What is Better Reading?
Better Reading is an entertainment and marketing business which aims to be a source of book recommendations for Australian readers and their families. Brought to you by Cheryl Akle and the team behind Get Reading! and The Book Circle, Better Reading is all about sharing great stories and helping people discover new books and authors. We want to make choosing your next read a friendlier experience.
Subscribe to our free mailing list and every month we’ll bring you inspirational stories, authors from Australia and around the world, and chances to read and review books for free with our Preview program. Look out for our regular lists of reader favourites, award winners and seasonal picks.
Stay in touch with the latest news, and join us on Facebook, and Instagram to make sure you never miss an update. We also have a YouTube channel, where we debuted our video series, Authors on Authors. Check it out here.
How do I find a book to read?
There are several ways to explore the site. The easiest way is to start with our Book Lists. There you’ll find award winners and shortlists, themed selections and other favourites. And of course, you can also search the traditional way – by title, author, series name.
How are the books on Better Reading chosen?
Although it is growing every day, our database is deliberately limited. We take our inspiration from publishers, who we have a partnership with. We don’t try to cover everything – just a carefully curated selection of titles. It’s about quality – stories we love – rather than quantity.
The titles on Better Reading are chosen by the Better Reading team led by Cheryl Akle. Between the team we have more than forty years of experience in the Australian book industry, from editing to reviewing, sales to marketing, retail buying to hand selling on the bookshop floor. We all love great stories, and we love sharing them with readers.
Our selection criteria comes from Cheryl’s experience “no one has ever asked me what not to read” so Better Reading tries to match your reading taste with the book for you.
How do you source the Top 10 Bestseller lists?
We source our top 10 bestseller lists from NielsenIQ BookScan, which collects point-of-sale data from over 1,300 retailers across the country.
What is the Top 100 list?
Each year, Australians have their say about which books and authors they love to read, which Better Reading collates into the Better Reading Top 100 list. It has become a well-loved annual event that readers vote for, celebrate and discuss. It is a true reflection of what Australians read, featuring a mix of crime, women’s general fiction, literary fiction and classics.
What is the Top 50 list?
Each year, Australians cast their votes for the children’s books and authors they adore, which Better Reading collates into the Top 50 list. The Better Reading Top 50 Kids is a much-anticipated annual celebration of the stories that capture hearts and imaginations nationwide. From timeless classics to captivating picture books, middle-grade adventures, and YA favorites, this list is a true reflection of what Australian kids love to read.
Where can I read the books from Better Reading?
We love great books, and we love great bookshops (and libraries too!). We’re all about great stories, whether you enjoy them in physical, digital or audio formats. When you find a title you like, we encourage you to visit your favourite Australian bookshop or library – physical or digital.
I’m a library/bookshop. How can I get involved?
Better Reading will support bookshops and libraries with resources to download, print and share. We also encourage you to use our lists to develop your own promotions. Libraries and bookshops will soon be able to access a secure part of the site containing downloadable resources – logos, artwork and sample material. If you’d like your store or library featured, get in touch. Let’s work together to get more people reading.
Can I promote my Literary Festival via Better Reading?
We love helping spread the word about upcoming Literary and Writers’ Festivals. Better Reading offers a platform to promote your event to a passionate and engaged audience of book lovers. Whether it’s author talks, panel discussions, workshops, or special events, we’re here to help amplify your festival’s reach.
Read about our 2025 Festival Package here.
Can I submit my book for consideration by Better Reading?
Better Reading loves working with authors to promote their books. If you would like your manuscript to be recommended please submit via your publisher. We do not work with authors directly. We are not currently accepting unsolicited manuscripts at this time.
Can you give me advice on writing or publishing?
Better Reading is not a publisher and cannot offer advice on how to get published. However, we have a service called Better Ask Cheryl, perfect for aspiring and established authors! Enhance your marketing game with exclusive insights from Cheryl Akle, a distinguished expert with over 40 years of experience in the publishing industry. Participate in a 45 minute, one-on-one Q&A session, where Cheryl will share invaluable strategies for effectively marketing your book and adeptly navigating the publishing landscape. Book your session here.
There are also plenty of great sites online that offer advice.
Improve and gain support for your writing with Writing NSW, the state’s leading provider of services to writers. Check out their wide variety of courses, events, grants and writing groups here.
While we can’t offer personal advice to every potential author who contacts us, we have produced a 6-part series on how to write. Check it out here.
Do you have a Social Media Policy?
We certainly do. You can read our Social Media Policy here.
Where can I find more information?
If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, please get in touch with us.