Dear Friends of Bookoccino, near and far,

Welcome to your Summer Reading Guide, the sixth since we became the owners of this iconic bookstore. Bookoccino has a truly remarkable literary history, going back to 1992, the golden days of publishing, when authors flew in by sea plane and Avalon was a sleepy surfing village. What a journey it has been. “You’re the intellectual and cultural centre of the Northern Beaches”, a customer told us recently. You should be called “The Vibes”, suggested another. Books. Stimulating events. Live music. Wine. Always abuzz with coffee drinkers and intelligent discussion. Find a bookstore that offers more. Our team of 16 happy baristas and booksellers is like family. Find them at another bookstore.

In these pages you’ll discover their reading recommendations. Plus Sally’s interview with the Pulitzer- winning art critic Sebastian Smee (Paris in Ruins: Love, War and the Birth of Impressionism); a feature from I Brought the War With Me: Stories and Poems from the Front Line, a moving collection of poetry and reflections by Lindsey Hilsum, one of the greatest war correspondents of her generation (and a friend of Ray’s since they met as journalists during the Rwanda genocide). And for your young ones, an interview on being a writer with Zanni Louise, author of Hazel’s Treehouse, a book which takes its cue from Winnie-the-Pooh. Our striking cover art is by Australian artist Luke Sciberras, who shares recommendations and news from his studio in Hill End.

If you’re undecided about what book to get for a friend, you’ll find recommendations from a range of renowned writers.

It’s been an EVENTful year for Bookoccino. From Viet Thanh Nguyen signing copies of his memoir A Man of Two Faces; to a packed theatre for Julia Baird (Bright Shining, discussing grace and kindness with Juanita Phillips. We hosted Bruce Pascoe (Dark Emu) and Lyn Harwood discussing Black Duck: A Year at Yumburra; and we launched The Good Farm Cookbook with Scott Gooding and Matilda Brown. We took a walk in nature with Richard Unsworth (The Natural Gardener) and sat captivated, as Richard Fidler and Paul Ham spoke eloquently about The Soul. Pulitzer winning New York Times correspondents David Sanger and Jane Perlez probed what The New Cold War means for Australia. Our biggest event of 2024 was a discussion about the US election, with Nick Bryant (The Forever War) and Don Watson (High Noon: Trump, Harris and America on the Brink).

If you missed any of our events because they were sold out (most are) or just want to re-engage with the evening, podcasts are available on our website.

Australia will be having a federal election, probably in May. As we did before the last election we will host a series of Sunday afternoon debates at the bookstore.

As we look to 2025, perhaps nothing gives us a greater thrill than to announce that Geraldine Brooks, a loyal friend of Bookoccino from the day we bought it, will be with us in February to talk about her new book, Memorial Days, a deeply moving memoir about the death of her husband, Tony Horwitz.

Judging from your reaction, our best addition in 2024 was Trivia Night. A great time out with friends, it is moderated by the talented and charming Amanda Maple Brown with music and unbeatable atmosphere by DJ Darren Todd. It is always sold out; you can book on our website.

If there has been one consistent joy over the last six years, it is seeing your children rushing to the back of the store, finding a book on the shelf, curling up on the floor and reading. It brings a smile to our faces every time. Don’t tell us books won’t survive the iPhone. Tuesday morning remains reserved for StoryTime.

Truly independent bookstores are a rare and special thing. You have kept Bookoccino alive and vibrant by spending your reading dollars with a community independent. We are greatly appreciative.

Who knows what surprises 2025 will bring, Sally and Ray