Discover the novels shortlisted for the ARA Historical Novel Prize, find out which writers have received Creative Australia Fellowships, and see who took home the BAD Sydney Danger Awards. Plus lots more!

Reading Matters

21.09.2025

‘In the Café of Lost Youth’ by Patrick Modiano (translated by Euan Cameron) – Reading Matters

This quiet novella explores an enigmatic young woman who frequents a Parisian bar and is reported missing by her husband.

Reading Matters

18.09.2025

This week in Aus Lit #12 – Reading Matters

Discover South Australia's new literacy push, a controversy at the Australian War Memorial, the latest literary shortlists, exciting new releases, upcoming festivals and events, plus quick reviews of Australian books, including a gripping one about Nazi hunters!

Reading Matters

13.09.2025

‘To the Volcano and Other Stories’ by Elleke Boehmer – Reading Matters

For Short Story September, a collection about characters who live on in your imagination long after you've reached the final page.

Reading Matters

12.09.2025

‘Woo Woo’ by Ella Baxter – Reading Matters

In this entertaining satire on conceptual art, one woman becomes increasingly unhinged in the lead-up to her exhibition opening.

Reading Matters

11.09.2025

This week in Aus Lit #11 – Reading Matters

From prize list announcements, including the Queensland Literary Awards, the Davitt Awards and the Historical Novel Prize, to the shock closure of Australia's second oldest literary journal and a new indie bookstore opening in Perth, it's all happening this week! Plus the usual new releases, reviews, upcoming festivals and author events.

Reading Matters

09.09.2025

20 books of winter — 2025 recap – Reading Matters

Here's what I read and reviewed between 1 June and 31 August 2025: a mix of memoirs, literary fiction, dystopian fiction, translations, a western and crime.

Reading Matters

06.09.2025

‘Cutler’ by David Whish-Wilson – Reading Matters

When an independent fishing observer goes missing on the High Seas, an undercover investigator puts his own life in danger to find out what happened.

Reading Matters

04.09.2025

This week in Aus Lit #10 – Reading Matters

A tribute to poet Charmaine Papertalk Green, ABC Radio National's Top 100 book countdown, and The Book Thief turns 20! Plus upcoming events, including the Literature in the Lane festival, new releases and more!

Reading Matters

02.09.2025

‘Wild Decembers’ by Edna O’Brien – Reading Matters

An extraordinary novel about two feuding farmers and the woman caught between them.

Reading Matters

02.09.2025

2025 Western Australian Premier’s Book Award winners announced – Reading Matters

All the winners from this year's awards, plus photographs direct from the ceremony!

Reading Matters

28.08.2025

This week in Aus Lit #9 – Reading Matters

The Readings New Australian Fiction Prize shortlist, a new one-day writers festival, plus upcoming events and new books to add to the pile!

Reading Matters

25.08.2025

‘Green Water, Green Sky’ by Mavis Gallant – Reading Matters

This impressionistic novel follows an American divorcée living in exile in post-war Europe and her troubled, anxious daughter, whom she is determined to marry off.

Reading Matters

25.08.2025

‘Shame’ by Annie Ernaux (translated by Tanya Leslie) – Reading Matters

A powerful memoir of a childhood impacted by a single moment of violence in the family home on a quiet Sunday afternoon in post-war France

Reading Matters

11.08.2025

‘The End of the Morning’ by Charmian Clift – Reading Matters

The incomplete "novel" by one of Australia's greatest writers, accompanied by more than 30 essays published before her untimely death in 1969.

Reading Matters

10.08.2025

‘Carnality’ by Lina Wolff (translated by Frank Perry) – Reading Matters

A Swedish journalist in Madrid is drawn into a dark web of confession, punishment and twisted morality in this bold and unforgettable novel.

Reading Matters

07.08.2025

This week in Aus Lit #6 – Reading Matters

All the latest award winners and shortlist announcements from around the country, plus new releases to add to your shelf, and lots more.

Reading Matters

02.08.2025

‘New Waves’ by Kevin Nguyen – Reading Matters

An entertaining fast-paced novel set in the world of digital start-ups and a workplace culture rife with racism and sexism.

Reading Matters

01.08.2025

This week in Aus Lit #5 – Reading Matters

Siang Lu wins Miles Franklin Lit Award, Nick Cave donates 2,000 books and Dua Lipa chooses a Helen Garner title for her book club. Plus lots more!

Reading Matters

29.07.2025

‘A Long Way from Verona’ by Jane Gardam – Reading Matters

A witty coming-of-age story about a 12-year-old aspiring writer in wartime Yorkshire.

Reading Matters

29.07.2025

This week in Aus Lit #4 – Reading Matters

Award winners, acquisition news, longlist announcements and more in this week's wrap up of Australian literature happenings.

Reading Matters

12.07.2025

‘The People on Privilege Hill’ by Jane Gardam – Reading Matters

A brilliant collection of short stories — witty, moving and full of unforgettable, often quirky characters.

Reading Matters

10.07.2025

This week in Aus Lit #2 – Reading Matters

Prize winners, shortlist announcements, new releases & lots more in this wrap up of all things Australian literature.

Reading Matters

07.07.2025

‘The Heart in Winter’ by Kevin Barry – Reading Matters

Tragedy meets farce in this atmospheric romance set in America's wild west

Reading Matters

04.07.2025

This week in Aus Lit, #1 – Reading Matters

A new weekly roundup of what’s happening in the world of Australian books and writing.

Reading Matters

29.06.2025

‘Girls in their Married Bliss’ by Edna O’Brien The Country Girls Trilogy #3 – Reading Matters

The third and final book in Edna O'Brien's acclaimed The Country Girls trilogy is a tragic look at two unhappy marriages.

