August Newsletter
Author Spotlight:
Jaclyn Crupi
Jaclyn Crupi is a book editor, project manager, event moderator, awards judge and bookseller. Jaclyn has worked in publishing and bookselling since 2002. She has a Bachelor of Arts (English and Cinema Studies) from Melbourne University and a Graduate Diploma in Editing and Publishing from RMIT.
Jaclyn has written numerous books for both children and adults. Her book, Garden Like a Nonno, was shortlisted for an Indie Book Award and longlisted for an Australian Book Industry Award. Her most recent children’s book, The ABC Kids Guide to Loving the Planet, won the Environment Award for Children’s Literature (Non-Fiction). Jaclyn’s work has appeared in The Guardian, SBS Voices, At Home, The Canberra Times, PIP Magazine and Frankie, as well as the anthology Family published by Text Publishing. Her latest book is called Planting for Native Birds, Bees and Butterflies.
Out now!
Planting for Native Birds Bees and Butterflies
An essential, eye-opening (and beautiful) guide to the simple, sustainable ways we can invite more native birds, bees and butterflies into our gardens and outdoor spaces. Countless Australian species of birds, bees and butterflies are in decline or threatened with extinction, but you can help.
Writer and gardener Jaclyn Crupi shows us that protecting and fostering precious native wildlife starts in our own backyards. The first step: start planting! And choose native plants where possible. This alone presents endless opportunities for habitat creation – sometimes it’s the smallest actions that make the biggest difference. Providing a well-placed dish of water on a hot day or allowing leaf litter to stay where it falls are among the many other super simple ways you can make your garden more attractive to native birds, bees and butterflies, and in turn benefit all species.
Loads of practical advice for gardeners and novices alike. Detailed planting plans for all types of gardens, from native to exotic, coastal to food forests. With bird, bee and butterfly galleries to help you identify your visitors.
Books of the Month
FICTION
Reviewed by Justine
What a ride! I was hooked from the very beginning and had no idea where it was headed – in the best possible way. A delightful and unpredictable story about unconventional friendships, strained family dynamics and a grieving sister. Lilly deserves all the happiness (and healing) that hopefully comes her way. I need a sequel.
The Golden Sister by Suzanne Do
A twin sister’s death, a lost child, a coastal community that’s not always close-knit – introducing the book that will warm your soul as it breaks your heart. Lili Berry is busy curating a life for herself in the charming coastal village of Swanning, before the death of her twin sister, Honey, upends everything. A devastated Lili sets out to discover the cause of Honey’s death, finding relief from her raw grief amid a flurry of investigative activity. Pete, a cultivated man who seems to live on the streets, has his own tragedy to bear: the disappearance of his little boy fifteen years ago. When Lili learns Pete was the one who found her sister’s body, the two of them plunge head-first into a web of secrets and lies, before emerging to confront the shocking truth. Achingly funny and heartbreakingly sad, The Golden Sister celebrates the intensity of families, the solace of unexpected friendships and the all-consuming messiness of love.
NON FICTION
Reviewed by Tenniell
There is no question that What A Ripper! will win the hearts of all nostalgic Australians who grew up between the 1960’s and the 1990’s. With 230+ pages that will transport you back in time by means of iconic Australian designed everyday objects that took this country by storm decade after decade. My personal favourite is the super rad Rosebank Stackhat, I had one in bright pink! And my not so favourite (& unfortunate) memory of my dad in way too short Stubbies. But perhaps for you it was the delicious smell of melting cheese when your mum had the Breville ‘Jaffle’ Maker on, or the very sleek and innovative design of the Telecom Touchfone that takes you back to a simpler time?
Wherever you grew up in this incredible country of ours during the last 50 years of the 20th century, I assure you, you will find memory triggers amongst this collection of cutting-edge yet practical designs of everyday objects that perfectly reflect the Australian lifestyle in times past.
What a Ripper! by Tim Ross
Comedian and self-described design nerd Tim Ross takes a nostalgic look at classic objects from the Stackhat to the Speedo.
There are certain memories that will be familiar to anyone who grew up in Australia between the 1960s and the 1990s. Things like traipsing to the caravan-park toilet with a Dolphin torch at night, indulging in crème de menthe from a Regis glass, lobbing a banana peel at a Nylex flip-top bin and sporting a new Stackhat while riding your BMX bike.
Celebrating 60 objects that were designed and made in Australia, Tim Ross of @modernister transports us back in time and pays tribute to objects that you might be lucky enough to still find in your home or backyard shed. There are colourful photos, previously untold stories and fascinating narratives, making this book equal parts retro-design celebration, pop-culture treasure trove and nostalgic adventure.
What a Ripper! also reveals the high standard of design in this country, which is often overlooked. Now our unique design ingenuity is getting the attention it deserves, helping us to rediscover just how important and meaningful these iconic everyday objects really are.
