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Last, now, next

With crammed bookshelves, overactive library cards and inclement weather to boot, the Sydney Writers' Festival office has savoured a bumper month of reading. From inner worlds to outer space, here's a round-up of our recent, current and future reads.

Sarah, Head of Marketing

Currently on a non-fiction kick, Sarah just closed Deborah Frances-White's urgent page-turner Six Conversations We're Scared to Have and moved straight onto The New Age of Sexism by Laura Bates. Also on the burner is Lucy Rose's deliciously dark debut The Lamb. Next up is Dahlia de la Cerda's celebrated translated fiction Reservoir Bitches.

Jen, Digital Marketing Manager

Last month Jen read Florence Knapp’s blistering debut The Names and is currently devouring Tony Tulathimutte’s audacious post-internet short story collection, Rejection. Next up is an exceptionally exciting upcoming release from Madeleine Gray, Chosen Family.

Connor, Philanthropy and Partnerships Coordinator

Connor’s June reads span ancient Syracuse to outer space with Ferdia Lennon’s bestselling tragicomedy Glorious Exploits and the record-breaking sci-fi opera Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie. More suspense ahead with Catherine Chidgey’s latest release, The Book of Guilt next on the list.

Iain, Ticketing & Customer Service Manager

Iain has just finished the second instalment of Ian Rankin's Inspector Rebus series – two down, 23 to go. After seeing Chris Whitaker at the Festival, he's currently reading All the Colors of the Dark. Next up is Andy Weir's school-teacher-turned-austronaut tale Project Hail Mary ahead of its film release in early 2026.

Tristan, Director of Production and Operations

Truth be told, Tristan's post-Festival last, now, next are ledgers, invoice sheets and reports. On the home front, Tristan is courting controversy in the kitchen – alternating between Nagi Maehashi's RecipeTin Eats: Tonight and Brooke Bellamy's Bake with Brooki.

Viv, Digital Marketing Coordinator

Dusting off the TBR stack post-Festival, Viv has just finished Paul Murray's family epic The Bee Sting. She's currently reading All Fours by Miranda July and looking forward to All I Ever Wanted Was to Be Hot by Lucinda Price (aka Froomes).

You're up! What are your last, now and next reads?

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