The production for the film adaptation of Salman Rushdie's acclaimed 600-page novel,  MIDNIGHT CHILDREN, which won the 1981 Booker prize and the 1993 Booker of Bookers prize, has been completed in Sri Lanka.

Canadian director Deepa Mehta chose Sri Lanka as the location for the shoot to avoid problems with religious fundamentalists. The film's cast and crew were asked to sign confidentiality agreements to protect the production from protests. After an episode of near derailment, the three-month project was completed successfully. 

Salman Rushdie was heavily involved with this adaptation, having written the script and was jointly-responsible for the casting of the film.

Read a sample chapter of Salman Rushdie's MIDNIGHT CHILDREN

The film adaptation will be titled WINDS OF CHANGE and will be released in English, Hindi and Urdu, in the first half of 2012 and has been pre-sold in many countries including Canada, Britain, France and Japan.

Roth is a literary legend and one of the most acclaimed and honoured authors of our time, having been awarded the Pulitzer Prize for AMERICAN PASTORAL and receiving the PEN/Faulkner Award three times.  Roth’s latest book, NEMESIS, was published in 2010.

Read a sample chapter from MACQUARIE.

This year’s shortlist was selected from 58 entries with a wide range of subject matter, including scientists, architects, soldiers, statesmen, artists, musicians, adventurers, journalists, politicians, the young and the old, and more.

On announcing the shortlist, the Award judges commented that the National Biography Award “has become synonymous with research, the highest skills of writing, a variety of styles and subject matter. This year's entries maintain the standards of this prestigious award."

Richard Flanagan, author of WANTING, has won this year’s Tasmania Book Prize for best book with Tasmanian content in any genre. In a ceremony held at the Hobart town hall yesterday, Premier Giddings had this to say about Richard Flanagan’s book:

"Inspired by historical events and set in the wilds of 19th-century Tasmania, WANTING is a powerful, evocative and profoundly moving novel examining the themes of art, love and the desire for human connection,"

Richard Flanagan’s WANTING has previously been nominated for the NSW Premier’s Literary Award and won at the WA Premier’s Literary Award last year. 

Read a sample chapter from Richard Flanagan’s WANTING

GUANTANAMO: MY JOURNEY is an autobiographical account of David Hicks’s young adulthood, the years leading up to his incarceration in Guantanamo Bay, his time in detention and his search for a normal life following his release from prison in late 2007.

David Hicks says:  “This is the first time I have had the opportunity to tell my story publicly.  I hope readers find the book is not only a story of injustice, but also one of hope.”

 GUANTANAMO: MY JOURNEY will be on sale at all major bookstores and as an ebook from Saturday 16 October 2010.  RRP $49.95.

• OUR FAMILY TABLE by MasterChef season 1 winner Julie Goodwin
• MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA THE COOKBOOK VOLUME 1 the official cookbook for the first season of MasterChef
• CRAVAT-A-LICIOUS by MasterChef judge Matt Preston
• RELAXED COOKING by Celebrity chef and MasterChef guest judge Curtis Stone

PORTNOY’S COMPLAINT is American writer Philip Roth's most popular novel and was included in Time magazine's "100 Best English-language Novels from 1923 to 2005".

Her latest books are THE REMARKABLE SECRET OF AURELIE BONHOFFEN and GRIMSDON (to be published in August 2010). 

The National Literacy and Numeracy Week, 9 August to 4 September, represents a collaborative approach by the Australian Government and the school community to highlight the importance of effective literacy and numeracy skills for all children and young people.

The week gives schools the opportunity to get involved in a range of activities and to recognise locally the achievements of students and the work of teachers, parents and members of the community who support young people to develop stronger literacy and numeracy skills.

Visit Deb Abela's website www.deborahabela.com

We have received some wonderful news this morning, THE BOOK OF EMMETT, by Deborah Forster that we published as an original Vintage in April last year has been shortlisted for the 2010 Miles Franklin Award. At the announcement this morning it was noted that first novels are very, very rarely shortlisted for the Miles Franklin, Australia’s most prestigious literary award.

The judges had this (and lots more) to say of the book:

'A first novel of subtle achievement, THE BOOK OF EMMETT stands out from a flood of tales on domestic abuse. Written with no-nonsense poise and leavened by wry humour, it never shies from the stunting consequences on the lives of those affected of the trauma of emotional and physical violence. Despite this, it is a poignant story of survival with memorable characters – a salute to tenacity and a touching marker of lost potential.'

Read more of the judges comments

Read the first chapter of the book

Read more about the book

Australian author Glenda Guest's SIDDON ROCK has been named best first book as part of the 2010 Commonwealth Writers' Prize. SIDDON ROCK explores the effect of World War II on a small Australian town after a nurse who was caught up on the front returns home.

