FICTION

For fans of Nightbitch, a darkly humorous debut novel asks what happens when motherhood isn't all it's cracked up to be . . .For fans of Nightbitch, a darkly humorous debut novel asks what happens when motherhood isn't all it's cracked up to be . . .Estie isn't sure she likes being eight months pregnant. She isn't even sure she likes her husband anymore, especially after he hid that he's been fired from his job. Hello parenthood! Goodbye life as Estie imagined it! Now, she's stranded and bloated and alone. Her cat is not a people person, and on top of it all, her best friend has been ignoring her calls ever since Estie told her about the baby. After Estie gives birth, she begins to suspect that all the stories she's been told about motherhood might not be true. Having a child does not "complete" her. And that mythical connection with her baby? Well, she's still waiting. In fact, Estie fears she is destined to end up like her own mother-divorced and crying in the bathroom while her daughter stands outside the door and wonders if she's okay. Startlingly honest and unsentimental, Television for Women explores the realities of life postpartum, the demands children make on women's identities and relationships-and the desperate lengths someone might go to in order to reclaim the person she once was.

Buckeye is a novel that bridges the American generations impacted by two significant wars - Omaha Beach and the Ia Drang Valley. TOM HANKS praises it as a book that soars, while ANN PATCHETT finds it funny and tender. ANN NAPOLITANO describes it as wise and heartbreaking. In May 1945, as news of the Allied victory in Europe spreads through the small town of Bonhomie, Ohio, Margaret Salt enters a hardware store and asks Cal Jenkins for a radio. This encounter will change their lives forever. As the country rebuilds in the post-war era, secrets in Bonhomie begin to unravel, affecting the two families involved. Buckeye is a compassionate, humorous, and charming novel that delves into the complexities of forgiveness, redemption, and the universal desire for love and connection. It paints a vivid portrait of a community and the tangled paths we take in search of understanding our past and shaping our future.

Cure‘a gloriously distinctive writer: brava, brava!’— Michelle de Kretser, Miles Franklin award-winning author of The Life to Come and Theory & Practice‘Cure lures you in with mesmeric prose then startles with profound insights on pain, faith, motherhood and, above all, love.’—Diana Reid, bestselling author of Love & Virtue and Signs of Damage‘An utterly joyful reading experience. I inhaled it.’—Jessie Tu, bestselling author of A Lonely Girl is a Dangerous Thing and The HoneyeaterHer body hurts her all the time now. It is separate, a thing apart. In her mind it has become a person or an object that is not quite her, that she doesn’t know.Vera and Thea are mother and daughter. Vera writes for the internet: she constructs identities and scenarios for brands to cater to the ideal consumer. Yet she also consumes the offerings of the online world herself: the addictive pursuit of a cure, the narratives she craves in which mother and daughter find a way out of the shared experience of chronic illness. She becomes preoccupied with a blog written by a woman named Claudia, a mother whose daughter also has a chronic illness.While on holiday in Italy, Thea writes in her journal. She is also constructing a character: an image of herself as she grapples with having the same illness as her mother, Vera. But gradually another person emerges in her journal, through her imaginings of her mother in the same house, the same city, at the same age. They have come to Italy to see where Vera’s family originates, but also to chase a promised cure in the form of a man said to be able to heal Thea’s illness.As they both grapple with their own narratives about their bodies and their wellness, all may not be as it seems. Perhaps a story does not necessarily need to be true for us to believe in it?PRAISE FOR CURE:‘As you reach the end and Brabon draws the threads together, a wise, tender portrait of the relationship between a mother and daughter emerges. Cure is a beguiling and resonant novel, in which the process of belief and the difficulty of integrating the experience of illness into self-identity is revealed to be extraordinarily fraught.’— ABC Arts‘Capturing the difficult intimacies between a mother and daughter, Cure questions the stories they tell about their bodies, wellness, healing and memory.’—The Guardian‘brilliant meditation on the self’—The Saturday Paper‘In a novel less committed to nuance, and to resisting easy answers and straightforward binaries, reading and writing might come to represent something like a cure. Brabon, however, is far too clear-eyed and thoughtful a writer for that.’—The Conversation‘Brabon’s elegant, poetic prose is transporting; she probes our human vulnerabilities with deep insight, empathy, and restraint. Cure is timely and entirely compelling.’—Sarah Holland-Batt, Stella Prize-winning author of The Jaguar‘an eerie dream of a book.’—Madeleine Watts, author of The Inland Sea and Elegy, Southwest‘A tender, delicately woven story that explores the boundaries between a mother and daughter who both live with chronic illness. Sharply intelligent and deeply felt, Cure has much to say about the unreliability of the body, the alienating nature of pain, and the cacophony of voices – scientific, religious, online – offering comfort, promising relief. An intimate and imaginative novel about family, faith, and the healing power of human connection.’—Kylie Needham, author of Girl in a Pink Dress‘Accomplished, gentle and illuminating.’—Alice Bishop, author of A Constant Hum‘Cure is a timely look at our preoccupation with wellness. Brabon's poetics around the body and female constructions of self and identity and myth are breathtaking.’—Kavita Bedford, author of Friends and Dark Shapes‘Brabon explores the search for healing – physical, emotional and generational – with exquisite finesse and sophistication.’—Books + Publishing'Brabon’s ambition in crafting this layered narrative makes Cure worth a look, especially for those interested in stories that tackle illness, identity and the complex relationships between mothers and daughters.' —Good Reading

