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This rich, elegiac compilation of work from the late Palestinian poet and professor, Refaat Alareer, brings together his marvellous poetry and deeply human writing about literature, teaching, politics, and family.
The renowned poet and literature professor Refaat Alareer was killed by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City alongside his brother, sister, and nephews in December 2023. He was just forty-four years old, but had already established a worldwide reputation that was further enhanced when, in the wake of his death, the poem that gives this book its title became a global sensation. “If I Must Die” is included here, alongside Refaat’s other poetry.
‘Cure lures you in with mesmeric prose then startles with profound insights on pain, faith, motherhood and, above all, love.’—Diana Reid, bestselling author of Love & Virtue and Signs of Damage
Vera and Thea are mother and daughter. Vera writes for the internet: she constructs identities and scenarios for brands to cater to the ideal consumer. Yet she also consumes the offerings of the online world herself: the addictive pursuit of a cure, the narratives she craves in which mother and daughter find a way out of the shared experience of chronic illness. She becomes preoccupied with a blog written by a woman named Claudia, a mother whose daughter also has a chronic illness.
While on holiday in Italy, Thea writes in her journal. She is also constructing a character: an image of herself as she grapples with having the same illness as her mother, Vera. But gradually another person emerges in her journal, through her imaginings of her mother in the same house, the same city, at the same age. They have come to Italy to see where Vera’s family originates, but also to chase a promised cure in the form of a man said to be able to heal Thea’s illness.
The final title in the series about Millie Mak – the clever maker and problem-solver.
Millie Mak and her friends are trying to start a business creating and selling their upcycled designs. But it’s school holidays, and looking after their annoying younger siblings is really slowing them down.
Meanwhile, Millie’s friend Veesa wonders whether she should continue to help her mother work. Veesa’s mother sews fast fashion and Veesa feels worried and guilty about its impact on the planet.
Can Millie and her mates resolve these dilemmas? And can Millie overcome her own challenges and learn how to make her mark?
From the creators of Millie Mak the Maker and Millie Mak the Mender, comes another inspiring book that celebrates the joy of creativity and the immense power of friendship.
The Chestnut Tree Bookshop & Cafe is an environmentally friendly independent
bookshop and café for booklovers committed to sustainability and diverse reading.
The Chestnut Tree acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people and the Bunurong
people of the Kulin Nation, on whose land we live and work.
Every purchase supports us in our commitment to Australian forest restoration.
What’s a better Mother’s Day gift than some quality time together at the most beautiful flower arranging workshop? 💐✨
Bring your mum, a mother figure, or someone you love and join us for a hands-on flower arranging workshop led by Safia Designs, known for her lush, thoughtful arrangements and love of seasonal blooms ❣️ Safia’s last workshop at the bookshop sold out way too quick so book your date with mum while they’re available! 🥰
In this relaxed and welcoming session, you’ll learn the basics of floral design to create a beautiful arrangement to take home or gift. No experience is needed! ✨
Last chance for registration is Sunday 3rd May. Ticket 🔗 in bio!
Make a night of it with dinner nearby with an included Harley & Rose coupon for a tiramisu or a glass of wine 🍰🍷
Apr 15
On this episode of a day in the life of your local booksellers ✨ Coffee, dishes, the global book crawl, the usual 🙂↕️ Also Esin worked so hard on the puzzles please grab some 🤣
Apr 14
Looking for the perfect low-pressure book club for the kiddos? Introducing… Books that Bite! 📚✨
Hosted by Deborah Selleck, this online teacher-led book club is all about discovering the joy of reading without the tests and worksheets ❤️ It’s all about great books, chats and growing reading confidence! This term, we’re reading “The Girl Who Stole an Elephant” by Nizrana Farouk, a rollicking adventure set in Sri Lanka themed around friendship and justice.
Books That Bite offers a fun, supportive space to explore stories, build confidence, and connect with peers, all in small groups where we chew over characters, nibble at themes, and explore stories in a way that sparks imagination and builds genuine reading confidence.
