May Reading Guide | Page 3

Welcome to the May reading guide! This month, we are excited to share our recommendations for soon-to-be bestselling fiction, thought-provoking memoirs, and exciting new books for kids. Find out about our featured books and recommended titles below!

Rytuał by Chloe Elisabeth Wilson is our Fiction Book of the Month. Full of sharp observations about life, work and identity, this delightfully dark and unhinged book takes us into the world of fictional brand rytuał cosmetica. Through the eyes of Marnie, a new employee, we meet the uber stylish and enigmatic CEO Luna, and discover the lengths some will go to for beauty and to belong. Addictive, hilarious, and so much fun, this debut novel is sure to be an instant bestseller. On page 3, the author talks about what inspired her.

The Non-Fiction Book of the Month is Chinese Parents Don’ t Say I Love You by Candice Chung. Chung tells her story of confronting a decade of silence and distance through an exploration of food, her relationship with her parents, and thoughts on how to understand our own loneliness. Both a memoir and a meditation on the complex intricacies of belonging in a family and a place, this tender book will move you. In her thoughtful Q & A on page 7, Chung shares her reflections on the role food plays in our lives.

Super Sweet! Kenneth and Queenie by Raymond McGrath is the Kids’ Book of the Month. Full of delightful illustrations that truly bring the characters to life, the story centres around the developing friendship of two bees, Kenneth and Queenie. The first in a new and( of course) super sweet series of graphic novels, this book is the perfect introduction to the genre. On page 12, the author tells us about how he develops characters and crafting stories using the medium of graphic novels, as well as what’ s next for Kenneth and Queenie!

This month’ s Stella Selection is Black Convicts, written by Santilla Chingaipe. Appearing on the shortlist for the 2025 Stella Prize, Black Convicts is a thoroughly researched and insightful examination of Black Australia’ s colonial history. See page 10 for more details. Our First Nations Feature book this month is Yildaan, written by Uncle Bud Marshall with Yandaarra and beautifully illustrated by Hannah Smith and Elaine Carmady. Combining Gumbaynggirr and English language, Yildaan is a story for young readers about the Nambucca Heads region. For every copy sold during May, Collins Booksellers will donate $ 1 to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.

Beyond our featured books, there are some fantastic fiction titles released this month. We’ re excited about Florence Knapp’ s The Names, an incredible debut novel about how the smallest of things can change the course of our lives. Lonely Mouth, by Jacqueline Maley, is another fiction book we recommend. It is a powerful novel about trauma, the ties that bind us, and how we know who we are. The gorgeous cover image this month, by Stocksy with design by Hazel Lam, comes from The Remarkable Truths of Alfie Bains by Sarah Clutton. The story spans Ireland and Australia, and reminds us of the power of family secrets.

For younger readers, the long-awaited fourth book in the Nevermoor series comes out this month. Silverborn: The Mystery of Morrigan Crow, by Jessica Townsend, will be at the top of many a wish list! For junior fiction readers, we recommend Jet Set Pets, the new series by Maddy Mara( illustrated by Kyla May). The first of the series, Ready, Set, Go!, is packed with adventure and fun.

In non-fiction, Hannah Kent( author of Burial Rites) brings us her memoir Always Home, Always Homesick. We Can Do Hard Things, by the inimitable Glennon Doyle and her wife, Abby Wambach, and sister, Amanda Doyle, encourages us to be brave in the face of a challenge. If you’ re looking for further inspiration, Ocean by Sir David Attenborough and Colin Butfield will fill you with wonder.

Remember to collect a reading guide from your local Collins Booksellers store each month and, as always, reach out to your local bookseller for more recommendations. Every store is independently owned and operated by passionate people who love books and their communities, so you’ ll always find something to love.

Happy reading! Laura from Head Office

Collins Booksellers acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the unceded lands on which we work and trade. We pay respect to Elders past, present and future, and acknowledge the importance of First Nations stories to our culture and communities.

Collins Booksellers do not price books above the publishers recommended retail price( RRP). Stock subject to availability. While every attempt is made to ensure the accuracy of price and availability, these may be subject to change without notice. Major credit cards accepted. Prices valid until 31 May 2025.

The views expressed by interviewees in our Q & As are the personal views of the interviewee only and should not be taken to reflect the views of Collins Booksellers, its franchisees or any of their respective staff. legend

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