‘Excruciating’: the Kevin Rudd book we really didn’t need
His new book On Xi Jinping begs one obvious question: Why on earth did Kevin Rudd think this was a good idea?
Books
How a boy genius conquered the world
Bill Gates’ memoir Source Code delves deeply into his childhood with an undiagnosed gift, as he seeks to explain (and perhaps understand) his own, unique operating system.
The wild women of Rome revealed
This revisionist history argues that the women of ancient Rome weren’t quite as nutty as some histories would have you believe.
Stand back for the hot breath of dragon sex
The first book in this series was delightful. The third is hot as hell.
Reloaded: the golden age of crime inspiring a new era of TV
Spies, detectives and villains have been lifted from the page to inspire some riveting contemporary television adaptations. One in particular is a must-watch masterpiece.
We should treasure the hard, bright intensity of youthful genius
Bob Dylan and Bill Gates showed the world can be changed by daring twenty-somethings — but is that happening now?
Yakka, larrikin, fair go: Australia in 100 words
Since the British brought their language Down Under, the locals have been adapting and ‘refining’ the vernacular to better reflect the experience of life in the Great Southern Land.
Love and dragons: the literary mash-up topping bestseller lists
Move over, thrillers and crime novels – a wildly popular genre and its offshoot promise to dominate reading lists in 2025.
How strangers’ books helped me travel through my grief
The author of Braver Than You Think: Around the World on the Trip of My (Mother’s) Lifetime, reflects on books that made a special trip memorable.
The most anticipated books of 2025
Chief literary critic Geordie Williamson previews the titles we can look forward to this year – in both fiction and nonfiction.
Fresh Praise for champion of Indigenous culture
Waanyi author Alexis Wright has earned a nomination for The Australian’s Australian of the Year for her literary talent and success.
Love, life and crimes: our favourite books of 2024
Heading on holidays? Or looking for something to keep you entertained during your staycation? You’ll find some absolute gems on this list – as recommended by The Australian’s literary critics.
$42k taxpayer grant for anti-Israel artist
Matt Chun received a $42,452 taxpayer grant in May 2023 to publish a picture book. He previously co-wrote works that attacked ‘colonial and imperialist’ statues.
![Mary Magdalene bottom right, behind the cross and kissing it? : according to Sara Penco, the author of the new book Mary Magdalene in Michelangelo’s Judgement. Dec 2024 Vatican Museum Director Professor Antonio Paolucci unveiled today to the international Press the new Lightining and air conditioning system of the Sistine Chapel, where about 6 million tourists a year visit the chapel to marvel at Michelangelo's ceiling and his depiction of the Last Judgment on the altar wall.The German firm Osram has installed more than 7,000 light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in a gilded, rail-like structure high up on the walls of the chapel to protect the artworks and provide brighter lighting.Although visitors will get less time to view the chapel, Paolucci said: "Starting in the early months of 2015, visitors to the Vatican Museums are going to be offered special, disposable ‘intelligent glasses' similar to Google Glass that will enable them to explore the Sistine [Chapel] in 3D and go deeper into its history before the actual visit."EDITORIAL US (Photo by Alessandra Benedetti/Corbis via Getty Images)](https://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/123f7bdee11c452e398dc1b37abf45fe?width=650)
Another judgment: Mary Magdalene was right up there with Jesus all along
An Italian author says the woman who followed Christ to the end is in a Sistine Chapel fresco.
The young girl who saw a much nicer Chandler
Sybil Davis, whose mother was secretary to the master of noir, recalls a lively father figure who enjoyed the finer things in life.
The love and loss of Boris: Di Morrissey’s Christmas sadness
From sun-soaked beach days to festive celebrations with all the trimmings, I’ve marked the yuletide season in many different ways. But this year I’ll include a new tradition – raising a toast to Boris.
How the Bible made its way around the world
The Bible resonates with one-third of the globe’s population. Christmas is as good a time as any to reflect on why this might be.
Which books fired your imagination when you were a kid?
The Lord of the Rings was such an overwhelming experience, in my late childhood and early adolescence, that rather than plunging me into a passion for fantasy, it set me off on a quest to understand our Earth and its history and poetry.
The best new children’s books to buy this Christmas
Children are spending far too much time on mesmerizing, addictive screens. There are still a few shopping days before Christmas, so why not hit the bookshop?
Why Les Miserables is a one-man show
Victor Hugo based two central characters on the colourful double life of crook-turned-detective Eugene-Francois Vidocq.
Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/books