Welcome to BRTD bookstore!
From the moment Better Read Than Dead opened in 1996, it has been the quality and specialised knowledge of our booksellers that has set our store apart from its rivals.
This, together with a collective passion for books and reading, provides the ideal environment for us to excel at providing you with the best in reading.
At BRTD, we are proud to be recognised for our efforts in providing the book buying public with our special brand of service and range of titles.
We invite you to drop into our store in Newtown, or check out this month's featured titles online.
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BRTD Book of the Month
Title: The Long Song
Author: Andrea Levy
Binding: HB $ 32.95
"It has been a long wait for the new Andrea Levy, but it was well worth it. Levy's words are a gorgeous river. Very few novels have the ability to transport you wholly and soully to a place and time, yet The Long Song does so effortlessly."
It was this quote from Robert that made Kate & I delve into The Long Song as soon as we got a reader. Robert is absolutely correct about Ms Levy's ability to create a wholly believable world and characters from Jamaica during the last years of slavery and the first few years of freedom.Read More...
We're loving...
Telling Tales: A History of Literary Hoaxes by Melissa Katsoulis
This is an amusing, engaging explanation of the stories behind the world's most amazing literary hoaxes, and includes a discussion on the disproportionate number of hoaxes emanating from Australia. A compelling history in its own right, it analyses the various functions of literary hoaxes such as Norma Khouri-style hoaxed memoirs, entrapment hoaxes designed to expose an audience's gullibility, and mock hoaxes intended to question the very nature of authorship. Katsoulis highlights how many hoaxes have taken on a life of their own and escaped their creators' clutches. This is an intriguing and thoroughly enjoyable cultural history.
Queen Victoria Demon Hunter
by A.E. Moorat
Who doesn't love demons? And who doesn't love Victoriana? And who doesn't love a book which begins with the sentence, 'Much later, as he watched his manservant eating the dog, Quimby gloomily reflected on the unusual events of the evening'? Final question: will the budding romance between Victoria and Albert be thwarted by the Queen's dedication to her patriotic demon-destroying duty? Find out in A. E. Moorat's moustachio-curling tale of monarchical derring-do.
Wolf Hall
by Hilary Mantel
This brilliant book is a fictionalised portrait of Thomas Cromwell. It charts his life from his humble beginnings as the son of a brutal blacksmith to Henry VIII's chief advisor. He played a major role in securing Henry's divorce from Katherine of Aragon and of course was instrumental in the Reformation. It was the most popular bet for the Man Booker prize this year and it almost broke the bookies when it won! Read More...
Limited Editions
Looking for a special gift or, as we like to convince ourselves, investment? We are getting some truly beautiful limited editions in before Christmas. The publishers can't guarantee quantities so if you'd like to pre order please contact us. Deposits will be required.
Here is a selection of what's on offer:
The Year of The Flood
by Margaret Atwood
$185
Limited to 1000 world wide this gorgeous object is a signed hard cover in a slipcase.
The Red Book
by Carl Jung
$320
There will only be 5000 of these printed world wide and it's a complete facsimile translation. It is an astonishing example of calligraphy and art on a par with The Book of Kells and the illuminated manuscripts of William Blake.
The Life And Times of Reg Mombassa
$150 slip case - limited to 1200
We are very excited about this heavily illustrated book. It's due in October and is an illustrated biography of Chris O'Doherty's life. Murray Waldren is the perfect choice to capture this unique and visionary poet, artist and musician and had Reg's full cooperation on the project. The result is truly wonderful. These signed and numbered slipcases include a full colour catalogue of the artist's favourite pictures.
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're very proud of 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.