While we’ll never get tired of re-watching her films — from Sleepless in Seattle to When Harry Met Sally — which irrevocably changed the rom-com genre, we’d argue that the best way to experience Ephron’s genius is through her written work. Whether she’s pondering ageing with cutting-edge wit in I Feel Bad About My Neck, or self-deprecatingly recounting a breakup in Heartburn, Ephron’s unique ability to make us laugh, cry, and really feel is largely unmatched.

If, like us, you’ve already devoured Ephron’s catalogue and are hungry for more, we’ve got you covered. Below, we’re rounding up five authors like Nora Ephron that are worth reading next.

Dolly Alderton

If Nora Ephron was a millenial, she would be Dolly Alderton. The British author and columnist has mastered the art of capturing the confusion of your twenties and thirties — with a heavy emphasis on love and heartbreak. Her collection, while short, is worth looking into if you’re a fan of Ephron, from Everything I Know About Love to Good Material.

Deborah Levy

It’s true that Deborah Levy’s work veers a little more into introspective and often darker territory, but she does share Ephron’s ability to summarise deep emotional insights with sharp, engaging writing. In Hot Milk, she explores the often strange and confusing nature of womanhood, while in Swimming Home, she takes aim at the insidiousness of depression.

Helen Fielding

If you ask us, Helen Fielding is somewhat of a British version of Nora Ephron. The brains behind Bridget Jones, Fielding is, like Ephron, adept at exposing all the chaotic, messy parts of being a woman, without every losing her sense of humour. If self-depcreation is your brand of comedy, look no further.

Sally Rooney

Known for her sharply drawn characters and exploration of relationships, Sally Rooney  shares more than a few similarities with Ephron. Her novels, from Normal People to the newer Intermezzo, delve into the complexities of friendships, love, and the quiet moments that define us. Rooney’s writing, like Ephron’s, is intimate and unflinching in its exploration of modern relationships, though her tone tends to be more understated and emotionally layered.

Marian Keyes

For writing that expertly balances humour with emotion, Marian Keyes is another author to consider. Her books, including Watermelon and Rachel’s Holiday, typically revolve around complex characters navigating personal struggles like addiction, family dynamics, and love. Her comedic touch, along with her ability to tackle serious issues with sensitivity, makes her a beloved author in the vein of both Ephron.

The post Five authors like Nora Ephron to read if you’re a hopeless romantic appeared first on RUSSH.

From modern cult favourites to classic literature with a twist, these are the book-to-screen adaptations set to define the next year. Consider this your reminder to get reading.

1. People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

Release date: January 9, 2026

Emily Henry’s cult-favourite friends-to-lovers romance is officially getting the Netflix treatment. The story centres on Poppy and Alex, two opposites who are somehow best friends — until a disastrous holiday ended their annual summer trips. Two years later, Poppy convinces Alex to give it one more go, hoping the getaway will fix whatever broke between them. Emily Bader stars as Poppy, with Tom Blyth as Alex, joined by Sarah Catherine Hook, Jameela Jamil, Molly Shannon and Lukas Gage.

2. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

Release date: 14 February, 2026

Oh we’ve been waiting for this one. Emerald Fennell is taking on Brontë’s stormiest masterpiece, with Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi cast as Catherine and Heathcliff. Produced by Robbie’s company LuckyChap, the film promises a modern, sensorial take on the doomed lovers who haunt the Yorkshire moors – just listen to Charli XCX’s original score for proof. If Fennell’s track record (Saltburn, Promising Young Woman, the list goes on) means anything, this will be lush, provocative, and rich in symbolism.

3. Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen

Release date: September 11, 2026

A new generation is getting its own Sense & Sensibility. Starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, Esmé Creed-Miles and George MacKay, this adaptation promises a sharper, more youthful lens on Austen’s story of love, restraint and social pressure – particularly considering the screenplay was written by Australia’s own Diana Reid. We can’t wait to be re-introduced to the Dashwood sisters.

4. Verity by Colleen Hoover

Release date: October 2, 2026

Colleen Hoover’s psychological thriller is stepping into the spotlight at last. Verity is heading to the big screen with Dakota Johnson, Anne Hathaway, and Josh Hartnett in the lead roles — perfect casting for this twisted trio, if we do say so ourselves. The plot centres on Lowen, a struggling writer hired to complete a bestselling author’s unfinished novels, only to uncover something darker in the family home. Expect a twisty adaptation that leans into the book’s most unsettling turns.

5. Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

Release date: November 20, 2026

The Hunger Games is looking back — this time through the eyes of a young Haymitch Abernathy. Suzanne Collins’ newest prequel traces the brutal events of the 50th Hunger Games, long before Katniss ever stepped into the arena. With a teaser trailer already here, expect a darker, more political origin story that deepens the mythology of Panem.

6. Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis

Release date: November 26, 2026

Greta Gerwig’s next major literary adaptation is a return to Narnia — but not the version we’ve seen on screen before. The Magician’s Nephew, the origin story of the entire Chronicles, follows the creation of Narnia, the first appearance of the White Witch, and the earliest magic that shaped the world. With Netflix backing it and a late-2026 release planned, it’s set to be one of the year’s biggest fantasy events.

