Whether you are a ferociously fast reader who tears through book after book, or an occasional bookworm who can’t help but pick up a best seller to lazily read page through on holiday, there’s no denying the power of a good book.
Whilst the team at WHO are a varied group of readers, there is one uniting moment we all can’t help but love: Having the perfect read already picked out.
There’s just nothing worse than reading that last page of a book and wondering what you want to read next. Sure, browsing through a bookshop is fun and sure we have all got endlessly long to-be-read lists that grow longer and longer, but there is no better feeling than having a book already lined up that you can’t wait to jump into.
If the feeling is mutual and you need some book inspo we have you covered. The WHO team have rounded up the best books we’ve read this month and we have to admit it’s a pretty impressive compilation.
From witch romantic comedies to classics and audiobooks, our September picks are a great place to start looking for what to read next.
What to read in September 2023
Madison Scott – Senior Digital Content Producer
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
I’ve been having a lot of fun getting into the witchy side of Booktok as the spooky season approaches, and this was a fun read that perfectly balances family, magic and a healthy dose of romance.
I’m not normally one for anything magical or fantasy-adjacent so these recent picks have definitely been a bit out of my comfort zone, but this book is so heartwarming and cozy that it’s made me rethink my usual avoidance of the genre.
Gracie Boyle – Digital Content Producer
1984 by George Orwell
After spending many years collecting dust on my to-read list, I finally decided to take the plunge into George Orwell’s dystopian classic 1984.
The story follows protagonist Winston Smith as he navigates his way through society under the close surveillance of Big Brother and his Thought Police, with Orwell’s dystopian descriptions offering a confronting and poignant commentary on modern society.
While the book may have first been published over 70 years ago, I found Orwell’s storytelling and exploration of various political ideologies incredibly thought-provoking; making 1984 one of my new all-time favourite reads.
Jayde Malifa – Digital Managing Editor, Lifestyle
Atomic Habits by James Clear
With a beautifully, colour coordinated bookcase and a handful of failed book club attempts, I have struggled for years to get into a regular reading routine. Since signing up to Audible, I am now diving deep into my long literary wishlist starting with James Clear’s Atomic Habits, in a bid to bed down some good habits, like reading.
Even though I have just started, this book is a serious game-changer. You know that feeling when you’re trying to overhaul your life, and it just feels impossible? Clear breaks it down, reminding us that it’s all about those tiny, everyday choices.
I was struck by this story he shared about an athlete making minuscule changes to his training — those tiny tweaks made a world of difference over many sessions and years of consistency. It got me thinking about my own routines and how instead of making mass changes, you only need to start with one and work your way through bit by bit.
If you’ve ever felt like big goals are too daunting, this book is a breath of fresh air, as it’s all about celebrating the small stuff that makes the big, long-term wins. Better still, the book is deeply grounded and based on personal, real-life experiences, making it a self-help book that is less preachy and more teachy, providing advice you’ll want to take on board.
Isabelle Knevett – Senior Digital Content Producer
Bite Back by Hannah Ferguson
I finally just got my hands on a copy of Hannah Ferguson’s (Cheek Media Co-Founder) new release Bite Back which tackles all things to do with the media industry, feminism, and politics – and when I say this is a must-read, I mean it. Not only is it fab to support a fellow female journo but to hear the perspective of a young woman navigating Australian culture unapologetically is super inspiring for me as a chronic people pleaser with strong opinions.
It’s super sharp-witted and a scathing, honest, and provoking look at the very world we live in today.
Books the WHO team have reccommened in 2023
Madison Scott – Senior Digital Content Producer
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store: A Novel by James McBride
In 1972, when workers in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, were digging the foundations for a new development, the last thing they expected to find was a skeleton at the bottom of a well. Who the skeleton was and how it got there were two of the long-held secrets kept by the residents of Chicken Hill, the dilapidated neighbourhood where immigrant Jews and African Americans lived side by side and shared ambitions and sorrows.
McBride weaves together so many beautiful stories and characters in this book and I really couldn’t put it down! It’s definitely a more complex and at times slower read than I usually go for, but I grew so attached to the characters that I devoured the chapters. A heartbreaking and unforgettable read that depicts both the beauty and ugliness of humanity.
Gracie Boyle – Digital Content Producer
We’ll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han
Along with seemingly every woman in their twenties, I’ve become obsessed with The Summer I Turned Pretty television series. After the emotional season two finale, I was left with more questions than answers, so I knew I had to pick up the third instalment of the beachside saga.
We’ll Always Have Summer had everything you could want in a teen romance; drama, angst, and a friends-to-lovers story arc. While the book was not a complex read, Han’s storytelling offered a healthy dose of summer-themed escapism and the Team Conrad content I had hoped for.
Tina Burke – Digital Managing Editor, Entertainment
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Yes, I may be a woman in her thirties, but that is absolutely not going to stop me from enjoying a light-hearted rom-com about a bunch of young twenty-year-olds. Especially when it’s something as wild and delightfully unhinged as Red, White & Royal Blue.
The son of the American President developing a crush on the Prince of England? Leading to an illicit romance that can only take place behind closed doors (with the help of the Secret Service, of course)? What is not to love about this!!
I devoured this book in two days, before watching the adapted movie on Prime Video, which I also loved dearly. It’s fun, it’s silly, and it’s actually incredibly sweet (even though the cringey cuteness may make you roll your eyes sometimes).
Isabelle Knevett – Senior Digital Content Producer
Blueberries by Ellena Savage
I am currently reading Blueberries by Ellena Savage which is a collection of short stories and prose all about the female body, relationships, and writing – it spans across the world from Melbourne to Lisbon and crosses genres like true-crime and poetry. It’s the perfect book for picking up across several weeks when you just want something to sink your teeth into before bed. It’s the perfect choice for picking up over a few weeks when you just want something substantial to enjoy before bed. If you’re a fan of literature and the magic of writing itself, it’s definitely a must-read.
Chanelle Mansour – Senior Digital Content Producer, Streaming
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