BRTD Book of the Month
Born to Run
by Chris McDougall
Come on a captivating journey into the world of the ultra-marathon, where bare feet are better than expensive sneakers, and it's possible to run for hundreds of miles without rest. McDougall is a consumate storyteller, and this book had us hooked in the first page. There is true freedom in running, and it's something we were all born to do. And yet so many of us are doing it wrong. You won't be able to put this book down - or resist the urge to run through the streets once you've finished it. We loved it, and you will too!
Winton and Tsiolkas Both Win This Week
It's been an all-out assault on the livers of the Sydney booksellers as we've toasted two of our favourite authors in the last five days. Last week we gathered at the Mitchell Library to hear that Tim Winton had won the 2009 Miles Franklin Award for Breath. Christos Tsiolkas was also shortlisted but he came good on Monday night in Manly at the Australian Booksellers Conference where he picked up the Booksellers' Choice Award. Tuesday night we were dressed in our finery again, this time at the Wentworth Hotel for the Australian Book Industry Awards. Who would win the Book of the Year? Both Winton and Tsiolkas were in with a chance, but as the cliche goes, there can only be one winner. And so it was Christos Tsiolkas who was the popular winner at the ABIAs. In just five days, two of our most favourite authors have been acknoweldged for their work. Congratulations boys. (And now, detox!)
Book Buzz
Die for You
by Lisa Unger
Everything we could want from this mistress of psychological suspense! Marcus and Isabel Raines are living a comfortable life in Manhattan. She's a writer; he's a successful designer of computer games. But one morning he sets out for work and simply doesn't return. Later, with everyone who worked for Marcus dead, and her bank accounts drained dry, Isabel sets out to make some sense of what has happened to her. Read More...
Superbia
by Philip Hui
Preview Philip Hui's forthcoming book, Superbia, by reading the first chapter here.
Jason Roche, an Australian working in London's foreign exchange, spends his days gambling with other people's money, and his nights partying with his aristocrat fiancée, Tabitha. Superbia is a fast-paced romp through a world of excess and decadence. Part satire and part morality tale, Philip explores the enduring tension between materialism and spirituality.
BRTD Supports Retention of Territorial Copyright
And a last word for now on the ongoing Productivity Commission enquiry into the removal of Territorial Copyright. The Productivity Commission has received over 500 submissions the overwhelming majority of which are in favour of retaining the existing copyright protection. Our submission attempts to explain the risks to the independent stores, such as us, of a discount, price focused retail bookselling model. Read our submission, or if you have a wet afternoon, go to the Commission's website and read some of the submissions by the hundreds of authors, booksellers, publishers and ordinary Australians.
The BRTD Cambodian Building Project
Our charity programme for 2009 is to support the Tabitha Foundation and their work among the poor and dispossed of Cambodia. Head BRTD bookseller Derek Dryden recently joined a team building houses in Svay Rieng province. BRTD customers are invited to join this project and the build in February 2010. Read more.
Calling All Reading Groups
Do you spent hours deciding what snacks to prepare instead of reading the book? Do you hate cleaning the house before your reading group arrives? We have solved your reading group dilemmas. Not only can we advise you of suitable books, offer free copies and discount your purchases, but now, high above Better Read Than Dead we have a built a Reading Group Room. Seating 8 comfortably, 10 or 12 at a pinch, we're happy to offer free use of this facility to any reading groups looking for a new home. For information about our Reading Groups click here.
One little project we've just completed is our Historic Newtown Walking Map. Perfect for those Christmas blow-ins, or a lttle stocking stuffer, the map, with its stunning line drawings by local artist Pamela Horsnell, will keep you busy all afternoon. Apart from the obvious significant architectural and historic locations, such as the Trocadero and Albermarle Street; St Stephen's Church & Cemetery and Warren Ball Avenue, the map also contains some of our favourite shopping spots and watering holes. The BRTD Historic Newtown Walking Map is just $6.95 post free.