7. Heartstopper Forever by Alice Oseman

Release date: TBC

Nick and Charlie’s story isn’t ending quietly. The final instalment of Alice Oseman’s graphic-novel series is being adapted as a feature-length film, set to close the Heartstopper universe with one last chapter in 2026. Expect tenderness, growing pains and a heartfelt send-off to one of the most beloved queer love stories of the decade.

8. Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe

Release date: TBC

Rufi Thorpe’s novel is heading to television with an A-list cast to match. The series follows Margo Millet — a young single mum trying to stay afloat after dropping out of college — who turns to OnlyFans as a last-ditch attempt to make rent. When her estranged father, a washed-up pro wrestler, reappears, Margo’s life becomes even more chaotic (and unexpectedly funny). Elle Fanning is set to lead the series, with Michelle Pfeiffer playing her mother and Nicole Kidman attached in a still-unknown role.

9. Scarpetta by Patricia Cornwell

Release date: March 11 2026, on Prime Video

Another Nicole Kidman-centric masterpiece, though this one falls into the crime thriller category. Scarpetta borrows its plot from Patricia Cornwell’s novels, charting the highly skilled Dr. Kay Scarpetta (played by Kidman), who resolves to uncover the identity of a serial killer, while at the same time proving her career-making case from 28 years prior isn’t also her undoing.

There are some equally big names rounding out the cast, including Jamie Lee Curtis, Simon Baker, Ariana DeBose, and Bobby Cannavale.

10. The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

Release date: TBC

This New York Times best seller is heading to Netflix, as an hour-long series. There’s no word on casting yet, but allow us to catch you up on the plot. It’s described as “a multi-generational drama series set in the Adirondacks, exploring the Van Laar family’s dark secrets, class tensions, and the mysteries surrounding the disappearance of 13 year old Barbara Van Laar from her family’s summer camp—in the wake of an earlier family tragedy that may be related. As the past and present collide, the Van Laars’ wealth and influence unravel, revealing the damaging consequences of privilege and the abuse of power.” We’re listening.

Feature image from La Délicatesse, via Pinterest.

The post Every book being adapted into film and TV in 2026 appeared first on RUSSH.

There are three books in the series, with a fourth somewhere on the way, although details around the fate of its release have been somewhat scant. As such, you might have been left with a hole in your reading schedule while you wait. Luckily, there’s plenty of similar stories to occupy your time. Below, eight books and series like Fourth Wing to read next. You’re welcome.

ACOTAR by Sarah J. Maas

If you loved the sweeping romance and high-stakes fantasy of Fourth Wing, A Court of Thorns and Roses (also known as ACOTAR) delivers a similarly immersive experience. Expect a richly built fae world, slow-burn enemies-to-lovers tension and a long, addictive series that only grows more epic with each instalment. Where Fourth Wing gives you dragons and war colleges, ACOTAR leans fully into fairy courts and romantic stakes.

Books:

Dire Bound by Sable Sorensen

If the dragon-riding bonds were your favourite part of Fourth Wing, Dire Bound taps into a similar vibe — only this time, it’s with dire wolves. Set in an elite, brutal training academy, the story follows Meryn, who will stop at nothing to rescue her kidnapped sister. It delivers the same sense of danger, discipline and emotional bonding through battle as the Fourth Wing books.

Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas

For readers who came for the scale of Fourth Wing, the Throne of Glass series offers a longer, deeper journey through an expansive fantasy world. Assassin heroines, ancient magic and an intricately layered political system make this series ideal for anyone who wants fantastical world-building that develops book by book. If you like your stories with a lot of detail, look no further.

Books:

Crescent City series by Sarah J. Maas

Unlike the medieval-feeling fantasy worlds of Fourth Wing and ACOTAR, Crescent City unfolds in a modern magical city. The series follows Bryce Quinlan (half-Fae, half-human) whose glamorous life implodes after the brutal murder of her closest friend — pulling her into a conspiracy that stretches from criminal underworlds to ruling magical houses. With three sprawling books, it’s ideal for readers who want high-stakes fantasy with a more contemporary edge.

Books:

Quicksilver (Fae & Alchemy series) by Callie Hart

In search of a replacement for Xaden Riorson? We’ve got just the thing, in the form of Quicksilver‘s male lead: Kingfisher a 7-foot tall Fae. Need we say more? Beyond that, this is the perfect pick for those chasing that mix of tension, competence and slow-built intimacy with a male main character who feels lethal and protective in equal measure. Better yet, there’s a third instalment to the Fae & Alchemy series coming soon.

Books:

Plated Prisoner series by Raven Kennedy

For fans of dark romance and an extreme slow burn, The Plated Prisoner series offers a reimagining of the King Midas myth with high emotional stakes. Expect a long-form character journey, morally complex relationships and, once again, a powerful male lead.

Books:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

If your favourite part of Fourth Wing was young characters trying to dismantle a corrupt system, The Hunger Games strikes a similar chord. It’s action packed and, as the series goes on, widens into a rebellion-focused story that interrogates power and propaganda as a means for survival. Even better, there’s a new prequel movie on the way.

