Are you wondering what to read next? Check out City of Parramatta Libraries book lists, reviews, author events and Book Clubs. Parramatta City Library Invites you to participate, connect and learn.
The Stella Prize is a major literary award celebrating Australian women’s writing. The $50,000 prize is awarded annually to one outstanding book deemed to be original, excellent, and engaging. Announcing the 12 exceptional books by Australian women and non-binary writers in the running for the tenth annual Stella Prize. The 2022 Stella Prize longlist includes novels, short fiction, memoir, social history, a book-length essay, a graphic novel, and – eligible for the first time in 2022 – poetry collections. Why not reserve one or more now and see if you can pick the winner before is announced Thursday 28 April.
The winners of the 2021 Prime Minster’s Literary Awards have been announced at the Sydney Opera House.
The winning books include: a hypnotic fiction story of guilt and denial; a work of rare and assured poetic authority; an account of ancient and modern art worlds that collide; an epic history of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River; an insightful tale of a youth’s journey through loss and despair in search of identity; and two children’s books—an illustrated heartfelt novel and an exceptional picture book that is a meditation on the creative process.
The shortlisted and winning authors have once again shown the creativity and depth of thought our exceptional writers and illustrators are noted for in this country. Congratulations to each and every author, illustrator, poet and historian selected for this year’s shortlists.
The full media release about the Awards from Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher can be found here.
Announcing the winners of the 13th Annual Goodreads Choice Awards, a major book award decided by readers. Congratulations to the best books of the year! Why not reserve one or more titles now and see if you agree with the votes. We have all of the winners of the categories below and many of the nominees. With so many titles to choose from you are sure to find something to read this Summer.
Many Australians have turned to books now more than ever to enrich their lives and escape the challenges of restrictions, lockdowns and border closures. While many of us may not be able to physically travel far, Australia’s storytellers and historians continue to take us on journeys to the past, present and future.
The Prime Minister’s Literary Awards recognise and celebrate the cream of Australian writing and the 2021 shortlist offers a selection of thoughtful, inspiring and entertaining books to help us through challenging times. The nominated books follow quite different and engaging paths, often tackling current issues, especially environmental crisis and challenges of modern families and social lives. The styles range from mastery of traditional form towards ‘magical realist’ and experimental.
The Awards, which began in 2008, recognise and celebrate the exceptional literary talents of established and emerging Australian writers. They highlight the important role the arts have in connecting us to Australian society and culture. Why not reserve one, or more, now and see if you can pick the winner(s) before they are announced in December.
City of Parramatta Libraries have once again teamed up with Public Libraries NSW to offer our communities the chance to attend FREE online author talks over the coming months. There are three author talks for the month of October that you can attend from the comfort of home – Judy Nunn, Claire G. Coleman and Costa Georgiadis.
Judy Nunn will be in conversation with Catherine Krause from Central Coast Libraries about her bestselling new novel Showtime! that takes us on a scintillating journey through the golden age of Australian show business. In the second half of the 19th century, Melbourne is a veritable boom town, as hopefuls from every corner of the globe flock to the gold fields of Victoria. And where people crave gold, they also crave entertainment. Enter stage right: brothers Will and Max Worthing and their wives Mabel and Gertie. To register book online – parra.city/nunn21
Claire G. Coleman will be in conversation with Torres Strait Islander journalist and broadcaster, Rhianna Patrick, speaking about her non-fiction debut Lies, Damned Lies. In Lies, Damned Lies, Coleman wields the truths unseen in Australia’s history to highlight the wrongs that underpin the very foundations of this nation. Coleman has long used her writing as a vehicle for truth-telling and Lies, Damned Lies is the ultimate exemplar of this. By layering her experiences against the realities of Australia’s past and present Coleman demonstrates the ongoing impacts of colonisation on the individual, and on Country, to devastating effect. To register book online – parra.city/coleman21
Costa Georgiadis Presents Costa’s World Wednesday 27 October, 6.30pm
Costa Georgiadis will be in conversation with Robyn Syphers from Camden Libraries discussing his new book Costa’s World. Gardening for the soul, the soil and the suburbs – from the beloved host of ABC TV’s Gardening Australia. A generous, joyous, fully illustrated gardening book, Costa’s World celebrates the life-changing joy of chooks; kids in the garden; big ideas for small spaces; Costa’s favourite plants; growing the right plants for your conditions; biodiversity in the soil and garden; the power of community; the brilliance of bees and pollinators; easy-peasy permaculture; and much, much more. Bringing together all of Costa’s gardening and sustainability knowledge, this is a book for the whole family that reflects Costa’s philosophy and big-hearted sense of fun. To register book online – parra.city/costa21
