Staff Reviews

Enchantment by birds by Russell McGregor

Available in print 

Enchantment by birds is commonplace. Birdwatchers merely go a step further than others and actively seek to be enchanted. This book tells why they take that extra step. It takes the reader on a series of excursions into birdwatching’s past, venturing forward to the present. With an intriguing cast of characters, avian as well as human, its lively narratives explore the emotional and aesthetic impulses behind the pastime as well as its scientific and conservationist components.

Its stories of 22 Australian birds range widely: from wordy squabbles over bird names to the artistic finessing of field guides; from the Paradise Parrot’s tragic fall into extinction to the everyday enjoyment of a Magpie’s carol; from the evolution of citizen science to the boom in birding tourism. Interlacing them all is the insight that birdwatching is a means by which modern, urban people reach out to touch the wild. A primal desire to connect with nature lies at the heart of the pastime.

Enchantment by Birds not only offers a compelling exposition of what makes birders tick; it also tells us, imaginatively and informatively, why birds have a special place in our hearts.

Backyard birdwatching By Ron Smith OAM and Bob Winters

Available in print

Go bird watching in your backyard to enjoy some peace and quiet away from the phone and computer. It’s a great way to unwind, get some exercise and discover the joy of your garden and nature on your doorstep.

Learn to identify 36 of Australia’s most common birds and develop your birdwatching skills while creating great memories with family and friends. Backyard Birdwatching helps to increase the environmental life skills of people of all ages and create conversation and activity around the birds in your backyard or local park. Birdwatching is easy, costs nothing and is a great discussion topic maintaining a thread from one day to the next. It is also an activity which can be activated quickly with few resources.

Remember When … by Bob Byrne

Available in print

Take a trip down memory lane with Bob Byrne …

Remember loading up the back of the car and heading away with the family over the summer holidays? Being part of Beatlemania when the group toured in ’64? Watching Dennis Lillee deliver a stinging bouncer in World Series Cricket? Or heading to the drive-in on a Saturday night?

Packed with over 180 photographs, Remember When … is a sugar hit of nostalgia that reminds us of the bits of Australia we loved, the bits we’ve forgotten, and the unforgettable local identities and landmarks of yesteryear.

Memoir writing by Ryan G. Van Cleave

Available in print

Unlock your storytelling journey with expert guidance.

Memoir writing isn’t just for celebrities and politicians. For anyone prone to self-reflection and ready to give shape to your memories and experiences, Memoir Writing For Dummies is your definitive guide. This book offers a concrete roadmap for writing a captivating memoir. Get advice on exploring your past, mapping out your story, and perfecting your plot, setting, character, and dialogue. You’ll also find information on recruiting the help of AI and digital media for a more dynamic storytelling experience. Whether you’re an amateur author with a story to tell or a bestselling author trying out a new genre, Memoir Writing For Dummies will guide you every step of the way.

• Gain a deep understanding of the memoir genre and kickstart your journey into autobiographical writing
• Learn how to structure your memoir to grab readers’ attention from the first page and keep them engrossed throughout
• Organise your thoughts, address sensitive topics, and seamlessly weave your insights and reactions into your narrative
• Embrace technology to streamline your writing process and share your story with the world

Everyone has a story worth sharing, and Memoir Writing For Dummies provides would-be memoirists with the essential tools they need to share their life stories with the world and become published authors.

Storm child by Michael Robotham

Available in print, large print, CD and eAudiobook

As a child, Evie Cormac was discovered hiding in a secret room where a man had been tortured to death. Now, on a hot summer’s day, the past drags Evie back as she watches the bodies of seventeen migrants wash up on a Lincolnshire beach. There is only one survivor, a teenage boy, who tells police their boat was deliberately rammed and sunk.

Psychologist Cyrus Haven is recruited by the police to investigate the murders – but recognises immediately that Evie has some link to the tragedy. By solving this crime, he could finally unlock the secrets of her past. But what dark forces will he set loose? And who will pay the price?