"I'm standing here like a stunned mullet," Guest told THE GUARDIAN.

"It's not about the money, it's not about the credit, it's about being given verification that this is any good, that I can actually write."

Become a fan of the FALLEN series on Facebook!

Random House Australia is pleased to announce that as of March 2010 our Australian books will be printed on paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council A.C. (FSC).  FSC promotes environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world’s forest.

Random House Australia is committed to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and this new venture strengthens the environmental arm of our CSR program.  Together with Random House UK (who is already FSC certified) we are constantly striving to minimize the influence we have on the environment. 

Nikki Christer, Publishing Director, says ‘We are delighted that our new books will be printed on FSC certified papers.  I know our readers, and our authors, will appreciate the fact that our books do not contribute to the destruction of old growth and endangered forests.'

J. M. Coetzee, John Harwood and David Malouf have each received a fiction nomination in the Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature. Coetzee's Summertime, Harwood's The Seance: A Victorian Mystery and Malouf's Ransom, taking half of the nominations in this category, are now in the running to win $15,000.

This year's IQ² debates get off to a flying start in Sydney with a suitably topical subject: 'Popular culture: we've seen the future and it's junk'. 

6 speakers will go at it hammer and tongs to provide you with 2 hours of wit, erudition and intelligence.

In support of the motion will be Stephen Sewell, celebrated film and theatre writer; Peter Craven, literary critic, journalist and editor; and Elizabeth Farrelly, architect, author and Herald columnist.

Against the motion will be Wendy Harmer, fresh from her successful breakfast stint on 702 Radio; Tom Crago, CEO of one of the world's leading video game developers; and Bryce Courtenay, who needs no further introduction.

This evening of sparkling sparring is yours for just $32 from 6:30pm, Tuesday February 9 at the City Recital Hall, Angel Place.

ORIGINAL SIN is the first in a new series of chilling paranormal romances from a NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Allison Brennan, previously best-known for her dark thrillers. ORIGINAL SIN will release in America on 26 January and in Australia on 10 February.

The U.S. initial print run is 550,000 copies. Initial buzz in the States is huge ahead of what is set to be one of the biggest new releases of the year!

Allison Brennan has a new website with loads more information - Click here

Curtis is a contestant on Donald Trump’s upcoming third season of Celebrity Apprentice. Curtis hinted that he was going to participate in the show during a trip back to Australia last month.

Enjoy his latest bestselling cookbook (especially the wicked desserts)!

Richard Dawkins is an evolutionary biologist, author and outspoken atheist. He was named as one of TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in 2007. In his latest book, The Greatest Show on Earth, he takes on the creationists and all those who question evolution through natural selection.

Dawkins will discuss his latest work on Friday 5 March at 7pm at the Melbourne Town Hall. He will be introduced by Radio National's Robyn Williams, who will also chair the Q&A session.

Book now

Wallace commented, “I'm thrilled that the next book will have a life beyond the pages... Making a TV show for an American audience is exciting, but daunting, too... nevertheless, I intend to give it a good go, for Britain, and to avoid as many awkward situations as I can while doing so...”

The Warner Bros. film adaptation of Wallace’s book Yes Man, starring Jim Carrey in the lead role, was released in December 2008 and grossed $230,000,000 worldwide. Danny’s last book Friends Like These is currently in development as a major project by Miramax.

Awkward Situations for Men will release in July 2010.

From the same film company that brought us SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE let’s hope PRECIOUS can sweep the Awards season clean in 2010!

BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
·         Precious: Based on the novel Push by Sapphire

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
·         Gabourey Sidibe, Precious: Based on the novel Push by Sapphire 

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
·         Colin Firth, A Single Man

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
·         Mo'Nique, Precious: Based on the novel Push by Sapphire
·         Julianne Moore, A Single Man

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE - MOTION PICTURE
·         Abel Korzeniowski, A Single Man
·         Karen O and Carter Burwell, Where the Wild Things Are

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION 
·         Kenneth Branagh, Wallander: One Step Behind

Deborah Abela’s The Remarkable Secret of Aurelie Bonhoffen has been shortlisted for Best Children’s Novel in the Aurealis Awards.

Winners will be announced at the Aurealis Awards ceremony at the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts in Brisbane on Saturday 23 January 2010. Tickets for the ceremony will be available from the Judith Wright Centre box office shortly.

Click here to review the entire shortlist.

The Costa Book Awards recognise the most enjoyable books in five categories - First Novel, Novel, Biography, Poetry and Children's Book - published in the last year by writers based in the UK and Ireland. 

This year's Costa Book Awards attracted 592 entries - the second highest-ever number of submissions in one year.

