Now to Love

SWAINSTON’S FISHES OF AUSTRALIA BY ROGER SWAINSTON, VIKING, $125. It may seem an odd choice for an artist, but once you see Roger Swainston’s gentle, mesmerising illustrations of Australia’s fish, you’ll understand immediately where this artist gets his inspiration. This is a big book and certainly a specialised one, but it’s also surprisingly captivating. Swainston […]

MURIEL SPARK: THE BIOGRAPHY BY MARTIN STANNARD, PHOENIX, $29.99. Muriel Spark was an imaginative child brought up in a bookless Edinburgh household in the 1920s. The curious 11-year-old laid the foundations for her best-selling 1961 novel, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, the moment she walked into Christina Kay’s classroom at the James Gillespie’s School […]

MY STORY BY DANNII MINOGUE, SIMON & SCHUSTER, $35. It’s tempting to scour little sis Dannii’s autobiography for headlining scraps about Kylie. And, of course, there is the time territorial Kylie sticks black tape down the middle of their shared childhood bedroom to keep her adoring sibling at bay and the time that Dannii ratted […]

GLORY GIRL BY PETER YELDHAM, PENGUIN, $32.95. It’s 1927, Sarah Carson is fearless, charismatic and determined to take part in the first flight from England to Australia. She makes a deal with pilot James Harrington that she can come on the flight. What follows is fame, love, tragedy and notoriety, with one of them even […]

THE COURIER’S TALEBY PETER WALKER, BLOOMSBURY, $32.99. This is the story of the only man to tell Henry VIII the truth about his laughable lust for Anne Boleyn and the cold-blooded murders he committed to get what he wanted. Reginald Pole was Henry’s Plantagenet cousin, who came close to becoming both Pope and King of […]

WHY MEN ARE NECESSARY AND MORE NEWS FROM NOWHERE BY RICHARD GLOVER, ABC BOOKS, $27.99. Why Men Are Necessary is something like what you’d get if you crossed Seinfeld with Neighbours. An Australian family, doing nothing particularly extraordinary, is transformed into 24-carat comedy gold. Richard Glover’s beloved Jocasta is a feisty woman “with the body […]

RESCUE BY ANITA SHREVE, LITTLE, BROWN, $32.99. Peter Webster is a good man and a single dad raising teenage daughter Rowan. For 17 years, they’ve lived a simple life together, but they’re missing a wife and mother. The missing wife and mum in question is Sheila Arsenault, who was a young woman on the run […]

The Hundred Foot Journey BY RICHARD C. MORAIS, ALLEN & UNWIN, $27.99. If you enjoy a novel about food, you’re sure to love this tale of restaurant rivalry set in provincial France. When the Haji family arrives in the village of Lumiere – with the dust of Mumbai still on their clothes and intoxicating Indian […]

In 30 words or less, tell us what is great about a book you are reading at the moment. The best critique will be printed in the March issue of The Weekly and the writer will win The AWW Cooking School cookbook, valued at $74.95. FROM BLOOD BY EDWARD WRIGHT, ORION, $32.99.. Is it the […]

Catherine Middleton is so in love and ready to marry her Prince, reports Katie Nicholl, royal writer with The Mail On Sunday and author of William And Harry. A hushed silence falls over the appropriately named Queen’s Head pub in the quaint village of Chapel Row as Catherine Middleton and her mother Carole take a […]

*Imagine never being allowed to hold your new grandchild, or being prevented from saying goodbye to your dying husband. Bo Zaw Gyi meets Aung San Suu Kyi in Burma, where she’s finally been freed from house arrest.** To the world she is a freedom fighter, a woman brave enough to stand up to the Burmese […]

These three women were duped by a charismatic con man, but fought back by warning other women on the web. Now he’s under arrest, reports Jordan Baker. It was the eyes that hooked Diana Mors. His charm and generosity were appealing, too, but she loved his George Clooney gaze – a gaze that made her […]