Stuart Woods’ Smolder by Brett Battles

Available in print and large print 

Finally enjoying some downtime in Santa Fe, Stone Barrington agrees to attend an art exhibit with a dear friend. There, he encounters an intriguing woman who is on the trail of a ring of art thieves. Always one to please, Stone offers his help.

From Santa Fe to Los Angeles, it quickly becomes clear that her investigation has links to Stone – particularly to rare Matilda Stone art, his mother’s paintings. And when old grudges come to light, Stone is forced to reckon with a familiar enemy. Stone must act fast before whoever is out to get him finally closes in on him…for good.

Killing time by M. C. Beaton and R. W. Green

Available in large print and eAudiobook

Agatha Raisin’s private detective agency has their work cut out for them when a series of shop burglaries disturbs their quiet Cotswolds village. When the break-ins take a violent turn and a murder occurs, it’s all hands-on deck to find the killer.

When Agatha begins to receive death threats and narrowly avoids being kidnapped, she takes advantage of a previously arranged trip to Mallorca with her recent paramour, former police officer John Glass, to lie low for a while. Can Agatha track down whoever it is that wants her dead, nail the murderer, and keep her romance alive too?

Midnight in Paris by Gillian Harvey

Available in large print and eAudiobook

Ten years. Two people. One last visit…

Sophie and Tom first visited Paris together as students. During their weekend away in the world’s most romantic city, falling in love – with the place, and each other – was simply inevitable.

They resolved to return every summer and kept their word, until something happened that changed their world forever.

Five years on, Sophie’s travelling to Paris alone to meet Tom again in their special place, on the Pont du Carrousel at midnight.

Because life has torn them apart. And now Sophie has something to tell Tom. Something that will change everything…

The anti-processed air fryer cookbook by Heather Thomas

Available in print 

From healthy breakfast options to delicious family favourite meals, snacks and desserts, The Anti-Processed Air Fryer Cookbook has simple recipes to satisfy every craving.

With 90 recipes to revolutionise your cooking and improve your overall health, this cookbook offers less processed versions of snacks, meals and nutritious fakeaways. It is the perfect cookbook for any home cook who wants to do away with UPFs in favour of eating real food, but with quick, fuss-free and inexpensive recipes. From meals and snacks like vegetable crisps, fish and chips and spaghetti and meatballs, to recipe basics like bread, you can enjoy all your favourites without concern of consuming heavily processed foods.

Embrace the air fryer revolution and say hello to a healthier, simpler way of cooking!

Quick & easy sewing by Emma Hardy

Available in print

Revamp your home with 35 inspirational sewing projects for simple and stylish furnishings and accessories.
Quick & Easy Sewing features 35 simple step-by-step projects that use nothing more than the most basic of sewing skills. Discover cozy and colourful scatter pillows, stylish drapes and shades, elegant table linens, handy storage bags and baskets, a comfy pillow for a garden bench, and even a cool play tent for the kids to run riot in—these are just a few of the ideas that Emma Hardy has designed using readily available fabrics and trims. 

Quick & Easy Sewing is also illustrated throughout using specially commissioned photographs and easy-to-follow step-by-step diagrams, making it the perfect book for people who are big on ideas but short of time. Whether your home is a traditional country cottage or a modern warehouse-style apartment, you’re sure to find plenty of ideas to inspire you.

Well worn: visible mending for the clothes you love by Skye Pennant

Available in print

A comprehensive bible of visible mending tips and tricks to give your well-worn garments a new lease of life and curate a sustainable wardrobe.

Well Worn is the perfect book both for stitching pros and for those who have never picked up a needle and thread before. The sustainable darning and sashiko techniques taught in this book fight against perfectionism as well as fast fashion.

Begin by getting to grips with core mending skills, with a handy introductory compendium of visible mending techniques. Then, move on to convenient garment-led chapters, from socks to jeans, and from knitwear to stretch fabric, each with a wide variety of ideas and advice for approaching whatever piece of clothing you wish to revive.

Whether you're interested in fostering a more sustainable lifestyle, saving money by avoiding fast fashion, or simply engaging with a new creative outlet, this book is an accessible introduction for anyone looking to explore visible mending and revolutionise their wardrobe.

