UNSW Bookshop staff share their Christmas recommendations

The UNSW Bookshop has had the honour of being named Campus Bookseller of the Year by the Australian Publishers Association for three of the last four years, and a big part of its success is the specialist knowledge of bookshop staff. We asked them to offer us their Christmas recommendations for 2017.

For fiction readers, Customer Service Manager Steve Pott recommends The Dark Lake, by debut author Sarah Bailey. Pott says this Australian crime novel keeps readers in suspense to the end.

For those after a more nostalgic read, he recommends Jason Rekulak's The Impossible Fortress, a romance and coming-of-age story set in 1980s America that is suitable for adult and young adult readers.

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For fans of non-fiction Pott recommends The Drover's Wife: A Celebration of a Great Australian Love Affair. Edited by Frank Moorehouse, the collection's essays and commentary examine the ongoing fascination with Henry Lawson’s iconic Australian story.

For foodie readers he recommends the ever-popular cookery section’s offerings, including Hummus and Co, by Michael Rantissi and Kristy Frawley, Bourke Street Bakery All Things Sweet: Unbeatable Recipes for the Iconic Bakery, by Paul Allam and and David McGuinness, and Cornersmith: Salads and Pickles, by Alex Elliott-Howery and Sabine Spindler.

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The bookshop has an extensive range for children and young adults. For children aged five and over, Children’s Book Buyer and specialist Emily Doherty recommends M is for Mutiny!: History by Alphabet, by John Dixon, a picture book that looks at Australian history via the alphabet. For budding scientists in the baby and toddler age group, Doherty recommends Chris Ferrie’s Science Books for Babies, including Quantum Entanglement for Babies and ABCs of Mathematics.

For fantasy fans aged 10 and up Doherty recommends Phillip Pullman’s The Book of Dust. Older children and teens who enjoy adventure and non-conventional female characters will like Amy Kaufman and Meagan Spooner’s Unearthed: Onward if you dare.

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The shop also stocks a range of non-book gifts that are great for Christmas gatherings, including Mensa's IQ Challenge and After Dinner Trivia.

Visit the bookshop for further recommendations. They will even wrap your presents for you.

UNSW Bookshop, at the western end of the Quadrangle Building on the Kensington Campus, is open to staff, students and the general public for Christmas shopping from 9am-6pm Monday to Friday until 22 December.