Three women. A baby rescued from the sea. Lives forever changed. When Sapphie, a passionate environmentalist, goes on a camping trip in the bush, she miraculously rescues a baby from the sea. The baby belongs to Candace, a charity worker struggling with new motherhood. The act of rescue throws these strangers together and inspires an intense friendship. Candace’s best friend Alexia, a legal academic, has her reservations about the unconventional new woman in their lives. When Alexia investigates Sapphie’s background, she discovers … nothing. As far as the internet is concerned, Sapphie doesn’t exist. This compels Alexia to ask: What is Sapphie hiding? As the novel dives into the turbulent waters of love, duty and control, the women must navigate the powerful currents of their fears and desires to discover who they really are. All We Need is whip-smart fiction that shines a light on how we live today. It holds a mirror to contemporary parenting, economic insecurity, sibling rivalry, the environment, gender divides and the joy of dress-ups. Acutely observed, funny and tender, this tell-your-friends-about-it book will keep you gripped until the last page. PRAISE FOR ALL WE NEED ‘All We Need is a clever and compassionate story brimming with truth about the beautiful mess that is contemporary life.’ – Melanie Cheng, author of The Burrow ‘This book may be all you need right now - spend some quality time with these wonderful characters who will remind you of why all the best things in life are always worth fighting for: love and loyalty, hope and healing.’ – Ceridwen Dovey, author of Mothertongues ‘richly layered with vivid imagery, texture, sensory description, talismans, costumes, and bountiful nature’ – Kali Napier, author of The Secrets at Oceans Edge

Circe: The Stunning New Anniversary Edition From The Author Of International Bestseller The Song Of Achilles A FIFTH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL EDITION, FEATURING A NEW FOREWORD BY THE AUTHORWoman. Witch. Myth. Mortal. Outcast. Lover. Destroyer. Survivor. CIRCE.In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. Circe is a strange child not powerful and terrible, like her father, nor gorgeous and mercenary like her mother. Scorned and rejected, Circe grows up in the shadows, at home in neither the world of gods or mortals. But Circe has a dark power of her own- witchcraft. When her gift threatens the gods, she is banished to the island of Aiaia where she hones her occult craft, casting spells, gathering strange herbs and taming wild beasts. Yet a woman who stands alone will never be left in peace for long and among her island's guests is an unexpected visitor- the mortal Odysseus, for whom Circe will risk everything. So Circe sets forth her tale, a vivid, mesmerizing epic of family rivalry, love and loss the defiant, inextinguishable song of woman burning hot and bright through the darkness of a man's world.Companion to the bestselling special hardback edition of The Song of AchillesShortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction

