North Woods is a spellbinding tale of transformation and connection to nature and time. Central to the story is a remote yellow house deep in the woods of Massachusetts paying homage to its array of memorable inhabitants. Told over centuries through an innovative narrative structure and enchanting prose, it’s
an ode to nature, humans (as well as ghosts), and history. Mason has created a
literary treasure! - Bowen [they/them], Harry Hartog Bondi

Patchett experienced a complex, challenging family growing up having multiple stepfathers and step siblings as well as her biological parents. Most of her work is influenced by her experiences and she reigns supreme in her ability to observe ambivalent interpersonal family dynamics. Claustrophobic intimacy makes a perfect setting for Patchett's interest. Rather than focus on the anxiety producing event, she finds the powerful silver lining. One of America's finest writers, this novel does not disappoint. - Bibi, Bookseller

Gorgeous mix of book history, surviving a cult and some time travel thrown in. I’m always pleased to read Alice Hoffman and this one didn’t disappoint. I now have to read The Scarlett letter by Nathaniel Hawthorn , cause it’s a main premise of this book - but you don’t need to have read it to understand this novel. - Tricia, Harry Hartog Burnside

Death Valley by Melissa Broder is so many things all at once. A tale of desert survival with talking rocks, a mystical cactus and hallucinations all set under a backdrop of grief, existentialism and introspection. Darkly funny and at times bizarre, I haven't been able to stop thinking about this book since I finished it. A fantastic fever dream of a novel! -Sarah, Harry Hartog Marrickville

As good as Boy Swallows Universe is, Lola In The Mirror surpasses it. It’s a wild, passionate ride but grounded in Trent Dalton’s extensive research into “houselessness” and the communities sleeping rough in Brisbane. The writing is sooo beautiful and the characters will haunt you. The plot is, let’s call it Daltonesque, so slightly crazy, but I was cheering for the characters the whole way. Lola In The Mirror is completely captivating and no one else writes like Trent Dalton. Bravo! - Karen, Head Buyer

This book took me by complete surprise. I'll be honest, I bought it for the cover, but then I started reading it & lost two days of my life. This book is perhaps the only fiction book that has convincingly and accurately tackled the grey areas of feminism and the role social media plays in the age of 'trial by media'. It made me think, a lot, and shows us the flaws within our selves, and the system. An absolute must read & dare I say, it is the book of the Summer - Lauren, Subscriptions

Booklovers will delight in reading this book. Bookshops are not like other retail spaces. they are magical places full of knowledge, possibilities and connections. they are a pleasant destination where calm and leisure is embraced. This book is heart-warming, unadorned and very charming. Books do indeed have the power of healing as this tale will demonstrate. A lovely little story which is balm for our troubled times. - Bibi, Bookseller

Shortlisted for the Booker, and the Harry Hartog favourite to win, this remarkable novel tells the story of the Barnes family. Told in the voices of Dickie, Imelda, Cass and PJ, it unearths the secrets and lies that have brought the family to a bunker in the woods in the middle of the night. It is a wonderful novel, heart-wrenching and full of heart and it sets a breathless pace to the denouement - Karen, Head Buyer

Penance is a bold feat by Clark – a book within a book featuring a faux true-crime case, murderous teenage girls, and toxic internet fandoms - I was captivated! Clark authentically writes about 2010s internet culture like she lived through it herself; this novel was written by the chronically online for the chronically online. As someone who was in the depths of Tumblr during its peak era, albeit not as messed up as these teenage girls, I felt nostalgic, seen, and retraumatised while reading this. Although Penance is quite different from Clark’s debut, Boy Parts (which I devoured), Clark has a knack for creating brilliant unreliable narrators. Clark’s writing style and tone are addictive, gut-punching the reader with wit and sharp social commentary. I was thoroughly immersed in the novel’s analysis
of girlhood and critiques on true-crime obsession. I will read anything else that Eliza Clark writes! - Bowen [they/them], Harry Hartog Bondi

