Words by Freya Bennett, Molly Mckew, Lana McLean, Erandhi Mendis and Haylee Penfold// Illustration by Hannah Heifetz
After welcoming my baby girl around this time last year, I didn’t expect to have much time for reading. Yet, I ended up reading more than ever, finding solace in those stolen moments with a book. Whenever I felt overwhelmed or like there was no space just for me, my book became my refuge. Parenting a baby is beautiful, but it can also feel monotonous, especially in the early stages when there isn’t much to look forward to. Reading brought a touch of magic to my days, offering a daily escape from the routine.
As the year winds down, we’re thrilled to celebrate the books that brought us comfort, joy, and inspiration. While many of the reviews are mine (I simply couldn’t resist sharing all the books I loved this year!), you’ll also find a few favourites from our team sprinkled in. Whether you’re a lifelong book lover or hoping to reignite your passion for reading, we hope these picks inspire something special for you.
Love, Freya
Why Am I Like This by Gemma Styles is an engaging and compassionate exploration of the human brain, offering insights into the thoughts and behaviors that often puzzle us. Styles delves into relatable struggles like comparison, self-criticism, and the challenges of habit formation, blending personal anecdotes with accessible psychology. Her candidness is refreshing—she shares that (even as an award-winning podcaster and author) she wrestles with comparison herself, reminding readers that it’s a natural human tendency rooted in survival instincts.
Styles’ warm, conversational tone feels like chatting with a wise friend who understands your struggles. Her nuanced take on social media explores its pitfalls, like polarisation and echo chambers, but also celebrates its power to foster connection. The book offers practical strategies for cultivating self-compassion and understanding our minds better.
~ Freya
Lucia Osborne-Crowley’s The Lasting Harm is a searing, behind-the-scenes account of the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, exposing the criminal justice system’s failure to adequately serve abuse survivors. Osborne-Crowley, one of only four reporters granted daily access to the courtroom, weaves a powerful narrative centering the testimonies of four women whose lives were irreparably altered by sexual abuse.
A survivor herself, Osborne-Crowley’s deeply empathetic reporting explores the enduring impact of trauma while critiquing society’s appetite for crime and punishment. Her determination is palpable—setting alarms for 3 a.m. to secure courtroom seats and forming bonds with fellow survivors, she balances journalistic precision with profound humanity.
With exclusive insights and incisive commentary, The Lasting Harm transcends its true-crime framework to offer a blueprint for reparative justice. Courageous and affecting, Osborne-Crowley’s work is a testament to resilience and the power of storytelling in the face of darkness.
~Freya
At the start of 2024 I re-read Joan Didion’s Slouching Towards Bethlehem and shortly after, read Trick Mirror by New Yorker Staff Writer and essayist Jia Tolentino. I mention this only because Zadie Smith once said that Tolentino is the Didion of our time – and I get it. Trick Mirror was released in 2019 – given Tolentino has been a favourite writer and music critic of mine for years (Jezebel days!) it horrified me that I hadn’t given her debut the time of day. Trick Mirror is a devastatingly clever collection of essays that are as blunt as they are insightful. As a chronically online person I didn’t expect much of the material to be brand new topics (pop culture, feminism, how the internet is flattening discourse….) but even still – from barre class to the UVA rape case, it is a thought provoking read that I have returned to many times already. So, if like me, you enjoy incisive cultural critique paired with memoir and exploration of selfhood – perhaps you will also enjoy it. And if not, there’s always Didion.
~ Erandhi
Ella Baxter’s Woo Woo is a fever dream of anxiety, obsession, and art. I read it during sleepless nights as my baby teethed, my own exhaustion mirroring the book’s chaos. The story follows Sabine, a conceptual artist preparing for her provocative show, Fuck You, Help Me. With the opening night looming, she faces escalating threats from a stalker, causing her mental state to unravel. Her struggles for validation from her pragmatic husband, Constantine, add to the tension.Baxter’s dark humour and raw intensity are rooted in her experience of being stalked. Initially deemed “too nuts to ever publish,” Woo Woo emerged as a cathartic response to personal trauma. Following her baby’s birth and the stalker’s growing menace, Baxter’s defiance and maternal instincts propelled her to share this work.
A haunting exploration of vulnerability, Woo Woo transforms pain into a gripping, deeply resonant narrative.
~ Freya
Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop has been the perfect tonic for an intense world. If I could prescribe a book to ease life’s pressures, it would be this one. A love letter to book lovers everywhere, it was balm to my anxious soul.
