NOVEMBER Book of the Month
TonyInterruptor
By Nicola Barker
The first thing that I noticed about TonyInterrupter is how many parentheses there are. (Barker is truly a woman after my own heart.) The second was just how damn funny this book is. This book is funny. Kicked off by an ‘interruption’, TonyInterrupter is a sprawling jumble of characters; everyone knows everyone, there is an Anders Danielsen Lie lookalike, and the resident teen is very concerned about the responsibilities of investigation for her quarter of a million followers.
Barker lovingly mocks her characters (including their main-character energy), and compels them to stop framing the world in reference to art, meaning and ideas, and to instead be real – if that is even possible.
NOVEMBER ILF Book of the Month
The Art of Kaylene Whiskey: Do You Believe in Love?
Edited by Natalie King and Iwantja Arts
Kaylene Whiskey’s first major monograph is a dazzling celebration of colour, culture, and joy! She is one of my absolute favourite artists to check out at the Archibald (having been featured in the prize three times already). Kaylene’s paintings are a unique mash-up of pop culture icons like Dolly Parton, Tina Turner and Wonder Woman with her own Aṉangu community in Central Australia, using comic-book text bubbles and playful imagery to explore female power and identity in a uniquely Aboriginal context.
Not since Vincent Namatjira’s stunning monograph (also published by Thames & Hudson) have I been this excited about an art book – and I so loved being in Kaylene’s world!
– STEPH –
NOVEMBER Kids Book of the Month
The Last Ember
By Lily Berlin Dodd
Twelve-year-old Eva is a sharp (and sometimes reckless) wealthy chemistry student who accidentally finds herself in possession of the last Aerimander egg, dangerous dragon-like creatures whose destruction was ruled by the government centuries ago. Dusty, an orphaned delivery boy and youngest member of the Thieves’ Union, is sent after her to steal it. Eva and Dusty are from two very different socio-economic backgrounds, which makes for some thought-provoking and friendly banter. Every character feels real, from the flawed to the morally-grey, to Gourd, the delightfully stubborn getaway pony!
The world building and writing are stunning with an ample level of complexity for more advanced readers. Everything about this book is the perfect combination of familiar, yet original! The Last Ember is a charming, fast-paced debut and the first in an action-packed new fantasy duology. A must-read and great for fans of Nevermoor or those looking to move up from Wings of Fire!
– MISCHA –
NOVEMBER Cookbook of the Month
Thai: Anywhere and Everywhere
By Nat Thaipun
Fans of MasterChef will know Nat Thaipun as the exuberant, highly talented winner of the 2024 series, in which she regularly presented original, lip-smacking Thai-inspired dishes that celebrated not only her Thai Australian culture but also unique Australian ingredients. In her first cookbook, Nat takes an even deeper dive into her food culture, documenting Thai recipes that have previously only been passed on verbally, and creating her own specialities with Thai Australian flavours.
This is fresh, exciting yet approachable food from a woman who first proved her cooking chops on screen, and then in award-winning restaurants overseas and here, including Melbourne’s Vue de Monde. I can’t wait to see what she’ll do next!
– SYLVIA –
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