For some parents, discovering their child is homosexual is a crushing blow that destroys their relationship, but as Michael Sheather discovers, it can also open the way to self-awareness and even stronger family bonds. Narelle Phipps knew quite early that her son Neil saw the world through a different prism. “I first wondered if Neil […]

He owns a palazzo in Tuscany and homes in London, New York, Malibu and the Caribbean – not bad for the son of a milkman. Sting, one-time teacher turned rock god, talks to Susan Chenery about vanity, Trudie and what makes him tick. When Sting opens the door he has just woken from a deep […]

At 46, Australia’s golden girl Rebecca Gibney remains a knockout in a swimsuit. She tells Kelly Baker how diet, exercise and the support of a loving husband have helped her embrace her changing body. “Who else is appearing in this story,” asks Rebecca, “Are there any other older women … or just me?” The conversation […]

With a royal wedding coming up thoughts of marrying into wealth are in many people’s minds, but a new survey by The Weekly has found that Australian women would rather marry a tradie than a prince. The 1000 women surveyed also said that they would rather marry a tradie than a millionaire, an actor or […]

When it comes to nutritional supplements for the mother-to-be, folic acid — the B-group vitamin that is critical for helping to prevent birth defects such as spina bifida — gets all the press. However, several studies suggest that choline, a less well-known water-soluble nutrient that is also classed with the B-group vitamins, is just as […]

After being left heartbroken by her husband of 14 years, Shania Twain has finally found love again but in very unusual circumstances. The country music singer’s ex-husband, producer Mutt Lange, left her for her best friend in 2008. Now 45-year-old Shania has announced her engagement to that best friend’s ex-husband, the UK’s Daily Mail reported. […]

Kylie Minogue has hinted she may be touring Australia next year in a Christmas message to fans while announcing the release of two Christmas tracks for Vision Australia. “I have some very exciting news for you in 2011, which I can’t tell you yet, but I can hardly wait,” Kylie said in a video message, […]

It’s hard to understand how a book exposing the hypocrisy and immorality of pharmaceutical marketing could be the basis for a romantic comedy, but Love and Other Drugs is surprising in so many ways. The lead character (played by Jake Gyllenhall) is based on Jamie Reidy, the man who wrote the book Hard Swell: The […]

Just because your dad had a double chin doesn’t mean that you will — research suggests that life experiences may outweigh genes when it comes to ageing. It seems that the amount of time that you spent on the beach as a teen with just a bottle of baby oil between you and the sun’s […]

Last week, former water-polo champion Keli Lane was found guilty of murdering her two-day-old daughter. Candace Sutton and Katherine Chatfield untangle a twisted, terrible tale. For 14 years, only one person has known the fate of tragic newborn Tegan Lane – her mother, Keli. The baby was last seen in 1996, when Keli walked out […]

Pregnant with quintuplets, Melissa and Rosemary reveal the preparations they’ve been making for their babies’ arrival. Melissa Keevers takes a deep breath as her partner Rosemary Nolan puts a protective hand on her protruding belly. Since the same-sex couple from Brisbane first revealed to Woman’s Day they were expecting quintuplets in October, Melissa’s bump has […]

The Aussie beauty models her burgeoning baby bump with doting Orlando on hand. She knows how to work a catwalk in custom-made jewellery and expensive heels, but Miranda Kerr’s baby belly may be her best accessory yet. The Gunnedah-born girl simply beamed as she and husband Orlando Bloom took a stroll through West Hollywood after […]

A trip to South Africa seals the love between the Packed To The Rafters couple. The whirlwind romance between Packed To The Rafters co-stars Jessica Marais and James Stewart is set to take an exotic turn, with the pair planning a trip in January to her birthplace, South Africa. Jessica, 25, who was born in […]

Today hosts Karl Stefanovic and Lisa Wilkinson reveal their Christmas plans. Karl Stefanovic and Lisa Wilkinson will spend Christmas Eve together when they co-host the Nine Network’s Carols By Candlelight. But as the Today presenters tell Woman’s Day, they will then part ways to pop open champagne, unwrap presents and celebrate Christmas with their families. […]

