In 2015, Kate Forsyth published what I think was one of her most powerful, most harrowing, and most effective novels: The Beast’s Garden. Set in Germany in World War Two, it follows Ava as she does what she can to resist the Nazi regime and help her family and those she loves. To save them,… Continue reading Revisiting a Favourite: The Beast’s Garden by Kate Forsyth
Category: challenges
My January 2022 Reading Update
Aussie Author Reading Challenge: 16/24 Dymocks Reading Challenge: 18/26 QBD Reading Challenge: 15/24 Goal: 25/150 Australian Women: 13 Australian Men: 3 Australian: 16 Non-Australian: 9 I made a good start on my reading in January – I got through all the review books sent to me that have been slated for release between January and… Continue reading My January 2022 Reading Update
Playing Beatie Bow by Ruth Park
Title: Playing Beatie Bow Author: Ruth Park Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: Puffin Published: 31st January 1982 Format: Paperback Pages: 208 Price: $16.99 Synopsis: A thrilling adventure story for children and young adults by Ruth Park, Playing Beatie Bow follows Abigail as she is swept back to the Sydney of a hundred years ago by a scary game.… Continue reading Playing Beatie Bow by Ruth Park
2021 Reading Wrap up
In 2021, I took on five reading challenges, and completed them all. I read 268 books, with 187 of those by Australian authors, and 81 non-Australian authors. Most books I read were by women, with 150 by Australian women. I read for pleasure, review, and my quiz writing work, and covered as much ground as… Continue reading 2021 Reading Wrap up
December 2021 Reading Wrap Up
In December, I read twenty-five books, some of those were books for quiz writing and others were 2022 releases that I decided to read, review and schedule the post for so I don’t fall behind. As a result, these reviews are not included but the books themselves are. I have also completed all my challenges,… Continue reading December 2021 Reading Wrap Up
Challenge Completed – Australian Women Writers Challenge 2021
2021 marks the end of the Australian Women Writer’s challenge as a general challenge focusing on women authors throughout Australian history. From next year, it shifts focus to the unknown, lesser recognised authors from the 19th and early 20th century. Interesting, but I don’t think I’ll be able to focus on that with all my… Continue reading Challenge Completed – Australian Women Writers Challenge 2021
Aussie Author Reading Challenge 2022
Following a successful completion of this challenge in 2021, I decided to take it on again in 2022 – I like broad challenges as I can make what I read for reviewing, my own reading and quiz writing where possible fit into them, rather than worrying about trying to find a specific book to fit… Continue reading Aussie Author Reading Challenge 2022
Grace’s Secrets by Louise Park
Title: Grace’s Secrets Author: Louise Park Genre: Magical Realism Publisher: Berbay Publishing Published: 29th September 2019 Format: Hardcover Pages: 136 Price: $19.99 Synopsis: When twelve-year-old Grace trades her tropical home in Western Australia for a faraway castle, Victorian costumes and a village trapped in time she thinks it’s the fresh start she desperately needs. But… Continue reading Grace’s Secrets by Louise Park
Tinsel: The Girls who Invented Christmas by Sibéal Pounder
Title: Tinsel: The Girls who Invented Christmas Author: Sibéal Pounder Genre: Christmas, Fantasy Publisher: Bloomsbury Published: 3rd November 2020 Format: Hardcover Pages: 320 Price: $17.99 Synopsis: What if somewhere along the way we've all got the Santa story a bit wrong...? Join Blanche Claus and her best friend Rinki for a funny festive sleigh ride… Continue reading Tinsel: The Girls who Invented Christmas by Sibéal Pounder
Bad Habits by Sarah Evans
Title: Bad Habits Author: Sarah Evans Genre: Crime Publisher: Clan Destine Press Published: 1st December 2021 Format: Paperback Pages: 262 Price: $29.99 Synopsis: Who the hell is trying to kill Perth cop, Eve Rock, this time? Bad Habits – the long-awaited sequel to Sarah Evans’rom-com-crime novel, Operation Paradise, is here. A freezer full of body parts is the tip of… Continue reading Bad Habits by Sarah Evans
