Six books worth adding to your reading pile

Read This Next with Emily Darlow

Looking for your next great read? From literary mysteries and gripping political thrillers to atmospheric historical fiction and a delightful Australian adventure for the grandchildren, these new releases offer something for every kind of reader.

Mother Waters – Lisa Nan Joo
Buy it here

If you enjoy literary fiction with a touch of mystery, Mother Waters deserves a place at the top of your reading pile. Charlie leaves behind her marriage and returns to her first love – marine biology – hoping to rebuild the career she abandoned years earlier. When she joins an ambitious expedition to one of the world’s deepest ocean trenches, the search for scientific discovery becomes deeply personal as she tries to uncover the truth about her father’s death at sea. Blending marine science, family secrets and an unsettling sense that something extraordinary lies beneath the surface, this debut is both haunting and thought-provoking. It explores grief, ambition and the stories we tell ourselves, all wrapped inside an immersive, beautifully written narrative.

Verdict: A beautifully written literary mystery that will linger long after the final page.

Unspoken – Denise A. Fletcher
Buy it here 

With Australia heading towards a tightly contested federal election, political adviser Francis McGuire is preparing for what should be the defining week of the campaign. But as the race intensifies, rival strategist David Perkins and Opposition Leader Rob Parisi are determined to seize every advantage, setting off a chain of events where ambition, loyalty and power collide. Unspoken pulls readers behind the scenes of modern politics, exploring the personal sacrifices made in the pursuit of victory and the fine line between public image and private truth. Fast-paced and sharply observed, it offers an intriguing look at the machinery of political campaigns while delivering plenty of twists along the way.

Verdict: A gripping political thriller packed with ambition, intrigue and high-stakes drama.

Good Intentions – Jessy Wu
Buy it here

When former university sweethearts Nadia Kuan and Jake Sullivan unexpectedly find themselves on opposite sides of the same story, old feelings and new loyalties collide. Nadia has built a successful career in biotechnology, while Jake is a journalist investigating the very company, she has become involved with. As questions arise about ethics, innovation and the cost of success, both are forced to confront the choices they have made and the people they have become. Jessy Wu’s debut is an intelligent contemporary novel that explores first love, moral dilemmas and the complexities of ambition in a rapidly changing world.

Verdict: A smart and thought-provoking debut exploring love, ambition and difficult ethical choices.

The Woman in the Seal Skin – Lauren Keegan
Buy it here

Inspired by Celtic folklore, The Woman in the Seal Skin transports readers to a rugged coastal world where myth and reality intertwine. Lauren Keegan reimagines the ancient selkie legend through an evocative historical story filled with longing, sacrifice and impossible choices. Richly atmospheric and beautifully descriptive, the novel captures the power of the sea while exploring love, belonging and freedom. If you enjoy historical fiction with a magical edge, this is one to savour.

Verdict: A captivating blend of folklore, history and unforgettable storytelling.

The Palace of Lost Virtue – Anthea Hodgson
Buy it here

From the bestselling author of The War Nurses comes an evocative historical novel inspired by real women and a shocking true crime from Western Australia’s gold rush era. In 1898, Marigold Harrington arrives on the Kalgoorlie goldfields determined to rescue vulnerable women through her work with the Christian Women’s Temperance Union. Across town, Pansy Arlington has built a successful brothel known as the Palace of Pleasure, and despite their vastly different lives, the two women form an unlikely friendship. As greed, violence and betrayal threaten to tear their world apart, their bond is tested against the backdrop of one of Australia’s most fascinating historical periods. Rich in historical detail and inspired by true events, this is a powerful story of loyalty, forgiveness and the women history almost forgot.

Verdict: A compelling historical novel celebrating unlikely friendship, resilience and forgotten Australian history.

For the Grandchildren: Tiki and Jill and the Great Australian Camel Race – Kate Simpson and Dr Jill Colwell, illustrated by Craig Smith
Buy it here

Looking for something to share with the grandchildren? Tiki and Jill and the Great Australian Camel Race tells the remarkable true story of pioneering Australian veterinarian Dr Jill Colwell and her beloved camel, Tiki. Together they take on an unforgettable outback camel race, introducing young readers to a fascinating slice of Australian history through humour, adventure and colourful illustrations. Packed with fun facts and plenty of heart, it’s an entertaining story that celebrates resilience, determination and the special bond between humans and animals.

Verdict: A delightful Australian adventure that’s perfect for reading together with the grandchildren.