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Critics' Picks

Have you made any surprising discoveries on our shelves?

There are over 2,000 new books to browse and read in our Critics’ Picks section, in the Governor Marie Bashir Reading Room.

This area is filled with comfortable chairs to lounge on and a variety of books to choose from, including fiction, non-fiction, journals, magazines, newspapers and more. 

Every book has been reviewed by top critics, such as the Australian Book Review, New York Review of Books, The Times Literary Supplement and the London Review of Books.

Check out our librarian reviews, curated reading lists and book recommendations.

Review

The Salt Path

Have you ever just started walking to see what you'd find? One of our...

Read The Salt Path
Review

Wintering

A thylacine sighting isn't the most unexpected or shocking event in Krissy...

Read Wintering
Review

The Land Before Avocado

Do you remember a time before the Internet? Richard Glover does, along with...

Read The Land Before Avocado
Review

Keep Calm and Carry On

Ever wondered where the popular slogan 'Keep Calm and Carry On' came from?...

Read Keep Calm and Carry On
Review

Argh! There's a Skeleton Inside You!

One of our librarians (and her four-year-old) explores Idan Ben-Barak and...

Read Argh! There's a Skeleton Inside You!
Review

The Trauma Cleaner

A librarian finds compassion in this Critics' Picks exploration of an...

Read The Trauma Cleaner
Review

Sad topographies

While looking at a map of Australia, Damien Rudd happened upon Mount Hopeless...

Read Sad topographies
Review

God is Good for You

In this Critics' Picks review, political journalist Greg Sheridan examines...

Read God is Good for You
Review

Fast times and excellent adventures

A Critics' Picks review finds the surprising history of the '80s  in James...

Read Fast times and excellent adventures