✨ Meet your host:
Hi, I’m Deborah Selleck, a literacy educator and co-founder of Student Centred Tutoring, specialising in helping young readers build confidence, curiosity, and deeper comprehension. I’ve spent many years helping children grow in confidence, deepen their understanding, and discover the joy of getting truly swept up in a book. I believe children learn best when they feel safe, curious, and part of a shared adventure, and that’s the spirit I bring to every session.
Registration includes a physical book collected from The Chestnut Tree Bookshop + 6 weekly online sessions via TEAMS.
Online sessions are held from 4:30pm to 5:30pm every Tuesday (starting from the first Tuesday of Term) This term, we start on April 21st!
Book your spot via the 🔗 in bio!
Apr 11
Calling all foodies! 🍳✨ Your new fave book club is here and it comes with the most delicious twist 🥰 At our Cook Book Club, we pick out recipes to try from this month’s cookbook, come together to share what we’ve made, and chat about the book and our cooking experiences! This month, we’re choosing recipes from Hetty Lui McKinnon’s ‘Linger’ ✨
This is the place to be for a welcoming and relaxed environment, whether you’re an experienced home cook or just enjoy trying something new in the kitchen. Explore great cookbooks, meet fellow food lovers, and build community 🫶🏼
Many cookbooks today are more than collections of recipes — they include personal essays and reflections. During the evening we will talk about the stories in the cookbook, which often explore themes of culture, identity, family, and politics, and how these ideas shape the food we cook and share.
The evening will run for around 90 minutes and will include:
✨ Introductions and a chance to share the dish you made
✨ Food sharing and tasting from across the cookbook
✨ A guided discussion about the recipes, stories, and cooking experience
✨ A short wrap-up and preview of next month’s cookbook
The evening is BYO, so feel free to bring along a drink to enjoy with the meal.
Tickets include the price of the cookbook plus a small $5 admin fee, and spaces are limited to keep the event intimate and enjoyable. Once you’ve purchased your ticket, collect your book in store by showing your ticket to staff.
Find all the deets and grab a ticket via Humanitix, 🔗 in bio!
Apr 9
What’s our community reading at the bookshop this week? 🤔 If you need some inspo for your next read, have a look if anything fits the vibe you’re going for 🫶🏼 We’ve got a diverse mix of poetry, fiction, and feminist reads for ya!
✨ Books Mentioned:
Two Tongues by Maria van Neerven
The Hiding Place by Kate Mildenhall
Griefdogg by Michael Winkler
On Not Climbing Mountains by Claire Thomas
Bite Back by Hannah Ferguson
Beautiful Changelings by Maxine Beneba Clarke
Apr 7
Hey friends, our hours are a bit different for Easter! 🐣
Friday (April 3): CLOSED
Saturday - Monday (April 4 - 6) Open from 9AM to 4PM
Apr 1
What an honour it was to be part of this year’s Footscray West Writers Fest 🎉
It was our pleasure to stock the stories of the authors we all came to see, hand coffees and conversations between sessions, and offer a cosy venue for our friends at @badwriters.club 🫶🏼
Thank you to the incredible @westfootscrayarts team for having us. You did it! Woohoo! Thank you to our hardworking booksellers for meeting the long days with laughter and care Thank you to the brilliant authors and artists who shared their work with our community. And thank you to everyone who showed up to support local! ❤️
Mar 31
She’s hungry, she’s cranky, she’s feeling too hot! 👶 If you’re in need of a hilarious and heartwarming tale that’s perfect for big siblings, tired parents and anyone who’s faced a tiny human whirlwind, ‘My Sister, the Todzilla’ is for you! ❤️ It was our pleasure meeting lovely author, Jacinta Froud at the shop 🥰
Grab a copy at the shop or on our site✨
Send @jacintafroud some love as well!
Mar 30
Mark your calendars! Your month’s been booked out 📚✨ We have tons of new workshops and events for everyone to enjoy this April! From arts and crafts to author conversations, kiddos and grown ups have a long list of activities to enjoy 🫶🏼
PS some events have already sold out! Check out our humanitix page to book a spot early ✨
Mar 26
What a delight it was to meet @ruthschwarzenholz , daughter of ‘And Silently Falls the Snow’ author, the late Klaus Schwarzenholz ✨ Thank you for visiting us, Ruth! ❤️
Inspired by Klaus’ family history, it tells the story of Elli, her younger sister Ruth, and their father Rolf, who flee their home in Silesia in the bitter winter of 1945. Against the backdrop of the Red Army’s advance and the collapse of the Third Reich, they undertake a perilous journey through snow-covered Europe, facing Russian patrols, chaotic retreats, and the unpredictable brutality of the SS.
