Recommended reads
Authors’ best books read lately

Josephine Moon recommends:

The Music Shop
By Rachel Joyce

From the author of the world-wide bestseller, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry: 

1988. Frank owns a music shop. It is jam-packed with records of every speed, size and genre. Classical, jazz, punk – as long as it’s vinyl he sells it. Day after day Frank finds his customers the music they need.
Then into his life walks Ilse Brauchmann.

Ilse asks Frank to teach her about music. His instinct is to turn and run. And yet he is drawn to this strangely still, mysterious woman with her pea-green coat and her eyes as black as vinyl. But Ilse is not what she seems. And Frank has old wounds that threaten to re-open and a past he will never leave behind …

Sarah Mills recommends:

My Cousin Rachel
By Daphne du Maurier

Orphaned at an early age, Philip Ashley is raised by his benevolent older cousin, Ambrose. Resolutely single, Ambrose delights in Philip as his heir, a man who will love his grand home as much as he does himself. But the cosy world the two construct is shattered when Ambrose sets off on a trip to Florence. There he falls in love and marries – and there he dies suddenly. Jealous of his marriage, racked by suspicion at the hints in Ambrose’s letters, and grief-stricken by his death, Philip prepares to meet his cousin’s widow with hatred in his heart. Despite himself, Philip is drawn to this beautiful, sophisticated, mysterious Rachel like a moth to the flame. And yet … might she have had a hand in Ambrose’s death?

Kate Forsyth recommends:

And Fire Came Down
By Emma Viskic

Deaf since early childhood, Caleb Zelic used to meet life head-on. Now he’s struggling just to get through the day. His best mate is dead, his ex-wife, Kat, is avoiding him, and nightmares haunt his waking hours.

But when a young woman is killed after pleading for his help in sign language, Caleb is determined to find out who she was. And the trail leads straight to his hometown, Resurrection Bay. The town is on bushfire alert and simmering with racial tensions. As he delves deeper, Caleb uncovers secrets that could threaten his life and any chance of reuniting with Kat. Driven by his demons, he pushes on. But who is he willing to sacrifice along the way?

Authors’ best cookbooks read lately

Josephine Moon recommends:

Jamie’s Italy
By Jamie Oliver

Bestselling author Jamie Oliver finally devotes an entire book to America’s favourite cuisine – Italian! Italy and its wonderful flavors have always had a major influence on Jamie Oliver’s food and cooking. In Jamie’s Italy, he travels this famously gastronomic country paying homage to the classic dishes of each region and searching for new ideas. The result is a sensational collection of Italian recipes, old and new, that will ensure that Italy’s influence reaches us all.

Jamie takes you all over Italy to cook with and learn from the real masters of Italian cuisine: the locals. Far from the standard “lemons and olives” version of Italian cooking, Jamie’s Italy is a cookbook by the people for the people. From Sicily to Tuscany, it’s about the local fishermen, family bakers, and, of course, the “Mamas,” sharing their recipes and the tips that have gone into their cooking for generations. But it’s not only mouthwatering food that Jamie brings back home: it’s also the spirit that makes cooking and eating absolutely central to family life, whichever part of Italy you’re in.

Sarah recommends:

Delicious Home Cooking
By Valli Little

Welcome to the kitchen of one of Australia’s leading food writers. With decades of experience in the culinary industry, delicious. food editor and bestselling author Valli Little shares some of her favourite recipes to cook at home, plus tips and tricks to turn a family classic into a cover-worthy meal without the fuss. this collection of 120 new recipes follows Valli’s signature approachable and achievable style, with each dish accompanied by beautiful, full-colour photography. there are creative ideas for every season and occasion, from midweek steak fajitas to an impressive chocolate cake for entertaining. Each chapter is helpfully divided into starters, mains and desserts, so you can always create the perfect menu. With Delicious Home Cooking as your secret weapon, home-cooked meals will never be ordinary again.

Kate recommends:

Venezia: Food and Dreams
By Tessa Kiros

To Tessa Kiros, Venice isn’t just a place to visit, it is also a place to discover inspiring magical moments. She shares these special moments with foodies and fans in Venezia: Food and Dreams.

This stunning book is so much more than a cookbook. It’s a personal journal, a travel guide, and a memoir about Tessa’s love for Venice, Italy, and its special place in her heart – and palate.

 In Venezia, cooks awake to 105 amazing recipes and 120 four-color photographs focusing on the fascinating city and its famous fare. Chapters include ‘Eating in Venice’,’Essential Recipes’, ‘Cicchetti’ (small bites), ‘Antipasti’, ‘Zuppa/Pasta/Gnocchi’, ‘Risotto, Secondi, Contorni’ (sides), and ‘Dolce’ (sweet things).

”Venice is like when you hear a piece of music that scoops down into your soul, or notice a real tear getting ready to drop from the eye of an unlucky child. One of those rare moments when you grasp the magnificence of this world. Yes, Venice is one of those places.” – Tessa Kiros