rawah Arja waiting for a reckless girl to give them a closer to death, Florian and Evelyn escape chance at vengeance? Emma Lewis and Travis Bell, two Giramondo. PB. $22.95 in a perilously small rowboat. teens intimately familiar with the twisted Available now This enchanting fantasy novel is violence of serial killers, are thrust into the Tariq Nader is lucky Punching the Air set in a non-Eurocentric world, where a FBI’s hunt for a new killer and are enlisted enough to have a close Ibi Zoboi & Yusef Salaam dominant imperial power has colonised to interview convicted teenage psychopath group of friends in his Harper. PB. $19.99 most territories. It’s a world where people Simon Gutmunsson for insight into the life – dubbed ‘The Wolf Available now drink mermaid’s blood and lose their mind of a killer. As the story unfolds, the Pack’ – but his under- One fateful night, an memories, where secret operatives work tension never lets up, increasing as we resourced high school is altercation in a gentrifying for the mysterious Pirate Supreme, and learn more and more about its two killers struggling. Constant negative media neighbourhood escalates where witches use storytelling to cast and the true danger our heroes are in. attention has whipped up suspicions that into tragedy. Suddenly, at spells. This gripping and elegant debut In broad strokes, the story follows the Punchbowl High is, in Tariq’s words, ‘too just sixteen years old, Amal novel employs a perfectly balanced premise of The Silence of the Lambs, but terroristy’. A new principal, Mr Archie, is Shahid’s bright future is blend of high-seas action, romance, Marney’s characters elevate it beyond mere hired in a last-ditch attempt to avoid upended: he is convicted of moral complexity and unique takes on homage, as Emma Lewis and Travis Bell closure, but his tough disciplinary style a crime he didn’t commit and sent to familiar fantasy tropes. At the very heart are deeply complex and compelling heroes leaves Tariq, Ibby, PJ and Huss prison. Despair and rage almost sink him of the story is bigender Flora/Florian and who complement each other brilliantly. unimpressed. The four boys are required until he turns to the refuge of his words, Evelyn’s battle for freedom, independence The character of Simon Gutmunsson also to participate in a rugby competition that his art. This never should have been his and love. It’s a battle that isn’t resolved does an admirable job standing in for teams them up with students from story. But can he change it? DVDS September 2020 READINGS MONTHLY 21

moving story of Robertson’s personal Inspector Montalbano, Volume 11 Film & TV journey finding camaraderie in music. $39.95 | Available 16 September Inspector Montalbano is Film back with two compelling new cases to solve. In ‘My I wasn’t sure I could review this mini series. Not Beloved Livia’, a reserved DVD OF THE because I didn’t like it, far from it. This is a brilliantly The Last Wave (remastered) young woman is slain for no plausible reason, and a MONTH made series that keeps you engrossed from its first minute to $24.95 | Available now security guard discovers a young man its last. Russell Crowe absolutely nails his role, as do all the When lawyer David Burton TV behaving strangely at a mansion. In ‘The supporting players. No, it was because I found the story so is assigned a case to defend Safety Net’, Montalbano is approached by confronting that I can’t be impartial. a group of First Nations an engineer who has uncovered reels of Russell Crowe plays Roger Ailes, head of Fox News from men, he is unprepared for film that reveal a mystery. its inception until his forced resignation. His absolute the nightmares ahead. brutality and lack of any moral code drive his desire to make Accused of murder, the men Fox a mouthpiece for his own beliefs. When Rupert Murdoch stand trial amidst suspicious circumstances Prodigal Son launched Fox News, Roger Ailes declared, ‘At Fox, our job is and, as Burton becomes plagued by $49.95 | Available 9 September to be objective! Fair and balanced.’ Once Ailes was in control, unsettling visions, he is drawn to the Malcolm Bright knows how that purported belief went out the window. mysterious Chris Lee. As the erratic killers think and how their Ailes was, in truth, a master of spin and self-marketing. climate turns dangerous, ancient ideas of minds work. Why? Firstly, he It was his opinion that the television news cycles in America Dreamtime may be more than just an is a criminal psychologist. were all left-leaning, so his idea was that those networks could ominous warning. But Bright has an extra bit of fight it out amongst themselves for the fifty-ish per cent of the personal insight: his father is population that followed them. Fox would then be left alone to ‘The Surgeon’, a serial killer who has taken The Loudest cater for the other fifty per cent, those who were tired of news TV the lives of more than twenty people. This Voice they had no interest in believing. Ailes himself had many compelling series follows Bright as he goes Was $49.95 believers, but over time even they turn1ed against his credo, inside the minds of murderers to help the $29.95 Succession, Series 2 which was that the truth did not matter, what was important NYPD solve cases. Available now was giving Fox’s base exactly what they wanted to hear. $39.95 | Available 23 September Any of this starting to sound familiar? According to The Succession returns, exploring War of the Worlds, Season 1 Loudest Voice, Ailes was, after all, the man who coined the phrase ‘Make America Great themes of power, politics, $34.95 | Available 23 September Again’ when advising Donald Trump in the early days of his first presidential campaign. money, and family, played When astronomers detect a But that was after Ailes’s reign at Fox News came to an abrupt end due to high-profile, and out within a wealthy and transmission from another numerous, sexual harassment allegations against him. dysfunctional family whose galaxy, it is definitive proof of If even half of this retelling is true, then Roger Ailes had his finger on the pulse of a patriarch, Logan Roy, is CEO intelligent extraterrestrial life. divided America. He was a genius but, unfortunately, pure evil! of one of the world’s largest media and entertainment conglomerates. Blending But within days, mankind is Lou Fulco is from Readings Hawthorn high drama with sharp humor, season two all but wiped out by a

follows the Roys as they navigate the devastating attack. As aliens hunt and kill looming question of who will take over in a those left alive, the survivors ask a burning transformative nature of music, Crosby post-Logan world. question – who are these attackers and why Documentary shares his often-challenging journey with are they hell-bent on our destruction? humor and bite. Rosehaven, Season 4 Operation Buffalo David Crosby: Remember My $24.95 | Available 9 September $29.95 | Available 16 September Name Once Were Brothers: Robbie This multi-award-winning $29.95 | Available now Robertson and The Band ABC comedy series returns Operation Buffalo is a After the 2015 dissolution of $24.95 | Available now for a fourth season, taking us captivating historical drama, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Once Were Brothers blends back into the quirky and set in Maralinga, South David Crosby faced an rare archival footage, loveable town of Rosehaven. Australia, during the height of uncertain future. But, photography, iconic songs Daniel and Emma are hitting the Cold War. At a remote despite health issues and and interviews to tell the tale their strides at work and getting into the army base carrying out personal obstacles, he of Robbie Robertson’s young groove of selling houses, but change is British nuclear testing, bombs are not the forged a new path in his late seventies. life and of the creation of one upon the town – including some only things being tested, as loyalty, love, and With unflinching honesty and an of the most enduring groups in the history competition. And in their personal lives, lives are pitted against each other in the unshakable belief in family and the of popular music, The Band. The film is a the two try new ways to find love. midst of global political tension. 22 READINGS MONTHLY September 2020 MUSIC

