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Writer's pictureJo Hicks

Local stars

We are lucky to have so many talented writers and artists in the Yass Valley and wider Canberra region. Sam Vincent has just been shortlisted for the PM's Literary Award for his book My Father and Other Animals - a great Christmas gift idea.


Karen Waldman had a piece accepted for the Sunday Story Time at the Mill Theatre on 12th November. It will be an extract from her book Sidnie Meets Uncle Sam.


Well Christmas is well and truly looming and we have Christmas cards, wrap, crackers, decorations and gifts. 2024 calendars and diaries are arriving and this year we have the cutest advent calenders (traditional ones without chocolate) and advent calendar cards.



Each year there seem to be more amazing books out at this time. It does help with gifts but can be tough on the wallet. Book club is still happening, with November book Limberlost by Robbie Arnold and a Hercule Poirot in December. We don't have any other events planned for the rest of the year but I will be selling books at Library events in Goulburn, Crookwell and Gunning.


Events


11 November - Goulburn Library

The joy of creative writing and author talk by Ashley Kalagian Blunt


23 November - Goulburn Library

Author event - Richard Glover on his new book Best Wishes


Crookwell and Gunning libraries also have author talks by Richard Glover and Chris Hammer



Awards

Australian Political Book of the Year 2023 winner

The Award recognises the vital part political books play in better understanding Australian politics and public policy. This year’s winning book is Bulldozed by Niki Savva.


Prime Minister's Literary Award 2023 shortlist

Creative Australia announced the 2023 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards shortlists, which recognise and celebrate the outstanding literary talents of established and emerging Australian writers, illustrators, poets, and historians.


Fiction

The Sun Walks Down by Fiona McFarlane

Losing Face by George Haddad

Cold Enough for Snow by Jessica Au

Other Houses by Paddy O'Reilly

Lovers by Yumna Kassab


Children's Literature

The Dunggiirr Brother and the Caring Song of the Whale by Aunty Shaa Smith

Open Your Heart to Country by Jasmine Seymour

11 Words for Love by Randa Abdel-Fattah & Maxine Beneba Clark


Non-Fiction

Shirley Hazzard: A Writing Life by Brigitta Olubus

Indelible City: Dispossession and Defiance in Hong Kong by Louisa Lim

My Father and Other Animals by Sam Vincent - Yass Valley local!!

A World in a Shell: Snail Stories for a Time of Extinctions by Thom van Dooren


Australian History

Elizabeth and John: The Macarthurs of Elizabeth Farm by Alan Atkinson

Saving the Reef by Rohan Lloyd

Black Lives, White Law: Locked Up and Locked Out in Australia by Russell Marks

Unmaking Angas Downs: Myth and History on a Central Australian Pastoral Station by Shannyn Palmer


Poetry

At the Altar of Touch by Gavin Yuan Gao

Harvest Lingo by Lionel Fogarty

Exactly As I Am by Rae White

The Jaguar by Sarah Holland-Batt

Clean by Scott-Patrick Mitchell


Summer Reading Guides


The summer reading guides are out.


The Kid's reading guide has loads of great kids books from baby to young adult.

The Summer Reading Guide has the best fiction, non-fiction and children's books released over the past few months.


What's hot


So many great books out now.

Bright Shining - Julia Baird

Question 7 - Richard Flanagan

The In-Between - Christos Tsiolkas

The Secret - the new Jack reacher book

It's the Menopause - Kaz Cooke

Silver Linings - Katrina Nannestad

Flinders - Grantlee Kieza

Good Life Growing - Hannah Moloney from Gardening Australia


and heaps more...


For non-book related hot stuff - Jubly-Umph pins are selling like hotcakes, Calico Bubble purses and bags in gorgeous Japanese fabrics are popular and the NZ felt Christmas decorations are so cute!


Website updates


I have added a page for Audiobooks and eBooks with loads of info on how to get started. Both of these sellers offer gift cards, an easy gift for avid readers at Christmas.


You can now purchase The Yass Book Store gift vouchers from our website. The vouchers can be emailed, posted or held in the shop for the recipient.


2023 Wrap up


This may be the last email from us this year. It has been a tough one for different reasons and I am looking forward to a bit of Christmas cheer, time with family, a bit of a break, our first grandbaby and a fresh start in 2024.


Helen and Cecelia will be in the shop during the week, Meridyn and I will around, keeping the shop stocked and we will be open on Thursday evenings till 7pm very soon.


Thanks for all of your support and we hope to see you in the shop before the end of the year. Have a great silly season and take a break!!


Jo

xx





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