Including advice for mending jeans, jumpers & knitwear, shirts, t-shirts, leggings, socks, jackets and delicate fabrics.

Inside Mercedes F1: life in the fast lane of Formula One by Matt Whyman

Available in print 

With exclusive and unprecedented access to the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, award-winning writer Matt Whyman charts the journey of the Silver Arrows as they face their greatest challenge- the race back to the front. Once untouchable, the winner of seven Drivers' World Championships and eight consecutive Constructors' World Championships confront the reality of no longer being F1's top dog.

Whyman, fully embedded across the 2023 and 2024 seasons, follows decorated drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, Team Principal Toto Wolff, and the extraordinary men and women that design, build and race the team's cars as they fight back - on and off the track.

From the tension of pre-season testing to the thrill and glamour of race weekends - including blue riband events such as Silverstone, Monaco, and the first-ever Las Vegas Grand Prix - the book provides fascinating insight into the world of the fastest sport on earth and one of its most successful teams. Whyman reveals the pressure cooker environment of elite competition, shares the secrets of teamwork and high performance, and foregrounds the remarkable individuals who push to the limits in their quest for victory. The book will also include never-before-seen photographs of life inside the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team.

I hear motion: bands that soundtracked our lives 1980–89 by Jane Gazzo

Available in print

The ‘80s.The era of Hawke, a booming economy, big hair, genderbenders and the new-wave synth-pop explosion.

Every Sunday night, Australians would be glued to Countdown to watch the latest and local bands strut their stuff. Bands who became household names and soundtracked our lives in one of the most colourful and creative decades in Australian music.

I Hear Motion is a celebration of the Aussie bands we loved: Models, Machinations, Wa Wa Nee, Real Life, Kids in the Kitchen, Do-Re-Mi, Koo De Tah, Eurogliders, Boom Crash Opera and more – and what happened to them following the end of the decade. With interviews, never-before seen photos and archives of the time, plus never-before told stories about the songs, bands, excesses and break-ups, I Hear Motion is a must-have for every Australian music fan.

Crochet monsters by Megan Lapp

Available in print

Crochet Monsters contains instructions for 37 unique bodies and more than 15 teeth patterns, tongues and horns, hair and scales, tails and limbs and more! Nearly everything is interchangeable so with over 30 limb options and so many more ways to customize your Monster, you can make a unique creature every time you return to this book.

With more than 35 Monster body options, plus myriad variations for limbs, mouths and teeth, horns, antennae, tails, scales, and so much more, you will never make the same Monster twice. Choose from wide-open mouths with fangs to adorable Monsters with bunny ears and a cat tail to Monsters with hair poufs and scales. Make one-eyed spiders or three-eyed aliens, dragons with scales or little friends that don’t match any known monster to date. There is nearly no limit to the variations you can combine!

All Monsters use worsted weight and/or sport weight yarn and a size G-6 (4 mm) hook. Patterns are appropriate for beginner through advanced crocheters. If a stitch is new to you, just turn to the Glossary for detailed instructions on how to work it. Photos are included for each pattern piece and any complex stitches so you can be sure you are on the right track as you work.

Choosing your next Monster’s look is half the fun. Get family and friends involved in picking options for their own Monster and share the creativity! Get excited for these Monsters to skitter, galumph, stomp, and roll right off your hook!

The last dynasty: Ancient Egypt from Alexander the Great to Cleopatra by Toby Wilkinson

Available in print

When Alexander the Great arrived in Egypt, he overthrew the hated Persian overlords and was welcomed as a saviour. He repaid them by showing due reverence to their long-held traditions. After his death, as the Greek empire broke up and his closest advisers squabbled over the spoils, a Macedonian general named Ptolemy seized the Egyptian throne, ushering in a new dynasty that would last for 300 years.

