Our 2017 Bestsellers

Overall Top 10 Bestsellers

  1. Sydney in Photos by Tim Denoodle
  2. Insomniac City by Bill Hayes
  3. The Sparsholt Affair by Alan Hollinghurst
  4. The Dry by Jane Harper
  5. Woolloomooloo by Louis Nowra
  6. Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo
  7. The Museum of Modern Love by Heather Rose
  8. The Vanity Fair Diaries: 1983-1992 by Tina Brown
  9. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
  10. The Good Old Bad Old Days by Warren Fahey 

Top 10 Fiction Bestsellers

  1. The Sparsholt Affair by Alan Hollinghurst
  2. The Dry by Jane Harper
  3. The Museum of Modern Love by Heather Rose
  4. Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan
  5. Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
  6. A Legacy of Spies by John le Carre
  7. The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy
  8. Between a Wolf and a Dog by Georgia Blain
  9. Wimmera by Mark Brandi
  10. New Boy by Tracy Chevalier

Top 10 Non-Fiction Bestsellers

  1. Sydney in Photos by Tim Denoodle
  2. Insomniac City by Bill Hayes
  3. Woolloomooloo by Louis Nowra
  4. The Vanity Fair Diaries: 1983-1992 by Tina Brown
  5. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
  6. The Good Old Bad Old Days by Warren Fahey 
  7. The Barefoot Investor by Scott Pape
  8. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
  9. Destination Simple: Everyday Rituals for a Slower Life by Brooke McAlary
  10. Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance

Top 10 children's books bestsellers

  1. Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo
  2. Nevermoor #1: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
  3. Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth by Oliver Jeffers
  4. Busting by Aaron Blabey
  5. Pig the Star by Aaron Blabey
  6. Polly & Buster #1: The Wayward Witch and the Feelings Monster by Sally Rippin
  7. Bad Dad by David Walliams
  8. Oi Frog! by Kes Gray and Jim Field
  9. Mopoke by Philip Bunting 
  10. Hooray for Fish by Lucy Cousins

 

 

 

 

Our Top 10 Bestsellers of the Week

Three of our Summer Reading Selections made it onto our bestsellers last week, while longtime staff favourite Insomniac City deservedly clawed its way back into the Top 10.

  1. Heather, The Totality by Matthew Weiner
  2. Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan
  3. The Vanity Fair Diaries: 1983-1992 by Tina Brown
  4. Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth by Oliver Jeffers
  5. Sydney in Photos by Tim Denoodle
  6. Six Minutes in May: How Churchill Unexpectedly Became Prime Minister by Nicholas Shakespeare
  7. Wednesdays With Bob by Derek Rielly
  8. Tribe of Mentors: Short Life Advice from the Best in the World by Timothy Ferris
  9. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
  10. Insomniac City - New York, Oliver, and Me by Bill Hayes

Review: The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor

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Simon McDonald reviews the debut pyschological thriller by C.J. Tudor, The Chalk Man.

With The Chalk Man, C.J. Tudor has crafted a slick, razor-sharp novel of psychological suspense, which dangles the possibility of a supernatural influence on events sparingly enough to keep the story rooted in reality. This is a tense, cleverly-constructed thriller, and debut author Tudor deftly unspools the harsh realities of stale, childhood friendships, humankind’s capacity for debauchery, and the pain of confronting the past, even as she unravels her tautly-plotted mystery. The Chalk Man is book that will appeal as much to readers of Paula Hawkins’ The Girl on the Train as it will Stephen King enthusiasts looking for something to rival Misery, and provides some not-so-subtle winks at the grand-master’s It.

It opens in 1986, when Eddie Adams, a seemingly average twelve-year-old, who hangs out with his mates (using chalk messages as secret codes), does his best to outrun local bullies, and stay out of the lives of his parents (his mother is an abortion provider, and her father is a struggling freelance writer) finds the decapitated and dismembered body of a local girl. In the current day, 2016, Eddie is now an insular school teacher, who is contacted by someone from his past claiming he knows who really killed the girl. This alone might not be enough to instigate a personal crusade, but when chalk, and chalk symbols, start appearing around the quiet village Eddie has never moved away from, it’s clear someone has an agenda.