Western Swing & Waltzes and The Ascension Popular Music Other Punchy Songs Sufjan Stevens Colter Wall $22.95 | Also on vinyl $19.95 | Also on vinyl Available 28 September Available now Sufjan Stevens is back ‘You’re going to give it a good review, aren’t you, Daddy?’ From the prairies of with his eighth studio ALBUM OF It was more of a command than a question from my Saskatchewan, Canada, album, The Ascension. THE MONTH twelve-year-old daughter as we sat at home one day during Colter Wall is known for Featuring a number of home-schooling, listening to the new Vika & Linda album, his songwriting and sparse instrumental Gospel Sunday (The Gospel According to Iso). unparalleled voice. His tracks layered over COVID-19 has made life difficult for everyone, but dusty baritone voice driving beats, this latest offering particularly for our performing artists, who cannot work due to and deep well of stories are carrying showcases the rich, layered lyricism that health restrictions and are being denied income support from traditional western music into the future. Stevens is known and loved for. Including the government. Many are seeking new ways to reach their Steeped in country and western tradition the sweeping, twelve-minute-long single audience. Vika & Linda decided they needed to keep on singing, and historic influence, Wall’s music has ‘America’, The Ascension is a dreamy so back in March, on a Sunday morning, they performed a featured in film and television, catching sonic journey through an indie– gospel song via social media. The seed for this album grew the attention of critics and fans worldwide. electronic landscape. over the next ten weeks as they continued to reach out to their audience with a gospel song every Sunday morning. Pop/Rock Whole New Mess Sunday Gospel music is an obvious genre for sisters Vika and Angel Olsen (The Gospel Linda Bull to turn to, having been exposed to it as they grew $22.95 | Also on vinyl up in Melbourne: listening to the Tongan Choir, attending According to Iso) Blonde on the Tracks Available now church with their family, and listening to their parents’ record Whole New Mess Vika & Linda Emma Swift $22.95 collection – particularly the gospel music of Mahalia Jackson, combines the dazzling $21.95 | Also on vinyl Available 11 September Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Ruth Brown. So, it’s no surprise that ambition of All Mirrors Available now songs by those artists feature among others performed on with the force and this album. The Bulls’ voices are so strong and powerful that ‘Swift’s splendidly titled power of Angel Olsen as they’re a natural for a recording and album such as this. Particularly topical is the track album Blonde on the a solo performer. Many ‘Memphis Flu’ – a 1930s gospel song which rings very true today! Tracks is a collection of of these already-established songs are It’s been a huge year already for Vika & Linda, with their first ever national number one eight Dylan songs that presented here at their most fundamental. charting album, Akilotoa (Anthology 1994–2006), in June and, now, their first album of new she began recording in Recorded not as demos but as a necessary music in around fifteen years. It’s great to have them back releasing music in their own 2017 and completed and intentional precursor to All Mirrors, right, having served as members of Paul Kelly’s band for many years. earlier this year ... She sings with clarity Whole New Mess reinforces Olsen as an and vulnerability, with just a hint of Dave Clarke is the music and DVD manager for Readings incomparable songwriter and performer. vibrato, but the key to these performances

is her firm grasp of Dylan’s phrasing and Good Luck Seeker timing.’ – The Guardian The Waterboys composers. The album also showcases his $24.95 | Also on vinyl Jazz/Blues charming rapport with enthusiastic Lightning, Show Us Your Stuff Available now audiences in concert halls across Europe Grant-Lee Phillips and the United States. Good Luck, Seeker draws All Rise $19.95 | Also on vinyl together many Gregory Porter Available now glistening strands of The $21.95 | Available now Folk/World Lightning, Show Us Your Waterboys’ weird, Following 2017’s Nat Stuff, is a turbulent, wondrous journey. Its King Cole & Me, a loving musical rumination that fourteen songs draw dedication to his Cannot Buy My Soul: Songs of finds the veteran singer– inspiration from The Stones, Kate Bush, Sly lifelong idol, All Rise Kev Carmody (2020 edition) songwriter at his most and Kendrick as well as Mike Scott’s very marks a return to Various inspired. The