Well with Love Your Bookshop Day now out of the way and with retailers in NSW this week coming out of lockdown we have been really busy this week unpacking a stack of great new book releases all in readiness for what should be a really special Christmas this year.
Here are just some of the great new book releases that have arrived in store this week:
Billy Connolly Windswept & Interesting
Billy Connolly
Autobiography
In his first full-length autobiography, comedy legend and national treasure Billy Connolly reveals the truth behind his windswept and interesting life. Born in a tenement flat in Glasgow in 1942, orphaned by the age of 4, and a survivor of appalling abuse at the hands of his own family, Billy's life is a remarkable story of success against all the odds. Windswept and Interesting is Billy's story in his own words. It is joyfully funny - stuffed full of hard-earned wisdom as well as countless digressions on fishing, farting and the joys of dancing naked. It is an unforgettable, life-affirming story of a true comedy legend.
'I didn't know I was Windswept and Interesting until somebody told me. It was a friend who was startlingly exotic himself. He'd just come back from Kashmir and was all billowy shirt and Indian beads. I had long hair and a beard and was swishing around in electric blue flairs. He said: "Look at you - all windswept and interesting!" I just said: "Exactly!" After that, I simply had to maintain my reputation...'
Sonny Bill Williams You Can't Stop the Sun from Shining
Sonny Bill Williams with Alan Duff
Autobiography
Sonny Bill Williams (SBW) is a once in a hundred-year athlete with immense sporting talent in Rugby League, Rugby Union and Boxing. Sonny Bill has built an incredible career and sporting reputation across the globe. His athleticism has taken him from inner-city Auckland, where he grew up, to the highest sporting moments in Twickenham, Eden Park and Sydney's Olympic Stadium. But there is so much more to Sonny Bill Williams' life and journey than his on-field and in-the-ring triumphs. Sonny Bill's love of family, his faith, his skill and performance throughout his unparalleled sporting career, his ability to unite a team under pressure, his grace in owning his mistakes, the challenges of leaving home as a young man and dealing with a negative culture and the temptations that followed, and his courage in speaking out for the vulnerable and calling out injustice are all aspects of an inspiring life story.
Working with Alan Duff, award-winning author of Once Were Warriors, this will be the must-read autobiography of the year.
Costa's World
Costa Georgadis
Gardening
The long-awaited book from the beloved host of ABC TV's Gardening Australia
Bringing together all of Costa's gardening and sustainability knowledge, this is a book for the whole family that reflects Costa's philosophy and quirky sense of fun.
Costa's World is a generous, joyous, fully illustrated gardening book that celebrates the life-changing joy of chooks; kids in the garden; big ideas for small spaces; Costa's favourite plants; growing the right plants for your conditions; biodiversity in the soil and garden; the power of community; the brilliance of bees and pollinators; easy-peasy permaculture; and much, much more.
Three Sisters
Heather Morris
Adult Fiction
When they are little girls, Cibi, Magda and Livia make a promise to their father - that they will stay together, no matter what. Years later, at just 15, Livia is ordered to Auschwitz by the Nazis. Cibi, only 19 herself, remembers their promise and follows Livia, determined to protect her sister, or die with her. Together, they fight to survive through unimaginable cruelty and hardship.
Magda, only 17, stays with her mother and grandfather, hiding out in a neighbour's attic or in the forest when the Nazi militia come to round up friends, neighbours and family. She escapes for a time, but eventually she too is captured and transported to the death camp.
In Auschwitz-Birkenau the three sisters are reunited and, remembering their father, they make a new promise, this time to each other: That they will survive.
From Heather Morris, the author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz and Cilka's Journey, which have sold over eight million copies worldwide, comes an astonishing new story that will break your heart, but leave you amazed and uplifted by the courage and fierce love of three sisters, whose promise to each other kept them alive in a place without hope.
Magda, only 17, stays with her mother and grandfather, hiding out in a neighbour's attic or in the forest when the Nazi militia come to round up friends, neighbours and family. She escapes for a time, but eventually she too is captured and transported to the death camp.
In Auschwitz-Birkenau the three sisters are reunited and, remembering their father, they make a new promise, this time to each other: That they will survive.
From Heather Morris, the author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz and Cilka's Journey, which have sold over eight million copies worldwide, comes an astonishing new story that will break your heart, but leave you amazed and uplifted by the courage and fierce love of three sisters, whose promise to each other kept them alive in a place without hope.
Treasure & Dirt
Chris Hammer
Adult Fiction
In the desolate outback town of Finnigans Gap, police struggle to maintain law and order. Thieves pillage opal mines, religious fanatics recruit vulnerable young people and billionaires do as they please.
Then an opal miner is found crucified and left to rot down his mine. Nothing about the miner's death is straightforward, not even who found the body. Sydney homicide detective Ivan Lucic is sent to investigate, assisted by inexperienced young investigator Nell Buchanan.
But Finnigans Gap has already ended one police career and damaged others, and soon both officers face damning allegations and internal investigations. Have Ivan and Nell been set up and, if so, by whom?
As time runs out, their only chance at redemption is to find the killer. But the more secrets they uncover, the more harrowing the mystery becomes, as events from years ago take on a startling new significance.