Announced live tonight on BBC Radio 4's Front Row programme, this year's lists include Hilary Mantel, Colm Tóibín, Clive James, William Fiennes and Penelope Lively.

The story of a playboy Communist party official who castrates himself after he is banished to live on a river barge has won celebrated Chinese author Su Tong the Man Asian literary prize.

Su, by far the best known of the five shortlisted authors, is the second Chinese writer to win the three-year-old prize, which is worth $10,000 (£6,000). Judges, including the authors Colm Tóibín and Pankaj Mishra, said in a joint statement that his winning title, The Boat to Redemption, was "a picaresque novel of immense charm".

"It is also a political fable with an edge which is both comic and tragic, and a parable about the journeys we take in our lives, the distance between the boat of our desires and the dry land of our achievement," they said in a statement. Set during the Cultural Revolution, the novel tells the story of a womanising official who tries to rebuild his life on a boat with his young son after his lineage as the son of a revolutionary mother is questioned. "I'm not sure if The Boat to Redemption can help overseas readers know more about China . It's just a novel centering on the fate of people caught in an absurd time," Su told China Daily.

Earlier this year, Digg users were invited to submit questions they would like to hear Branson answer, then urged to rate (digg) the questions of others. Then, Arianna Huffington put the top ten most dugg questions to Branson on the inaugural Virgin America flight from San Francisco to Orange County, California.

PRECIOUS, based on the novel Push by Sapphire, is the kind of story that is rarely told, about a character who society usually writes off, judges as a statistic, or simply ignores. Directed by Lee Daniels, PRECIOUS is set in 1987 Harlem and tells the story of Claireece “Precious” Jones (Gabourey Sidibe), an overweight, illiterate teen pregnant with her second child who’s life takes a new direction when she is invited to enrol in an alternative school.

Critics and audiences have been equally enamoured of PRECIOUS, with the film already receiving several accolades including winner of the Grand Jury Prize (Dramatic) at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, and winner of the Audience Award at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival.

“Precious simply cannot be missed, for under its tough skin the film is an unabashedly inspirational anthem; it offers the rare ecstasy of human regeneration, and the discovery, on Harlem's mean streets, of a precious gem.” TIME MAGAZINE

“A heart-rending journey to self-acceptance and hope.” EMPIRE MAGAZINE *****

Australia's most anticipated and influential literary festival is back, celebrating writers from here and beyond, home and away. Adelaide Writers' Week has long been acknowledged for the quality and diversity of its speakers, writers encountered in the shade of tents and plane trees where an amiable late-summer mood prevails. Here readers can mingle with some of the world's most distinguished literary figures in a meeting place between a memorial garden for women and a colonial parade ground, on Kaurna country.

Lette, whose novels include Puberty Blues and Foetal Attraction, received the honorary degree of Doctor of Arts from Southampton Solent University's chancellor Lord Alan West on Friday.

"If you don't have a degree, book critics tend to be condescending so I am absolutely going to gloat," she said.

The shortlist is publicly announced on 23rd April and the winner is announced on 24th June 2010.

The first film production of the Maximum Ride books with Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight) set to direct is currently scheduled for release in 2010.

HIS ILLEGAL SELF by Peter Carey and WANTING by Richard Flanagan and TROUT OPERA by Matthew Condon have been included in the Dublin IMPAC Award Longlist.

Other longlisted books include: INDIGNATION by Phillip Roth and A MERCY by Toni Morrison and BEIJING COMA by Ma Jian, Kate Atkinson   When Will There Be Good News?, Sadie Jones The Outcast, Dennis Lehane   The Given Day, Salman Rushdie   The Enchantress of Florence, Curtis Sittenfeld   American Wife, Fred Vargas   This Night's Foul Work translated by Sian Reynolds.

You can check the complete list here

The ”beautifully written” history of how central bankers’ mistakes led to the Great Depression bowled over the judges and swept away a strong field of finalists to take the £30,000 prize. The prize was awarded at a special dinner at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum.

Watch an interview with the author at the event. Click here to view

It is being billed as the most ambitious TV series in history - THE PACIFIC by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg.

Random House is proud to be re-releasing the amazing and moving WW2 memoir, on which the major new series is based. We have news that Channel 7 will screen the series early in 2010.

Here is the series trailer - view here

Fanning defeated close mate Bede Durbidge in the final cementing his lead in the now two-horse race for the 2009 ASP World Title. Only Mick and Parko are now in contention going into the the last event of the year, the Pipeline Masters.

“I’m so over the moon right now. I wanna thank all of you for tuning into my site and offering me your support and encouragement. It means a lot and has helped me fight back from an average start on the ratings into the lead in the past four events. I can’t wait for Hawaii. I so proud to be part of such and awesome battle. This is the stuff Parko and I dreamed about and talked about as grommets. It’s gonna be awesome and I’ll give as much insight as I can through my site. Thanks again.” – Mick

Mick Fanning's biography SURF FOR YOUR LIFE is instores now! 