The Chalk Man flits between events in these timelines, exposing how Eddie’s various relationships have changed, painting a portrait of a man with secrets of his own, even as he seeks the the truth about what happened two decades ago. These chapters — short and sharp, which always end on cliffhangers — build momentum, and a propulsive page-turnability veteran suspense writers will envy. Readers will question the motives — even the sanity — of every character who appears in these pages, and that includes Eddie. Vitally, Tudor doesn’t attempt too many genre hijinks or red-herrings to bolster her narrative; her vision is clear, her storytelling is crystalline. The Chalk Man is tour de force, a blistering novel of psychological terror and menace.

The Chalk Man is available now.

Perfect match: the cookbook edition

It is a truth universally acknowledged that you can never have too many cookbooks, but finding the right cookbook to add to a collection is a delicate process, not unlike choosing a paint colour, or a spouse.

Luckily we've taken the leg work out of the selection process and broken it down so that you can get it right and earn the love and approval that you so sorely deserve. Because that's what christmas is all about. 

For the serious chef: Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by Samin Nosrat ($50)

This one is not for the flippant shake-and-bake crowd - it’s a fascinating read on the chemistry behind how we prepare food and ideal for curious, intelligent cooks who love what they do. 

For the aspiring restaurateur: Igni: a Restaurant’s First Year by Aaron Turner ($60)

Part cook book, part diary, Igni is a glimpse into the magic, mayhem and mastery behind the first year of a new restaurant. Great for industry types and anyone who gets a couple of glasses of wine in them and starts talking about opening a restaurant ‘one day’. 

For the literary cook: The Little Library Cookbook: 100 Recipes from your Favourite Stories by Kate Young ($40)

If you know someone who likes cooking and reading, it wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that Kate Young’s book is a genius present guaranteed to melt the heart of its recipient. Filled with dishes of literary origin, it’s a whimsical journey through food and fiction.  

For the baker: The Tivoli Road Baker by Michael James with Pippa James ($60)

Gird your salivary glands, this baking book is an inventory of deliciousness covering everything from croissants to chicken curry pie. For a baker or a bakee (someone who eats baked goods professionally), this is one of our favourites for christmas. 

For the kitchen adventurer: Hummus and Co. by Michael Rantissi and Kristy Frawley ($50)

Ready, set, hummus! From the culinary creatives behind Kepos St Kitchen comes a new cook book with signature middle eastern flavours. A clever gift idea for food-lovers and anyone for whom felafel is more of a religion than a snack. 

For the veggie lover: Vegetable: Recipes that Celebrate Nature by Caroline Griffiths and Vicki Valsamis ($50)

It’s not true that you don’t make friends with salad. Surveys have shown that vegetable lovers are more popular and delightful than people who hate vegetables. And this stunning cook book is an appropriately reverent ode to our earthy friends. 

Gardening, Interiors and Architecture oh my!

Best Gardening Books for Christmas

If you've seen the luscious plants outside of our shop you would know that we are all about gardening in style - and so are our books. Any of these three beauties would make your favourite green-thumb or armchair gardener very happy this Christmas. 

Best Interiors Books for Christmas

Why go outside when you could be inside, surrounded by gorgeousness? For the man or woman in your life who's never as happy as when they're decorating or dreaming of decorating - here are three winning gift suggestions. 

Best Architecture Books for Christmas

Here are three original and immaculately put-together books, perfect for architecture fiends or just anyone who looks at the skyline and sighs with satisfaction (or dissatisfaction).

Christmas Picks for Slightly Bigger Kids

Kids! They love to read (mostly). And they love to get presents (all the time). Here are some suggestions for those hard-to-buy-for age groups from our resident kids' lit experts.

Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend | $17 | Suitable for ages 8-14

Receiving enthusiastic reviews from critics and children alike, this enchanting debut tells the story of an unlucky girl who is called upon to do the impossible. Filled with magic, suspense and a whole lot of heart, this is the perfect read for all Harry Potter fans and our book of the year for young readers. 

The Fall by Tristan Bancks | $17 | Suitable for ages 9-13

A sharp, contemporary crime novel with classic genre elements, and nail-biting suspense that will keep readers (young AND old) on the edge of their seat. 

The Explorer by Katherine Rundell | $17 | Suitable for ages 8-12

In Katherine Rundell’s gem of a book, a crash-landing in the Amazon leaves four children stranded deep in the jungle, who must find within themselves the strength, courage, perseverance, and wisdom to survive. A true adventure story for curious kids.

Polly and Buster by Sally Rippin | $20 | Suitable for ages 7-10

Polly is a struggling young witch - she just can't seem to get her spells right. Buster is a monster who lives next door and he just happens to be Polly's best friend. Can a monster and a witch be best friends in a world does not approve? Rippin's heart-warming tale may just bring a tear to your eye. 

Babysitters' Club Series by Anne M. Martin | $10 each | Suitable for ages 8-11

Any girl who was a pre-teen in the 90s knows that Kristy, Maryanne, Stacey and Claudia are just about the coolest babysitters you'll ever find - and they're back to inspire and entertain a new generation of readers. 

Prisoner of Ice and Snow by Ruth Lauren | $13 | Suitable for ages 8-12

An riveting tale of sisterhood, valour and rebellion, Prisoner of Ice and Snow is the perfect mixture of danger and delight. Perfect for fans of action stories that really transport you. 

 

 

Staff Summer Reads 2018

Are you looking for that special novel to sidle up by the pool with this summer?  Well, you're in luck. Each expert Potts Point staff member has handpicked their most eligible book - and the great news is they're all single and ready to mingle (the books, that is) ... with you! Find that one summer read you'll remember with a glint in your eye through the cold winter months. 

Naomi’s Pick - Heather, The Totality by Matthew Weiner

The characters at first seemed like sketches, but after I put down the book I realised how clever and insightful each observation was. It’s a read-in-a-sitting kind of story - totally compelling and one of the best twists in any book I’ve read. 

Simon’s Pick - Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan

In Manhattan Beach we follow Anna Kerrigan through the Depression and World War II as she determinedly forces her way into a job as the only female diver in the Navy Yard, and investigates the disappearance of her father.  With irresistibly engaging characters, crystalline prose and rich historical detail, Egan hits all the right notes with precision, perception, and panache.

Joel’s Pick - Sour Heart by Jenny Zhang

Zhang's debut story collection, and the first book published on Lena Dunham's Random House imprint, is obscene, earnest and moving. A millenial tragicomedy ushering in a unique new voice in fiction. 

Tim’s Pick - The Sparsholt Affair by Alan Hollinghurst

A gorgeous symphony of a novel which spans fifty years of friendship between a group of artists, writers and lovers. Each sentence is constructed with exquisite care and the characters are drawn with warmth and complexity. I sense I’ve just read next year’s Booker Prize winner.

Anna’s Pick - Vanity Fair Diaries 1983 -1992 by Tina Brown

Tina Brown took a magazine in decline and turned it into the toast of the town. In these merciless diaries, Brown spills the beans on all of the industry gossip, making her book a total indulgent pleasure to read, and all the more thrilling because the entries were written in the midst of the action. 

Nat’s Pick - A New England Affair by Steven Carroll

A New England Affair is a beautifully written meditation on memory, love and regret. Carroll reimagines the relationship between TS Eliot and Emily Hale, creating a heartbreaking story of what was then, what is now and what could have been.

Kate’s Pick - Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney

From the first page of this darkly witty debut, I knew I had fallen for Rooney’s characters in all their narcissistic imperfections. This fresh-voiced debut throws the reader into a deliciously doomed love quadrangle that zigs and zags in the most enjoyable and unpredictable ways. 