Books:

The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare

For readers drawn to sprawling fantasy ecosystems, The Mortal Instruments series basically has it all: demons, fae, warlocks and shadowhunters, but in a modern setting. It balances romance and high-stakes conflict but with an accessible, more contemporary tone. There’s also a strong good vs evil trope, if that’s your thing.

Books:

The post Obsessed with the ‘Fourth Wing’ series? These are the romantasy books to read next appeared first on RUSSH.

Booktok readers emerging from the Fourth Wing and ACOTAR haze, looking for their next tome, immediately locked onto Callie Hart’s Quicksilver. It’s the tale of Saeris Fane, a woman living and surviving in the poorest part of her segregated city. After an encounter with one of the Queen’s guards gone wrong, Saeris is faced with a deadly situation that would see her pulled into pool of molten quicksilver and into another realm.

Both Quicksilver and its follow up Brimstone make up the first two instalments in what is set to be a trilogy called The Fae & Alchemy trilogy. The story’s rabid popularity meant that both books have become New York Times best-sellers. Now, fans are waiting with bated breath for any news about the third and final book in the series.

We’ve done some digging and trawled through some reddit threads. Here’s everything we know so far about Quicksilver book three.

When can we expect the third book to come out?

Neither author Callie Hart nor her publisher has publicly announced a release date. But there some clues.

Quicksilver was initially released on 4 June 2024. Brimstone was released on 18 November 2025. This is roughly a 17 month gap between books. If we follow the same pattern, we won’t see book three until April 2027.

However, there may be a release-date plot twist. The third book is already available for pre-order on Barnes & Noble with a note saying the item will be released on 10 November 2026. It’s sent the fandom into a spiral. Perhaps, we’ll be waiting just a year or less?

We do know that Callie Hart is already deep into writing the next instalment. Weeks before Brimstone was released, she posted to Instagram letting fans know that writing the third book was no mean feat.

A post shared by Callie Hart (@calliehartauthor)

If the wait is closer to the 17 month mark (which does seem more realistic), it seems like a long time to wait. But as fans, we don’t want our favourite stories rushed through, only to get our hands on a story that doesn’t match our expectations. All good things take time and Kingfisher fans are happy to wait to see how the trilogy comes to a close.

Do what know what it’s called?

We don’t have a title yet, but given the current naming pattern – Quicksilver and Brimstone – we have to assume the name will relate to another magical element or skill. Maybe the name could draw on Kingfisher’s powers to manipulate shadows? Or the name might relate to alchemy and Saeris’s powers as an alchemist.

What details do we have so far? What will it be about?

It’s hard to find any concrete details.

Callie Hart said on her Instagram “Book three is a leviathan. It will eat me. Or you. Either way… sorry.” Given that a leviathan is a kind of sea demon, we assume she’s saying writing the book is its own beast. It will likely be the longest book in the series.

It’s set to be a frustrating wait for more details. Especially considering the sizeable cliffhanger we were left with at the end of Brimstone. We last saw the now-Queen Saeris and “Kingfisher” (if you know, you know) facing off in the demon-realm of Diaxis against a dragon who demands a hefty bargain from the pair.

Is book three the last book in the series?

Yes, this is supposed to be the last book. While other popular romantasy series are longer – like Fourth Wing which is set to have five books and ACOTAR which will apparently have six – this will be it for the Quicksilver books. Author Callie Hart planned the Fae & Alchemy series as a trilogy, so this coming book is set to be the last one.

But you never know. Mortal Instruments was supposed to be a trilogy but then author Cassandra Clare ended up writing three more.

The post What do we know about the third book in the ‘Quicksilver’ series appeared first on RUSSH.

Goodreads has been sending out a customised email to members annually since December 2017 that includes their yearly reading habits and statistics. If you’re wondering when you’ll receive yours, what’s included and where to find it, we’ve got you covered, below…

When is it arriving?

It usually drops in early to mid-December, with emails sent out around mid-month.

For those who are impatient (and a little sneaky) you can also see a basic version right now on your Goodreads account by visiting your Year in Books page and tweaking the URL from /2023 to /2025.

Where can I find it?

You will be sent an email from Goodreads with your “Year in Books”, as well as being able to view it on your Goodreads “Year in Books” page.

What stats does it show?

It will show you your reading habits and stats for the year, like:

Who gets a Goodreads wrapped?

You’ll need to have a Goodreads account, and have read two or more books with a finish date in 2025.

So – now is your last chance to review your “My Books” page to double-check that the books you’ve read this year are shelved on Goodreads with a 2025 read date.

How can I view my Year in Books for previous years?

To view your previous years’ Year in Books stats:

The post Bookworms – here’s how to check your Goodreads ‘Year in Books’ wrapped appeared first on RUSSH.

While there was wild speculation that it would be released at the end of 2025, it’s unlikely to happen. It would have made complete sense for the book to arrive ahead of the holiday and gifting season. But now we’re in December, and we still haven’t heard a peep. It seems too unlikely that the new book and its requisite marketing could be crammed in before the end of the year. This is leading many fans to hypothesise that an early 2026 release seems much more likely.

