What is Better Reading?

Better Reading aims to be a source of independent 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 and authors from Australia and around the world. 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 Twitter to make sure you never miss an update.

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. Each month we’ll be highlighting our choice of Books That Won’t Let You Down.

You can also browse by Subject. All the obvious ones are there, and also some special ones like Miles Franklin Literary Award winners. Looking for a book by a new author or a favourite author’s first book? Try browsing by Debut. And of course, you can also search the traditional way – by title, author, series name.

Cheryl’s blog will be the place for book news and awards, and to find out how she’s going with her ‘to read’ pile. And of course there’s Better Reading TV.

How are the books on Better Reading chosen?

Although it is growing every day, our database is deliberately limited. We take our inspiration from the best bookshops, and 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 an editorial committee led by Cheryl Akle. Between them, the committee members have more than fifty 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.

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 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 reviewed please submit via your publisher. We do not work with authors directly. We are not currently accepting unsolicited manuscripts to review 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. There are 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.