For more on Mick Fanning go to www.mickfanning.com.au

In Harlem, an overweight, illiterate teen pregnant with her second child is invited to enrol in an alternative school in hopes that her life can head in a new direction.

• Winner of the Grand Jury Prize (Dramatic) at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival
• Selected to screen in ‘Un Certain Regard’ at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival
• Winner of the Audience Award at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival

We publish PRECIOUS FILM TIE-IN 9780099548720 (previously titled PUSH) in January 2010.

Click here to watch the trailer

In a rare video interview—his only for this book—Philip Roth sits down with Tina Brown for The Daily Beast's new Web series, The Beast Bar, to talk about writing, mortality, politics, and why he thinks the novel is a dying form.

Jeremy Clarkson, James May, Richard Hammond and The Stig will arrive at their new home in early 2010. The deal includes Top Gear Australia from Freehand, BBC Worldwide’s production partner.

David Gyngell , Chief Executive of the Nine Network, described the Top Gear agreement as a landmark partnership with BBC Worldwide. 

Click here to view all the Top Gear books.

SOLAR is an engrossing and satirical novel which focuses on climate change and will be published on 18 March 2010. This story – of one man’s ambitions and self-deceptions – is a stylish new work by one of the word’s greatest living writers.

Michael Beard is in his late fifties; bald, overweight, unprepossessing – a Nobel prize-winning physicist whose best work is behind him. Trading on his reputation, he speaks for enormous fees, lends his name to the letterheads of renowned scientific institutions and half-heartedly heads a government-backed initiative tackling global warming. An inveterate philanderer, Beard finds his fifth marriage floundering. But this time it is different: she is having the affair, and he is still in love with her.

When Beard’s professional and personal worlds are entwined in a freak accident, an opportunity presents itself, a chance for Beard to extricate himself from his marital mess, reinvigorate his career and very possibly save the world from environmental disaster.

Dan Franklin, Publisher, comments: ‘SOLAR is a novel about one of the most serious threats to our world – global warming – but is also very, very funny. It shows a fresh side to Ian McEwan’s work, that he’s a comic writer of genius.’

It is 2084 and you've been summoned back to 1860 to protect the Forbidden City from the British Legions during the Boxer Rebellion.  If you do not succeed in your mission, history will veer off course and life as we know it will cease to exist.

Your task is to protect The Forbidden City and its inhabitants, resist Empress Ci Xi's unmatched mastery of lovemaking, and safeguard the magical Lump Tree.

What are you waiting for? Begin!

"This is yet another of the year’s finest works overlooked by the Man Booker judges. …, none stands equal to the compelling artistry of this subtly impressionistic narrative woven from passion, yearning and despair."

It was picked from a shortlist that included novels by A.S. Byatt, J.M. Coetzee, Adam Foulds, Simon Mawer and Sarah Waters.

Hilary Mantel's eleventh novel has been the bookies' favourite since the longlist was announced in July 2009. She is the first favourite to win the prize since LIFE OF PI by Yann Martel won in 2002 and went on to sell over a million copies.

Mick Fanning Claims Back-to-Back ASP Dream Tour Events, Takes Quik Pro FranceSEIGNOSSE, France (Sunday, September 27, 2009) – Mick Fanning (AUS), 28, has just claimed his second consecutive ASP Dream Tour event, taking out the 2009 Quiksilver Pro France presented by Orange over fellow Finalist Bede Durbidge (AUS), 26, in punchy one-to-three foot (0.5 – 1 metre) waves at Les Bourdaines.

And get ready for Mick's autobiography - out November. Click here for more details

Join Tom Keneally, one of Australia's best known and most awarded writers, in conversation with The Australian's brilliant fiction critic, Geordie Williamson as they talk about fact and fiction, history and literature, the past and the present, the writer and his readers and everything in-between.

The twelfth gripping Temperance Brennan thriller from world-class forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs, the no.1 international bestselling author and producer and inspiration behind of the hit TV series Bones once again dazzles Australian readers.

And don’t forget to get a copy of his new book – out November!

Two drunks were walking home along the railway tracks. The first drunk says, 'There's a hell of a lot of steps here.' The second drunk says, 'I'll tell you what's worse, this hand rail is low down.’

Peter FitzSimons has collected the biggest, bestest, funniest, downright groan-inducing, rib-ticklers, one-liners, knock-knocks, shaggy dog stories and limericks and collated them into the ultimate book of jokes.

