Until now...Determined to enjoy her imminent retirement, Adele invites her fellow bibliophiles to help her house-sit in the Blue Mountains. It's a tantalising opportunity to spend a month walking in the fresh air, napping by the fire and, of course, reading and talking about books.But these aren't just any books: each member has been asked to choose a book which will teach the others more about her. And with each woman facing a crossroads in her life, it turns out there's a lot for them to learn, not just about their fellow book-clubbers, but also about themselves.Liz Byrski has written a beautiful novel about the joy and comfort reading a good book can bring to us all.

    Tarrawagga is a hole. Its only ambition is to be a crater, and it has every chance of getting there.The last thing you expect is to have action all around you, dangerous strangers in the backyard, and bullets flying past your ears.At your new school, everyone thinks you're the biggest loser in Grade 6. Little do they know. When they realise the truth, teachers and students alike are in for the shock of their life.Funny, gripping and full of surprises, The Year My Life Broke could be the most real book your read this year.WARNING: This book is not a fantasy. It contains no superheroes, wizards, dragons, time-travel, aliens or magic.

    Alice has always been a trailblazer as a scientist, activist and mother. She knew her choices would involve sacrifices, but now, on the eve of her eightieth birthday, she's beginning to wonder if she's sacrificed too much.Alice's daughter, Sappho, rebelled against her unconventional upbringing, choosing to marry young and embrace life as a homemaker, but her status as a domestic goddess has recently taken a surprising turn.Ged has always been the peacemaker between her grandmother and mother. A tenacious journalist, she knows what she wants in life and love, yet when everything in her world starts falling apart, she begins to question whether she really knows anyone at all.At a crossroads in each of their lives, Alice, Sappho and Ged embark on a celebratory trip together, but instead of bringing them closer, the holiday sparks life-changing consequences and lifts the lid on a fifty-year-old secret.Can Ged rescue her family if their story is built on a betrayal?From bestselling, ABIA award-winning author Rachael Johns comes an engrossing and wise novel about ambition, choices and what it means to be a woman.

    

    Tessa De Santis's child-free marriage in inner-city Sydney is ordered and comfortable, and she likes it that way. When tragedy strikes and her childhood friend Skye Whittaker dies, Tess is bound to honour a promise to become foster-mother to Skye's ten-year-old daughter, Grace, throwing her life upside down. Leaving her husband and work-driven life behind, Tess travels to an isolated property where the realities of her friend's life - and death - hit hard. The idyllic landscape and an unexpected form of therapy ease her fears, and her relationship with Grace begins to blossom. But a secret from her earlier life with Skye refuses to remain hidden, and Tess is forced into a decision that will either right the wrongs of the past, or completely destroy her future.Cross My Heart is a haunting story of guilt, redemption and friendship set in the beautiful central west of New South Wales.

    Placing the tiaras upon their heads, they transform from regular girls into Super Duper Princess Heroes! Their new powers, however, come with strings attached: to keep the magic going, the girls need to help others, work together as a team, and always be humble about their abilities. Can these awesome girls rise to the challenge and help save the world? Through fun and adventure, the story of the Super Duper Princess Heroes conveys positive messages to young girls about independence, strength, teamwork, and responsibility, demonstrating how some princesses might have higher aspirations than wearing fancy gowns and glittering jewelry.

    All he needed was the right woman to come along, and he was ready to settle down. But one poor choice stole that chance and he'll never risk caring for anyone again.Living at Wurruldi Hotel for … goodness, so many years, Ilse has seen more changes of ownership than she can recall. Clinging to her failing memories, she's tired of trying to protect the property her grandparents built. With the arrival of the elegant Gabrielle Moreau, however, it seems that finally an owner may recognise the importance of recapturing the grace and dignity of Ilse's past.For Ilse to find peace, Hayden forgiveness and Gabrielle her true passion, three aching hearts must reveal their secrets.