We finally received a material update on the next ACOTAR book back in July 2025. The series’ author Sarah J. Maas has posted to Instagram announcing that has officially finished writing the sixth instalment. On 12 July 2025, Maas shared a reel showing herself closing the cover on a notebook titled “ACOTAR 6”, shutting a laptop and then opening a bottle of sparkling wine.

So, we know the book is finished. But whether it’s still in editing or perhaps the publishers are just holding onto it until a strategic release time, we don’t know.

A post shared by Sarah J. Maas (@sarahjmaas)

What exactly does this mean? And what details do we have so far about the plot and characters?

While we wait for more news. here’s everything I (a member of the fandom) have managed to dig up about the sixth and currently untitled ACOTAR book. Here’s everything we know so far.

When was the last book in the series, A Court of Silver Flamer, released?

When Sarah J. Maas posted videos from a Taylor Swift concert, the reaction from the ACOTAR fandom was largely the same. Girl, get back to your computer!

The fifth book in the series – A Court of Silver Flames – was published in February of 2021, which means we’re coming up on four years of waiting for the next book in the series. I don’t know about you, but I’m getting impatient.

We were initially told to expect it in 2025 – but now it will be 2026

There was an update from the publisher Bloomsbury in 2023 that said fans could expect the book in 2025. But 2025 it over in four weeks, and that is simply not enough time for an entire marketing campaign to squeeze in before the end of the year.

It appears that the sources that said we might have to wait until early 2026 were correct. At this rate, we might end up with the first series of the ACOTAR TV Show first, even though it’s been repeatedly cancelled.

We do know that the book is finished. The only other update we’d received on the actual writing of the book was in April 2024 when Maas posted to Instagram about heading North “to write for a while” with ACOTAR hashtags in the caption.

A post shared by Sarah J. Maas (@sarahjmaas)

There was some hype that we were going to get some news in March 2025 regarding the the official release date. This is when the quarterly Bloomsbury trade and business update happened – on 20 March. It’s common for Bloomsbury to make major book release announcements on these dates. Alas, nothing happened and there was no meaningful news on the book.

My gut is telling me that we could see a release date around the end-of-year holiday period in 2025. It would make sense for the release to come at the Christmas gifting season. Or maybe I’m being too ambitious regarding how long it will take to edit and print.

We know its going to be long

Maas sat down with Spotify in late 2024 and although she refused to divulge any plot details, she did say that the book was going to be a long one. Which would explain why it is taking such a long time to come together.

It will likely focus on Elain’s perspective

Maas did say in the same Spotify interview it was “too early” for her to reveal who the book was about. She then said she hoped to have more details for us soon, but it’s been more than six months since then.

Without any concrete details, we can make some educated guesses. Fans know books one, two and three focused on Feyre. Book four, a novella, set up the transition of events to hint at a change of perspective in the story line. Following on, book five, focused on Nesta’s (Feyre’s sister) point of view and her eventual romance with Cassian. As a result, the current hypothesis is that book six will follow the perspective of Elain, Feyre’s other sister. Many people have taken this Time Magazine article as confirmation, but it really just confirms it as a fan theory.

In one of my many reddit deep dives, I found a theory that some of the book could be in Mor’s POV. Silver Flames often had cryptic references to the day that Eris found Mor in the woods. So, it could be a set up to give us the full story, and in her point of view. I personally think that we’ll see a potential Mor and Emerie romance, which adds to the theory that we’ll see the storyline through her eyes at some points.

We’re going to get a lot more Azriel

Because we don’t really know anything concrete, we have to largely rely on hints and clues. And a lot of these come from the unpublished bonus chapters. There was an unpublished bonus chapter early on that detailed a demure but heated encounter between Nesta and Cassian which in a way foretold the events of book five.

Most fans will know of the two bonus chapters that came with Silver Flames, one that features Azriel  – if you haven’t read them, you can find links to the bonus chapters on the subreddit. In one bonus chapter, he has an electric moment with Elain at the townhouse and then in the other, a sweet encounter with Gwyn at the House of Wind. Using the theory that these bonus chapters give us some insight into the events of the coming books, we can expect to get a lot more Azriel in ACOTAR book 6.

Maas has certainly hinted that he may form a romance with the third Archeron sister Elain. It’s stirred up mixed feelings in the fandom. Some are here for it. Others – like myself – love Lucien as a character and are rooting for him to get the girl.

Also, a third Archeron sister ending up with the final member of the Illyrian trio? Does it perhaps feel too neat? I think it’s more likely Azriel will end up with Gwyn? All of this is still very much speculation and opinion. We’ll just have to wait and see where the story goes.

One of the core group will betray them

The origin of this theory is not clear but everyone in the fandom is on board. There are suggestions that the theory began here, with quotes from the evil queen Briallyn: “There are many in the world who would happily see the Night Court fall. Who would betray their so-called High Lord for a chance at power.”

A popular theory is that Mor will betray the group. She’s known for being secretive and there’s still a lot we don’t know about her back story. Eris for example has hinted there was a specific reason he left her in the woods to die.