It has taken more than six decades for Sigi Siegreich to be able to talk to his children and grandchildren about his life in wartime Poland - the life of a privileged young Jewish boy who witnessed heinous acts of inhumanity he will never forget, but was also - many times - touched by miracles.

THE THIRTY SIX tells of Sigi's miraculous survival and the good and bad he saw of life and humanity in Poland during WWII.

September is book month in Australia as the book industry gets behind the Books Alive campaign, which runs from August 26 to September 30. And what better way to celebrate reading than … a reading challenge!

“What a completely original and mind-boggling book, with heart, soul - and maps! I defy anyone not to be hooked and beguiled.”

“his book is genius. It's a Russian doll of a thing - a work of art, an encyclopaedia, and an almost unbearably touching novel.” 

Click here to read more about this remarkable book.

To participate in this exciting challenge, entrants must be available throughout the morning of September 15th 2009 to attend the speed-reading contest at The State Library of NSW, Macquarie Street, Sydney.

Not only are five minutes of fame promised, but Australia’s speed reading champion also wins $500 worth of books from Random House, publishers of THE LOST SYMBOL.

Go to the promotion page on Facebook for more information and to enter now!

What starts as a normal day on the New York City subway becomes a race against time when a commuter train is hijacked. It is packed with passengers and the ransom is one million dollars.

There’s something for everyone in this all-new collection of stories by ten of Australia’s best writers. And it can be yours FREE when you purchase any book from the Guide to 50 Books You Can't Put Down.

So hurry into your local book retailer, as this exclusive offer is only available from 26 August until 30 September 2009, or while stocks last. 

Click here to watch the new TV commercials.

The incredible, previously untold story of Australia’s role in the creation of the world-famous Pasteur Institute by Stephen Dando-Collins has been acknowledged in the shortlist for this year’s Science Writer Award.

Check out all the shortlisted books. Click here.

The first novel from David Malouf in more than ten years has been listed among a remarkable list of novels in this year’s QLD Premier’s Literary Awards fiction category.

Check out all the shortlisted books. Click here.

Now in paperback! The bestselling, universally lauded novel from internationally acclaimed writer Richard Flanagan is among an incredible list of fiction in this year’s QLD Premier’s Literary Awards.

Check out all the shortlisted books. Click here.

This magnificent full-colour illustrated hardcover chronicles Lincoln’s journey from a boy interested in climbing to one of Australia’s leading mountaineers and the forever-infamous survivor of Everest’s Death Zone.

Described as ‘a visual treat’ and ‘appreciated by people of all ages who love stories of

incredible courage against the odds’ (Magpies), this gripping adventure combines a powerful narrative with fascinating fact boxes and stunning pictures and layout.

ALIVE IN THE DETAH ZONE publisher and Head of Children’s Books at Random House Australia Linsay Knight says, ‘This book was a real labour of love. Together with the delightful Lincoln Hall, the RHA children’s team poured energy and passion into it. Our production department and designer deserve special mention as they helped create a book with the highest quality production values that in turn enhance the flow of information and excitement.’

To view the list of all winners click here.

Also during Book Week, publisher Margaret Hamilton AM will open the Lu Rees Archives of Australian Children's Literature is exhibition, ‘In Collaboration', which will run on Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 of August. The work of six authors, illustrators, publishers and book designers reveal their inspirational collaboration in six picture books for all ages.

Tweet your favourite time travel destination and @randomreaders. The best 25 will win temporal thriller THE FIRST BOXER by Christopher Ride. Competition ends 9.00am aest 26/08/09

Keep up-to-date - from the Development stages and Pre Production to the Shoot and Post Production. Click here

And most importantly the great news that this incredible Aussie WW1 story will be a major non-fiction book to be published by Random House in early 2010 by acclaimed and bestselling writer of SOMME MUD, Will Davies.

Todd Decker, who submitted a ‘book video' of Nick Earls' THE TRUE STORY OF BUTTERFISH, was judged the winner by the panel of Triple J film critic Marc Fennell, At The Movies host Margaret Pomeranz, director Bruce Beresford, Dymocks CEO Don Grover and Random House MD Margie Seale. 

Decker wins $6000, with runners up Joshua Lee and Alex Whyte receiving $3000 each. Andrew Devlin, who produced a trailer for STATE OF EMERGENCY (Michael White, aka Sam Fisher), won the $2000 people's choice award.

Random House marketing and publicity director Brett Osmond said the awards would continue next year, having attracted 800 voters in its inaugural competition. ‘We were very impressed with the high standard of film making skills demonstrated in this year's awards,' he said. ‘Using a visual medium is a great way to promote books and reading and we look forward to seeing what next year's talented filmmakers produce.'

With a massive September Ranger’s Apprentice Redux campaign in Australia, huge success in the US, and many other countries, Random House Australia is very excited to announce that Ranger’s Apprentice has now sold OVER 2 MILLION COPIES WORLDWIDE!