What followed was as dramatic and compelling as any period in Egyptian history. The unique blend of Greek and Egyptian cultures led to an unprecedented flowering of learning, as the new city of Alexandria became home to the Great Library, the largest in the ancient world, that attracted the brightest minds. Wars, incest, double-dealing, foreign empires and huge wealth all followed, but the rise of the Roman empire would eventually bring the Ptolemaic era crashing to a close.

Helped by the latest archaeological discoveries and using original papyrus documents, Toby Wilkinson uncovers a story that can only now be fully told. From courtly life to the role of women, from international trade to the tensions between native Egyptians and incoming Greeks, all aspects of life are here. Filled with surprising insights, vivid descriptions and larger-than-life characters, and written in the author's compelling narrative style, The Last Dynasty will appeal to all lovers of history, archaeology, art and culture.

Australia's 50 best multi-day walks edited by Wendy Bruere

Available in print

Australia contains a vast wealth of magnificent long-distance walks, each sure to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Whether you seek to gaze at profound mountain views or experience a living green cathedral, be awed by some of the world’s best coastal scenery or thrilled by an unexpected wildlife encounter, there is something out there for you. Some of Australia’s most experienced guidebook writers, including John and Monica Chapman, have come together with editor and writer Wendy Bruere to showcase the very best of Australia’s multi-day walks, from two-day hops to major multi-week challenges. Evocative descriptions, vivid photography, essential planning information and easy-to-grasp maps will both inspire you and help you to decide on which trail will be the right one for your party’s next adventure.

Lonely Planet's best in travel 2025 from Lonely Planet

Available in print

Discover the greatest places to experience right now in this epic annual bestselling guide that ranks the world's hottest countries, regions, and cities. Featuring Lonely Planet’s traditional top 10 lists plus NEW top 10 categories, amazing photography and insider tips, you'll find mountains of inspiration to take you from the ordinary to the unforgettable.

Want to know more about the emerging travel hotspots and best value destinations for 2025? You've come to the right place. An expert panel of self-confessed travel geeks have joined forces once again to present a year's worth of exciting must-visit places and out-of-this-world experiences. This book features details on when to go with practical advice and indispensable travel tips to help you get there. Destinations voted on by Lonely Planet's writers, staff and community

Never has there been a more hotly contested topic at Lonely Planet than the best places to visit. This book is our answer. It is the perfect gift for globetrotters in search of new adventures, and the ultimate self-purchase for anyone thinking of planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip in the year to come.

Vegan Japan by Julia Boucachard

Available in print

Warming soups and slurp-able noodles. Refreshing vegetable sides. Indulgent street foods. Adorable bite-size desserts.

Japanese French chef Julia Boucachard grew up devouring all of the above. When she went vegan, she was determined not to give up any of her childhood favourites. In Vegan Japan, she shows that cooking nourishing, flavour-packed plant-based Japanese food doesn’t have to be complicated.

With an emphasis on seasonality, balanced flavours, and simple techniques, this is her plant-based celebration of Japanese cuisine and the myriad vegetables that make their way onto the Japanese plate.

With beautiful photography and charming illustrations throughout, Vegan Japan is your one-stop ticket to authentic plant-based Japanese home cooking.

Chloe's vegan kitchen by Chloe Wheatland

Available in print

Mouth-watering food meets mindfulness in this modern vegan cookbook by social media sensation, Chloe Wheatland.

With 90 recipes full of flavour, vibrant colour and nutrition, Chloe has you covered for any time of the day, from breakfast to snacks and dinners to desserts. Over one million followers online love Chloe’s irresistible and easy-to-make vegan recipes, and now you can enjoy them too! Whether it’s tucking in to a tray of loaded nachos or cosying up with a warm raspberry crumble, Chloe’s Vegan Kitchen is brimming with plant-based eats that are good for the mind, body and soul.

Chloe’s holistic, joyful approach to life also goes beyond her amazing recipes, helping you to identify, affirm and manifest your personal goals. From cultivating a better morning routine to letting go of perfectionism, Chloe shares her practices for succeeding beyond the kitchen and into everyday life.

If you are on the search for fresh and tasty vegan meals or interested in improving your wellbeing, you are sure to take something away from Chloe’s collection of delicious recipes and tips for a gratifying life.

