OUR BOOKSELLERS

Meet our Matilda booksellers - what they’ve liked lately and some of their all-time favourite books and authors.

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MOLLY

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The Life of M by Rachek Cusk

Continuing Cusk's reinvention of the novel initiated in her Outline trilogy, the narrator of this book is presented with barely a trace of subjectivity, thus remaining elusive to the reader. And yet, the narrator unravels a memoir-of-sorts of her friend and the famous actress, M. Vivid passages about fame and its flipside, isolation, as well as extended contemplations on midlife, marriage, aesthetics and facades make this an exhilarating and strange read. MOLLY

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JO

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Land by Maggie O’Farrell

Starting in Ireland in the 1860’s this beautiful novel tells the story and the history of a family. O’Farrell explores themes of family, religion, separation, history and ancient land. Through the art of mapping, and her deep understanding of peoples connection with the landscape, she weaves a beautiful, lyrical tale of Tomas, his son Liam and their family. I loved every page and cried at the end. Jo

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GAVIN

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You Are The Fuhrer’s Unrequited Love by Jean Noel Orengo

This is one of the most compelling novels I have read in a long time. Told from the perspective of Albert Speer, Hitler’s most-favoured architect, it is an engrossing and entirely believable examination of Speer’s relationships both with Hitler and, more pertinently, the nature of truth. Throughout, Orengo’s tone is pitch-perfect, capturing the fevered depravity of Germany in the thirties and then the growing realization of the enormity of the crimes and the fabrications required to evade justice. This is one of my books of the year. Highly recommended. GAVIN

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ROSE

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I Love the Whole World! by Victoria Hannan

The hardest question a bookseller is ever asked is, “Can you recommend a happy book?” Victoria Hannan has just provided the answer in one fell swoop, with her newly-divorced character Leslie McDonald, who wins a trip to Vegas and embarks on a funny and heartwarming journey to reclaim her identity. At every stage the novel subverts expectations, however, as Hannan avoids predictable tropes and plots. You will come away with a new respect for your own sense of wonder. ROSE

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KASEY

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Plastic Budgie by Olivia de Zilva

This brutally funny debut really nails the brutal, and yet finishes with a hopeful glimpse of things to come. Whether you consider this fiction / autofiction / memoir, you’ll find the narrator well-realised and haunting. The cultural touchpoints of growing up in Y2K Adelaide offer an accessible means to identify with the narrator, whilst also allowing glimpses of the ways that grappling with cultural heritage in the face of racism underpinned the narrator’s childhood and shaped their later years too. De Zilva’s voice is powerful and provoking. This is a stunning debut. KASEY

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HEATHER

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May We Feed The King by Rebecca Perry

Rebecca Perry wanted to write “historical fiction from outside the genre”, and she has succeeded impressively with this strikingly original novel. Moving between a present-day castle curator and the court of a reluctant medieval king, it unfolds in two distinct but intricately connected parts. I was equally enamoured and obsessed by both, and the structure lends itself brilliantly to binge-reading. Playful, moving and vividly evocative, this is a novel about memory, storytelling and what remains of a life. A worthy Booker contender. I cannot overstate how much I loved this book. HEATHER

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NADIA

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I Want You to Be Happy by Jem Calder

A thirty-five-year-old man and a twenty-three-year-old woman start casually dating after meeting in a London bar. What could possibly go wrong? Chuck is a copywriter, and Joey a barista; they are both writers trying to forge a space for their work, despite the current economic hellscape. This novel feels like a sign of the times, exploring how we form connections while wrestling with digital malaise and a collective restlessness. With complex characters and razor-sharp prose, it is perfect if you want to feel annoyed, seen, and have a damn good time. Hard recommend. NADIA

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EMILIE

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All Her Beautiful Deaths by A. Rushby

Sometimes I just crave something juicy to read! Lush language and a propulsive plot, full of scandal. It is hard to find a book featuring these elements that is also beautifully written, but All Her Beautiful Deaths satisfies both needs for this reader.

Flitting between two differently atmospheric timelines, we slowly unravel a pair of mysteries. There are secrets hiding behind an album of uncannily staged Victorian Death Portraits left to a grieving large scale installation artist. In the past we follow a young maid in the service of a very eccentric household. Art thievery, erotic obsession and betrayal. Absolutely delicious! Emilie

ASK OUR BOOKSELLERS

Do you need a hand choosing your next book?

Our Matilda booksellers are now offering a book recommendation service. If you’d like to fill out the form here, our widely-read staff will be in touch soon with their personal selections.