Reading Matters

25.06.2025

Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards Shortlist 2025 – Reading Matters

The shortlist for the Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards has been unveiled.

Reading Matters

22.06.2025

Video: ‘Imagine: Edna O’Brien — Fearful…and Fearless’ – Reading Matters

In this honest and engaging documentary, Alan Yentob meets Edna O’Brien to discuss sex, books and a lifetime of defiance.

Reading Matters

21.06.2025

‘Mural’ by Stephen Downes – Reading Matters

The so-called "confession" of a psychopath whose forays into nature, art, literature, religion, history and philosophy are absolutely compelling.

Reading Matters

16.06.2025

‘The Name of the Sister’ by Gail Jones – Reading Matters

A journalist investigates an unidentified woman found on an outback road and exposes society’s voyeuristic obsession with trauma and true crime.

Reading Matters

15.06.2025

‘Termush’ by Sven Holm (translated by Sylvia Clayton) – Reading Matters

In a post-apocalyptic world, residents of a luxury hotel cling to order and privilege — even when refugees start dying on their doorstep.

Reading Matters

09.06.2025

‘Get a Life’ by Nadine Gordimer – Reading Matters

A novel about family, relationships and values, and how personal lives reflect political change in a rapidly transforming post-apartheid South Africa.

Reading Matters

08.06.2025

‘Holy Orders’ by John Banville (writing as Benjamin Black) – Reading Matters

A journalist is murdered in 1950s Dublin, drawing Quirke into a dangerous investigation that stirs ghosts from his past.

Reading Matters

03.06.2025

Triple Choice Tuesday (mark II): Whispering Gums – Reading Matters

Find out what trio of books have made an impact on Sue, who blogs at Whispering Gums.

Reading Matters

31.05.2025

‘A Long Way Off’ by Pascal Garnier (translated by Emily Boyce) – Reading Matters

A darkly unsettling final novel from Pascal Garnier about a man who goes on a road trip with his institutionalised daughter and a toothless cat.

Reading Matters

30.05.2025

The 2025 Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Winner – Reading Matters

Congratulations to Niall Williams for taking out the honour, which is worth €20,000

Reading Matters

26.05.2025

‘Eurotrash’ by Christian Kracht (translated by Daniel Bowles) – Reading Matters

A man and his 80-year-old mother go on a surreal road trip through Switzerland as they attempt to give away their ill-gotten wealth.

Reading Matters

24.05.2025

2025 Stella Prize winner announced – Reading Matters

Michelle de Kretser has won the 2025 Stella Prize, receiving $60,000 for her novel Theory & Practice, published by Text Publishing.

home›Reading Matters›Books & Literature

Reading Matters - Books & Literature

‘Stepping Out: A Novel’ by Catherine Rey (translated by Julie Rose) – Reading Matters

‘Hot Ground’ by Lisa Ellery – Reading Matters

This week in Aus Lit #13 – Reading Matters

‘In the Café of Lost Youth’ by Patrick Modiano (translated by Euan Cameron) – Reading Matters

This week in Aus Lit #12 – Reading Matters

‘To the Volcano and Other Stories’ by Elleke Boehmer – Reading Matters

‘Woo Woo’ by Ella Baxter – Reading Matters

This week in Aus Lit #11 – Reading Matters

20 books of winter — 2025 recap – Reading Matters

‘Cutler’ by David Whish-Wilson – Reading Matters

This week in Aus Lit #10 – Reading Matters

‘Wild Decembers’ by Edna O’Brien – Reading Matters

2025 Western Australian Premier’s Book Award winners announced – Reading Matters

This week in Aus Lit #9 – Reading Matters

‘Green Water, Green Sky’ by Mavis Gallant – Reading Matters

‘Shame’ by Annie Ernaux (translated by Tanya Leslie) – Reading Matters

‘The End of the Morning’ by Charmian Clift – Reading Matters

‘Carnality’ by Lina Wolff (translated by Frank Perry) – Reading Matters

This week in Aus Lit #6 – Reading Matters

‘New Waves’ by Kevin Nguyen – Reading Matters

This week in Aus Lit #5 – Reading Matters

‘A Long Way from Verona’ by Jane Gardam – Reading Matters

This week in Aus Lit #4 – Reading Matters

‘The People on Privilege Hill’ by Jane Gardam – Reading Matters

This week in Aus Lit #2 – Reading Matters

‘The Heart in Winter’ by Kevin Barry – Reading Matters

This week in Aus Lit, #1 – Reading Matters

‘Girls in their Married Bliss’ by Edna O’Brien The Country Girls Trilogy #3 – Reading Matters

Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards Shortlist 2025 – Reading Matters

Video: ‘Imagine: Edna O’Brien — Fearful…and Fearless’ – Reading Matters

‘Mural’ by Stephen Downes – Reading Matters

‘The Name of the Sister’ by Gail Jones – Reading Matters

‘Termush’ by Sven Holm (translated by Sylvia Clayton) – Reading Matters

‘Get a Life’ by Nadine Gordimer – Reading Matters

‘Holy Orders’ by John Banville (writing as Benjamin Black) – Reading Matters

Triple Choice Tuesday (mark II): Whispering Gums – Reading Matters

‘A Long Way Off’ by Pascal Garnier (translated by Emily Boyce) – Reading Matters

The 2025 Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Winner – Reading Matters

‘Eurotrash’ by Christian Kracht (translated by Daniel Bowles) – Reading Matters

2025 Stella Prize winner announced – Reading Matters

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