The Book Cow's Bestsellers of 2024

Peter Arnaudo • March 2, 2025

As we come to the end of the ‘silly season’, the shelves at The Book Cow are seeing lots of action. Popular titles, like Onyx Storm and Picture of You, are flying off to their new homes as we wave a cheery goodbye. Now, it’s time for us to issue you a warning… don’t miss out on our 2024 bestsellers! 

8 Bestsellers You Don’t Want to Miss Out On

1. How Was That Built? By Roma Agrawal

Join Roma Agrawal, the award-winning structural engineer who worked on The Shard, for an exciting behind-the-scenes look at some of the world's most amazing landmarks. Designed for kids aged 8-11, ‘How Was That Built?’ is an informative page-turner that’ll keep your little one engaged for hours.

2. Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood

Shortlisted for the 2024 Booker Prize, Charlotte Wood’s ‘Stone Yard Devotional’ is a deeply moving novel about forgiveness, grief, and what it means to be 'good'. If you’ve read either The Natural Way of Things or The Weekend (both of which have received numerous awards), you shouldn’t sleep on this one. 

3. RecipeTin Eats Tonight by Nagi Maehashi

Following on from her record-breaking first cookbook, Nagi brings us Tonight: RecipeTin Eats with more than 150 brand-new foolproof, flavour-packed recipes. Transform your evening meals with easy-to-follow guidance and a whole world of flavour. Your kitchen deserves a professional cook!

4. The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

A heartwarming and action-packed illustrated novel exploring what happens when nature and technology collide, The Wild Robot has captivated the hearts of many. Fans of the 2024 film by the same name absolutely must get their hands on this one if they want to encourage their kids to read more. 

5. The Grandest Bookshop in the World

Although it’s not possible for everyone to eat, sleep, and breathe books (even if you work at The Book Cow!)- Amelia Mellor makes sure you won’t feel left out. Immerse yourself in The Grandest Bookshop in the World today and experience what it’s like to live in a story. 

6. The Wild Dogs by Markus Zusak

From one of the world's great storytellers comes a tender, motley, and exquisitely written memoir about the human need for both connection and disorder. Three Wild Dogs by Markus Zusak is a love letter to the animals who bring hilarity and beauty into our lives, changing us forever.

7. The Valley by Chris Hammer

The Valley features a page-turning plot, intriguing characters, and an evocative sense of place where nothing is ever quite what it seems. Chris Hammer, the acclaimed author of the international bestsellers Scrublands, Treasure & Dirt, The Tilt, and The Seven, presents another immersive and emotionally rewarding thriller. Have you picked up your copy yet?

8. Rapture by Emily Maguire

An imaginative and audacious historical novel from the best-selling author of Love Objects and An Isolated Incident, Emily Maguire has done it again. Famous for her powerful and thought-provoking writing, Rapture is no exception. Don’t get left behind and pick this one up in-store today!


By Peter Arnaudo June 30, 2025
Just when you're starting to get on top of your TBR... we release another newsletter for you to browse!
By Peter Arnaudo June 29, 2025
All bookworms love dragons. It’s a fact. Even if you never read fantasy books, you have to admit… they’re one of the coolest mythological creatures out there. Sure, unicorns are pretty and mermaids can breathe underwater, but dragons are powerful, intelligent, and bloodthirsty. I’ll admit, I picked up A Language of Dragons because I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to re-read Fourth Wing for the third time. “This’ll scratch the itch,” I thought to myself as I browsed the ARCs sent to The Book Cow. Boy, was I right. A Language of Dragons is everything the cover promises. There’s action, adventure, and fun galore. I loved seeing dragons depicted in our world and, for once, they weren’t written as some superior, untouchable species. In fact, the whole plot revolves around them fighting humans for more rights. Consider me intrigued. The main character, much like Violet, is a bit of a geek - but not in an insufferable way. Although I would have preferred for her to find her voice a little sooner, she does eventually recognise that she’s on the wrong path. We love a self-aware queen! If you’re a fan of academia, great world-building, and a fantastic cast of characters, A Language of Dragons might just be the book for you. It’s fast-paced, addictive, and a refreshing take on the fantasy genre. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
By Peter Arnaudo June 21, 2025
Are the early 2010s back in fashion?! I must admit… I’m here for it. Silver Elite presented a not-so-refreshing take on the dystopian genre but, despite its reliance on popular tropes, I am officially OBSESSED. It reads like a romantasy book wrapped in a destroy-the-government package - bringing me very happy memories of enjoying Divergent in my early teenhood. If you’re a fan of cheesy (admittedly captivating) writing and like books that are a lot of fun, I highly recommend Silver Elite… that’s not to say it doesn’t get serious. This book is not for the light-hearted. The author, Dani Francis, is not afraid to play with your emotions. Even the main character isn't safe from the ever-haunting threat of death, forcing you to remain on the edge of your seat.  I’d love to see a movie adaptation in the near future! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
By Peter Arnaudo June 14, 2025
Whether you are a parent, teacher, librarian, or just an avid book lover... these are our must-have titles for 2025. From picture books right through to YA - these page-turners are bound to captivate and intrigue the children in your life. If any strike your fancy, let us know and we can reserve them for you!
By Peter Arnaudo June 7, 2025
How often do you read outside of your preferred genre? My answer to this question is never.
By Peter Arnaudo May 25, 2025
June is coming at us full force! Our latest monthly newsletter covers next month's not-to-be missed highlights - featuring the latest and greatest.
By Peter Arnaudo May 18, 2025
Are you constantly trying to encourage your children to read? We've got you covered. Instead of relying on us adults to point you toward books that your kids will love, we asked for help from local students.
By Peter Arnaudo May 11, 2025
As Canberra’s specialist children’s bookshop, we’ve become the go-to for recommendations. Now, we’re passing over the baton… to the students themselves. Over the past few weeks, The Book Cow has been working with local schools to gain insight into their favourite titles. These reviews are by kids, for kids.
By Peter Arnaudo May 4, 2025
One of the best months of the year is finally here, bringing tons of new titles to our shelves. From fantasy to romance, fiction to non-fiction, you’ll definitely need to go book shopping at least once (or twice!) over the next few weeks. 
By Peter Arnaudo April 27, 2025
Has the synopsis of a book ever made you fall hopelessly and irrevocably in love? From the get-go, Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil promised to tick all of my boxes. Not only is it by an author I’ve adored since 2015, but it drew me in with the promise of toxic, lesbian vampires. I was not disappointed.

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