Many of us dream of opening a bookshop, though it often feels unattainable. Hwang Bo-Reum lets us live that fantasy, inviting readers into a world where books and community provide solace. This is a story of self-acceptance, encouraging reflection and a kinder approach to life.
Yeongju, burnt out and recently divorced, quits her soul-sapping job and opens a bookshop in a quiet neighbourhood. With enough savings to last two years, she embarks on a journey to turn her dream into a sustainable reality. The shop becomes a refuge, not only for Yeongju but also for a close-knit cast of neighbours, as they navigate life’s challenges together.
An ode to slowing down and healing from productivity culture, this book celebrates the beauty of the quiet life and finding peace in simplicity.
~ Freya
Set in the rural Australian countryside, Aoife Clifford’s It Takes a Town unravels the shocking death of Vanessa Walton in the small town of Welcome. Known for her glamorous lifestyle and deep community ties, Vanessa’s death at the bottom of her staircase is dismissed as a tragic accident—until Jasmine Langridge, the stepdaughter of a local MP, accuses someone of murder.
Jasmine’s discovery of a threatening note in Vanessa’s handbag ignites turmoil, and when she vanishes, the town becomes a pressure cooker of fear and suspicion. Clifford masterfully depicts a close-knit community unraveling, its secrets simmering beneath a facade of unity.
The town of Welcome comes alive as a character in itself, its picturesque serenity masking envy, ambition, and desperation. With its vivid characters, red herrings, and suspenseful twists, It Takes a Town is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers that probe the darkness of human nature.
~ Lana
Thunderhead is a captivating novella that delves into the intricacies of Winona’s mind over the course of a single day. Within the depths of her beautiful and idiosyncratic thoughts, we find ourselves immersed in her world. Despite the brevity of the narrative, there’s a compelling story arc that culminates in a satisfying conclusion, evoking cheers from the reader.
Winona grapples with understanding her place in the world, her primary focus being the safety and well-being of her boys. Despite enduring a crisis of confidence, she remains resolute in her determination to protect them from any danger that looms. Darlings’ writing style is a blend of uniqueness, poetry, and power, presenting a narrative unlike anything encountered before. This exquisite book leaves an indelible mark on the heart, ensuring its memory persists long after the final page is turned.
~ Freya
Good Material by Dolly Alderton was a gift from my sister-in-law, whose book recommendations are always spot-on. I’d been meaning to read Dolly’s work, so I was excited to kick off my year of fiction with her second novel.
Reading with a newborn is a juggling act—snatching moments to read while feeding or in the quiet hours of the night. Thankfully, Dolly’s effortless writing and beautifully simple storytelling made it easy to dive in and out without losing the thread.
The story follows Andy, a 35-year-old comedian reeling from a breakup with his girlfriend of three years, Jen. Crashing with mutual friends, Andy stumbles through the typical post-breakup trajectory: drinking, gym attempts, overanalysing, failed dating, and a hilarious stint living on a barge. He eventually finds solace in an unlikely friendship with Morris, a hilarious and tender 78-year-old who becomes his post-breakup confidant.
~ Freya
Reading Georgia Blain for the first time has been a bittersweet experience. We All Lived in Bondi Then, her final collection of short stories, was published posthumously, adding a layer of poignancy to an already moving read.
Though this was my first encounter with Blain’s work, her words immediately felt familiar, as though I had been living within her pages all along. The nine stories explore themes of family, illness, love, and humanity, each one flowing gently into the next without any abrupt transitions.
As someone who typically prefers full-length novels, I was surprised by how deeply I connected with the short story format. Blain’s grace and intrigue not only won me over as a reader, but also as a fan of the genre itself.
This is a book to hold close to your heart. Blain’s ability to tackle complex, often heartbreaking topics with warmth and sensitivity leaves you uplifted, full of empathy for others, and grateful for the beauty of her writing.
~ Freya
Mykaela Saunders’ Always Will Be is a profoundly inventive and thought-provoking collection that left me moved and deeply reflective. Set in future versions of the Tweed, these stories explore what country, community, and culture might look like if the local Goori people reasserted their sovereignty. Saunders’ vision is both expansive and intimate, imagining futures where sovereignty is reclaimed, self-determination is fully realized, and non-Indigenous people are respectfully integrated into a sustainable social fabric.