Other theories say it will be Gwyn who is the betrayer. Or even Nesta after some speculate that Cassian dies. Personally I think it could be Lucien. Especially if Elain ends up with Azriel.

But let’s be clear. Sarah J Maas has never confirmed there will be a betrayer, so this could just be a theory.

Expect the spice to stay high

This one is confirmed, straight from the horse’s mouth. Maas has said that Azriel is a freak in the bedroom.

Anyone who’s read the series knows that the heat was turned all the way up when we arrived at book five. Given this Azriel titbit, there’s absolutely no sign of it being turned down in book six.

Maas has hinted at a seventh ACOTAR book – or so we think

It was widely accepted that this book was going to be the last book in the series but Maas recently did an interview with Today, that hinted there might be another one.

Maas said that she knows what her next four books are going to be. One of them we know is ACOTAR 6, what about the rest? Given that she’s only got two active series going (ACOTAR and Crescent City), this hints there is more ACOTAR coming. The other three can’t all be Crescent City books, right? So, unless she’s already got another series in the works, this suggests we’ll get more from the ACOTAR universe.

The post What we know about the sixth book in the ACOTAR series and its release date appeared first on RUSSH.

When Terakes spoke to RUSSH for our 20th-anniversary November issue last year, there was a quiet mention of what was coming next. Today, those plans are coming into fruition. Terakes debuts Eros: Queer Myths for Lovers, a bold, sensual reimagining of ancient Greek myths – stories carried through their Cretan heritage, and stories they always suspected contained more than the pared-back versions we were taught. In Terakes’ hands, these myths break open as queer, tender, furious, and imaginative stories. Gods walk beside mortals, bodies shift form, desire becomes both compass and catalyst. The result is stories vividly alive, hot-blooded, poetic, and sharp.

Below, we speak with Zoe Terakes on their Cretan heritage that drew them to creating Eros: Queer Myths for Lovers, their favourite author, and a book everyone should read at least once.

Eros: Queer Myths for Lovers reimagines ancient myths through a queer, modern lens. What drew you to Greek mythology as a foundation for exploring queer identity and love?

Definitely my heritage. My family is from Crete, an island between Greece and North Africa, with Southern Italy on the left and Turkey on the right. I have been drawn to the mythology of my people since I was really little. Queerness and transness are entrenched in the bones of these myths. But because our mythology has largely been documented by cis, heterosexual men, the queer and trans stories have been folded down, smaller and smaller, until it is almost impossible to see them at all. I made it my duty to excavate these stories, our stories, with the queer and trans experience at the forefront.

Many of the stories blur boundaries between gods and mortals, gender and form. What does divinity mean to you?

Divinity, like myth, is something I don’t see as separate to us. I believe our Angels walk among us. I think all divinity, gods, monsters, are much closer to us than we think. I think there is actually much less space between myth and reality than we think, I believe that ancient myths play out around us all the time, for all time.

How did your experience as an actor influence your voice and rhythm on the page?

I actually found it quite helpful as a way to get inside the head of a character. Being an actor, to me, means focussing on the details of a person; where they sit in your body, where their voice comes from when they speak, etc. So being able to use that as a way in to the characters in my book was really helpful.

You’ve said Eros: Queer Myths for Lovers’ is inspired by your Cretan heritage. How did connecting with your ancestry influence the book’s creation?

Well, I think it just made the space between myself and what I was writing about almost non-existent. For instance, the first story in the book tells the myth of Iphis, a young trans boy living in ancient Crete. Living inside a story that is so old, yet almost uncannily relatable, was pretty magic. I definitely feel closer to myself and to the old stories of my island as a result of it.

A post shared by zoe terakes (@zoeterakes)

What are you currently reading?

I just finished reading City of Night by John Rechy, a Mexican American author who was kicking around the gay hustling scene in the 60s. The book moves from New York City, to San Francisco, then to Chicago, then ends in New Orleans, Louisiana. It exposes the queer, hedonistic underbelly that pulsed through those cities. And I’ve just started reading In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado, which I’m loving so far.

What is your favourite book of all time?

Oh God, this is such a hard question to answer. Both Loaded and Merciless Gods by Christos Tsiolkas would be up there. And also, all of Camila Sosa Villada’s work. The Queens of Sarmiento Park and I’m a Fool to Want You are such living, breathing books. She is such a visceral writer. I just love her.

What literary character do you most identify with?

Oh! That’s a cool question. The first time I read Stone Butch Blues, I was in total disbelief at how relatable the protagonist’s experience was. I think so many transmasc folks have that experience reading Feinberg’s work. It is devastatingly relatable. Also, the ten-year-old narrator in Andrea Abreu’s Dogs of Summer. There is a hunger and a longing and a shame in her that I felt so deeply as a queer kid. It is an extraordinary book.

What is a book that changed your life?

Lou Sullivan’s Diaries, We Both Laughed in Pleasure, floored me. I read it almost cover to cover on a solo camping trip on Worimi Country. Lou kept diaries from when he was a kid, right up until the days before he died of AIDS. He was a gay trans man and his ability to remain in pursuit of joy, wonder and expansion, even in the face of death, is incredibly moving. Also, I know it’s a play, but Angels in America by Tony Kushner cracked my brain open and made me realise the kind of art I want to make.