album is own musical past. Part song diary, part epic Gregory Porter’s beloved $29.95 (3CD) | Also on vinyl grown from the same rich soil that Phillip’s spoken word adventure, this is a new original songwriting: heart-on-sleeve Available now long career, from Grant Lee Buffalo to his departure for the restless sonic magician solo work, has sprung from. The result is a lyrics imbued with everyday philosophy This 2020 edition of the and his merry band of fellow travelers. beautifully human musical tapestry. and real-life detail, set to a stirring mix of seminal Kev Carmody jazz, soul, blues, gospel, and pop. This tribute album comes Batflowers album represents the evolution of Porter’s with new recordings of Gold Record Washington art to something even more emphatic, Carmody’s songs, and is Bill Callahan $21.95 | Also on vinyl emotive, intimate, and universal. an ageless contribution $29.95 | Also on vinyl Available now to the Black Lives Matter movement Available now ARIA Award-winning Valentine celebrating Indigenous songwriting. Cannot Last summer, Bill Brisbane-based artist Bill Frisell Buy My Soul features new recordings from Callahan returned from Washington is back with $24.95 | Available now artists such as Courtney Barnett, Kasey a silence of years – now, her third studio album. The debut recording of Chambers, Jimmy Barnes, Mo’Ju & Birdz he’s raring to go with Batflowers is the sound guitarist Bill Frisell’s trio (produced by Trials), Kate Miller-Heidke, another new record of pop music tearing at with bassist Thomas Alice Skye and Electric Fields. already. In Gold Record, its own fabric, writhing in the darkness as Morgan and drummer the abiding humanity of latter-day Megan Washington, ever the maestro, Rudy Royston is a Callahan is highlighted by dark plumes of conducts this chaos from the centre. ‘I’m wide-ranging thirteen- Country caustic wit. The cross-hatch of light and here to have fun,’ she says. ‘Why not just song set that mixes Frisell originals new shadow in these ten tracks is unpredictably record music you like with people you like?’ and old, jazz standards, traditional songs, The Dirt & The Stars entertaining in the manner that and covers. Valentine explores the creative wholeheartedly belongs to Callahan. Mary Chapin Carpenter Nyaaringu freedom of the trio format and the profound $19.95 Miiesha musical relationship between these three Available 8 August Between You and Me $21.95 musicians after years of touring. Over the course of her San Cisco Available now acclaimed career, Mary $21.95 | Also on vinyl Hailing from the small Plays Chapin Carpenter has Available now Aboriginal community Chick Corea won awards too Between You and Me is of Woorabinda in $32.95 (2CD) | Available now numerous to list here, the fourth album by the Central Queensland, The latest addition to and she is one of only indie trio from Anangu/Torres Strait Chick Corea’s remarkable fifteen female members of the Nashville Fremantle in Western Islander singer– discography is Plays, a Songwriters Hall of Fame. Carpenter’s Australia. Featuring the songwriter Miiesha has assembled a captivating and much-anticipated new album finds the singles ‘When I Dream’ collection of songs – Nyaaringu. These intimate double album five-time Grammy Award-winning and ‘Skin,’ both voted into the triple j thirteen tracks – nine songs interspersed of solo performances. singer–songwriter pondering life’s Hottest 100; the groove laden ‘Reasons’ with spoken word interludes from her late Corea finds himself in good company intimate, personal moments and exploring and earworm new single ‘On the Line,’ it’s grandmother – celebrate community and throughout these stellar performances, its most universally challenging questions clear Between You and Me tells a knowledge, and come together to form a engaging with several of his favorite at an unprecedented time. widescreen story of loss and letting go. remarkable debut. MUSIC September 2020 READINGS MONTHLY 23

