Hi Impact

A new world of choice, curated for you.A new world of choice, curated for you.A new world of choice, curated for you.A new world of choice, curated for you.A new world of choice, curated for you.A new world of choice, curated for you.A new world of choice, curated for you.A new world of choice, curated for you.A new world of choice, curated for you.A new world of choice, curated for you.A new world of choice, curated for you.A new world of choice, curated for you.A new world of choice, curated for you.
The It List 15 January 2022

The Monde Team’s 2022 Beachside Booklists

What could be better than stretching out beside the pool with a good book in hand?

If you’re stuck on a great read for this summer, take a page out of the Monde Team’s book and peer into our beachside book lists. From non-fiction to biographies, let a good book take you away. Whether you're reading by the pool, cocktail in hand, or snuggling up on the couch at home - a good book is the perfect way to relax and unwind after a busy festive season. And if you're not sure where to start, we've got you covered with options far and wide - perfect for everyone from book worms, to novice readers.


Words By Team Monde

Ruby, Content Manager

Not only am I looking forward to some rest and relaxation this year, but also just having time and energy to sit down and start chewing through my massive pile of books.

Although my ‘to-read’ pile is metres long, I’m going to start with a book I’ve already bought myself in preparation to make it a little easier.

Since reading Boy Swallows Universe and falling in love with Trent Dalton’s exciting storytelling, I grabbed a copy of his new title, ‘Love Stories’ which sounds like equal parts fun, romantic and moving – can’t wait!

I’ve heard fabulous things about Michelle Zauner’s Crying in H Mart. Although promising to be sombre and sad at times, it sounds like it’s definitely one that’s worth ready.

By another author who I already know and love, Kazuo Ishiguro, who wrote the absolutely haunting Never Let Me Go, comes his latest; Klara and the Sun. Having been Longlisted for the 2021 Booker Prize, it’s sure to be just as good, if not better than his previous.

For my final book, one that I already own and have been meaning to rip through is Dark Emu Aboriginal Australia and the Birth of Agriculture by Bruce Pascoe.

I’m super keen to broaden my horizons and learn more about native Australian landscapes and traditions this year and beyond, and this book seems to be the perfect starting point.

Britt, Head of Community

I’m one of those ‘only read when she’s on holiday’-type, so do tend to save up whatever is on my wish lists for this time of year.

This summer I won’t be straying too far off my usual track and will be planning to read 4 non-fiction books.

I am obsessed with reading, watching and consuming anything to do with cooking so have included ‘Ottolenghi’s Test Kitchen’ to scratch this itch.

Another middle eastern inspired cookbook never hurts right? Right.

I’ve heard great things about Madeleine Dore’s guide on exploring the joys of releasing ourselves from the burden of productivity guilt.

Personally working as a freelancer, I find myself consistently in guilt spirals about not being productive enough.

It almost seems like this book was written for me to enjoy during my break, and I look forward to devouring it!

For my final two, I opted for biographies written by strong and successful women.

Former magazine editor Justine Cullen’s Semi Gloss has been immensely popular with Aussie readers, and Emily Ratajkowski’s My Body has blown up all over social media over the break.

So, while I’m excited to read the contents of both, I’m also excited to be up to date with the Instagram reading community.

Galen, Graphic Designer

I’ve been holding off on the iconic Joan Didion’s ‘The Year Of Magical Thinking’ for a little while now.

I was heartbroken to hear of her passing over Christmas last year and feel it’s fitting to finally dive into her experiences with grief.

I’m currently half way through Robert Wright’s ‘Why Buddhism Is True’ and am now living in epiphany city, population me.

If you’d like a whole new perspective on why your brain does the things it does while learning to see yourself and the world around you with the sharpest of lenses, this is it!

Not only a Booker Prize winner but more impressively a bona fide recommendation from my dear old Dad, ‘Midnight’s Children’ by Salman Rushdie has got to be good.

Now that ‘Dune’ is suddenly cool (Thanks T. Chalamet!), the 13 year old geek in me feels it’s a safe time to revisit the original.

Maybe, after all of this reading, I’ll even have time to watch it at the movies.

Eliza, Editorial Contributor

After getting into the habit of nightly reading last year – I’ve taken somewhat of a hiatus but am keen to get back into the routine and steer clear of my phone in the time before bed.

That’s why I’ve added James Clear’s book Atomic Habits to my must-read list – I figure if they’ve written a bestseller about habit making, I’m bound to pick up some tips and tricks for my day to day routine.

Currently, my favourite podcast is the Celebrity Memoir Bookclub – hosts Claire Parker and Ashley Hamilton break down the essence of celebrities’ lives.

Usually, the idea is that they read the memoirs, so you don’t have to.

But Katie Couric’s, Going There piqued my interest during their episode, and you can bet I’ll be reading it.

Next on my list is Taylor Jenkins Reid’s, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and if it’s anything like her novel, Daisy Jones and the Six, I’ll devour it.

Finally, in 2022 I’ll be revisiting Dolly Alderton’s Everything I Know About Love before the series is released later this year.