    When Stuart sends Fiona a pair of crusty old boots and a declaration of love 16 days into their fledgling relationship, it's the start of a love story that endures – in spite of distance, the strain of Stuart's cotton farm entering its fourth year of drought, and Fiona's issues with commitment.Something's got to give, and eventually Fiona makes the life-changing decision to move from her comfortable Sydney life to Stuart's farm where the nearest township is Jandowae, population 700.Here, Fiona must become accustomed to snakes on the doorstep, frogs in the toilet, feral cats in the roof, and the perils of the bush telegraph. Gradually, she begins to love her life on the land and finds the courage to face her fears. But as Stuart struggles to balance environmental and commercial realities, she realises that farming isn't quite as simple as she first imagined. Ultimately, Fiona has to learn how to cope with the devastating impact of the drought that grips the countryside, and what it means for Stuart, the farm and their future together.Love in the Age of Drought is a delightful fish-out-of-water story about the city/rural culture clash overcome by the course of true love. Written with heart and humour, it's also a moving tribute to country Australia's strength and capacity for survival and renewal amid a drought that won't be broken.

    Is identity a myth? A constructed story we tell ourselves? Tribalism, nationalism and sectarianism are dividing the world into us and them. Communities are a tinderbox of anger and resentment. He passionately hopes we are not hard wired for hate. Grant argues that it is time to leave identity behind and to embrace cosmopolitanism. On Identity is a meditation on hope and community.

    An old woman moves to the country in order to have a peaceful life with lots of time to read but soon finds that each season brings other tasks to keep her busy.

    Providing you with the antidote to every annoying little thing, these rules are not made to be broken.488 Rules for Life is not a self-help book, because it's not you who needs help, it's other people. Whether they're walking and texting, asphyxiating you on public transport with their noxious perfume cloud, or leaving one useless square of toilet paper on the roll, a lot of people just don't know the rules. But thanks to Kitty Flanagan's comprehensive guide to modern behaviour, our world will soon be a much better place. A place where people don't ruin the fruit salad by putting banana in it … where your co-workers respect your olfactory system and don't reheat their fish curry in the office microwave ... where middle aged men don't have ponytails …What started as a joke on Kitty Flanagan's popular segment on ABC TV's The Weekly, is now a quintessential reference book with the power to change society. (Or, at least, make it a bit less irritating.) What people are (Kitty Flanagan is) saying about this book: 'You're welcome everyone.''Thank god for me.''I'd rather be sad and lonely, but right.''There's not actually 488 rules in here but it sure feels like it'.

    Mopoke loves peace and quiet. He is about to find out that you can't always get what you want. Visually brilliant, and hysterically funny, Philip's pictures tell a thousand words, with the support of some very sparse, but hilarious, text. This is a book destined to become a classic.

    But as World War I escalates she must farewell those dearest to her when her brother and her fianc leave for the German Front. Colonel Alexei Serov comes from a long line of professional soldiers. Leading his men is his birthright and his duty; his allegiance to Russia surpasses everything, including his obligations to his wife and family. His role is clear, until he meets Marie and suddenly emotions rise in him that he has never felt before. As their world starts to crumble, Marie and Alexei discover a love that they will cling to in their search for a path to safety.

    His mother would read him one book, or two, His father would sing ‘till his face turned blue, All day Michael ran and played and kicked ball, But then he’d just shrug: “I’m not tired at all.”

    When they do talk: Muriel Kemp eyes my pregnant belly and tells me if I really want to succeed, I'd get rid of the baby.Driven to find out more about her curmudgeonly neighbour, Jane Cooper begins to investigate the life of Muriel, who claims to be a famous artist from Sydney's bohemian 1920s. Contemporary critics argue that legend, rather than ability, has secured her position in history. They also claim that the real Muriel Kemp died in 1936.Murderer, narcissist, sexual deviant or artistic genius and a woman before her time: Who really is Muriel Kemp?