This is the fifth release of renowned Japanese crime writer Seishi Yokomizu. If you’ve read any others in this series, you would already be familiar with the leading character, quirky detective Kosuke Kindaichi. But each story stands alone as a great read. This book is set in the turbulent atmosphere of post-WWII Tokyo. I love the fascinating historical setting and the classic nature of this book with its perceptive insights into Japanese society. This book in particular keeps you guessing until the end, a real “locked-door” mystery which is complex and fascinating with the interweaving of characters and subplots. A very rewarding read! - Gary, Human Resources

This was such a wickedly delicious
read that had no right being this funny, I was instantly pulled into the story. If the premise of bad men receiving their comeuppance sounds like something you'd like, please pick this book up, I promise you, you will
laugh. - Dee, Harry Hartog Macquarie

This is how I love fiction (and in this case science fiction) to be written – here lays a story that develops as a fully realised world (utopian in model) with characters that you come to care for and get caught up in their daily happenstances, until suddenly the real truth is revealed, creating sense of what has been hidden and nibbling away at your perception that all is not what it seems – that THE WORLD IS NOT THE WORLD…. - Micheal, Harry Hartog Bondi

This is a story about chaotic
mothers, bad feminists, sensible sisters going through a cancer diagnosis and
above all how so many women lack the self confidence to empower themselves.
Limelight is an ode to being a woman and that we are so much more than just our
physical beauty. I treasured this read, it was fun and flowed really well. - Dee, Harry Hartog Macquarie

The massiveness of this book is exceeded only by the planetary size of its titular character’s “wild stupid heart.” From page one with young Demon’s hyper-distinct voice, full of hilarious irreverence and sheer demonical perseverance, it was love at first read for this heady Dickensian coming-of-age novel set in the Appalachians, unrelenting in showing both the cruelty and kindness of people amid poverty, drugs, football, comic books. - James, Harry Hartog Bondi

An emotive, thoughtful, and necessary gem of a book! Local author, Riley, profoundly writes with compassion and care of the intricacies of human nature and of their own lived experience. This collection is not only about endurance but also elation. Reading this has inspired me to write. A Real Piece of Work is an introspective look into themes including societal structures, queerness, and disorders, I encourage anyone to read this to feel seen or to gain a deeper understanding. - ​Bowen [they/them], Harry Hartog Bondi

It has been a long time since I have been so OBSESSED with a book. A masterclass in suspense, dripping with the embers of fury that come with classism, sexism & power. Miller draws you into Tess' world of the law and examines the concept of justice down to the marrow. This is my pick of 2023 and instantly in my top 5 books of all time. It has stayed with me and is a book everyone should read. - Lauren, Subscriptions

A thrilling feminist retelling of Mary Shelley's timeless classic, Frankenstein. The story follows Mary, a sharp-tongued and passionate palaeontologist, who is determined to make her break into the science world and gain rightful credit for her work. Through reworking Shelley's thematic concerns, this debut novel provides empowering meditations on morality, womanhood, ambition and loss whilst incorporating modern revaluations of gender and prejudice. This book is the perfect fusion of excitement, history and a touch of classic gothic literature. - Ella, Bookseller

I just bought my fourth copy of this cookbook, if that isn't a recommendation I don't know what is! It's all vegan recipes from Orthodox Christian fasting traditions- if you're observant you'd spend upwards of 200 days a year eating a vegan diet. The writer isn't vegetarian, and neither am I, but the book is bursting with incredibly simple, outrageously delicious meals that I had never cooked before. Top three dishes so far have been the Serbian caramelised onion baked beans p. 182, the Egyptian herb and taro soup p. 144, and the Cypriot broad bean salad p. 64. - Jem, Head Office

Small Worlds is one of those books that is able to make you feel everything, all at once. I don't think I have ever come across a book that is so full of beauty, sadness, joy and raw emotion. Nelson's writing is poetry and the characters feel so real and raw that you just want to sit with them and hold their presence in your lap. I could not recommend this book more to every single reader. It is urgent, important and it it made me stop and remember to focus on the small world that is my life. - Lauren, Subscriptions

