5 Winter Reads You Will Want To Put The Kettle On For

Winter is upon us, and the temperature is dropping! Across Australia, people are reaching for two things that will help them escape the winter blues: the perfect combination of a warming cup of tea, and the company of a good book. At Madura we love a good read; and you know we love a good cup of tea – it’s what we’re famous for after all. When author C S Lewis said, “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me,” he was speaking our language! There’s nothing more comforting on a cold winter’s day than cozying up in your favourite armchair with a warm blanket across your lap … a steaming mug of delicious Madura Tea in one hand, and your favourite book in the other. To celebrate the season – and life’s simple pleasures – we’ve found some hot reads to keep you turning pages this winter. Madura is 100% Australian owned and operated, so it makes sense we’d support our Aussie authors. The first of our two-part series shines a spotlight on Australian female authors, and the next instalment will focus on books penned by male writers. Madura is committed to encouraging and supporting female creativity while providing a sense of community and work-life balance. Our estate is situated in one of Australia’s most vibrant regional art and cultural hubs – the lush farmlands of Northern New South Wales – and 60% of our workforce is derived from local woman. So, grab yourself a cuppa, curl up on the couch, and discover some great new reads and delicious new brews. We’ve got something to suit every taste…

Here are 5 winter reads by Australian female authors you’ll want to put the kettle on for:

1. Butterfly on a Pin by Alannah Hill (Hardie Grant Publishing)

For seventeen years Alannah Hill was the founder and creative director of one of Australia's most trailblazing and iconic fashion houses. In this memoir of love, despair, and reinvention Alannah Hill provides a fierce and intelligent account of how a freckle-faced teenage runaway transformed into a trailblazer and true original. Companion brew: Madura’s Premium Blend is a true original, celebrated for its full-bodied flavour, strength of character, and versatility … sounds like Alannah to us.

2. Little Gods by Jenny Ackland (Allen & Unwin)

Melbourne writer, Jenny Ackland, delivers a country Victoria setting in the style of the ‘great Aussie novel.’ Described as, “A rare, original and stunning novel about a remarkable girl who learns the hard way that the truth doesn't always set you free - with echoes of Jasper Jones, Seven Little Australians and Cloudstreet.” Companion brew: Your favourite Madura blend enjoyed with another Aussie favourite: Olive R Stone Milk & Dark Chocolate Macadamias. Bliss!

3. The Lost Flowers of Ally Hart by Holly Ringland (Harper Collins)

The best-selling debut of 2018 is an enchanting and captivating novel about how our untold stories haunt us - and the stories we tell ourselves in order to survive. Kate Forsyth called it, ‘An astonishingly assured debut… a story of love, loss, betrayal and the redemptive power of storytelling ... both heartbreaking and life-affirming’. Companion brew: Madura’s Flowers of Camomile of course! Curl up in bed with this book and brew for a great night’s reading followed by a great night’s sleep.

4. The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris (Echo Publishing)

Ok, so technically Heather Morris is a Kiwi, but she lives in Australia so we’re claiming her! The Tattooist of Auschwitz is an incredible true story. Full of beauty and hope, it is based on years of interviews conducted with real-life Holocaust survivor and Auschwitz-Birkenau tattooist, Ludwig (Lale) Sokolov. It is heart-wrenching, illuminating, and unforgettable. Companion brew: Madura’s Green Tea is wonderfully restorative and refreshing and will compliment this read with its uplifting qualities and heart.

5. Curtis Creed and the Lore of the Ocean by Rebecca Fraser (IFWG Publishing Australia)

This junior teen fantasy adventure tells the tale of thirteen year old Curtis Creed. Once a talented upcoming surfer, he cannot bring himself to return to the ocean. The summer holiday looks long and lonely for Curtis until he meets Navaya, a mysterious sea dweller he rescues from fishing line in a rock pool. One for middle grade and teen readers who love a thrilling quest. Companion brew: Madura’s Dragon Pearl Tea sounds like it came straight from the pages of a fantasy novel! You’ll love this delicate green tea infused with pure jasmine flowers. Next, we’ll bring you five of the best winter-warming homegrown reads written by some of our finest Australian male authors. In the meantime, why not drop us a line and share your favourite read to beat the winter chill.

Books cited:

5 Winter Reads You Will Want To Put The Kettle On For - Madura Tea
Back to blog