Stephen Dando-Collins is up against: Climate Code Red: The Case for Emergency Action by David Spratt and Philip Sutton and The Rise of Animals by Patricia Vickers-Rich.

The judges said Beale "excels in descriptions of life as a feisty teenage girl. Juno is a remarkable character, the reader delights in her triumphs and commiserates in her disappointments." This is New Zealand’s oldest book prize.

This is a huge achievement and we salute a wonderful author in Fleur Beale and a wonderful book.

• Click here to read the feature.
• Find Ellroy on Facebook

Random House will be publishing Julie Goodwin's cookbook in April 2010.  In the meantime, we have three MasterChef related books in the lead-up to Christmas.  

In October Random House publishes MasterChef’s judge Matt Preston’s CRAVAT-A-LICIOUS

MASTERCHEF, MASTERCLASS comes in December and features loads of recipes, tips and tricks from MasterChef.

Random House is delighted to announce that we will be publishing Julie Goodwin's cookbook in April 2010.  In the meantime, we have three MasterChef related books in the lead-up to Christmas.  

MASTERCHEF, MASTERCLASS comes in December and features loads of recipes, tips and tricks from MasterChef.

In October Random House publishes MasterChef’s judge Matt Preston’s CRAVAT-A-LICIOUS

Lastly, we will be releasing finalist judge Curtis Stone’s new cookbook RELAXED COOKING with Curtis Stone in paperback in November and Curtis will be in Australia on publication.

Scandinavian crime fiction might be all the rage in the book charts but French writer Fred Vargas has seen off competition from a cluster of Nordic authors to take the Crime Writers' Association's International Dagger award.

Vargas, who has won the prize in three out of the last four years, took the £1,000 award for the first in her series of Adamsberg novels, THE CHALK CIRCLE MAN. Read more about this win

Bestselling author of the RANGER'S APPRENTICE series John Flanagan has been named as an Ambassador for National Literacy and Numeracy Week. NLNW promotes the importance of literacy and numeracy as fundamental life skills and highlights effective literacy and numeracy practices on a national scale.  Get involved!

Today the Random House reveals a few plot details of THE LOST SYMBOL. Brown's editor at Doubleday, Jason Kaufman, said, in a statement, that the novel is "largely" set in Washington, D.C., but "it's a Washington few will recognize." Kaufman added that the book touches on "an unseen world of mysticism, secret societies, and hidden locations, with a stunning twist that long predates America," which comes as little surprise to Brown's fans.

All will be revealed on 15 September in bookstores across the globe!

Following world-wide speculation about the content of the eagerly awaited new novel from Dan Brown, we can finally reveal the book cover of THE LOST SYMBOL. And you are the very first to see it. 

Arguably one of the most loved novels in recent years THE DA VINCI CODE was a word-of-mouth phenomenon, broke all sales records and remained at the #1 position in Australia for over 52 weeks. At 9.00am AEST on 15 September readers get the chance to escape again into the world of a new Dan Brown novel - THE LOST SYMBOL.

Jack Reacher, eternal wanderer, is on the New York subway late one night and one of the other passengers has caught his eye. Catch all the discussion about Lee Child's latest thriller next month on ABC TV.

Plenty of time to buy a copy and read it 'cause it's thrilling!

Subscribe to RANDOM NEWS this month and you'll get a FREE limited release eBook of SURVIVAL OF THE DUMBEST  by Wil Anderson!

"In confident, expert hands, fiction can liberate the past and our perception of major (or minor) historical figures in ways that the scholar or journalist must deeply envy. Richard Flanagan is an exemplary case in point."

Dowd wrote BOG CHILD in 2007, just before her death from cancer. It’s a beautifully written novel, set in Northern Ireland in 1981 at the height of the Troubles, and it tells a story of growing up against a background of sectarian violence. It features a wonderful male character, and is a leading example of quality YA writing that appeals to both teens (girls and boys) and adults.

“Siobhan Dowd was a writing phenomenon. She wrote and delivered four completely different books of the highest possible standard in less than three years, a completely unprecedented rate of production in my publishing experience. None of them needed much editing. She had the seemingly effortless empathetic ability to transport the reader into the lives of her characters. And then, wonder of wonders, she was blessed with an almost pitch-perfect sense of story structure. It hardly bears thinking about what she might have achieved if she had lived.” said David Fickling, who edited all of Dowd’s books

We have just released her last novel SOLACE OF THE ROAD and I believe it’s her most commercial book yet. Siobhan has many fans in Australia (including myself) especially in the education market and if anybody gets a chance to get their hands on a copy of BOG CHILD or SOLACE OF THE ROAD please do!