Each story is a masterpiece of imagination, weaving compelling characters with creative, ancestrally inspired ways of living in harmony with the land and changing climates. From girls seeking to escape a mysterious home to men bidding farewell to their beloved country, the collection is powerful and thought-provoking, encouraging readers to reconsider our relationships with the environment and each other.
This is a collection I will return to time and time again, its messages growing richer with each read.
~ Freya
One of the best books I read this year is The Cost of Living by Deborah Levy. In this memoir, Deborah broaches the heartbreak and disorientation of a big break up with a deeply positive appreciation for the richness of emotion and experience life-changing events like this can yield. Her prose is warm, non-judgemental, smart and philosophical. Deborah finds joy and insight in the everyday: from dinner with her daughter & her friends, from Uber drivers, from the men who work at the corner store. Her memoir is set amongst intelligentsia London – but doesn’t glamorise or buy into this ‘scene’ so much as it is explorative and questioning, broaching creative insecurity, posturing and ideas of success with a smart diffidence.
The memoir finds joy and curiosity in the process of reshaping one’s life – and without shying away from pain, it ultimately affirms the humanness of romantic love and the beauty of its risk.
~ Molly
Erin Riley’s A Real Piece of Work is a breathtaking memoir in essays that delves deeply into the power of vulnerability. Through raw honesty and poignant storytelling, Riley takes readers on an introspective journey, exploring the intricacies of human connection, fear, and resilience.
The essays are as relatable as they are moving, with the author fearlessly baring their soul to examine their struggles and triumphs. Riley’s insights into relationships, particularly the dynamics between mother and child, offer a universal resonance, shedding light on the pursuit of connection and healing.
This book left a profound impact on me, inspiring personal reflections and even conversations with my psychologist about shared vulnerabilities. Riley’s ability to weave personal experiences with broader themes is masterful, creating an emotional resonance that lingers long after the final page.
Oh, and Googling Nicole Kidman’s Oscars clap? A delightful and unexpected bonus!
~ Lana
Because I’m Not Myself, You See by Ariane Beeston is a raw and deeply moving memoir that delves into the complexities of postpartum mental health. As a new mum, I felt vulnerable but profoundly seen while reading this candid account, and I know its impact will stay with me throughout parenthood.
Beeston, a psychologist and child protection worker, shares her harrowing journey through postpartum psychosis, including delusions and hallucinations she initially keeps secret. Admitted to a mother-and-baby psychiatric unit, she learns to navigate her illness with the support of medication, psychotherapy, and her husband. Her recovery leads her to a new purpose: developing resources to support other mothers.
Interwoven with humour, research, and expert commentary, this book explores the crushing pressures on new mothers and the chaos that can unfold during “the happiest time of your life.” Beeston’s bravery and honesty shine, making this essential reading for parents and mental health advocates alike.
~ Haylee
Judith Rossell’s The Midwatch is an enchanting children’s novel brimming with mystery, adventure, and Rossell’s signature charm. Set in a city teeming with secrets, it follows Maggie Fishbone, banished to the Midwatch Institute for Orphans, Runaways and Unwanted Girls. But the institute isn’t what it seems, and Maggie is soon swept into a breathtaking journey—from the city’s underground depths to its sky-high spires—facing danger and uncovering hidden truths along the way.
Rossell’s richly illustrated world bursts to life, inviting readers into a tale filled with jewels, peril, and unlikely heroines. As a fan of her award-winning Stella Montgomery series, I couldn’t be more thrilled that my daughter is now old enough for me to share stories like this with her.
Perfect for young readers who love vivid adventures and resilient characters, The Midwatch cements Judith Rossell’s place as one of Australia’s most beloved storytellers. A must-read!
~ Freya
Jaclyn Moriarty’s latest tale The Impossible Secret of Lillian Velvet, set in the magical Kingdoms and Empires world is a thrilling and imaginative adventure. Lillian Velvet’s lonely life changes forever on her tenth birthday when a jar of gold coins and a cryptic note plunge her into a whirlwind journey through time and space. From saving a boy in a circus to unravelling the secrets of a girl who can Whisper, Lillian must navigate a web of dangerous magic and uncover her role in a world filled with peril and wonder.
As a teen, Moriarty’s Feeling Sorry for Celia series was a formative part of my reading life, and as an adult, her novels I Have a Bed Made of Buttermilk Pancakes and Gravity Is the Thing, became all-time favourites. Sharing her enchanting stories with my daughter now feels like such a joy and privilege. This book is a dazzling gift for readers of all ages.
~ Freya