Growing up, the best book on your bookshelf was?

Holding the Man by Timothy Conigrave. It was the first book I read that was set in Sydney, around the area I grew up in. It obviously wrecked me, but it also gave this promise of a queer community that, at the time, seemed totally out of reach.

Your favourite living author is?

Fuck, that’s really hard. I’d have to say Camila Sosa Villada. She is a trans, Argentine woman and as I said before, you can almost feel blood pumping through her work. It’s the closest I have ever come to being fully Jumanji’d. I was sucked in.

What is a book everyone should read at least once is?

The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions by Larry Mitchell. It is written in parables, fables and little manifestos. Published in 1977, the book describes an empire in decline, then introduces us to the faggots, the women, the queens, the women who love women, and the fairies, who are all resisting and organising against the world order of men. It is one of those golden pieces of writing that we are so lucky to have access to. When the current pervasive fascism feels insurmountable, this book illuminates the way forward, like a little Angel with a trumpet, showing us the way home.

The post Zoe Terakes on their debut novel ‘Eros: Queer Myths for Lovers’, book that changed their life and favourite author appeared first on RUSSH.

Whether you’re sun-dazed in the Northern Rivers or cooling off on the Perth coast with a crisp spritz, there’s something uniquely indulgent about reading on holiday – no deadlines, no distractions, just you and the story. From cult-classic novellas to steamy modern love affairs, our 2025 edit of summer reads has been handpicked to suit every kind of hot-weathered escape. Expect glamorous affairs, poetic introspection, and more than one narrator spiralling under the Mediterranean sun.

These are the titles we’re tucking into our carry-ons, stuffing in our straw totes, and pulling out beach-side. Warning: they may lead to impromptu bookstore visits and long, wine-fuelled conversations with strangers. Below, find your literary itinerary.

1. Bonjour Tristesse by Françoise Sagan

Arguably the definitive Euro summer read, this cult classic was penned by French writer Françoise Sagan when she was just 18. First published in 1954, it follows the sun-soaked holiday of Cécile, a precocious 17-year-old, and her charming, hedonistic father – until their idyll is interrupted by the arrival of his late wife’s best friend. A tale of desire, jealousy and the cruelties of youth, it’s recently found new life through Kaia Gerber’s Library Science book club and an upcoming film adaptation by Durga Chew-Bose, starring Lily McInerny and Chloë Sevigny.

2. Flesh by David Szalay

The newly crowned winner of the 2025 Booker Award, Flesh is the book all your literary muses have tucked into their beach bags this summer. Whether it’s Dua Lipa (who just interviewed Szalay for her Service95 podcast), or even Stormzy – the book has fans in high places. The story follows István as he moves through life from adolescence to old age; a spare and hypnotically written life in account.

3. Rytual by Chloe Elisabeth Wilson

For anyone who’s ever been seduced by beauty marketing – this one’s for you. Rytual peels back the high-gloss façade of the beauty world to reveal something far more unsettling beneath. Melbourne poet Marnie Sellick introduces us to a young woman who lands a dream job at a cult beauty brand – only to find herself drawn into the gravitational pull of its alluring, all-powerful founder. But is it just branding, or something more insidious? Equal parts sharp and seductive, this is a story about image, influence, and the uneasy thrill of belonging.

4. Bread of Angels by Patti Smith

Smith’s latest book (only released a few weeks ago), is a memoir of her teenage years – a post-Second World War childhood and a radiant portrait of a soon-to-be-artist. It’s sort of like a Just Kids prequel/sequel (more conventionally memoir than M Train or Year of The Monkey). A look at the earliest years of the celebrated rock poet.

5. Antiquity by Hanna Johansson

For fans of Call Me By Your Name and Bonjour Tristesse – Antiquity follows an unnamed narrator, a lonely woman in her thirties, who falls in love with chic older artist, Helena, after interviewing her for a magazine. Her obsession sees her join Helena and her teenage daughter, Olga, on holiday in the Greek city of Ermoupoli. At first, the narrator is seethingly jealous of Olga, but soon, however, this shifts to desire, at the prospect of becoming someone’s first, if perverse, lover.

6. The Uncool by Cameron Crowe

The Almost Famous director finally drops his long-awaited memoir in early December, and as one of America’s most iconic journalists and filmmakers, it’s sure to be a bestseller. Considering Almost Famous was semi-autobiographical, think of it as its essential counterpart: a raw exploration of his formative years in rock and roll.

7. My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

No holiday reading list would be complete without Ferrante. If you’ve never cracked open the Neapolitan Novels, let this summer be the time. The first in the series introduces us to Lila and Elena, childhood friends in a working-class neighbourhood of Naples. Their bond is tender, brutal, jealous, and lifelong. It’s impossible not to get swept away in Ferrante’s world. Even Rachel Patton in The White Lotus couldn’t put it down – sunbaking poolside in Maui with My Brilliant Friend in hand.