It doesn’t matter what age these celebs are, they all have one thing in common – fabulously beach-worthy bodies. We find out how they got them, and more importantly, how you can, too! Kerri-Anne Kennerley, 50-something How she stays in shape: Golf, walking, weight training, skiing. Aussie talk show queen Kerri-Anne Kennerley has one of […]

The actress and her gorgeous daughter were all smiles as they headed to a Santa Monica cafe. As Michelle Williams and her daughter Matilda Rose Ledger picked out a bouquet of flowers in the California sunshine, it was clear the bond between the actress and her gorgeous five-year-old is as tight as the grip of […]

My sister told me she can’t have children just weeks after I had an abortion and now I’m in turmoil. Trying to support my heartbroken sister and cope with my own feelings of guilt and loss has left me ill, but when I first made the decision I thought it was the right one. I’ve […]

It’s not exactly a likely match, but did Prince harry have a fling with Catherine Ommanney, one of the The Real Housewives of D.C? Well, the 39-year-old year old reality TV star has shared the story of their private rendezvous before, but now her former nanny has come forward to confirm her story, Radar Online […]

Choosing wholegrain foods is an important part of eating a balanced diet, so we’ve got some tips for you below for tasty, economical ways to help you include them in your diet. Choose plain brown rice, rather than pre-cooked as it is significantly cheaper. Brown rice is filling, but often children don’t like it, so […]

Question I want to get fuller lips but I don’t want to have surgery. Is there anything I can do? Jackie, via e-mail Answer There are two ways to create the appearance of plump, full lips. Firstly, over the top of your normal lipstick, try dabbing a bit of gloss on the centre of the […]

It’s been the media story of the week, and one that has many scratching their heads: Liz Hurley and Shane Warne … a couple? Amidst the media circus Liz has found a friendly shoulder to cry on, that of ex-boyfriend Hugh Grant. In pics: Liz Hurley’s safety pin dress Still good friends, it was no […]

Aussie model Megan Gale and her partner of four years, funny man Andy Lee, have parted ways. The couple, who actually split up in October, have kept their break-up secret until the pair released a statement today. “In October, Andy and Megan parted ways,” the statement said. “They remain great friends and both think the […]

Less than 15 minutes

The popular entertainer had anything but a conventional upbringing, but Christmas is still her favourite time of the year. Of all the exciting ventures ahead for singer and performer Kate Ceberano, the one she’s really looking forward to is Christmas. “It’s my favourite time of the year,” says Kate, 44, her eyes lighting up as […]

Just like her sister Antonia, Nicole and her husband may have something extra to celebrate this Christmas. Her sister Antonia is about to have her fifth child, but a new niece or nephew may not be the only bundle of joy in Nicole Kidman’s thoughts of late. While the flame-haired actress recently confided she has […]

Ange and Brad prefer travel over toy shops, but someone forgot to tell the kids. Now in New York after their stay in Budapest, a trip to the tropical Seychelles and a whirlwind visit to Paris, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s well-travelled tribe must be suffering from a collective dose of jetlag. Yet Maddox, 9, […]

She’s battled her weight for years but now she’s finally ready to tell Australia about the only diet she swears by. For more than 20 years, Oprah Winfrey has endured a very public battle with her weight, going from skinny to curvy and back again in the space of a few short months. “In 1988 […]

Most families get together over the dinner table or spend as much time as they can hanging out at the beach. But for the Stannages, their bonding time is a little more active. This adrenalin-fuelled family’s idea of fun is setting each other alight and jumping over cars on motorbikes. “Obviously there is a risk […]

Celine Dion has spoken publicly for the first time since giving birth to twin boys, revealing she was having triplets but one baby didn’t survive. Speaking to Canada’s Hello! magazine, the 42-year-old said she still thinks of a third son who didn’t survive the pregnancy. “One little baby decided to step back to help the […]

For centuries, people in Asia have valued the importance of soy beans and soy foods in their diets. Here are our findings and how they relate to our products and you. What is it about soy that gives it health benefits? The term “soy” is commonly used to refer to foods or food ingredients derived […]