With 2025 marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, ‘And Silently Falls The Snow offers a rare and deeply human perspective on an often-overlooked part of history: the displacement of German civilians in the war’s final stages.
Find your way to the bookshop or head over to our site to grab your very own copy 🫶🏼
Mar 25
Go through our monthly favourites with your local booksellers ❤️ (Cackling over Esin’s side eye at Cameron)
Books Mentioned
Wild Pork and Watercress by Barry Crump
Heart The Lover by Lily King
Wifedom by Anna Funder
Gunk by Saba Sams
Our staff faves are always up on our site if you’re ever curious 🫶🏼
Mar 22
We couldn’t resist hopping on the oscars trend ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Mar 19
Drumroll please.. 🥁 Introducing our Neighbourhood nights program! 🫶🏼
At the Chestnut Tree Bookshop, the fun starts after hours with our Neighbourhood Nights series. Tucked in our cosy corner of the inner west, locals come together for a night of creativity, community, and connection. Whether you’re winding down after a long day, curious to try something new, or looking for a way to spend time with loved ones, everyone has a place here. Proudly supported by the Maribyrnong City Council, the program offers a mix of bookmaking, textiles, watercolour, crochet, terrariums, and seasonal celebrations. With community at its heart, our workshops are a chance to slow down, make something with your hands, and share a warm, low‑pressure evening with the people who make our neighbourhood what it is.
✨ Calming Watercolour Workshop with Em Power Moore (March 22)
This calming watercolour workshop invites you to slow down, breathe, and spend time creating in the peaceful surrounds of the bookshop. Designed for beginners and those seeking a gentle creative reset, the session focuses on simple, relaxing techniques rather than perfection or finished outcomes. You’ll explore soft washes, colour blending, and loose mark-making, allowing the natural flow of water and pigment to guide the process.
✨ Learn to Crochet with Emily (March 20)
This beginner-friendly crochet workshop is a gentle introduction to the art of making with yarn, held in the cosy surrounds of the bookshop. Designed especially for absolute beginners, the session will guide you through the fundamentals of crochet, including how to hold your hook and yarn, create basic stitches, and follow simple patterns.
Tickets go by quickly! Make sure to check for any additional dates to snag a seat for later date (like Em’s workshop!) ❤️
Mar 17
If you’re in need of another book to add to your (*cough cough* never ending) tbr, find some inspo on our new release shelves ❤️
Books Mentioned:
Cleopatra by Saara El-Arifi
The Belfast Express by Brigid Carrick
So Old, So Young by Grant Ginder
Big Nobody by Alex Kadis
Life Drawing by Emily Lighezzolo
Slip by Abbey Lay
Stowaways by Andre Aciman
A Far Flung Life by M.L. Stedman
If anything catches your eye, have a browse irl or online ❤️🔗 are always up for ya!
Mar 14
Mark you calendars, friends! 🗣️ We have heaps of events just for you and we’re only getting started ❤️
✨ When Grown Ups Have Big Feelings - Author Talk and Book Signing (March 16)
Welcome wellness trailblazer and author Olivia Santilli to share her debut picture book When Grown-ups Have Big Feelings. Settle in with a complimentary coffee or hot chocolate while Olivia reads from her book and get your copy signed!
✨ Teacher Night (March 25)
Join us for an exclusive after-hours evening designed just for teachers. Browse at your leisure, glass of wine in hand, with 15% off everything in store. We’ll have a specially curated selection of newly published titles and bestsellers laid out for you to explore.
✨ Footscray West Writers Fest (March 27-29)
Footscray West Writers Fest returns with a weekend of readings, talks, performance and workshop as we take up residence in West Footscray’s bars, library, restaurants, footy oval, and even a backyard. The theme is Words & Action as we contemplate how our words can change the world.
