Our Curated Holiday Reading Guide: Byron Writers Festival 2025 Edition

THE PALAZZO – KAYTE NUNN

Escape to the rustic foothills of the Italian Alps with this thrilling murder mystery that masterfully weaves obsession, jealousy and greed into an irresistible page-turner. Perfect for readers who love stories that whisk you away and keep you lingering over one more chapter as your coffee cools.

Ideal for lazy afternoons, poolside.

“A perfectly plotted mystery in a delicious setting, full of characters struggling to hide their darkest selves. I was turning the pages faster and faster, my theories constantly tested until the final page. The Palazzo is the very best kind of absorbing storytelling.” Sara Foster

VALLEY – CHRIS HAMMER

From one of Australia’s masters of crime fiction comes a haunting mystery set in a small town with big secrets. As past and present collide, Valley draws you into a world of tangled relationships, simmering tensions, and the kind of suspense that makes you forget what time it is.

Perfect for those slow, golden hours after a day exploring Byron.

MOTHER TONGUE – NAIMA BROWN

Darkly funny and profoundly insightful, Mother Tongue tells the story of Brynn – a claustrophobic suburban mum whose life changes after waking from a coma speaking fluent French. Blending page-turning drama, suspense and wit, this read challenges our expectations of motherhood and beliefs about women’s lives.

A page-turner best enjoyed in a sun-drenched corner, glass of wine in hand.

RIVER SONG – DI MORRISSEY

If you’re after a book that feels like a warm embrace, Di Morrissey’s River Song delivers beautifully. Set in the fictional Aussie town of Fig Tree River, this heartfelt story follows four wonderfully diverse friends whose lives are intertwined and whose friendship faces its ultimate test. Evocative, touching, and perfect for a quiet morning in the cabana.

Pairs well with a leisurely morning of cafe-hopping.

USES FOR OBSESSION – BEN SHEWRY

From acclaimed chef Ben Shewry comes this beautifully reflective memoir on creativity, food, and life’s quieter obsessions. From exploring doubt as both a challenge and driving force for creative freedom, Uses For Obsession reframes how we think about restaurants, cooking, hospitality, leadership and humanity. If you’ve experienced Ben’s work through Melbourne’s Attica, Netflix’s Chef’s Table, or even an Instagram cook-off with Hamish Blake, you know anything he puts his name to is worth savouring… and this memoir is no exception.

Best paired with a morning espresso and a slow start to the day.

“Deeply thoughtful, unflinchingly honest and heartwarmingly original. Ben’s unique creativity is clearly not limited to Attica.” Hamish Blake

THE GOD OF NO GOOD – SITA WALKER

Witty, heartfelt, and deeply human, this memoir reads like having an honest, hilarious chat with a dear friend. It’s the story of Sita and the five matriarchs who taught her to believe in God and be good. Except… Sita is 35 and hasn’t prayed in years. Both haunting and hilarious, with short, punchy chapters perfect for dipping into between swims.

Dive in if you want to be hooked from the first page.

“Deeply moving. Seriously saddening, too. But most of the time I was snort-laughing across the suburbs from my back deck. And the themes of the book remind one to feel so damn grateful for the privilege of a belly howl. The whole thing builds on cross-beams of time and memory to one glorious proclamation that has the reader fist-pumping for Sita Walker because she’s dug so effing deep to find a truth so powerful it can’t help but explode like fireworks across the final page.” Trent Dalton

THE SEASON – HELEN GARNER

It’s AFL season in Melbourne, and Helen Garner is following her grandson’s under-16s team – from games to training sessions. With her signature blend of intimate observation and unflinching honesty, Garner captures the raw emotions of devoted fans, contemplates life’s cycles, and explores the magic that transforms ordinary people into passionate believers. For both footy devotees, and those with no interest in the game, The Season wraps you in a joyful embrace.

Perfect for flights, airport terminals, and slow seaside afternoons.

RECKLESS – MARELE DAY

A gripping Australian thriller made even more compelling by being both true crime and bold memoir. Set between the glittering streets of Paris and the rugged Australian coast, Reckless is a fast-paced, elegantly written story. It uncovers Marele’s complicated friendship with the colourful Jean Day, while also delivering a true-crime investigation so engaging it could fool you into thinking its fiction.

Best for when you want a book that sweeps you away and keeps you guessing.

THE CHAIRMAN’S LOUNGE – JOE ASTON

Clever, fascinating and insightful, The Chairman’s Lounge is a ‘masterclass in investigative journalism’ examining Qantas’ journey under Alan Joyce’s leadership, highlighting themes of unchecked corporate power, greed, and influence. Told with just the right amount of irreverent wit to keep you engaged from first page to last.

Best consumed with a Brookie’s cocktail in hand and no pressing plans.

AWAKE ACADEMY – TESS BROUWER & LAYNE BEACHLEY

Awake Academy is the result of two absolute professionals – Brouwer (Virgin Australia’s former Head of Partnerships) and Beachley (one of the world’s most successful surfers) – coming together after their lives each took a radical turn and needed rebuilding. Through its pages, you’ll be guided through three transformative pillars: Awareness, Alignment and Awakening; and discover the tools to unlock your internal GPS, overhaul your mindset and radically transform your life.

Perfect for guests craving a reset on their holiday.