BOMMJ2025

JULY Book of the Month

When Sleeping Women Wake

By Emma Pei Yin
 
I remember reading Jung Chang’s Wild Swans as a child and becoming completely captivated by the history of East Asia, so much so that I wound up studying Chinese history at university and reading every historical fiction novel about the region that I could get my hands on. And yet, Emma Pei Yin’s When Sleeping Women Wake taught me so much, had me captivated from start to finish, and is a completely unique take on the period of the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during WWII.
 
We follow three extraordinary women (mother, daughter and their maid) who become separated during the conflict, and each must forge their own path under the brutal regime. A story of resistance and resilience, with a bit of much needed romance, this is a masterful debut!

– STEPH –

 

$32.99
BOMILJ2025
 

JULY ILF Book of the Month

The Pearl of Tagai Town

By Lenora Thaker
 
The Pearl of Tagai Town tells the story of the triumph of Pearl, a young Torres Strait Islander woman living in a shantytown on the northeastern coast of Australia during World War II. Pearl strives for a place in the wider world, and eventually finds both work and romance.

When her lover, Teddy, suddenly enlists in the army, Pearl gets more than she bargains for and must embark on a quest to recover the child she had with him. 
 

– ARABELLA –

 

$34.99
 
BOMKJ2025
 
JULY Kids Book of the Month
 
The Ordinary Life of Jacominus Gainsborough
 
By Rébecca Dautremer
 

This is perhaps the most gorgeous picture book to come out this year, a beautiful legacy work. This book follows the life of a humble rabbit, Jacominus Stan Marlow Lewis Gainsborough. From the moment he enters this world, via twelve stunning art plates and text, we are drawn into the wonderful journey of his life, holding on to the small moments, embracing the sad moments, and realising that life – in all its many guises – is a celebration of family, friendship and love.

The illustrations are nothing short of stunning. It is a book not only to be loved by children but enjoyed and adored by adults as well; a book to keep for the ages, shared from one generation to the next. 5+

– ROBERT –

$29.99 

 
BOMCJ2025
 
JULY Cookbook of the Month
 
Boustany
 
By Sami Tamimi
 

Sami Tamimi is well known for his work with Yotam Ottolenghi, including his co-authoring of Jerusalem, one of the best cookbooks of this generation – and one that illustrates the possibility of friendship and 
co-operation between two cultures that have historically (and, sadly, contemporarily) been at war.

Boustany (my garden) celebrates the stunning produce of Tamimi’s culture with bright, simple and utterly delicious vegetarian recipes. Its release is a reminder that, like most of us, the Palestinian people love to celebrate life by sharing their delectable food with the people around them. Everything in this book had me at hello – and desperately hoping that the people of Palestine may soon be able to celebrate life once more through love and feasting.

– SYLVIA –

$59.99

Australian Fiction  
Fiction  
Young Adult  
Middle-Grade Fiction  
Cooking  
Biography  
Australian Non-Fiction  
Non-Fiction  
Lifestyle  
Art  
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RG2JUNE2025

 

Better Read Than Dead

265 King St
Newtown 2042 NSW Australia 

Monday - Saturday: 9.30am - 9pm 

Sunday: 10am - 7pm 

Ph: (02) 9557 8700

Email: books@betterread.com.au

If you would like to purchase a book, you can order from our website and collect at the shop when your order is ready. You can also call us on (02) 9557 8700, email us at books@betterread.com.au or message us on social media. 

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