For lovers of Diana Reid - Amy Taylor is definitely one to watch. This book combines the relatable complexities of dating from ‘Love and Virtue’ and ‘Seeing Other People’ with the paranoid, noire elements of Michelle De Kretser’s ‘Scary Monsters’. I have seen this book described as ‘Rebeca’ meets ‘Fleabag’, which is not entirely true. The comparison implies that the book is more macabre and funnier than it actually is. Taylor pulls about the realities of modern dating and our perpetual online-ness. ‘Search History’ is testament to the quality Australian Fiction that is being published - it is fantastic! - Phoebe, Harry Hartog Woden & ANU

The Escape Artist tells the story of Rudolf Vrba, who at 19years old along with Alfréd Wetzler were the first Jewish escapees of Auschwitz. From the brutal details of life in the camps to the infuriating inaction of allied powers this book is a detailed account of life as a Jewish prisoner in Eastern Europe during the Second World War. - Elijah, Harry Hartog Burnside

In this sweet bedtime tale, a mum and her bub traverse the globe to learn all the ways to say I love you. Wandering from Italy to Nepal, This book features beautiful glowing illustrations! - Phil, Harry Hartog Bondi

This is a beautiful story if a woman quietly moving through her solitary life. So calm and easy to read with evocative snippets of her own and others lives around her. A small book that I have savoured over a week with lots of coffee. - Tricia, Harry Hartog Burnside.

Fuller is masterful at creating suspense; I was drawn in immediately with the parental lies and manipulations. The narrative is unsettling and intriguing with bits of hope interspersed throughout. It is full of well constructed characters, rich descriptions of nature and the harsh life conditions the 51 year old twins, Jeannie and Julius must endure after their mother dies unexpectedly. I found Fuller's writing style fascinating and despite it being a dark story, I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of her books. - Bibi, Bookseller

Jessica Au's debut novella is gentle and contemplative. It captures within its quietness the tension and yearning of a strained mother-daughter relationship. The unnamed narrator invites her mother to holiday with her in Tokyo, a place that's foreign to both of them, hoping that perhaps in the mutual unfamiliarity, they may find some sort of connection and shared understanding with each other. As they wander through the streets of Tokyo, we are taken on a meandering journey through different memories that have shaped their relationship. Evocative, enigmatic - this is a book for those who love to read character-driven stories. - Joyce, Harry Hartog Marrickville

Told from two perspectives, a mother and the daughter who only new her through stories, her own memories warped but what she was told happened by the only family she has ever known. Initially, the story unfolds at a slow pace reflecting Lily’s caution about investigating her past and the fear of losing more than she might gain, as though pulling on the thread will unravel too much too quickly. Wiz is a wonderful new literary voice writing with heart about loss, the fragility of memory, family tension, the intricacies of belonging, and the diaspora of the Chinese Windrush generation. - Em, Head Office

Braiding Sweetgrass is the solace you need in the dreariness of other science books. Robin Wall Kimmerer's writing is engaging, yet delicate as she weaves together her experiences as a Potawatomi woman, and as a scientist. Kimmerer says it best herself: this book is "a braid of stories meant to heal our relationship with the world". - Phoebe, Harry Hartog Tuggeranong

Best described as a modern day Agatha Christie, this book reads like a locked room murder mystery set on a secluded island where a wedding is taking place. Fast paced and impossible to put down, Foley explores the relationships between old friends and the secrets and grudges we keep. - Amy H, Harry Hartog Carindale

She's on the Money by Victoria Devine is a refreshing perspective on how to work towards financial freedom for Millennials. It leave out all the boring jargon and gives you the tools to make your money work for you. A must read for those starting their money journey. It was super easy to follow, and included personal experiences from fellow readers. It was encouraging to know it wasn't just me who didn't learn these things in high school. It's never too late to start looking after future you. - Amy, Bookseller

