Spectrum
From ghoulish crime to dirty politics, here are 10 new books
Our reviewers’ picks of new and recent fiction and non-fiction releases.
- Cameron Woodhead and Fiona Capp
Latest
Zadie Smith on creativity, politics and falling out of a window
In this selection of essays, the award-winning author proves herself as nimble a visual arts and movie critic as she is a literary one.
- Thuy On
Are the doomsayers right? Are we living in post-literate times?
Despite laments from cultural commentators, the book has been remarkably chirpy for a species constantly threatened with extinction.
- Jane Sullivan
The 26-year-old Aussie designer behind some of Lady Gaga’s most daring looks
Samuel Lewis, a Taiwanese-Australian fashion designer, is building a name for himself in Hollywood and beyond, with celebrities like Lady Gaga, Madonna and Chappell Roan blowing up his phone.
- Lauren Ironmonger
When Rebecca was 13 she was mocked over her viral video. Now the joke’s on the haters
Rebecca Black went viral for all the wrong reasons with her song Friday – then she found her own people and became a queer icon.
- John Bailey
Unsurprisingly, death is a recurring theme in Salman Rushdie’s new book
The stories in The Eleventh Hour are variable, but Rushdie’s writing still has a spellbinding quality.
- Peter Craven
- Opinion
- WordPlay
Slop of the pops? Macquarie Dictionary names its word of the year
The panel, myself included, whittled down 65 contenders to a winner that should incite our robot overlords.
- David Astle
- Opinion
- Ageing
A guide to understanding the daily groans of men of a certain age
Including all the classics such as “ugh”, “aghhgh” and “ooof”.
- Richard Glover
How five generations of Boyd women shaped an artistic dynasty
The creative lives of five generations of Boyd women are finally revealed in a major new exhibition featuring more than 300 works, including intimate, never-before-seen family photographs by Mary Nolan.
- Gabriella Coslovich
- Opinion
- WordPlay
A ‘comprehensive’ guide to the ‘vital’ words that will mark you as an AI cheat
Let’s delve into the vibrant tapestry of robot-speak, shall we?
- David Astle