Better Read Than Dead Bookstore Newtown

JULY Book of the Month

When Sleeping Women Wake

By Emma Pei Yin

I remember reading Jung Chang’s Wild Swans as a child and becoming completely captivated by the history of East Asia, so much so that I wound up studying Chinese history at university and reading every historical fiction novel about the region that I could get my hands on. And yet, Emma Pei Yin’s When Sleeping Women Wake taught me so much, had me captivated from start to finish, and is a completely unique take on the period of the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during WWII.

We follow three extraordinary women (mother, daughter and their maid) who become separated during the conflict, and each must forge their own path under the brutal regime. A story of resistance and resilience, with a bit of much needed romance, this is a masterful debut!

– STEPH –

$32.99

JULY ILF Book of the Month

The Pearl of Tagai Town

By Lenora Thaker

The Pearl of Tagai Town tells the story of the triumph of Pearl, a young Torres Strait Islander woman living in a shantytown on the northeastern coast of Australia during World War II. Pearl strives for a place in the wider world, and eventually finds both work and romance.

When her lover, Teddy, suddenly enlists in the army, Pearl gets more than she bargains for and must embark on a quest to recover the child she had with him.

– ARABELLA –

$34.99

JULY Kids Book of the Month

The Ordinary Life of Jacominus Gainsborough

By Rébecca Dautremer

This is perhaps the most gorgeous picture book to come out this year, a beautiful legacy work. This book follows the life of a humble rabbit, Jacominus Stan Marlow Lewis Gainsborough. From the moment he enters this world, via twelve stunning art plates and text, we are drawn into the wonderful journey of his life, holding on to the small moments, embracing the sad moments, and realising that life – in all its many guises – is a celebration of family, friendship and love.

The illustrations are nothing short of stunning. It is a book not only to be loved by children but enjoyed and adored by adults as well; a book to keep for the ages, shared from one generation to the next. 5+

– ROBERT –

$29.99

JULY Cookbook of the Month

Boustany

By Sami Tamimi

Sami Tamimi is well known for his work with Yotam Ottolenghi, including his co-authoring of Jerusalem, one of the best cookbooks of this generation – and one that illustrates the possibility of friendship and
co-operation between two cultures that have historically (and, sadly, contemporarily) been at war.

Boustany (my garden) celebrates the stunning produce of Tamimi’s culture with bright, simple and utterly delicious vegetarian recipes. Its release is a reminder that, like most of us, the Palestinian people love to celebrate life by sharing their delectable food with the people around them. Everything in this book had me at hello – and desperately hoping that the people of Palestine may soon be able to celebrate life once more through love and feasting.

– SYLVIA –

$59.99

Australian Fiction

By Her Hand: An engrossing historical fiction debut, a tale of family, battles and female empowerment, for readers who love Geraldine Brooks and Maggie O'Farrell

Theory & Practice: Winner of the 2025 Stella Prize

Fiction

The Pretender: 'A frontrunner for historical fiction book of the year' - The Times

Young Adult

Sunrise on the Reaping (The Hunger Games)

The Forest King's Daughter: an enemies-to-forbidden-lovers fantasy romance from the New York Times bestselling author of Frostblood

Middle-Grade Fiction

Silverborn: The Mystery of Morrigan Crow: Nevermoor 4

After: Dystopian sci-fi adventure for kids aged 9, 10, 11, 12 – a thought-provoking story of AI and humanity

Relic Hamilton, Genie Hunter: From the former Children's Laureate comes a fast-paced new adventure series

Cooking

The Australian Ingredients Kitchen: Simple recipes using bushfoods

Slow Cooking: Wholefood recipes | Every recipe for slow cooker and oven or stove

Konbini: Cult recipes, stories and adventures from Japan’s iconic convenience stores

Biography

Australian Non-Fiction

Annette Kellerman, Australian Mermaid: The inspiring true story of the swimming champion and Hollywood star, from the bestselling author of SISTER VIV and THE REMARKABLE MRS REIBY

Unsettled: A Journey Through Time and Place

Mean Streak: A moral vacuum, a dodgy debt generator and a multi-billion-dollar government shake down - the powerful story of robodebt, shortlisted for the ABIA Social Impact Book of the Year 2025

Non-Fiction

The Fran Lebowitz Reader: The Sunday Times Bestseller

Lifestyle

Stress Tested: How the New Science of Stress Hormones Can Transform Your Health

Pain Free: The easy four-step method to reduce pain naturally

How to be Enough: Seven life-changing steps for self-critics, overthinkers and perfectionists

All I Ever Wanted Was to Be Hot: Self image, beauty ideals and desirability

Art

The Japanese Tattoo: The History and Evolution of an Art Form

This Morning, This Evening, So Soon: James Baldwin and the Voices of Queer Resistance

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