This month, we’re delighted to introduce you to a dazzling range of new books. For fiction fans, Tara Calaby’s debut is a sapphic historical romance about forbidden love and lunacy in 1890s Melbourne; Amy Suiter Clarke’s new psychological thriller goes deep inside a cult-like church; and Libby Angel’s autofiction investigates placelessness on the fringes of 1990s Melbourne. For younger readers, Nick Stella introduces a pair of courageous twelve-year-olds on a quest to prove their worth as warriors. Moving from words to pictures, Award-winning artist W. H. Chong opens his sketchbook to bring us Portraits, featuring more than 300 drawings of artists, writers, musicians and thinkers. And Lesbia Harford’s poetry gets the Text Classics treatment in a gorgeous new edition with an introduction by Gerald Murnane. Enjoy!
House of Longing
by Tara Calaby
Broken by grief. Bound by love. House of Longing is a luscious queer historical romance that’s perfect for fans of Sarah Waters.
Melbourne, 1892: Charlotte Ross, suicidal after shattering loss, is committed to Kew Asylum. There she finds unexpected friendship and self-knowledge – but can she also find her way back to the woman she loves?
Lay Your Body Down
by Amy Suiter Clarke
A gripping new psychological thriller about an evangelical pastor’s control over a rural town and the secrets lying within.
‘In Lay Your Body Down, Amy Suiter Clarke perfectly captures the stifling air of small towns and insular churches. More than a murder mystery, this is an excavation of betrayal, revealing the ugly truth that has propped up so many life-destroying lies.’ Bryn Greenwood, New York Times bestselling author of All the Ugly and Wonderful Things
A striking, lyrical work of autofiction that follows a struggling artist living on the fringes of a city.
‘Sharp and sobering…Angel’s work shares the grittiness of Helen Garner’s writing…and the dry, black humour of Meg Mason.’ Books+Publishing
A Giant’s Trek is a charming and adventurous tale about a small giant with huge determination.
Perfect for readers of classic middle-grade fantasy and fans of Emily Rodda, John Flanagan and Jenny McLachlan.
From award-winning book designer and artist W. H. Chong comes this collection of 300 drawings and sketches of cultural icons.
‘Chong’s book is VERY RICH. I can’t believe how it keeps on deepening and widening, the more I turn the pages.’ Helen Garner
Selected Poems: Text Classics
by Lesbia Harford
Introduction by Gerald Murnane
A collection of poems by the groundbreaking Australian poet Lesbia Harford, selected and introduced by Gerald Murnane.
‘Lesbia Harford’s poetry is astonishing.’ Drusilla Modjeska
Our June new releases are available in print and ebook from all good booksellers.