Question: What type of foundation is best suited to each skin type? Jessica Rox, via e-mail. Answer: When it comes to a foundation question, there’s no better person to answer it than Australian make-up artist Rebecca Morrice Williams, who devoted six years to creating her comprehensive range of correcting, perfecting and enhancing foundations and concealers […]

Nothing beats the thrill of a pillowcase stuffed with toys – even now. So it was, so it is, so I hope it will always be. The sound of Christmas of my childhood is the sound of Christmas now, and I hope until my last year on earth. It is the marvellous thump-thump-thump-THUMP of the […]

Oprah’s great Aussie adventure!

Gone are the days of the good old love letter for actor Ashton Kutcher. The serial tweeter has admitted he sends wife love tweets instead. So what’s the reason behind his romantic online messages? It’s so his 48-year-old wife can be “publicly adored”. The 32-year-old recently wrote all about his love for sweet tweets inHarper’s […]

Singer Kylie Minogue has told a UK magazine she has not ruled out raising a family despite fears her battle with cancer had prevented her from becoming a mother. The 42-year-old star told the UK’s Glamour magazine she has “thought about” egg donation as a way of starting a family and she had “looked into […]

It’s good v evil, then evil v eviller, then good v evil again. Confused? Megamind 3D is a superhero tale with a twist. And it’s funny. Megamind 3D starts off like a sequel until you realise it’s the same old storyline of most superhero stories. Two pods are sent from space to Earth. One contains […]

He may have been given People magazine’s world’s sexiest man title in 2009, but this year Johnny Depp is mourning the loss of the title, which was given to Ryan Reynolds. In an interview with MTV News, the sexy 47-year-old star joked about losing the title to the 34-year-old Buried star. “I feel emasculated,” he […]

Commitment phobia is real. Seek comfort in knowing that it might be getting easier to switch from one money lender to another.

Natalie Gruzlewski does nothing more than put her feet up this Christmas and let the Yule wash over her, there’s not a person in the world who would blame her. The Getaway presenter, Nine News Sydney weather girl and occasional reporter, and top-rating The Farmer Wants A Wife presenter has taken on a televisual omnipresence […]

It seems Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s daughter Sunday Rose could soon be stealing the spotlight from her proud parents. Mum Nicole revealed that the two-year-old loves nothing more than to sing and dance and often puts on a show for her parents, People magazine reported. In fact, before the 43-year-old actress arrived at the […]

The X Factor judge has a smile on her face and a spring in her step thanks to her new man, millionaire hotelier Justin Hemmes. Arriving in Australia last June for her hosting role on The X Factor, Natalie Imbruglia didn’t quite know what life would have in store for her. Yes, she knew she […]

Friends of the couple believe the Shark and his new bride have another surprise in store. Greg Norman slipped into Sydney last week to fulfil golfing commitments, but speculation is mounting he may also have had some happy news to share with his latest in-laws. While the Shark and new wife Kirsten Kutner tied the […]

An emotional Johanna welcomes the three special men in her life home from Europe. After a gruelling four-week separation, bubbly TV star Johanna Griggs had a tender public reunion with husband Todd Huggins and her two sons, beaming with delight and showering her family in hugs and kisses as they touched down after a flight […]

For many celebrities in 2010 one of their hottest accessories was their baby bump! From Celine Dion’s twin boys to the joyous birth of the Travolta’s son Benjamin, following the death of their son Jett earlier this year, 2010 welcomed a number of new little faces. One which we are still waiting for a peek […]

As the princess prepares for the arrival of her long-awaited babies, word is she and Frederik will be able to take them home for Christmas. While Princess Mary hasn’t let her regular medical check-ups and scans slow her down, Woman’s Day can reveal that the estimated arrival of her twins has been brought forward by […]

