What to Read Next?
Looking for your next great read?These resources should help you find just what you're after!
Australian Book Review (ABR) is Australia’s premier literary review. It publishes a monthly magazine of reviews, essays, commentaries, and creative writing.
Australian Book Review can be accessed at any of our library branches. Ask staff for details.
Gale Books and Authors is designed to answer the age-old question... What do I read next? Search and match reading interests to books, authors, genres, and topics. Access is free to all library members, just log in with your library card number.
Goodreads is a social media platform for readers. You can keep track of the books you've read, the books you're reading, and the books you want to read. You can also follow your friends to see what they're reading, leave reviews, and comment on reviews written by others. You can also follow your favourite authors to find out what they've got coming up. By giving Goodreads a little information about the titles or genres you’ve enjoyed in the past, they’ll give you surprisingly insightful recommendations on what to read next. Goodreads is free to join.
On Facebook, look for the @ABCBookClub at www.facebook.com/groups/theabcbookclub. This is the main way you can join in and tell others what you think of the books you're reading. If you're not on Facebook, you can also email or send a voice memo.
The Bookshelf is a radio program hosted by Kate Evans and Cassie McCullagh. You can hear it on ABC Radio National every Friday at 10 am (repeated every Sunday at 3 pm and Monday at 11 pm) and as a podcast on your prerered listening app (like Spotify or iTunes). You can also listen to previous episodes directly in your browser at www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/the-bookshelf or download the ABC Listen app.
Visit The ABC Book Club on Facebook
Visit Regional Readers on Facebook
A podcast is an audio programme, just like radio, but you subscribe to it on your smartphone or device and listen to it whenever you like. They're a series of spoken-word audio episodes, all focused on a particular topic or theme, like reading, writing, or even fishing or craft. You can subscribe to the show with your prefered listening app and tune into episodes whenever you like with your headphones, in the car, or through speakers. Podcasts are a great way to enjoy book chat and to find your next great read! Feedspot have recently published a list of the 50 Best Australian Book and Writing Podcasts (8 April 2025).
50 Best Australian Book and Writing Podcasts
You can also find recommendations on what to read next and what's new to the library on the library app* and on the library catalogue at https://rtrl.spydus.com/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/MSGTRN/OPAC/HOME. Subscribe to RTRL's eNewsletter, Econnect, at www.rtrl.nsw.gov.au/subscribe and receive former Lismore City Mayor, Jenny Dowell's monthly book review direct to your inbox. There's also a monthly list of new releases at the bottom of the newsletter.
If you're looking to research reading and writing, visit the Gale Literature Resource Centre at www.rtrl.nsw.gov.au/online-research-and-study and sign in using your library card number.