If you can’t wait, check out our humanitix page to see more events on our Neighbourhood Nights program 🥰 Tickets to all events are up on our bio!
Mar 13
Meet the team in baby form 🥰 Who do you think looks most like they did when they were kiddos? ❣️
Mar 7
We loved having brilliant children’s author, Kelly Brodie-Brown, at the shop to sign her brand new picture book, Bendable! 🫏✨ If you’re after an inspiring story about reaching your goals (alongside the cutest gymnastic loving mule, I might add), Bendable is perfect for you ❣️
✨ More about Bendable:
Mules are sturdy creatures, they’re resilient and strong. Mules are known for hauling heavy burdens all day long. Mules are trusty and robust, solid and dependable ... Mules, however, aren’t exactly known for being bendable! Can Julie the mule soar into the spotlight? Find out in this adorably inspiring story about reaching your goals, one tumble at a time!
Mar 5
We’re counting down the days until the long awaited Footscray West Writers Fest returns! ✨ Can you believe it’s already been a year?! 🥹 We’re incredibly proud to be part of the program and we can’t wait to see you there! Here’s what’s happening at the bookshop:
✨ March 28 - 29
11AM - 1PM: Artist in Residence (Oslo Davis)
11AM - 4PM: Type Your Effing Heart Out
✨ March 29
6:30PM - 8:00PM: Fucking with Form (Jayne Tuttle)
If you enjoyed last year’s program, you’re going to LOOOVE everything we have planned this year ❤️ More workshops, talks, performances, panels, all for our community! Check out the full program at fwwf.com.au
✨ More about FWWF:
Footscray West Writers Fest returns with a weekend of readings, talks, performance and workshop as we take up residence in West Footscray’s bars, library, restaurants, footy oval, and even a backyard. The theme is Words & Action as we contemplate how our words can change the world.
Footscray West Writers Fest is organised by West Footscray Arts with support from Maribyrnong City Council. West Footscray Arts is a non-profit organisation dedicated to elevating and supporting art and artists in our local community.
Mar 4
Welcome to another day in the life with your local booksellers ✨ Come hang out while we open new deliveries, update current fave shelves, make some drinks, and spruce up our display ❤️
If any books caught your eye, pay us a visit or check out our site 🙂↕️ Each of our booksellers have their own category too if you’re interested in anyone’s picks!
Hope you’re having a lovely day over there 🫶🏼 See you soon!
Mar 2
Hey there, book club friends! 📚✨ Here’s what we’re reading for our General, Decolonise Your Shelf, and Good-Natured book clubs this month 🫶🏼 If you’ve been waiting to join one of these, Decolonise + Good Natured still have some spots left!
✨General Book Club
‘Heart the Lover’ by Lily King
‘You knew I’d write a book about you someday’ Our narrator understands good love stories - their secrets, their highs and free falls. But her greatest love story, the one she lived, never followed the rules.
Written with the precision of poetry and the emotional tide of an epic, Heart the Lover is a celebration of literature and the life-long echoes of young love.
✨ Decolonise Your Shelf Book Club
‘Kin’ by Tayari Jones
Vernice and Annie, two motherless daughters raised in Honeysuckle, Louisiana, have been best friends and neighbors since earliest childhood, but are fated to live starkly different lives.
A novel about mothers and daughters, about friendship and sisterhood, and the complexities of being a woman in the American South, Kin is an exuberant, emotionally rich, unforgettable work from one of the brightest and most irresistible voices in contemporary fiction.
✨ Good - Natured Book Club
‘Flames’ by Robbie Arnott
Robbie Arnott’s mad, wild debut novel is rough-hewn from the Tasmanian landscape and imbued with the folkloric magic of the oldest fireside storytellers.
A young man named Levi McAllister decides to build a coffin for his twenty-three-year-old sister, Charlotte-who promptly runs for her life. A water rat swims upriver in quest of the cloud god. A fisherman named Karl hunts for tuna in partnership with a seal. And a father takes form from fire.
The answers to these riddles are to be found in this tale of grief and love and the bonds of family, tracing a journey across the southern island that takes us full circle.
