How many books have you read this year? Hunting for some book recommendations to  finish 2019 off strong? Our staff recommend the best books they read in October, including The Last Snake Man by John Cann, The Strays by Emily Bitto, Prison Industrial Complex Explodes by Mercedes Eng and Educated by Tara Westover.

“In the retelling of Weekes’ narrative, Hoare has written more than a biography. She delves deeply into the forebears of modern psychology… In bringing this story to light, Hoare has ensured Dr Weekes’ legacy as a pioneer in the treatment of nervous illness is duly recognised.” – Katrina Tite reviews The Woman Who Cracked the Anxiety Code by Judith Hoare.

Feeling uninspired, or want to know more about your favourite authors? Check out these Australian writing podcasts.

We spoke with one of Australia’s leading teachers of creative writing, Anthony Macris, about the fundamentals of writing characters, ahead of his workshop at Writing NSW, Creating Dynamic Characters, on Saturday 23 November.

Where did the year go? We hope NaNoWriMo isn’t the only thing on your writing calendar this month.

“From travelling the world to finally finding a home and family in Sydney, Her Kind of Luck relates a story worth telling.” – Myra Opdyke reviews Her Kind of Luck by Michelle Balogh.

“Rowe’s work revels in the lyrical beauty of ordinary, minute details – bringing a romantic edge to the moments of our lives we may not recognise as significant.” – Izabella Antoniou reviews Here Until August by Josephine Rowe.

We spoke with freelance science journalist Bianca Nogrady about why she loves freelance writing ahead of her workshop, How to Succeed as a Freelance Writer on Saturday 9 November at Writing NSW.