Culture
Books
Murder mystery and wartime survival: Eight books to read this weekend
Our reviewers cast their eyes over recent fiction and non-fiction releases.
- by Cameron Woodhead and Steven Carroll
Latest
Can lessons from the past improve our lives? This book says yes
In his new book, Australian social philosopher and historian Roman Krznaric explores 10 impressively diverse “social innovations” relevant to today.
- by Kurt Johnson
Exclusive
Investigations
Emails reveal State Library discussed political, religious views of writers
New documents reveal a former federal Labor MP and board member discussed the views of a writer whose workshop was later cancelled.
- by Kerrie O'Brien
The stunning photos that captured British theatre royalty’s trip Down Under
The stand-out element of Shiroma Perera-Nathan’s account of the tour of Australia and New Zealand by acting couple Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh’s in 1948 is the photographs.
- by Tom Ryan
In crime fiction, where there’s Smoke there’s always fire
Former journo Michael Brissenden has written a cracking novel set in the aftermath of a Californian wildfire.
- by Sue Turnbull
A gentle love song to a cultural historian’s home territory
Alexandra Harris has written a remarkable book that melds personal memory with investigations of the historical record.
- by Gregory Day
Yes, it’s true. Reading really can affect the way you behave – in a good way
Studies show that reading can have a significant impact on your brain.
- by Jane Sullivan
The satire is as high as this novel’s anti-hero, but the dystopia is bleak
Jordan Prosser’s action-packed first novel will make you laugh but will unsettle you as well.
- by Justine Hyde
Exclusive
Industrial relations
State Library cracks down on staff wearing ‘political’ items
Staff have been warned against wearing apparel with pro-Palestine symbols as part of a new dress code.
- by Meg Watson
The best celebrity memoirs have exactly what literature today lacks
As more and more crossed my desk, I found that the best of them were written with a robust, fearless honesty that I’ve almost given up looking for in current fiction.
- by David Free
Eight new books to read this weekend
Our reviewers cast their eyes over recent fiction and non-fiction.
- by Cameron Woodhead and Fiona Capp