Last Orders for Christmas! Your Guide to Stress-Free Book Shopping

With Christmas just around the corner, the clock is ticking on getting those perfect gifts ordered and delivered on time. To help you beat the rush, we've rounded up some of the hottest books flying off Australian shelves right now—all available to compare prices on Booko.

Whether you're shopping for the foodie, the fiction fanatic, or the kids in your life, here are our top picks to make your Christmas shopping a breeze.

For the Home Cook

The Australian Ingredients Kitchen by Bruno Dann & Tahlia Mandie Discover the extraordinary flavours of our own backyard with this accessible guide to cooking with native Australian ingredients. Nyul Nyul Elder Bruno Dann and Tahlia Mandie (Kakadu Plum Co.) bring together 60 no-fuss, family-friendly recipes that make it easy to embrace bushfoods—from wattleseed focaccia to pepperberry roast chicken. More than just a cookbook, it's an invitation to connect with Country and First Nations culture through food.

EAT! by Sooshi Mango The comedy trio brings their infectious energy and multicultural flavour to the kitchen with this crowd-pleasing cookbook. Packed with family favourites and stories that'll have you laughing as much as cooking, it's perfect for anyone who believes food tastes better when shared with loved ones.

Linger by Hetty Lui McKinnon The James Beard Award-winning author returns to her Sydney salad-delivery roots with a stunning collection that proves salads can be the star of any meal. With 100 inventive vegetable-packed recipes, heartfelt essays, and curated playlists, this is food designed to bring people together and make them want to stay at the table just a little bit longer. Perfect for anyone who loves bold flavours and community around food.

Fiction to Get Lost In

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros The third instalment in the wildly popular Empyrean romantasy series has taken Australia by storm (pun intended). If you know someone obsessed with Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, this is the must-have gift. Dragons, romance, and plot twists that'll keep them reading until 3am—what more could you want?

Gravity Let Me Go by Trent Dalton From the author of Boy Swallows Universe comes another stunning Australian story. Trent Dalton's lyrical prose and unforgettable characters have made him one of our most beloved contemporary authors, and this latest release is already flying off shelves.

The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman The Thursday Murder Club maestro is back with another brilliant mystery. If you've got a crime fiction fan on your list, Osman's clever plotting and charming characters make this an absolute winner for summer reading.

Page-Turning Thrillers

Exit Strategy by Lee Child & Andrew Child Jack Reacher's 30th adventure delivers the high-octane action fans crave. When Reacher finds a desperate plea for help slipped into his pocket, he's pulled into a pulse-pounding mystery that twists through Baltimore and beyond. Perfect for anyone who loves a hero who solves problems with both brains and brawn.

The Widow by John Grisham Grisham's first-ever whodunit! When a small-town lawyer's elderly client dies under suspicious circumstances, he finds himself accused of murder. Racing to find the real killer while the evidence stacks against him, this is Grisham at his masterful, page-turning best.

Last One Out by Jane Harper Australia's queen of atmospheric crime fiction returns with a haunting mystery set in a dying outback town. When Ro Crowley returns for the fifth anniversary of her son's disappearance, she's determined to uncover the truth that the dwindling community might still be hiding. Harper's trademark sense of place makes this impossible to put down.

For the Kids (and Young at Heart)

Runt and the Diabolical Dognapping by Craig Silvey This is currently Australia's #1 bestselling children's book! The eagerly-awaited sequel to the award-winning Runt sees Annie Shearer facing her biggest challenge yet when Runt mysteriously disappears. Full of heart, humour, and adventure, this is the perfect gift for middle-grade readers who love a good mystery.

Partypooper: Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney Greg Heffley is back with another hilarious adventure! The latest in this beloved series proves why kids (and nostalgic adults) can't get enough of Greg's misadventures. With Jeff Kinney's trademark humour and comic-style illustrations, this is a guaranteed hit for reluctant and enthusiastic readers alike.

Santa & Son by David Walliams The bestselling king of children's books delivers a festive treat perfect for Christmas reading! David Walliams' trademark warmth and humour make this seasonal story an instant classic for families to enjoy together during the holidays.

Something Different: Biographies & Memoirs

The Mushroom Tapes by Helen Garner, Chloe Hooper & Sarah Krasnostein Three of Australia's finest writers came together to witness the trial that gripped the nation—the Leongatha mushroom murders case. Their conversations about Erin Patterson's trial explore love, jealousy, mycology, and our collective obsession with true crime. This isn't just another true-crime book; it's a fascinating examination of how we consume and process real-life tragedy.

A Periodic Tale by Dr Karl Kruszelnicki How did a shy Polish immigrant kid become Australia's beloved science guru? Dr Karl's long-awaited memoir takes you through his wild journey—from drug-crazed hippie taxi driver to failed NASA astronaut applicant to the eccentric science communicator we all know. Shortlisted for the 2025 ABIA Biography of the Year, it's funny, inspiring, and proof that it's okay not to have a linear path through life.

The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop by Peter FitzSimons Australia's greatest storyteller brings to life the heroic tale of surgeon Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop, whose extraordinary courage and compassion saved countless lives in Japanese POW camps during World War II. From the brutal Thai-Burma Railway to standing up to armed guards, Weary's story is one of resilience, leadership, and humanity in the darkest of times.

Earthquake: The election that shook Australia by Niki Savva Political insider Niki Savva delivers her trademark penetrating analysis of Labor's landslide 2025 election victory that transformed Australian politics. Combining her compelling columns with new behind-the-scenes revelations, this is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand how the Coalition was brought to the brink of extinction and what it means for Australia's political future.

The Booko Advantage

Use Booko to compare prices across dozens of Australian retailers and find the best deal. Simply search for any title, and we'll show you who has it in stock and for how much—including delivery.

Important Reminder: Shipping deadlines are fast approaching! Most retailers need orders placed by mid-December for standard delivery before Christmas. Check individual store policies to avoid disappointment.

Left it too late?

We've put together a list of links to gift vouchers at a number of books stores - you can print the voucher yourself or email it directly to the lucky person.

Don't Wait—Compare and Save Today

Head to Booko.com.au now to search for these titles and discover your best price. Your wallet (and your gift recipients) will thank you.

Happy reading, and happy holidays from the Booko team! 🎄📚