Feb 27
The loveliest @davina.bell and @sarahzweckstudio came by to sign copies of their brand new picture book ‘WANTED: The Cutest Baby in the World’ ❤️ It was such a pleasure meeting you two! 🥰
✨ More about WANTED: The Cutest Baby in the World
Late one evening, a detective knocks on the door of two exhausted parents. She’s on the hunt for the world’s most devious master criminal: The Cutest Baby in the World... Should you find yourself in this rogue’s clutches, your entire world will be turned upside-down! But the most villainous bit? You wouldn’t have it any other way.
Grab a copy today, 🔗 in bio!
Feb 26
Bestsellers of the week just dropped ❤️ Swipe to find out what everyone’s reading lately.
Discipline by Randa Abdel-Fattah
As Israel’s bombardment of Gaza intensifies, Ashraf and Hannah must reckon with their choices, values and places in their communities. Will they be prepared to make sacrifices in the pursuit of what is right?
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
Sybil expects her world to go on as it always has. But when letters from someone in her past force her to examine one of the most painful periods of her life, she realizes that the letter she has been writing over the years needs to be read.
Devils + Heartbreak by Aud Pitch
When Owen Jameson meets the (very inebriated) woman of his dreams, he thinks he’s found his Forever. But he wakes up the next day in her hotel room all alone with nothing but blurry memories and a pathetic, aching heart.
Departure(s) by Julian Barnes
Departure(s) is the story of a man called Stephen and a woman called Jean, who fall in love when they are young and again when they are old. It is also the story of how the body fails us, whether through age, illness, accident or intent. And it is the story of how experiences fade into anecdotes, and then into memory.
Vigil by George Saunders
Jill finds herself crashing down to earth to accompany her latest charge into the afterlife. She soon realises however that this man is not quite like the others. For powerful oil tycoon K.J. Boone will not be consoled, because he has nothing to regret. He lived a big, bold life, and the world is better for it - isn’t it?
Behind the Screens by Niraj Lal (We have signed copies!)
The internet is one of the most life-changing inventions in history. But there are things happening behind the screens that are changing how we behave. Behind the Screens is the must-have guide to help young people be online in the best way possible.
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
On a summer’s day in 1596, a young girl in Stratford-upon-Avon takes to her bed with a sudden fever. Her twin brother, Hamnet, searches everywhere for help. Their mother is over a mile away. Their father is working in London. Neither parent knows that Hamnet will not survive the week.
Feb 25
We all have a story and what better way to tell it than through our first Between The Lines session of the year? 🎤✨
No judgement, just a welcoming and inclusive space (Anddd maybe a glass of liquid courage if you need it!) For February, we’re talking about all things ‘TOO BIG’! ❤️
✨ More about BTL
Between The Lines is an 18+ live storytelling night for bold, honest, and unfiltered stories. Just you and the room.
Hang out with us on the last Saturday of every month at 8-10PM 🌙
Each month, we invite storytellers to share true stories inspired by a theme. Stories can be funny, raw, vulnerable, sexy, political — anything goes, as long as it’s told live.
What to expect:
✨ A safe, welcoming space for all genders and identities
✨ A new theme each month
✨ 10-12 minute live storytelling spots (sign up in advance or on the night)
✨ Stories must be true and your own
✨ Telling your story without notes is preferred, but not essential!
✨ Wine, community, connection
Who it’s for:
Progressives, creatives, queer folks, sex-positive folks, allies, anyone with a story to tell and an open mind to listen.
Sign up to be a storyteller or audience member while spots are available! 🔗 in bio.
Feb 17
After being sold out for forever.. 🏒 If you’re still hungover from the show & need to revisit the boy aquarium, we FINALLY have Heated Rivalry, Game Changers, Tough Guy, Common Goal, Role Model, and The Long Game by Rachel Reid!
Also, yes the New Yorker merch is right next to the new release shelf 🫣 How fitting..
Feb 16
Visit us at:
542 Barkly St,
West Footscray, VIC 3012
Phone: (+61) 03 9362 7571
Opening hours:
Tue – Sat 09:00 – 18:00
Sunday – Monday 09:00 – 16:00
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