As she relaxes on holiday in her favourite Mexican destination, we learn the secrets of the actress’s hot bikini body. There was no sightseeing for Jennifer Aniston on her most recent holiday in Mexico. Instead, the 41-year-old star seemed intent on showing the locals some of her own sights! Soaking up the sun in a […]

This Christmas, Marion Abalos and her two gorgeous children, Saul and Mischa, will have extra reason to celebrate. The tears of love and gratitude that fall from Marion Abalos’s dark brown eyes say so much. As she watches her young son and daughter play beneath their brand new Christmas tree, she knows she is looking […]

These five women can’t believe they’ve won tickets to see their idol Oprah Winfrey. Looking at their beaming smiles and listening to their constant chatter, you’d think these five excited women were lottery winners. They’re not, but they have won something money can’t buy – tickets to see Oprah Winfrey. “It’s like winning the golden […]

Australia’s favourite on-screen/off-screen couple, Jessica Marais and James Stewart, are planning a small service for friends and family, but haven’t ruled out eloping. In pictures: royal weddings In pictures: celebrity weddings The Packed to the Rafters duo seem certain to shun the usual celebrity wedding tag involving magazine deals and star-studded engagement parties with Jessica […]

With 5.4 million people experiencing food poisoning in Australia each year, food safety is something we should all want to get right. And with summer entertaining not too far off, a salad plate or antipasto platter can easily be left out for a little too long. So, how can we keep our guests (and ourselves) […]

There used to be a rule that as soon as you turned 40, long hair was a no-no. Shorter hair was said to give you a sassier, smarter look, which would take years off your face. But these days, long hair can work on any age – it just takes a little know-how. Says Richi […]

Kerry Katona has told a documentary maker that drugs almost killed her and that she would be dead if she hadn’t left her ex-husband Mark Croft when she did. In the forthcoming Coming Clean documentary, the mother-of-four says she lost four precious years with her children because of her cocaine addiction, the UK’s Metro reported. […]

With Barack Obama in the White House it seems filmmakers are more relaxed about making films that question George W Bush’s administration’s actions ahead of the Iraq war. And when you see how one of its loyal soldiers was treated by the vice-president’s office, you will understand why they waited. Fair Game tells the true […]

US actress Reese Witherspoon says her body is only getting better with age, particularly her sex drive. The 34-year-old, who features on the cover of the January issue of Glamour magazine, sends out a positive message for woman about her body, ageing and her sex drive. “I think as a woman, you get older, you […]

Michael Bublé has some big hits under his belt and the Canadian singer has some equally impressive life plans: he is looking forward to having two weddings and four or five children. In pictures: royal weddings The double Grammy-award winner will marry his Argentine actress fiancée Luisana Loreley Lopilato de la Torre on April 6 […]

If chillies weren’t so delicious (in small amounts, unless you love dragon’s breath) we’d grow them for their beauty. A chilli bush in full fruit is a stunning plant: bright green leaves and even brighter red fruit that hangs there for months. As I write this I’m looking out at our beds of perennial chillies […]

‘You are going to Australia’… No one will ever forget the moment Oprah announced on her talk show that 300 of her crowd were going to join her in Australia for the filming of episodes for her 25th and final season on air. And who else would you ask to fly you there? Why John […]

Not only does Oprah boast one of the most impressive celebrity contact books in the world, she also has friends in high political places. From Bush to Brown, Oprah has dined (and no doubt wined) with some of the most powerful political figures in the world. Few boast the connections of Oprah, particularly when it […]

William is determined his bride won’t struggle the way his mother Diana did when she married into ‘the Firm’. When Kate Middleton stepped through the door of Clarence House on Tuesday, November 16, as a newly engaged royal fiancee, she wasn’t exactly entering a whole new world. Prince William had made certain her preparation to […]

TV’s golden girl is loving family life so much she has walked away from her coveted weekend sports reading role to spend more time with her precious boys. Johanna Griggs smiles in sheer relief, thrilled her secret is out at last. Keeping mum for months about trading her dream TV role for more time with […]