KIDS & YA
Reviewed by Kate
This was a really great, fun read. We join young Cori, an orphan who has found herself unhappily part of Captain Scrimshaw’s pirate crew aboard the Harridan. But life takes a turn when the crew uncover an ancient magical gauntlet and Cori finds herself suddenly on the run. Full of humour, interesting characters, magic and plenty of adventure, I really found this an engaging read and am looking forward to seeing where Cori’s adventures take her in the continuing series. Book 2 is due out in April next year. Probably best suits the younger end of middle grade (8-10yo) readers.
Oceanforged by Amelia Mellor
The realm of Aquinta has fallen into a dark age. And no one knows that better than thirteen-year-old Cori, who is fighting for her life in a pirate crew more beastly than Aquinta’s sea monsters. But Cori’s life changes when she finds the Oceanforged Gauntlet – a piece of armour belonging to the legendary Champions who once ruled the islands. Whoever wears the armour wields the Champions’ magic and has the power to return Aquinta to its lost glory. Cori must begin a treacherous journey to find the rest of the armour. But first, she’ll have to escape from her captain, who craves the gauntlet’s magic for himself …
The quest begins in the first instalment of an epic new fantasy adventure series from the bestselling author of The Grandest Bookshop in the World, the brand new series for lower middle-grade readers full of action, adventure and ancient legends.
August New Release Highlights
Fiction
Non-Fiction
Kids & YA
Staff Spotlight:
Mahli
- Favourite place to read a book? – Bundled up on the couch at home. Dog on one side, cat on the other. A cosy blanket and mug of tea. Perfection.
- Which book character would you prefer to be trapped in an elevator with? – I’d have to choose Carmilla from the book of the same name, published in 1871. She is one of the first ever fictional vampires published. Call me crazy, but I’m ready to become a vampire.
- Hardback, paperback, eBook or audiobook? – I love them all! I prefer to collect paperbacks and use eBooks when travelling.
- The last book you loved? – The History of Sound by Ben Shattuck. A superb short story collection that shattered my heart. Each story connects in some way to the next, I enjoyed every moment
- Which book character do you think you’d be best friends with? – Winne the Pooh and I are kindred spirits. Together we would go for a stroll through the Hundred Acre Wood & then spend the afternoon eating.
- Greatest book of all time? – This is just my favourite book, it’s not for everyone! The Sight by David Clement-Davies changed my life as an eleven year old.
- One fun fact about you? – Throughout the winter months, my dog & I partake in truffle hunting. Crisp early mornings in the hills foraging for these delicious mushrooms.
Staff Spotlight:
Tenniell
- Favourite place to read a book? – In bed or on the couch with a warm cup of something. Although in the warmer months I love to read somewhere in the sunshine, most likely at the beach!
- Which book character would you prefer to be trapped in an elevator with? – So he’s not a book character but a real life person who wrote a book. Vincent Fantuzzo to be exact. A seriously accomplished Australian artist who wrote my favourite book/memoir for 2025 Unveiled. I have chosen Vincent because I feel he would either most certainly be able to bust us out of the elevator, or if not, he would have more than enough incredible stories to share to pass the time until help arrived.
- Hardback, paperback, eBook or audiobook? – Paperback for home and audio for travelling.
- The last book you loved? – Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan. A beautiful story of love, loss and identity – easily a one sitting read on a lazy weekend.
- Which book character do you think you’d be best friends with? – I was really struggling with this one. My 9yo self would choose Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables. However my adult self has always loved Little Women’s Jo March in all the book and film adaptations (Winona & Saoirse = Girl Crush!!). I’m totally sensing a non-conformist female vibe here … but really, all these characters are strong, independent, unconventional & best of all full of sass!
- Greatest book of all time? – The Magic Faraway Tree Series by Enid Blyton. I read this series over and over again during my childhood, vividly imagining all the characters and the Enchanted Wood & getting lost in all the magic!
- One fun fact about you? – I can Fire Twirl.
Great Gifts for Great Dads!
Farrells has you covered for all your gift giving needs this Father’s Day.
Events
Trent Dalton in conversation with Jock Serong
this November at The New Peninsula Centre!
Book Club 2025
Competitions
Farrells Bookshop Kids’ Story Writing Competition Winners Announcement
We are celebrating the 10th Anniversary of our Kids’ Story Writing Competition and we have had an overwhelming amount of entries again this year from our young writers community in response to our story sentence prompt, “As I opened the letter, a ticket fell out…”.
The Farrells staff have thoroughly enjoyed reading all your stories and poems with a high level of creativity found in each and every piece! Our Shortlist has now been announced and all shortlist entrants have been notified by email. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who participated and invite you all to visit us in store for our Winners Announcement celebration on Saturday 16 August at 3pm (the very start of Children’s Book Week) with special guest author, Amelia Mellor! And guess what? Amelia grew up on the Peninsula and became a real life published author! So who knows?! With practice and patience and lots of creativity, maybe this could be the start of your writing careers as well..
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