For in Finnigans Gap, opals, bodies and secrets don't stay buried forever.
A superb standalone thriller from the acclaimed and award-winning author of the international bestsellers Scrublands, Silver and Trust.
Then an opal miner is found crucified and left to rot down his mine. Nothing about the miner's death is straightforward, not even who found the body. Sydney homicide detective Ivan Lucic is sent to investigate, assisted by inexperienced young investigator Nell Buchanan.
But Finnigans Gap has already ended one police career and damaged others, and soon both officers face damning allegations and internal investigations. Have Ivan and Nell been set up and, if so, by whom?
As time runs out, their only chance at redemption is to find the killer. But the more secrets they uncover, the more harrowing the mystery becomes, as events from years ago take on a startling new significance.
For in Finnigans Gap, opals, bodies and secrets don't stay buried forever.
A superb standalone thriller from the acclaimed and award-winning author of the international bestsellers Scrublands, Silver and Trust.
The Invisible Leash
Patrice Karst
Illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
Childrens Book
Using the same simple but effective bonding concept from The Invisible String, which has been used for healing countless readers living with grief, The Invisible Leash illustrates the spiritual connection pet owners have with their animals. After Zach's dog, Jojo, dies, his friend Emily tries to comfort him with the "best news ever": an invisible leash around our hearts connects everyone to their pets no matter where they are, on this Earth or somewhere beyond --maybe they are even near right now. Zach is skeptical, saying he only believes in what he can see, but Emily lets him find his own way to eventually come to feel the comforting tug of the Invisible Leash. Accompanied by emotive and uplifting art by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff, Patrice Karst's gentle story celebrates the love, warmth, and joy that animals give us in this life and beyond.
Christmas Always Comes
Jackie French
Illustrated by Bruce Whatley
Childrens Book
From the author and illustrator of many beloved classic picture books comes a story about an Australian Christmas. Beautiful and heartwarming, this is a book that is destined to become a family favourite.
'Joy comes in the morning'
It's Christmas Eve in 1932, and Joey, Ellie and their parents are droving cattle in the drought.
How will Santa find them on the long and dusty road? And will there be pudding and presents and a tree in the morning?
But Joey knows that Christmas always comes.
From two of Australia's best-loved picture book creators comes a story about finding joy and beauty where you least expect it, and how kindness can create miracles.
Santa Loves Australia
Collete Dinnigan
Illustrated by Luke Sciberras
Childrens Book
Join Santa on his magical sleigh ride over Australia where he is always secretly excited to visit to deliver his glittering presents. The stars of the Southern Cross in the Milky Way guide him over Uluru, on to tropical Queensland where he sings Christmas carols with the kookaburras. His journey takes him to the Great Barrier Reef where he spies phosphorescence he's never seen before and on to Sydney, through the mouth of Luna Park, just for fun. The devils in the Tasmanian forest astonish him and he is amazed by Wilpena Pound. Santa's smile is as wide as that of the crocodile he encounters in the Kimberley.
The Boys A Memoir of Hollywood & Family
Ron Howard & Clint Howard
Memoir/Autobiography
Happy Days, The Andy Griffith Show, Gentle Ben-these shows captivated millions of TV viewers in the '60s and '70s. Join award-winning filmmaker Ron Howard and audience-favorite actor Clint Howard as they frankly and fondly share their unusual family story of navigating and surviving life as sibling child actors.“What was it like to grow up on TV” Ron Howard has been asked this question throughout his adult life. in The Boys, he and his younger brother, Clint, examine their childhoods in detail for the first time. For Ron, playing Opie on The Andy Griffith Show and Richie Cunningham on Happy Days offered fame, joy, and opportunity-but also invited stress and bullying. For Clint, a fast start on such programs as Gentle Ben and Star Trek petered out in adolescence, with some tough consequences and lessons. With the perspective of time and success-Ron as a filmmaker, producer, and Hollywood A-lister, Clint as a busy character actor-the Howard brothers delve deep into an upbringing that seemed normal to them yet was anything but.
No One Left Behind
Keith Payne VC
Autobiography
No One Left Behind is so much more than a military memoir. Keith's larrikin behaviour and ability to spin a yarn leaves you wanting to know more. His story of soldier, hero and then returned servicemen delves into the unseen wounds of post-traumatic stress disorder, a result of his service in Korea and Vietnam. His advocacy in pursuing better conditions for future generations of servicemen and women sends a strong message to the government of today: "What more could be done?"' - Daniel Keighran VC 'To stand in the battlefield wreckage of the Vietnam war, to smell the napalm, taste the blood from your own forehead and to hide from enemy soldiers sweeping over the battlefield - this is Keith Payne's journey.
'In his own words Keith tells, humbly, how he not only saved 40 of his soldiers in Vietnam, but how he went on to help many, many more veterans in the years to come, while also striving to get on top of his own problems. I can't think of a better example to set ... take care of yourself, but never forget to look after your mates.' - Mark Donaldson VC
So I hope you enjoy my selection of new book releases this week and don't forget to check out all the latest arrivals online at www.booksngifts or if in Berry come in and visit our sister store Berry Newsagency
Head Bookseller
Tammy