EdenFrom the bestselling author of Wimmera comes a compelling literary thriller that shows we all have secrets, but some are deadlier than others.Big city. Deadly secrets.Cities are tough when you've grown up as a country kid. They're even tougher after nine years inside. Tom Blackburn is fresh out of jail and not sure where his future lies. He knows what he wants. But he's pretty sure she doesn't want him.Tom's left his old life and his old name behind. But his options aren't great. He knows sleeping on the streets is the quickest way back to a cell. And then, his luck turns around. A chance encounter leads to a job and somewhere to stay. A place in the dead centre of Melbourne. Eden, his new boss calls it.Honest, physical work. Bit of gardening, bit of gravedigging, bit of whatever he's told to do. Fresh air, currawongs, a bed and some peace and quiet. It's the perfect place to save some money and make some plans. A place to keep his head down and stay out of trouble.But trouble finds him. Serious trouble. He's missed the signs, again. Going back to jail might be the safest option. Unless he can figure some way out of the danger he's in . . .From much-loved Australian crime author Mark Brandi comes a gripping new story that answers old questions.'Mark Brandi's writing sings. Eden is a vivid portrait of a young life gone awry. Of choices and repercussions . . . and how hard it is to move beyond the past.' MICHAEL BRISSENDEN'Raw and compelling, with a twist you won't see coming. Eden is Brandi at his very best.' MARK SMITH'A captivating exploration of crime and redemption . . . Destined to be a classic' BOOKS+PUBLISHING'An enthralling story with wonderful characters, mystery, moral dilemmas' READINGS'[Brandi] has an unerring eye' SYDNEY MORNING HERALD'Exquisite . . . Eden has all the hallmarks of a great Australian novel' THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S WEEKLY'The novel explores gritty social and ethical problems with intelligence and conscience' THE AGE

The FarmJessica Mansour-Nahra was a communications consultant and writer in Brisbane, London and Sydney, before tree-changing to a hamlet in Wiradjuri Country, where she lives with her husband and their beloved dog. Jessica holds degrees in history and law from The University of Queensland. The Farm is her first novel.

The Body FarmThe long-awaited new book from the critically acclaimed author of The Lightkeepers and The Wildlands- an intense and insightful collection that celebrates the horrors and joys of inhabiting our bodiesThe body cannot tell any lies. From birth to death, and through all the transitions in between, the body stores our knowledge and history, our feelings and experiences. Our betrayals. These insightful and empathetic stories, from the critically acclaimed author of The Last Animal, shine new light on our physical vessels set against our physical world, two landscapes irretrievably connected and altered over time.An entomologist solves cold cases and upholds a sense of justice by studying the decay of corpses in a field and the insect life they develop. A caregiver obsesses over a stained-glass lampshade to deal with the elegiac losses of Alzheimer's. A sister with webbed fingers highlights the often-universal belief that our siblings just might be creatures brought forth from the deep. The memory of a scent evokes the haunting legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic.These eleven stories display Abby Geni's great capacity to take us into the lives and experiences of others to scrutinize the physical self- birth, childhood, transition, mental health, trauma, aging, illness, love, sex, and death.

ElaineA brilliant portrait of motherhood, sublimated desire, and the reverberations of the Cold War in a novel that investigates and reimagines the life of the author's mother.

The Watervale Ladies' Writing And Firefighting SocietyIt's never too late to start over - sometimes all you need is a spark. In the tradition of Sophie Green, Joanna Nell and Tricia Stringer comes an absolutely sparkling, feelgood delight of a novel, where four very different women are thrown together in a creative writing course in the library of a small country town.When international lawyer Matilda 'Tilly' Marr is summoned back from London to a small town in South Australia's wine country, she expects to close a billion-dollar deal in a matter of days. Instead, she's handed an ultimatum: stay for a month and serve as the town's only solicitor, or watch the opportunity slip away. Setting up shop in the Beechwood Cafe, Tilly braces for a brief detour, but life in Watervale Downs soon proves to be anything but simple.Drawn into the orbit of three very different women - fierce matriarch Bev Jackson, fallen TV star Fenna de Vries, and warm-hearted librarian Jane Robertson - Tilly unexpectedly finds herself joining a local writing group and training with the country fire service. Slowly, friendships form, long-held secrets surface, and the rhythms of country life begin to change her in ways she didn't anticipate.As the season turns and challenges mount, each woman finds herself at a crossroads. Bev must confront a past she has kept hidden for sixty years, Fenna must decide whether she is ready to stop running, Jane must summon the courage to reimagine her future, and Tilly must ask whether the life she has built is truly the one she wants. And in the meantime, bushfire season is approaching and a day of reckoning is coming for them all.Sparkling, warm, heartfelt, wise, and irresistibly uplifting, The Watervale Ladies' Writing and Firefighting Society is a story of friendship, second chances, and the bravery it takes to begin again. For anyone who has ever felt stuck, adrift, or quietly wondered, 'Could there be more to life for me?', this novel will feel like an open door.'An uplifting story of friendship and being true to oneself ... a delightful dose of sunshine. I loved it' Tricia Stringer, Birds of a Feather'A charming and layered exploration of unexpected friendship, personal reinvention and the quiet strength of women who show up for themselves and each other ... [with] a satisfying emotional centre. A thoroughly enjoyable and easy-to-devour read' Books+Publishing