They won their fight to lose the kilos, now it’s nip and tuck time for the Losers. Inspiring in their determination and bravery, The Biggest Loser contestants have all changed their lives – and shapes – forever. But some of your favourites are making further drastic changes and will go under the knife to complete […]

Nearly two years after the tragic death of their 16-year-old son Jett, John Travolta and Kelly Preston have welcomed a new little boy, Benjamin, into their world. The actor and his wife of 19 years say they and their 10-year-old daughter Ella Bleu are “ecstatic and very happy about the newest member of the family” […]

Superstar babies Suri Cruise and Shiloh Jolie-Pitt have grown into little girls whose personalities are worlds apart. Born to showbiz royalty just one month apart in 2006, four-year-olds Suri Cruise and Shiloh Jolie-Pitt have turned out to be polar opposites, from the hair on their heads to the shoes on their feet! And who would […]

Tiredness, flat shoes, baggy clothes, all the signs are there, and she couldn’t be happier about welcoming a new baby.. Could Katie Holmes be giving husband Tom Cruise the best Christmas present of all – a baby? With all the evidence lined up, it certainly seems likely. The actress has fuelled speculation in Hollywood that […]

Oompa-Loompas and lollies galore were just the ticket for these sweet lovers. As Mark Brian stood nervously waiting for his bride, the guests barely batted an eyelid at his unusually dapper purple frock coat and impressive top hat. Instead, they were busily sampling the oozing chocolate fountains dotted around the garden and tucking into the […]

Looking out over the gorgeous harbour on a perfect Sydney day, UK singer James Blunt can’t help but confess his love for Australia. “I love it here. I think it’s the most amazing place,” he says. “You can tell anyone who lives here is a lucky person.” The singer, who calls the sun-kissed island of […]

Have you ever asked yourself, “What makes me happy?” Your answer might be your good health, seeing your family healthy or liking what you see in the mirror. But these answers differ greatly from those identified by Canadian and US researchers who claim that your happiness, or lack thereof, might rest in your spouses’ hands. […]

Model Lara Bingle may have been through one of the most turbulent years of her young life, but she is determined to treat it as an opportunity to grow. “It has been an amazing learning year for me,” she says. “I feel independent and more self-aware than I was in the beginning. I believe it […]

The ring on Sara Leonardi’s finger tells the story. A large white diamond surrounded by smaller pink, yellow and blue diamonds, set in white gold. “The ring says everything about Glenn and I and the life we’re making here,” says Sara, 28, the wife of former cricketer Glenn McGrath, who lost his wife, Jane, to […]

She’s the most powerful woman on earth. A nod from Oprah Winfrey means instant success and millions of women live by her simple but powerful mantra – live your best life. As Queen Oprah brings 300 of her biggest fans to Sydney for the decade’s most anticipated live shows, Sharon Krum reveals the secrets behind […]

Following their Junior MasterChef performance, 12-year-old “food nerds” Isabella and Sofia have plans for their own food empire. We chart their rising stars. Here’s a sentence you don’t hear many 12-year-olds uttering: “I really liked making Adriano Zumbo’s Pear Perfection; it was so much fun”. And here’s another couple it’s safe to bet you won’t […]

MY LAST DUCHESS BY DAISY GOODWIN, HEADLINE REVIEW, $29.99. This stylish historical novel, set at the turn of the 19th century, gives us beautiful clothes and lavish jewels … a British duke in need of a rich wife … and a lively American heiress with a mother ambitious for her to “marry well”. And so […]

FREEDOM BY JONATHAN FRANZEN, FOURTH ESTATE, $32.99. The hype and the weight of expectation might well have sunk a lesser book, but Franzen delivers with a better, wiser, more dazzling novel even than the one which made his name, The Corrections. He takes one picture-perfect, liberal, Mid-western family – college sweethearts Patty and Walter Berglund […]

THE SMALL HAND: A GHOST STORY BY SUSAN HILL, ALLEN & UNWIN, $24.99. From the mistress of the modern ghost story comes this small and perfectly formed tale that, even weeks after reading, I cannot get out of my head. It haunts me, as a good ghost story should. Our questionable hero is antiquarian bookseller […]