Good cooking every day by Julia Busuttil Nishimura

Available in print

Julia Busuttil Nishimura is one of Australia's best-loved food personalities, renowned for her generous, uncomplicated, seasonal cooking.

Good Cooking Every Day is all about simple food and creating memorable meals. This collection of brilliant recipes includes a guide to creating menus for any occasion, from a celebration of summer produce to pure comfort food in cooler weather, a simple family dinner to a relaxed lunch with friends. Julia pairs ingredients in harmonious and delicious ways, with recipes for every season. This is everyday eating at its very best.

Dogs and their humans: stories of healing and hope from the Supervet’s surgery by Noel Fitzpatrick

Available in print 

There’s no love quite like that between a dog and their human.

When people come to see Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick at his referral hospital, they are in desperate need of his help. No matter who they are – a serving member of the military, a young boy whose dog is his best friend, a couple at a crossroads – they all have one thing in common: hope that Noel may be able to heal their animal companion.

In his thirty years as a vet, Noel has seen people from all walks of life come through his doors. And through stories of his cases, he shares his unique perspective on our often hilarious and sometimes heartbreaking relationship with dogs. Filled with warmth, love and characters from Thor the Pyrenean Mountain Dog to Bertie the Pomeranian, with every shape and size in between, this is a celebration of our connection with man’s best friend.

Fix your dog in three easy steps: be your own dog behaviourist by Leon Towers

Fix any problem and become your own dog behaviourist in three simple steps.

Does your dog have a rogue recall? Is your garden a canine racetrack? Are you fed up with your pup barking every time you open the door?

By looking at three things: environment, mental stimulation, and diet, qualified dog behaviourist and nutritionist, Leon Towers, promises to transform any challenging canine behaviour - from biting to barking, and aggression to separation anxiety.

Drawing on science-backed strategies and decades of experience, Leon's approach has improved the lives of over 16,000 dogs so far. In this stress-free guide, he puts himself in your living room, and offers readers a personalised, easy-to-follow training plan, covering diet, exercise, mental stimulation, and more.

Including real-life case studies, a breakdown of all the theory, and a treasure trove of handy dos and don'ts, you'll not only shape up your four-legged friend, but also, sustain lasting, life-long results. Grab some treats, a squeaker, and a long (ish) lead, and let Leon turn you into the ultimate dog behaviourist, right from the comfort of your own den!

Bark! The science of helping your anxious, fearful, or reactive dog by Zazie Todd

Available in print

The must-have guide to addressing anxious, fearful, or reactive behaviours in your dog through positive reinforcement, from certified dog trainer and animal behaviourist Zazie Todd.

Is your dog showing signs of fear, anxiety, or reactivity, such as biting, food guarding, shyness, or aggressive barking? You’re not alone. Close to 75% of dogs struggle with fear-based behaviours and require our support and understanding to feel safe and secure.

In Bark!, Zazie Todd provides solutions for these behaviours. Decoding the latest canine science, she shows readers how to address the root cause of your dog’s fears, with expert advice and practical tips on:

• How to tackle common canine fears, such as loud noises, the vet, separation anxiety, and other dogs.
• How to manage a dog’s natural fear responses through positive reinforcement.
• How to keep your dog, yourself, and others safe when they are fearful or reactive.
• How to create safe havens for your dog and make yourself a secure base for them no matter where they are.

Compassionate, practical, and rooted in science, Bark! helps dog owners understand the many factors that might be causing fear within your dog, and how you can help them lead a safe and happy life.

Pet selector! A hilarious guide to all the usual and unusual household pets by Russell Kane

Available in print

Pet Selector! is both a practical guide to finding a pet and a hugely entertaining account of pet personalities from one of the BIGGEST animal lovers out there. Each entry includes an overview of the breed, an account of its temperament, the history of the breed or pet, and a handy score so you can rank each pet based on playfulness, lovingness and more.

So, whether you're looking for the purrfect pet or you just want to learn all about our furry and scaly friends, giggle through this guide full of facts, photos and more