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Summer reads

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Romance authors need to write three books a year to keep up with demand.

My husband said he’d ‘build another bookshelf’. It was the sexiest thing he ever said

Book-hoarding needs a new name. I’m going to suggest “intellectual gardening”.

  • Cherie Gilmour

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Beachgoers enjoy the crystal clear waters at Palm Beach.

My best beach

Australian summers are synonymous with beaches: places that belong to everyone, to holiday, celebrate, rejuvenate and heal. We asked local identities to tell us about their favourite spot.

The year that changed me

We asked writers to share the moments that changed their young lives for The Age 2026 Opinion summer series

Books for summer

Forty books for 10 types of reader – here’s what to read this summer

Our pick of standout summer reads matched to every mood, habit and beach-bag alter ego.

  • Melanie Kembrey

The December 13 edition

Summer reading guides | Robert Irwin: What’s next for The Crocodile Hunter’s son | Moving to the US: my daughter’s fears | Fresh Christmas feast ideas

Australian Jigsaw Puzzle Association members Louise Jackett (left) and Heidi Schwegler.

Fifty minutes to make a 1000-piece jigsaw fit? For these stars, that puzzle is no problem

Record numbers are competing in competitive jigsaw puzzling locally and heading to Spain for this year’s world championships.

  • Cassandra Morgan
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Summer in Sydney.

The summer that changed everything

In this Herald series, we asked prominent artists, comedians, authors and journalists to write about their “summer that changed everything”.

A Mini Cooper in the foreground, and in the background a Ford Cortina Mk I (a car the author once owned in real life).

I love my toy racing cars, but I think they’re ruining my dating life

Is it a thing of beauty or a ridiculous relic? Karl Quinn just can’t decide, but he knows that slot-car racing set is just too damn big.

  • Karl Quinn
Jessie Tu tried skateboarding for a while, but valued her wrists more.

Skateboarding made me realise: I’m a writer – I need my wrists

I wanted to learn something new, something hard, and be gracious at sucking at it. And everyday I got on that skateboard, I fell. I fell several times each hour. I broke my wrist twice.

  • Jessie Tu
The barefoot bride: Jenna Price and her husband, John.

As I walked down the aisle, what was that sinking feeling?

There was rain on her wedding day but the sun eventually came out for a tiptoe through the beachside park.

  • Jenna Price