Leigh bursts into the world of adult literature with the brilliant. Ninth House. If you grew up (as i did) reading Leigh Bardugo, this story will undoubtedly bring forth a feeling of nostalgia with her familiar and distinctive writing style. The story is perfect cocktail of The Secret History, fantasy and the occult; with an excellent build up the story crescendos at the end with a juicy cliff hanger that has left me wanting more. -Paige, Harry Hartog Burnside

If you’re feeling guilty about your screen time, Johann Hari is here to tell you that your iPhone addiction is not your fault. He’s also here to tell you that unfortunately there are no easy answers, unless you’re willing and able to spend three months in Cape Cod without an internet connection. So … put down your darn phone for a few hours and get ready to be shocked and inspired. - Renee, Harry Hartog Marrickville

Fourth Wing has been my favourite read of the year so far! If you like awesome fantasy settings, dragons, steamy enemies-to-lovers romance and girlboss characters you will LOVE this book! - Kate, Harry Hartog Miranda

"Beauty is terror. Whatever we call beautiful, we quiver before it."

I absolutely loved this book. Donna Tartt has an amazing talent for description. Her evocation of life at a private university is rich and detailed. This book follows six aloof, self-absorbed and arrogant pseudo intellectuals studying at a New England university and us ultimately a story about friendship and the sacrifices we make to keep them intact. - Adrian, Harry Hartog Penrith

The funniest tragic story I’ve ever read. I couldn’t put it down. It is a beautifully written debut novel by an incredibly imaginative author. If my world ever falls apart I hope Egg is there with me! - Michelle, Harry Hartog Bondi

This novel gorgeously transforms the YA genre. Writing against the dystopian drear that pervades today's fiction, Bennett Daylight offers a kinder vision. Embracing wonder instead of despair, connection rather than isolation, Royals is a breath of fresh air for any young reader who is sick of reading books that make them feel worse and not better. - Tom, Harry Hartog Marrickville

Fan thyself as did I whether your secret inclinations lean sinful slag or Godfearing prude in the blushing face of arousal abounding all over this superb debut novel from Crewe on Victorian “inverts”—think homophobic law and Oscar Wilde. Crewe’s writing, in certain toe-curling moments of time’s standstill, achieves the kind of coy ambiguity cloaking its own self-seriousness or cheek that scratches a very special hypothalamic itch I hadn’t known needed scratching. - James, Harry Hartog Bondi

The Remains of the Day showcases Nobel Prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro's sublime prose, as well as his keen insight into English society, as seen through the eyes of Stevens the butler. Through his reflections on a life dedicated to the service of a great house, Stevens ends up revealing much more about himself and his employer than he intends to. Made into an Oscar-winning movie in 1993, this story will stay with you long after you've put it down. - Tom, Harry Hartog Marrickville

Wonderfully dark and strange (what's with all the snails...?), 'Death of a Bookseller' will leave you slightly creeped out but also wanting more! We follow Roach, a true-crime obsessed bookseller, as she forms an awkward attachment to fellow bookseller Laura, a true-crime hater, that quickly evolves into obsession. I found both characters to be highly unlikeable which I absolutely loved, and flew through this book in a few days. Highly recommend to people who loved 'Bunny' by Mona Awad! - Sarah & Joyce, Harry Hartog Marrickville

A very calming novel about a summer spent holidaying on a Finnish island by a little girl and her grandmother, inspired by true events in Jansson's life. A perfect read for a beach day in the sun or when you're longing for one instead. - Lorna, Bookseller

I don’t believe in the glorification of murder, but I do believe in the empowerment of women. A Certain Hunger follows the life of a sexy food critic who kills and eats her lovers – and she has a good time doing it. This book is witty, funny, and provocative and what I like to think as a feminist retelling of American Psycho. This book quite literally… slays… - Taylah, Bookseller

When critics say Arnott is among the top of Australian literature, I believe it. This is a subtle, tender multi-layered story that explores boy-to-manhood, family love, and the relationship between human and nature - reading and finishing this filled my cup all the way up. The beauty and savagery of nature, especially, is visceral. Tied to the Tasmanian landscape, expect a lovely escape of a read too. - Tiffany, Bookseller