8. Nova Scotia House by Charlie Porter

Fashion journalist and curator Charlie Porter turns inward for his first work of fiction – a quiet, painterly novel about rebuilding. When the protagonist inherits a remote cottage in Nova Scotia, he retreats there to make sense of grief, identity and the tangled threads of family. There’s an attentiveness to detail here – of textiles, weather, meals – that reads like balm. Ideal for anyone craving solitude and introspection this summer.

9. The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong

Another new release from 2025: Vuong’s long-anticipated second novel is a kaleidoscope of grief, memory, and queer longing. Set between post-war Vietnam and contemporary America, The Emperor of Gladness is told in a fractured, dreamlike style that makes the ordinary feel mythic. With Vuong’s signature lyricism, this book pulls you into the soft violence of love and survival.

10. Sex and Lies by Leïla Slimani

This collection of testimonies from Moroccan women – gathered by Slimani during a return to her home country – is unflinching, intimate, and radical. Through their stories, a portrait emerges of a society caught between repression and resistance. Paired with Slimani’s own reflections, Sex and Lies reads like a manifesto for bodily autonomy. A bold, necessary read for the long, hot days of summer.

11. Raven Smith’s Trivial Pursuits by Raven Smith

If you don’t already follow the hilarious and singular writer and internet commentator Raven Smith on Instagram, you simply must. And now, he’s a Sunday Times Bestseller courtesy of his newly released book: Raven Smith’s Trivial Pursuits. His exploration of the minutiae of everyday modern life and culture is irresistibly self-aware and a perfect remedy in trying times.

12. Acid for the Children by Flea

Also in the memoir stack is that of Red Hot Chili Pepper’s bassist Flea. His 2019 book Acid For The Children is so revealing and raw – you get such a sense of his cheeky humour, his jazz-inflected prose, and the fun, danger and mayhem he partook in as a raucous adolescent in 1970s and 80s L.A. It’s less an account of his days as a RHCP member, and more a window into his life before the fame – meeting Keidis, growing up in a bohemian, music-obsessed household, and the loneliness that came with always feeling he was a little different.

13. Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

The latest from the Daisy Jones & The Six author drops us into the orbit of a 1970s interior designer to the stars. There’s retro glamour, sweeping romance and a bittersweet look at the passing of time. It’s already a #1 bestseller and should follow in the footsteps of her other beloved novels as modern classics.

14. Sunbathing by Isobel Beech

A RUSSH favourite, Beech’s debut is a meditation on loss, solitude and the slowness of healing. Set in a Tuscan farmhouse, it’s the kind of book that soaks in – tender, sparse, and deeply human. If you’re craving space to breathe, to think, to feel something quietly profound – this is it. We also chatted to Beech last year about her own favourite reads.

15. Waiting for Britney Spears by Jeff Weiss

A pop culture read for fans of Von Dutch and The Simple Life, Weiss’s semi-fictional memoir blurs fact and fancy to follow a young writer chronicling America’s sweetheart through Vegas superclubs and Malibu car chases.

16. Lonely Mouth by Jacqueline Maley

This short story collection from the journalist and novelist behind The Truth About Her offers sharp, funny, melancholic portraits of women on the cusp – of heartbreak, of reinvention, of clarity. Maley writes with a light touch and a journalist’s eye, making these stories perfect to dip in and out of between swims.

17. Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley

Hailed as one of the freshest new voices in Australian fiction, Brickley’s debut maps queer love, creative ambition and cultural friction across cities and decades. It’s layered, sexy, and soaked in music references. Think Zadie Smith meets Sally Rooney… in a dive bar.

18. Hot Milk by Deborah Levy

Levy’s scorching novel of mother-daughter entanglement, sunstroke, and sexual awakening is a must for the season. Set in a blistering Spanish village where a mysterious clinic promises cures, Hot Milk is equal parts fever dream and philosophical probe. The book was also recently adapted as a dreamy film, which you can catch in select cinemas across Europe (in case you want to watch it after you’ve finished reading).

19. Night People by Mark Ronson

Pop’s most influential producer just published his raucous memoir detailing a life raised by hedonistic creatives, and his escapades amongst the 90s New York club scene. It’s earnest, heartfelt and recently green-lit for an upcoming feature film.

20. Mr Salary by Sally Rooney

If you’re not much of a reader but still want some bound-together pages to throw into your beach bag, Rooney’s short story about Suki and Nathan – childhood family friends with unresolved tension – is a concentrated dose of her signature themes: unspoken desire, complicated love, emotional restraint. A perfect 40-minute read, best enjoyed in one small sitting.

21. Ruins by Amy Taylor

This taut and addictive debut novel set in Athens was recently optioned for film with Vanessa Kirby and Sebastian Stan already set to play its leads. It’s a provocative, voyeuristic novel about a couple who, hoping to reconnect during a summer in Athens, become entangled with a mysterious young Greek woman – an encounter that sends their relationship spiralling into unexpected and explosive territory.

22. The Trio by Johanna Hedman

A novel of intimacy, nostalgia and youth. The Trio follows Thora, August and Hugo – inseparable as teens in Stockholm – whose lives become complicated by a shared summer in Paris and a secret that fractures their bond. Told from alternating perspectives across a decade, Hedman captures the ache of trying to hold onto something already slipping away.

