Literature
Anna Funder on the ‘beautiful letters’ she received from men who read Wifedom
The Miles Franklin winner took on a “terrifying project” when she wrote about George Orwell and his oft forgotten wife.
- by Kerrie O'Brien
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Scared of same-sex parents? Wait until you meet this caterpillar with an eating disorder
No book should ever be banned, but if you’re really worried about kids’ safety, maybe we should start censoring some of the classics.
- by Thomas Mitchell
‘Copycat’ book bans: How US activists are impacting Australian libraries
Best-selling Australian author Amie Kaufman, whose books have been banned in the US, is warning against importing a culture war over literature.
- by Kerrie O'Brien
The singular adult fantasy that is a Marian Keyes novel
The Irish writer brings one of the Walsh sisters back to Ireland after heartbreak in New York.
- by Jessie Tu
Paul Murray (sort of) discusses his novel’s controversial ending
The Booker Prize-shortlisted author talks climate change, writing teenage characters and Judy Blume.
- by Kylie Northover
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Good Weekend
Sexism at work made Bonnie Garmus start writing. It sold 7 million copies
The American author of Lessons in Chemistry on why her debut novel took so long – and what makes her happiest about it.
- by Benjamin Law
12 highly giftable cookbooks for every type of cook
From Seoul to Istanbul, Italy to the Philippines, these are the best kitchen tomes.
- by Georgie Gordon
Tony Birch wins Book of the Year for timely novel about one of Australia’s great challenges
Birch says that while his book wasn’t written “with that issue in mind”, it had become timely given the crucial discussions under way.
- by Jason Steger
The 13 must-see events at this year’s Melbourne Writers Festival
With the Melbourne Writers Festival kicking off today, here are some of the events that should not be missed.
- by Jason Steger
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The Weirdo books once had a ‘prettiest girls list’. Now, they are re-recording the audiobooks
The best-selling children’s book author is revising his Weirdo audiobooks to remove a “prettiest girls” list. “I was ranked low on a list and it affected me for years,” he says.
- by Kerrie O'Brien and Marika Dobbin-Thomas
How pop music met its Waterloo in ABBA
What is it about ABBA’s songs that generate so much ardour? English music writer Giles Smith tries to find out.
- by Michael Dwyer