Are reading goals helpful or performative? How to read more in the new year
Clara Pribadi is a “bit behind” on her reading goal for 2025. The 32-year-old from Adelaide/Tarntanya exceeded her 50-book goal last year. But as of November, she still has 10 to go. “This year I’m really slow — I got a new job, a new dog, life keeps happening. Which is good.” Clara, who shares […]
How to interpret NAPLAN results and what the data actually tells you
Australian parents had the opportunity to pour over NAPLAN results for their children’s school this week, but interpreting the data may not have been clear at first glance. The Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) released the latest annual test data for nearly 10,000 schools across the country. Parents, principals and education enthusiasts can […]
Australians are reading less than ever before. Here’s how to read more books
There’s a Japanese word that describes your pile of unread books: tsundoku. It dates back to the 1800s but feels especially relevant today — after all, we’re reading less than we used to. Every demographic has experienced a decline in reading since 2012, according to data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia […]
Book Box: How to build a mountain house
These days I am either waiting for electricians or stonemasons or plumbers. Building a house in the mountains sounds romantic I know —but wait until you spend long moments arguing with a wood polish man who insists ebony is chestnut brown. When the cement work goes awry, I take a deep breath, and think of […]
Book Box | Literary Rehab: How to balance Life with Lit
This is my week of non-reading. I’ve been forced into literary rehab. As someone who spends all their free time between the pages of a book, this is pure torture. The only times I haven’t read were when I was forbidden to —maybe there were exams, or maybe my mother decreed I was straining my […]
How to read more books: 7 tips to create a reading habit
1. Find books you’ll love The most important step when starting (or restarting) a reading habit is finding a few quick wins; readable books that will grab your attention and create momentum. Quick tip: Skip high-brow books typically featured on award lists. They may be high-quality but that doesn’t necessarily make them enjoyable and joy […]
Education experts break down the best ways to teach children how to read
Learning to read is a fundamental part of every child’s development – but Australian kids are increasingly struggling with it. A Grattan Institute report earlier this week found one third of students are failing to learn to read proficiently due to persistence with an older, discredited way of teaching. The report urged schools to abandon […]