Michael Schumacher has been unveiled as Top Gear's 'Stig' Read SMH article here -  and check out our exclusive range of Top Gear books.

The first ever full-length biography of Pattinson reveals the true story of his ascent to stardom. It is publishing in November to coincide with the launch of the second Twilight film, NEW MOON.

We are pleased to be able to share with you that our very own author Dannielle Miller (THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT released in September) has won her category in The Weekend Australian's Next 100 Emerging Leaders. You may have seen the Next 100 across the last few issues of The Weekend Australian Magazine and Dannielle in her education category.

You will be able to read further about this breaking story this weekend in The Weekend Australian Magazine.

Read more about THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT

The gripping and shocking story of the woman who lost her husband, her partner and her two sons to the Melbourne gangland war has been arrested over the murder of Des Moran.

Takeover Target is one of the most travelled horses in Australia. Three heart stopping appearances at Ascot and a first in Singapore saw his winnings shoot to $5.6 million, more than any other Australian sprinter has won. And he might be turning 10 this year, but he hasn't finished racing yet. This is a story not only of an extraordinary horse once thought hopeless whose status bolted from reject to hero, but of a man born in a workers' camp in Germany at the end of WWII, a battler who lived every bushie trainer's dream - to own a champion - and who even got to swap horse talk with the Queen.

TAKEOVER TARGET publishes this October.

A Picasso sketchbook worth more than €8m (£6.9m) was stolen last week from a Paris museum dedicated to the artist, where it is believed to have been kept in an unlocked cabinet. This real life event adds even more interest in Anson Cameron's new book STEALING PICASSO which publishes in September.

Maurice Sendak was born in Brooklyn, New York. He began by illustrating other authors' books for children, but the first book that he both wrote and illustrated was Kenny's Window, published in 1956. Since then he has illustrated over 80 books, and has won many awards, including the 1964 Caldecott Medal for WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE.

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE IS SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOVIE. You have to watch the increible film trailer - http://wherethewildthingsare.warnerbros.com/

Random House Children's Books is proud to publish every Children’s Laureate, Anthony follows in the footsteps of Quentin Blake, Anne Fine, Michael Morpurgo, Jacqueline Wilson and Michael Rosen. Anthony was absolutely delighted to accept the honour, he will be using his term as Laureate to highlight the importance of pictures books to children, and to adults.

On being chosen as Laureate:

“It's an honour to be the Children's Laureate for 2009-11. I'm well aware of the amazing things achieved by the five previous Laureates, and I'm in awe of their commitment and hard work. Picture books are special - they're not like anything else. Sometimes I hear parents encouraging their children to read what they call proper books (books without pictures), at an earlier and earlier age. This makes me sad, as picture books are perfect for sharing, and not just with the youngest children. As a father, I understand the importance of the bond that develops through reading picture books with your child. We have in Britain some of the best picture book makers in the world, and I want to see their books appreciated for what they are - works of art.”

The role of Children's Laureate is awarded once every two years to an eminent writer or illustrator of children's books to celebrate outstanding achievement in their field.

The Oprah show chooses MIDDLEMARCH by George Eliot as their next classic book. You can read more about this book choice on the Oprah website - http://tiny.cc/XjayA

You can check out all the details at Channel Seven’s site.

It has just been announced that NATION by Terry Pratchett has won one of America’s most prestigious book awards for Children – the Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards for Excellence in Children’s Literature. Learn more about this year's winners - http://www.hbook.com/bghb/current.asp

We are sure this award is the first of many (currently longlisted in the Guardian Children’s Book Awards). The paperback will be coming in October, and we urge everyone to get their hands on a copy of this book! We think it has huge potential but beyond that it’s a fantastic read that packs philosophy, history and environmental concerns into a great story that is of course hilarious!

Congrats Terry!

'Ransom, his first novel in 10 years it must be said at once is a masterpiece, exquisitely written, pithy and wise and overwhelmingly moving, constructed with invisible, successful craft that leaves the reader wondering how in the world it had been done. ... fiction, in Malouf's hands, becomes the art of rendering the world coherent. For this we must be grateful.

Alberto Manguel, Australian Literary Review

Random House has an amazing 8 shortlisted titles in the 2009 Speech Pathologist – Book of the Year Awards. There are 4 titles shortlisted in the Lower Primary Section and 4 titles in the Upper Primary. This is the first nomination for a number of our 2009 titles such as THE ADVENTURES OF NANNY PIGGINS, THE LOCKET OF DREAMS and BELMONT AND THE DRAGON. Our amazing Woolshed Press also has 2 shortlistings as well.  

The winners will be announced at a ceremony on 20th October.

