Karen Hitchcock (Picador, $29.99)
Young women will recognise themselves in the protagonists of Hitchcock's 13 short stories. Ponderous and confessional, the collection traverses themes such as unforgiving relationships, the constant itch of self-reflection and the burgeoning responsibility of family.
- New Edition Bookshop, Fremantle
The Slap
Christos Tsiolkas (Allen and Unwin, $32.95)
What lies beneath the veneer of the mundane and suburban is the focus of Tsiolkas's third novel: underlying tension between long-term friends is forced to surface after one parent slaps a child who is not his, and the chain of events that follows begs questions of friendship, sex, individual and moral responsibility, all via the code of parenthood.
- New Edition Bookshop, Fremantle
The Year of the FloodMargaret Atwood (Allen & Unwin, $45)
Set in the same post-apocalyptic world as her previous novel Oryx and Crake, this is a speculative fiction where CorpSEcorps, a security organization, pursues profit and control at the expense of the environment and humanity.
- Avenue Books, Melbourne
This is How
MJ Hyland (Text Publishing, $32.95)
A subtle, but deftly drawn portrait of a man whose constant self-monitoring and self-consciousness ends in tragedy. When Patrick Oxtoby's fiancée breaks off their engagement, he moves to a small seaside town, where his struggle to fit in eventually overwhelms him.
- Ariel Booksellers, Sydney
Wolf Hall
Hillary Mantel (4th Estate, $32.99)
Set in Tudor England, at the time of Henry VIII's reign, this novel is at once an entertaining work of fiction and a fascinating history lesson. Although ostensibly about the king's quest to marry Anne Boleyn, Wolf Hall paints an insightful portrait of Thomas Cromwell, the blacksmith's son who became the king's right-hand-man.
- Readings, Melbourne
Dreaming of Dior
Charlotte Smith (Harper Collins, $35)
Another history lesson of sorts, this little hardback incorporates a charming story with gorgeous descriptions of the dresses and anecdotes of the women who owned them, perfect for the fashionistas among us.
- Readings, Melbourne
Everything ravaged, everything burned
Wells Tower (Penguin, $32.99)
A dark collection of short stories covering everything from marauding Vikings to a man who's kicked out of home after his wife discovers the bare footprint on the inside of his windscreen isn't hers. Fundamentally human and told with a light but persuasive touch.
The Well and the Mine
Gin Phillips ( Hachette, $29.99)
A beautifully-told voyage through small-town 1930s America; so lightly & perfectly told you will miss this family when the last page has been turned.
- Unity Books, Auckland
One Day
David Nicholls (Hodder & Stoughton, $32.95)
A witty, entertaining novel about the consequences of unrequited love in a fast-paced world. Self-deprecatingly funny, this is easy to read and sure to resonate with 20 and 30-something readers, and will keep you engrossed till the end.
Smoke in the Room
Emily Maguire, (Picador, $29.99)
Set in a hot summer in Sydney's inner city, this novel is awash with sultry characters and human weaknesses. A solid novel, slow enough grow to love the characters and fast enough to get caught in the plot.
- Berkelouw Books, Sydney
Little Stranger
Sarah Walters (Hachette, $33)
A chilling ghost story set in a Georgian country house in Warwickshire that revolves around a family plagued by a secret that threatens to destroy them. A riveting read, which was short-listed for the 2009 Booker prize, from one of the UK's top authors.
- Imprints Booksellers, Adelaide
French EssenceVicki Archer (Penguin, $59.95)
Wonderful photographs of life in Saint-Remy-de-Provence as Vicky Archer renovates a country house. Delicious descriptions with accompanying photographs about a life-style change in France. Not all glamour and long meals in the local bistro. Lots of hard work that pays off with magnificent results.
- Imprints Booksellers, Adelaide
Don't miss more summer book reviews in the December issue of marie claire.
Photo: Getty Images
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