Culture
Books
Forty books for 10 types of reader – here’s what to read this summer
Our pick of standout summer reads matched to every mood, habit and beach-bag alter ego.
- by Melanie Kembrey
Latest
Arguments over which Christmas film to watch? This book might help
Alonso Duralde’s guide to Christmas movies sidesteps the made-for-streaming films and digs deep into Yuletide films, from classics to others you might not have thought of as Christmassy.
- by Tom Ryan
Opinion
WordPlay
Still despairing about 67? You’ll be OK, Boomer
You don’t have to love this year’s new lingo but it’s here to stay.
- by David Astle
From a giant talking frog to Squizzy Taylor: 10 new books
Our reviewers cast their eyes over recent fiction and non-fiction releases.
- by Cameron Woodhead and Fiona Capp
Exclusive
Literature
State Library abandons controversial restructure plan
Ahead of a planned public protest on Saturday, a reorganisation of Victoria’s most significant public library has been dropped.
- by Kerrie O'Brien
The bath, the shed and even a coffin: The strangest places authors find inspiration
Forget the cliche of the author on a laptop at a coffee shop – some of the most renowned writers wrote their greatest works in unexpected places.
- by Jane Sullivan
Sophie Kinsella, author of the millions-selling Shopaholic novels, dies at 55
Kinsella, who also published under her real name, Madeleine Wickham, announced in April 2024 that she had been diagnosed more than a year earlier with an aggressive form of brain cancer.
- by Jill Lawless and Alicia Rancilio
Percival Everett is so prolific he’s not sure how many books he’s written
The acclaimed author is also an artist, has run a ranch, trained horses, done carpentry, played jazz guitar and mended musical instruments.
- by Jane Sullivan
This dystopian fable is a critique of our current fractured world
Journalist George Packer, best known for his work in The New Yorker and The Atlantic, has turned his hand to fiction
- by Bruce Wolpe
Series
Literature
Book Reviews
What’s good, what’s bad, and what’s in between in literature this year? Here we review the latest titles.
The world’s biggest metal band have achieved coffee-table book status
Forget Spinal Tap, this visual history celebrates the real-life thing – 50 years of influential British metal band Iron Maiden.
- by Michael Dwyer
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/culture/books