Lower Primary Children (approx. 5-8 years)

• The Adventures of Nanny Piggins written by R. A. Spratt
• Twisted Tales written by Richard Tulloch, illustrated by Terry Denton
• Lucy the Good written by Marianne Musgrove, illustrated by Cheryl Orsini
• Belmont and the Dragon: The Forest of Doom and Gloom written by Robin Gold, illustrated by Mike Zarb

Upper Primary Children (approx. 8-12 years)

• Alive in the Death Zone: Mountain Survival written by Lincoln Hall
• The Wish Pony written by Catherine Bateson
• The Locket of Dreams written by Belinda Murrell
• Magenta McPhee written by Catherine Bateson

It’s been 11 years since Michael J. Fox revealed to the world that he had been secretly living with Parkinson’s disease. Today, he’s still the energetic optimist America fell in love with. In his new book, “Always Looking Up,” he writes candidly about how the disease has progressed over the last 18 years and how it’s affected his relationship with his wife, actress Tracy Pollan, and his children.

You can catch his interview with Oprah on Australian TV Monday 15 June.

THE SELECTED WORKS OF T.S. SPIVET has been hailed as “a completely original and mind-boggling book, with heart, soul - and maps! I defy anyone not to be hooked and beguiled” as well as, “This book is genius. It's a Russian doll of a thing - a work of art, an encyclopaedia, and an almost unbearably touching novel.”

THE SELECTED WORKS OF T.S. SPIVET is now in all Australian bookshops. Grab a copy, read it and let us know what you think.

Click here to read Reif's answers

The Man Booker International Prize, worth £60,000 to the winner, is awarded once every two years to a living author for a body of work that has contributed to an achievement in fiction on the world stage. It was first awarded to Ismail Kadaré in 2005 and then to Chinua Achebe in 2007.

Best known for her short stories, Munro is one of Canada's most celebrated writers. On receiving the news of her win, she said, ‘I am totally amazed and delighted.'

The judging panel for the Man Booker International Prize 2009 is: Jane Smiley, writer; Amit Chaudhuri, writer, academic and musician; and writer, film script writer and essayist, Andrey Kurkov. The panel made the following comment on the winner:

‘Alice Munro is mostly known as a short story writer and yet she brings as much depth, wisdom and precision to every story as most novelists bring to a lifetime of novels.  To read Alice Munro is to learn something every time that you never thought of before.'

Her latest collection of short stories, TOO MUCH HAPPINESS, will be published in October 2009. Alice Munro will receive the prize of £60,000 and a trophy at the Award Ceremony on Thursday 25 June at Trinity College, Dublin.

Novels work on many levels. You just have to talk to a book group about a book to discover as many variations and perspectives as people in the group. One thing is for sure though if you love books you will enjoy reading WANTING by Richard Flanagan. Reviewers in Australia and now the US continue to praise this stunning, and Miles Franklin Award shortlisted, book.

According to The Oregonian, "WANTING is about desire and its straitjackets, desire and illusion, desire as a force that sows as much pain as it does joy." You can read the entire review here 

Find additional reviews, reading groups questions and more on WANTING at www.richardflanaganwanting.com.au

Michelle Cooper won the Ethel Turner Prize for Young Adult Fiction for A BRIEF HISTORY OF MONTMARAY at last night's NSW Premier's Literary Awards Dinner. This stunning novel garnered wide review coverage on release and has been hailed as 'an instant  [children's] classic'.

'Bittersweet and delectable, this book deserves to be an instant classic. Sophie is one of the most charming narrators since I CAPTURE THE CASTLE.' Kate Forsyth, bestselling author of the Rhiannon’s Ride series.

On winning The Christina Stead Prize for Fiction at last night's NSW Premier's Literary Awards Dinner - London, 60, from Fremantle, said she had wanted to write about parenthood for a long time. "As a parent you are constantly thinking about this process, whether you are doing the right thing," she said. 

THE GOOD PARENTS, Joan London’s most recent novel, was published in April 2008 to wide acclaim. It has since reprinted many times and was also shortlisted for the Age Fiction Book of the Year.

IF I STAY continues to receive fantastic reviews, both here and overseas. Yesterday’s Sunday Telegraph picked it as their ‘Must Read’ title and had this to say:

“There are no vampires in this teen story but there is a spirit, which should appeal to the Twilight crowd (and film rights have already been sold to the production company that filmed that blockbuster)…IF I STAY is miserable and uplifting all at once, so keep the tissues handy.”

DISGRACE is already an award-winning film having won the Prize of International Critics at the Toronto Film Festival 2008 and Best Feature Film Adaptation at the Australian Writers Guild 2008. It stars, Academy Award winning actor, John Malkovich and releases in Australia on 18 June.

This bestselling book has been re-issued to tie-in with the movie release.

Check out the trailer