The Poppy FieldsFrom the New York Times bestselling author of the smash-hit The Measure— a runaway bestseller and a Read with Jenna TODAY Show pick— comes a stunning speculative story of healing, self-discovery, forgiveness, and found friendship."A masterful, tender exploration of love, loss, and the poignant echoes of memory... A profoundly moving read." —Jamie Ford, New York Times bestselling author of The Many Daughters of Afong MoyWelcome to the Poppy Fields, where there’s hope for even the most battered hearts to heal.Here, in a remote stretch of the California desert, lies an experimental and controversial treatment center that allows those suffering from the heartache of loss to sleep through their pain...and keep on sleeping. After patients awaken from this prolonged state of slumber, they will finally be healed. But only if they’re willing to accept the potential shadowy side effects.On a journey to this mystical destination are four very different strangers and one little dog: Ava, a book illustrator; Ray, a fireman; Sasha, an occupational therapist; Sky, a free spirit; and a friendly pup named PJ. As they attempt to make their way from the Midwest all the way to the Poppy Fields— where they hope to find Ellis, its brilliant, enigmatic founder—each of their past secrets and mysterious motivations threaten to derail their voyage.A high-concept speculative novel about heartache, hope, and human resilience, The Poppy Fields explores the path of grief and healing, a journey at once profoundly universal and unique to every person, posing the questions: How do we heal in the wake of great loss And how far are we willing to go in order to be healed

Paper HeartPip’s world is small. But it’s about to become a whole lot bigger.For years she’s tucked away her dreams, shrinking herself into the space left behind – like the delicate origami she creates alone in her room.Then hope comes from an unlikely place: an astronomer from the local observatory. He teaches her to look up at the stars, and to see a world far bigger and more beautiful than she ever imagined.And perhaps in that big, beautiful universe there’s someone waiting for her. If she can find the courage to open her heart.Pip never stopped dreaming, but now it’s time for her to live – and maybe even to fall in love.'A lovely, transportive, deeply felt story. My heart grows a bit bigger each time I read a Cecelia Ahern book' Karin Slaughter'An immersive, sometimes heartbreaking, yet ultimately uplifting rollercoaster read. Her best yet' Patricia Scanlan‘A tender, moving story about second chances and the quiet courage it takes to hope again’ Louise O’NeillCecelia Ahern's book 'In a Thousand Different Ways' was a Sunday Times bestseller w/c 2023-04-10

Loved One'THE FUNNIEST BOOK YOU'LL EVER READ ABOUT GRIEF' MAGGIE SHIPSTEAD'PERFECTLY CAPTURES THE MESSINESS, HEARTACHE AND BEAUTY OF GRIEF' RED MAGAZINE‘For years I'd known exactly who I was to Gabe. It was a long story but I could tell it confidently, like a bartender sharing a recipe for her signature cocktail. Now things were so jumbled, I didn't know where to begin…’When Julia’s first-love-turned-close-friend Gabe, a successful indie musician, dies unexpectedly aged 29, Julia is launched into an intercontinental quest to recover the possessions he left with friends and acquaintances across the world.The search for these items leads Julia to Elizabeth, the last woman Gabe loved, in an interaction that leaves Julia with more questions than answers. Both women, it turns out, have something to hide, and soon find themselves engaged in a complex dance of withholding and revelation.Together, the two must reconcile their conflicting memories of Gabe and who he was to each of them…and who they now are to each other.From the Emmy Award-winning writer behind Hacks and Parks and Recreation, Loved One is a wise, witty and profoundly moving coming-of-age story with a powerful love at its heart, set to become an instant classic.

CrowWhen gentleman farmer Harold Crow dies after routine surgery in rural Tasmania, his death exposes a web of forbidden love, secret offspring, and devastating betrayals that will tear two families apart. Local GP Dr David Boyd fears his secret affair with Harold will surface at the inquest. His wife Morven hides her own hurtful truth…Nurse Nathan Wentworth fears his malpractice may have killed Harold. But he's not the only one with blood on his hands.When Harold’s daughter Primrose comes home to Albert Falls for the funeral, she inherits more than her father's business – she inherits his secrets and has to confront harsh truths. As a marriage crumbles and alliances shift, the Boyd family will use any weapon to protect their lies and reputations. Set in the stunning landscape of Tasmania’s southern highlands, this blend of classic Australian family saga and medical intrigue brims with unexpected twists and turns, revealing Rhonda McCoy as a natural and cinematic storyteller.