THE WEEKEND BY BERNHARD SCHLINK, WEIDENFELD & NICOLSON, $29.99. Bernhard Schlink writes so elegantly, with such calm simplicity – remember The Reader? – that he can pull you into the darkest and most difficult subjects before you realise where he’s taking you. In this case, it’s the weekend reunion of a group of one-time members […]

MARY ANN IN AUTUMN BY ARMISTEAD MAUPIN, RANDOM HOUSE, $32.95. San Francisco was captured in fading sunset by novelist Armistead Maupin three decades ago, when, pitching an idea for a daily serial to the San Francisco Chronicle featuring the tales of secretary Mary Ann Singleton and her best friend, gay gardener Michael “Mouse” Tolliver, he […]

DEAD MAN’S CHEST BY KERRY GREENWOOD, ALLEN & UNWIN, $22.99. Hot-blooded private detective Phryne Fisher and her bathing dress – “no back and hardly any front” – head to Queenscliff for a holiday. Along for the ride are her adopted daughters, bookish Jane and culinary Ruth, devoted maid Dot and hound Molly, who all take […]

IF YOU CAN’T STAND THE HEAT BY JUDY HORACEK, SCRIBE, $29.95. It’s impossible not to giggle at Judy Horacek’s smart yet dreamily inventive cartoons and illustrations, seen here in their technicolour glory in this seventh collection of Judy’s published sketches. The Australian artist’s observations on the absurdities of modern life and witty takes on environmental […]

KEHUA! BY FAY WELDON, ALLEN & UNWIN, $29.99. There’s a chaotic and, at times, decidedly dotty feel to British author Fay Weldon’s latest opus, which envelops you with all the friendliness of a warm coat as its plot unfolds, then pokes you in the ribs with sharp characterisation. Hovering in the air, above doorways and […]

MINDING FRANKIE BY MAEVE BINCHY, ORION, $35. Poor little Frankie! Her plucky mum, Stella, is unlikely to survive childbirth and wants to leave her in the care of her dad, Noel, a recovering alcoholic. It’s not ideal, but when you are a resident of St Jarlath’s Crescent, Dublin, there’s no need to fret – you’ll […]

SHALL WE DANCE? BY MAGGIE ALDERSON, MICHAEL JOSEPH, $32.95. Vintage fashion queen Loulou Landers has one very distressing concern, her daughter Theo. She’s 21 going on 14, selfish and arrogant. Luckily, Loulou has her ageing rock star mate, Ritchie Meredith, to lean on and her gay best friend, Keith, is throwing her a 50th birthday […]

HAND ME DOWN WORLD BY LLOYD JONES, TEXT PUBLISHING, $32.95. This is the story of a woman who is on an extraordinarily difficult, lonely journey. At first, her tale is told by the people she meets. There’s the randy truck driver, the kind group of hunters who smuggle her across the border and the woman […]

THEODORA: ACTRESS. EMPRESS. WHORE BY STELLA DUFFY, VIRAGO, $29.99. When her father dies, Theodora survives by performing for men on the stage of Constantinople’s Hippodrome and in bed. Yet she will rise from the backstage brothels of the Byzantine Empire to become one of the most powerful women in the world. Stella Duffy digs up […]

ON RADJI BEACH BY IAN W. SHAW, MACMILLAN AUSTRALIA, $34.99. Social historian Ian Shaw plunges into the jungle of one of Australia’s most heroic acts of women’s wartime service. When two units of city and country nurses boarded the Queen Mary in 1941 to tend soldiers serving in Malaya, duties included treating insect bites and […]

ITALIAN FOOD SAFARI BY MAEVE O’MEARA WITH GUY GROSSI, HARDIE GRANT, $55. The long-awaited next feast in SBS’s beautiful Food Safari series is a celebration of the Italian Australians who have kept their food traditions intact over generations. Travel again with Maeve O’Meara and legendary chef Guy Grossi as they spend time with Australia’s top […]