Biography of Alan Lane, publisher of Penguin books, who has had a major influence on the cultural and political life of post-war Britain. He revolutionized our reading habits by his insistence that the best writing in the world should be made available for the price of a packet of cigarettes.

When Dennis McIntosh went to work on an underground construction site in Melbourne's west, he was twenty-seven and starting over. His years as a shearer had ended badly, he was an alcoholic, and his eldest daughter had a brain injury. Having been kicked out of school in ninth grade, he had no prospects. He'd been through four jobs in as many months. The tunnel was his last chance. That was in 1985, and when he resurfaced seven years later Dennis was a changed man. He had endured bitter clashes with his crew and management, lonely nightshifts and a marriage breakup, but had overcome his claustrophobia and drinking. His turning point was the realisation that, like his daughter, he could retrain his brain - by getting an education. 'A haunting picture of life underground reminiscent of Orwell's descriptions of going down the mine . . . A gritty portrait of a different universe.' Steven Carroll, The Age

Chongo Chingi the penguin has a dream in which he experiences the excitement of flying, but then he must wake up.

Feel that War and Peace went on a bit? Wish there were more laughs in Catcher in the Rye? Then A Selection of Smithereens is for you. These pieces from one of Australia's funniest men (no, not John Clarke) feature the Borgias, Winston Churchill and the history behind cornflakes – and so much more! Fresh from the updated 2011 edition of Smithereens, these six short essays are small, perfectly formed and easily digestible pieces of Shaun Micallef.

"This sweet, quirky tree-trimming adventure delivers a message about teamwork, friendship, and the importance of never giving up."

In a small Australian country town, a young woman is accused of the murders of her own daughter and the local rat catcher's wife. As she stands to face the charges in court, a stranger enters, determined to explain her crimes. This masterly story from Woman in a Lampshade perfectly displays Elizabeth Jolley's remarkable talent for character and story.