remind us that Bach might have been artist held in awe and affection by singular but he contained multitudes … numerous colleagues and countless fans Classical Music And has the Prelude, Fugue and Allegro worldwide and her reputation is [of BWV997] ever sounded so undiminished to this day. All the contemporary in its nostalgic sweetness recordings have been remastered for this and, in the final movement, sheer anniversary edition and will further Arcangelo Corelli (1653–1713) was an influential unabashed joy?’ – Gramophone demonstrate the unique qualities of this ALBUM OF composer, and the earliest famed solely for his much-loved artist. instrumental works. His contemporaries were (and remain) THE MONTH Shostakovich: Piano Quintet & known for their vocal compositions as much as their Seven Romances on Poems of From Darkness to Light: Classical instrumental ones, so it is unusual that Corelli has such Alexander Blok, Op. 127 Works for Cello & Piano by enduring appeal despite having shied away from Trio Wanderer Prokofiev, Shostakovich & composing for the voice. Genesis Baroque’s debut Harmonia Mundi. HMM902289.Was $32.95 Rachmaninov recording – Corelli’s Concerti Grossi, Op. 6 – attests to that Catherine Hewgill & Vladimir appeal. All twelve concerti presented here traverse a wide $26.95 (limited stock at this price) Ashkenazy range of moods, colours and characters, and possess the When Shostakovich Decca. 4816562. Was $24.95 hallmark elegance and drama of their day. wrote his Piano Quintet in 1940, most of his $12.95 (limited stock at this price) chamber music was yet In October 2016, Recently, I have spent many a happy to be composed. Russian pianist and afternoon at home, listening to this CD Combining formal conductor Vladimir Corelli: Concerti from go to whoa, such is the comforting purity and freedom of tone, the quintet Ashkenazy and Grossi, Op. 6 nature of Corelli’s mellifluous music was hailed as a masterly creation and has Australian cellist Genesis Baroque, and Genesis Baroque’s superb playing. remained his most successful chamber Catherine Hewgill Sophie Gent & A recording by which to relax, cook, work. In the last years of a long and went into the studio to make their first Lucinda Moon productive life, he composed a cycle of recording together. The recording ABC Classics. 4819282. read, sew, garden, and while away a songs with piano trio, innovative in both ‘reflects the many very dark passages in $22.95 (2CD) lockdown hour. form and structure, a hymn to art, each of the two sonatas, which ultimately friendship and nature, possessing seem to resolve themselves into the Genesis Baroque is a relatively young Melbourne ensemble, formed in 2017 by extraordinary evocative power. possibility of universal light and hope,’ multitalented violinist and psychologist Jennifer Kirsner. Eminent baroque violinist says Ms. Hewgill, Principal Cellist of the Lucinda Moon is the ensemble’s musical director and concertmaster, and she offers Dallapiccola: Il Prigioniero Sydney Symphony Orchestra. many fine solos on this disc, alongside similarly distinguished violinist Sophie Gent. Gianandrea Noseda & Danish Although not soloists in the traditional sense (their parts are integrated into the National Symphony Orchestra Baïka texture of the ensemble), Moon and Gent both give lively, intelligent performances. Chandos. CHSA5276. $29.95 Nemanja Radulovic, Borusan Generally, this is an outstanding recording, brimming with effervescence, and ‘Noseda and his Danish Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra & proudly featuring an all-Australian cast of musicians. It is a slick production – from forces offer a thrilling Sascha Goetzel its packaging (featuring an image of the Pantheon in Rome, which is where Corelli is account of this DG. 4797545. Was $24.95 buried), to the production values, and to the ensemble happy snaps within. Notable is masterpiece, its $16.95 (limited stock at this price) the Christmas concerto grosso in G minor – ‘Fatto per la notte di natale’ – so popular all-important ‘Immediately one notes during Corelli’s lifetime that it was apparently performed at his funeral. orchestral detail the bite of the Borusan Recently, I have spent many a happy afternoon at home, listening to this CD from meticulously realised … as the prisoner, Istanbul Philharmonic go to whoa, such is the comforting nature of Corelli’s mellifluous music and Genesis Michael Nagy is alive to every nuance of under Sascha Goetzel Baroque’s superb playing. A recording by which to relax, cook, read, sew, garden, and the role. Stephan Rügamer’s caressing and Radulović’s gritty while away a lockdown hour. Genesis Baroque’s Corelli album is the warm musical hug voice is ideal for the falsely sympathetic tone as he digs into the we all need right now. jailer, too … A thrilling disc, splendidly five-note opening motif [of the Alexandra Mathew is from Readings State Library Victoria recorded.’ – BBC Music Magazine Khachaturian]. However, this is no power drive through the concerto. Radulović Marin Marais: Badinages – can be aggressive, with plenty of fire in Music for Bass Viol & his double-stopping, but he never pushes Schubert: Die Schone Mullerin from enamoured to lovelorn. Both give Harpsichord the dynamics too hard … The couplings David Greco & Erin Helyard exquisite and compelling performances, Melisande Corriveau & Eric Milnes are imaginatively chosen.’ – Gramophone ABC Classics. 4818741. $21.95 worthy of acclaim. Move over Prégardian. Atma. ACD22785. $29.95 An optimistic Alexandra Mathew is from Readings State Viola da gambist Recomposed by Peter young wanderer Library Victoria (Violoncellist) Gregson: Bach – The Cello happens upon a brook, Melisande Corriveau Suites which leads him to a Shostakovich: Violin and harpsichordist Eric Ben Chappell, Peter Gregson, mill, and in turn to the Concertos Milnes reveal the Tim Lowe, Katherine Jenkinson, beautiful millers Alina Ibragimova & Vladimir richness of the bass viol Richard Harwood & Reinoud Ford daughter – ‘die schöne mullerin’. He falls Jurowski in this new recording entirely devoted to DG. 4835529. Was $36.95 in love, but the girl’s heart belongs to Hyperion. CDA68313. Was $29.95 French composer Marin Marais. With its $19.95 (limited stock at this price) another. In despair, the wanderer returns deep and somewhat husky voice, the bass $24.95 (limited stock at this price) ‘There’s plenty of to the brook, where he drowns himself. viol offers a wide palette of colours and ‘If there’s one factor invention on display, This narrative formed the basis of nuances. Critically acclaimed for her above all that sets these ranging from Steve Schubert’s 1823 song cycle Die Schöne exceptional musical mastery, Melisande performances apart it’s Reich-like phase Mullerin, the performance of which has Corriveau is a specialist in the the osmosis between patterns in the become a right of passage for many a interpretation of early music as a gambist, soloist and conductor. Allemande of the First tenor and baritone. cellist and recorder virtuoso. There’s a musical and to more Brian Eno-like ambient For the last decade, tenor Christoph intellectual friction going on here and it soundscapes in many of the Sarabande Pregardién’s 1992 Die Schöne Mullerin has has to do with the balance between head movements … Some will no doubt point been my recording of choice – I greatly and heart ... Ibragimova’s playing has an Classical Specials of to the ever-resourceful and infinitely admire his interpretation, and I rarely unvarnished truth about it. It’s the kind of recyclable potential of Bach’s own music listen to others. the Month playing that looks you unblinkingly in the as the recipe for this project’s success Enter baritone David Greco and eye and tells it like it is.’ – Gramophone but that shouldn’t take away from keyboardist Erin Helyard. Die Schöne Gregson’s own very important Kathleen Ferrier: Centenary Mullerin sounds entirely different when contribution as its principal performer Edition – The Complete Decca performed by a baritone – the young J.S. Bach: Works for Lute and recomposer.’ – Gramophone wanderer is less a naïf and closer to the arranged for guitar Recordings troubled protagonist of Winterreise – but Sean Shibe Kathleen Ferrier such a voice lends depth to the cycle. Delphian. DCD34233. $29.95 Decca. 4783589. 14CDs. Was $99.95 Unusually, Greco and Helyard add ‘Shibe applies the $59.95 (limited stock at this price) their own impressions on Schubert’s musical and On 22 April 2012 Decca music in the form of variations interpretative qualities released this 14CD set during strophic songs, and frequent that characterise its to mark the 100th embellishments. Helyard additionally predecessors – energy, anniversary of the performs Schubert’s Impromptu in G-flat reflection, eclecticism, birth of Kathleen major, marking the wanderer’s turn integration and emotional candour – to Ferrier. She was an