Feature images: one, two.

The post These are the books to add to your beach bag this summer appeared first on RUSSH.

Suzanne Collins has officially returned to the dystopian, post-apocalyptic world of The Hunger Games with the new prequel novel, which hit shelves in March, 2025, and is slated to be adapted into film in late 2026. And even more excitingly? There’s officially a teaser trailer to go along with it.

Everything we know so far, below.

Watch the first teaser trailer

Who’s in the cast?

So far the actors on board for Sunrise on the Reaping has us wanting to name our first-borns after the casting directors, so this is who is confirmed so far:

The film takes place 24 years prior to the first Hunger Games, which means we’ll need new, younger actors to bring to life some of our favourite characters. The latest actors to be welcomed into the fold? Glenn Close, as Drusilla Sickle, the cruel escort to the District 12 Tributes, and Billy Porter as Magno Sift, her estranged husband and the tributes’ uninspired costume designer.

There’s also Elle Fanning, who has signed on as none other than Effie Trinket. Fanning picks up the baton from Elizabeth Banks, who brought to life the character of the quirky stylist to Haymith in the earlier films.

And few roles have had us speculating quite like that of young Haymitch Abernathy. Now, that role has also officially been filled, by Australian actor Joseph Zada. Hailing from Sydney, the 20-year-old will take on the character first brought to life by Woody Harrelson. He’s joined by actress Whitney Peak, who will play Lenore Dove Baird.

“The Hunger Games franchise has long been a launching pad for remarkable young actors, and Jo and Whitney carry that legacy forward with incredible heart, depth, and fire,” said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-President Erin Westerman. “After auditioning hundreds of gifted performers from around the world, these two stood out—not just for their talent, but for the emotional truth they brought to these iconic roles. Haymitch has always been a fan favorite, and his origin story is one of the most anticipated in the franchise. His relationship with Lenore Dove is deeply woven into the emotional history of Panem.  We can’t wait for fans to experience the story that shaped one of the most compelling characters in the series.”

Joining Zada is Ralph Fiennes as Snow, Lili Taylor as Mags, Maya Hawke as Wiress, Kelvin Harrison Jr as Beetee, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, and Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner. While nothing is locked in, other actors reportedly in the mix include Emma Thompson as Drusilla, and Kieran Culkinas Caesar Flickerman.

Off camera, Lionsgate have already confirmed Francis Lawrence, who directed all but the first Hunger Games movies, will return as director.

What is Sunrise on the Reaping about?

The fifth volume of Collins’ blockbuster dystopian series follows the second-ever Quarter Quell, set 24 years before the original novel, and 40 years after Collins’ most recent work, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Sure, that probably doesn’t mean much to the untrained eye, but avid readers of the series will know that this is the Quarter Quell that a fan favourite character participated in… Haymitch Abernathy (played in the original films by Woody Harrelson).

There’s a fair bit of known history to contend with, given that Katniss and Peeta watch Haymitch’s game in Catching Fire. But perhaps most interestingly, the second Quarter Quell’s surprise twist saw twice the amount of tributes being drawn.

“With Sunrise on the Reaping, I was inspired by David Hume’s idea of implicit submission and, in his words, ‘the easiness with which the many are governed by the few,’” Collins said in a statement. “The story also lent itself to a deeper dive into the use of propaganda and the power of those who control the narrative. The question ‘Real or not real?’ seems more pressing to me every day.”

When will the film version come out?

Lionsgate have announced a release date of 20 November 2026. Watch this space.

The post ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ officially has a trailer appeared first on RUSSH.

What is the book about?

Across 224 candid pages, Fowler shares stories that extend far beyond the football pitch. She reflects on the turbulent years she spent with French club Montpellier, detailing incidents of racism that left her questioning both her place in the sport and her sense of belonging. One of the most confronting moments came when she and Dutch teammate Ashleigh Weerden – two of the few Black players in the squad – were handed bananas instead of flowers at a farewell presentation. Fowler writes of trying to rationalise the incident, yet finding it part of a repeated pattern that contributed to her deep discomfort and emotional struggle.

But Bloom is more than a recount of painful memories. Fowler opens up about her battle with depression, revealing periods of profound loneliness, self-harm, and a desire to step away from football altogether. Her vulnerability invites readers to understand the emotional toll of elite sport and the often invisible pressures placed on young athletes.

Despite the challenges, the book radiates hope. Fowler shares the strategies, habits and values that helped her rebuild: gratitude, trust, nature, boundaries and bravery. She writes about the importance of reaching out for help, the grounding impact of supportive relationships, and the strength that comes from owning her story – rather than letting it own her.

Bloom also weaves in behind-the-scenes insights from her life with the Matildas and includes mindset tools, affirmations and journaling prompts designed to inspire readers in their own journeys.

Where can I buy it?

Bloom is available to purchase now at all good book stores, and online.

Bloom by Mary Fowler

The post Mary Fowler’s first book details mental health, racism and life beyond the football pitch appeared first on RUSSH.