 

For the super sleuths this Christmas

Crime readers are notoriously prolific, always up-to-date on the latest Jack Reacher thriller or Harry Bosch investigation, waiting for the next fix, desperate to discover a new series to follow. Here some gems they may not have discovered.

CRIMSON LAKE by CANDICE FOX | $33

Crimson Lake boasts Fox’s signature style, edge and humour, and introduces former Sydney-based police detective Ted Conkaffey, who has fled to the steamy, croc-infested wetlands of Crimson Lake, where he partners with an accused and convicted murderer now operating as a private detective to investigate the disappearance of a local author.

WIMMERA BY MARK BRANDI | $30

Wimmera tracks the friendship of two boys from a defining moment in their childhood, when a mysterious newcomer arrives in the small Australian country town of Wimmera, through to the discovery of a body in the river twenty years later. Mark Brandi’s debut is a simply extraordinary literary crime novel, delivered with intelligence, power and heart.

BLUEBIRD, BLUEBIRD BY ATTICKA LOCKE | $30

Tense, powerful and considerably less crass than its contemporaries, Bluebird, Bluebird is a deftly plotted whodunit that examines contemporary black life in rural America. It begins with a double homicide in the small town of Lark, off Highway 59: the first victim, a black man from Chicago; the second, a local white woman. 

SINCE WE FELL BY DENNIS LEHANE | $30

Rachel Childs, a former television journalist, lives as a virtual shut-in with a husband who seems too good to be true after the mental breakdown she experienced on-air as a result of coverage of the massive earthquake that shattered Haiti in 2010. But after a chance encounter one afternoon, everything changes, and Rachel realises she’s been involved in a massive conspiracy; a deception unlike anything she could’ve possibly imagined. Lehane’s latest is a propulsive physiological thriller that will satisfy fans of Gone Girl and The Girl on the TrainSince We Fell.

FORCE OF NATURE BY JANE HARPER | $33

In this superb follow-up to The Dry, five women head off into the bush on a corporate retreat, and only four come out the other side. The well-being of the missing bush walker, Alice Russell, is of particular interest to Federal Police agents Aaron Falk and Carmen Cooper: she’s the whistle-blower in their latest case.  They head to the Giralang Ranges, determined to disentangle the mess of deceit, deception and suspicion formed between the remaining four women during their ill-fated hike. Force of Nature is further proof: Jane Harper knows all there is to know about detonating the gut-level shocks of a great thriller. 

THE WORD IS MURDER BY ANTHONY HOROWITZ | $33

In The Word is Murder, a wealthy (and healthy!)  woman calmly walks into an undertakers to arrange her own funeral. Hours later, she is strangled to death. With its unorthodox protagonist, clever plotting, brilliantly imperfect characters, and escalating sense of urgency and intrigue, this is an instant crime classic that will keep you reading as fast as you can. 

THE MITFORD MURDERS BY JESSICA FELLOWES | $30

Fellowes uses the real-life murder of Florence Nightingale Shore as the foundation for her first mystery novel in this new series based on the life of the legendary literary Mitford sisters. This Golden Age mystery is  rich in period detail and nostalgia, and a delight for readers of 'cosy crime.'

KILL THE FATHER by SANDRONE DAZIERI | $30

This first book in a series centres around a police detective working with a former child abductee, now eccentric consultant, to find a missing boy. Part psychological thriller, part police investigation, eminently readable.

AND FIRE CAME DOWN BY EMMA VISKIC | $30

Haunted by nightmares from the events of Resurrection Bay, his personal life a mess just as much as his professional one, Caleb Zelic is pulled back into the darkness when a young woman is killed in front of his eyes moments after pleading for his help in sign language. Determined to uncover her identity and discern the reason for her death, Caleb quickly discovers the trail leads straight back to his hometown. Viskic created a brilliant protagonist with the profoundly-deaf and irrepressibly obstinate Zelic.