the editor’s bookshelf.
peek into the editor’s personal library and find your next great read.
step back in time.
Immerse in the rich tales of bygone eras through stunning historical fiction.
the suspense is thrilling me.
We all love a good page-turner, and these will keep you guessing until the end.
heavy issues in modern life.
Trauma and grief come in all shades, and these books feature them in thought-provoking ways.
beach reads.
The sun’s out, the waves are calling, so the book needs to be simultaneously light and compelling. This list has got you covered.
promising young women.
Sad Girl Fiction is having a moment. Far from being depressing, these novels are smart, witty examinations of early adulthood.
real lives, affecting stories.
These people have incredible stories that will fill you with awe and admiration.
fucking fierce females.
Fiction and non-fiction reads that will stoke your feminist flames. All rise!
celebrities in their own words.
The best celebrity memoirs have depth and vulnerability in spades, and these titles fit the bill.
award winners worth the hype.
These titles need no introduction — they have the official accolades to do it for them.
complex family dramas.
When there’s tension in a family, all bets are off. These stories take that to a new level.
amazing aussie literature.
Australian authors are killing it. Introducing some of my favourites of the last few years …
portraits of motherhood.
Real, raw, messy, delightful, traumatic. There are all types in this diverse range of motherhood themes.
love: the good, bad and ugly.
There’s tenderness and turbulence aplenty in these stories of love and relationships.
feel-good fiction.
Sometimes you just need to be guaranteed a nice time. These titles are brimming with warmth and heart.
a few small notes …
on book reviews: I prefer to think of my reviews as recommendations. As I am in the business of championing authors, to publicly criticise another author’s work is to go against my professional ethos. Though I understand and respect honest, robust critique of art, my channels are not the place for it. Of course, not every book is for everyone, and that applies to me too. So, put simply: If I don’t like a book, I won’t feature it.
on gifted books: Occasionally I am sent books from publishers for review. There is no pressure to provide positive reviews or to publish at a certain time. As such, all gifted books are treated as above: If I don’t like it, I won’t feature it.
on book purchases: I choose to shop small and support independent booksellers wherever possible. However, in order to cater to everybody who might visit this page, the links attached to my book reviews go to Amazon; it’s a channel we all need to use from time to time. But I strongly encourage you to buy local and support your independent booksellers if and when you can.
Carlie x
For more bookish content, find Carlie on Instagram.
“I’ve always said, ‘Stuff the engagement ring — just build me a really big library.’”
— EMMA WATSON