Book Review: Bridge Burning and Other Hobbies by Kitty Flanagan

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This is another of Kitty’s books which I listened too. Her narration is terrific and makes it all the more enjoyable. But this one is very different as it is autobiographical.

It’s a collection of anecdotes and observations from her life. We are privy to her life with her family, her awkward teenage years, loves and travels. Her self-reflection and her review of her personal relationships is told honestly yet with a side of humour.

Her recollection of her work life was funny although the fact that she was locked in a freezer by a boss who just wanted to shut her up was eye-opening and made me shudder at the wrongness of it. Yet it reminded me of so many work practices that were unjust back then.  

The book is divided into sections and the one about her relationships was funny particularly the grave digger. Yet I was very sympathetic to the young Kitty whose relationship controlled her and her difficulty of escaping it.

I learnt a lot more about Kitty, yes I truly am a fan and appreciated her candour and honesty told with incorrigible humour.

If you’re a fan or not, this is a good one.

Book Review: The Mother’s Promise by Sally Hepworth

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Finally catching up on this authors backlog and she releases another – The Darling Girls, another one to read.

The Mother’s Promise, like all the others is again a gripping page turner, full of emotion and family intricacies.

Alice, a single mother is dying but she keeps this information from her anxiety-ridden teenage daughter, Zoe. Alice is not in touch with the father of her child, has no friends and the only family she has is her alcoholic brother who can’t look after himself let alone a teenage girl. Enter two other women, Kate her oncology nurse who has had several miscarriages and social worker, Sonja whose marriage in trouble. They each must navigate through their problems and with a couple of bombshells along the way, it makes for a riveting read.

Hepworth deals with numerous themes of cancer, anxiety, OCD, abuse, and alcoholism. The dilemma of what should happen to a child after their mother dies and how the foster and health system deals with this, is explored well.

The characters were all likeable but I particularly warmed to Henry, Zoe’s only friend and Kate the caring nurse.

The ending is neatly wrapped up and probably a bit too Hollywood, but nevertheless satisfactory. If you’re looking for a good story, this one won’t disappoint.

Book Review: Horse by Geraldine Brooks

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I love Geraldine Brooks writing and her latest novel, Horse did not disappoint.

This novel spans many years starting out in 1850’s Kentucky when enslaved Jarrett falls in love with a foal. The path of the horse crosses into New York in the 1950’s when a gallery owner obsesses about a painting of this same horse. Then we are drawn into Washington, 2019 when a young Nigerian-American art historian connects with an Australian scientist over the origin of the same horse which was declared as the greatest racing horse ever.

The timelines switch back and forwards but central is the true story of Lexington who was a record-breaking race horse. But it so much more than that as Brooks explores racism, slavery, science, and art.

It’s a beautifully crafted work, evoking a range of emotional responses from joy to horror to indignation. Indeed, the treatment of racism in the book is as relevant and powerful a story in the eighteen hundreds as it is today and Brooks draws the parallels brilliantly.

The only weak link for me was Catherine, the vet from England as her character didn’t ring true and she faded away anyway.

Otherwise, this book is brilliant, the research incredibly thorough. Read this one even if you don’t think you like horses.

The Month that was…September 2023

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Well, the big news this month was the finalisation of my forthcoming novel, Sugar Creek. There is so much that goes into a book apart from the writing of course…that’s a big one. There’s the editing, proofing and of course the cover and not to mention the blurb.

In case you missed my earlier post, here’s the blurb for Sugar Creek.

A missing man, a stolen baby and a plot of land where nothing grows. Are they connected? One person knows.

1948: Sugar Creek seemed such a welcoming town for Ellen, a young woman keen to share the news of her pregnancy with her fiancé Billy. When Billy signs up for extra work testing topical creams at the local military base, to earn money for their wedding, Ellen is nervous. Now it seems her fears were founded. Billy has disappeared. Devastated, Ellen begins to ask questions, turning the locals against her and putting her life at risk as she desperately searches for him.


2000: Instead of beginning her career with a dream job as a GP in a suburban practice, Dana has found herself jobless and facing the hospital board for a mistake she made with a patient. Herb Hipworth, mayor of Sugar Creek, is desperate for a town doctor and makes Dana an offer she can’t refuse. But when Dana arrives in the remote tropical town, she discovers the locals are plagued with unexplained health issues. Now, as she digs for the cause, she stumbles upon a decades-long conspiracy leading to an environmental disaster.

Sugar Creek will be out 20 November, 2023. You can pre-order here

What I’ve been reading.

What I’ve been watching.

I simply loved this series. Having read the book, I don’t always like the movie or TV adaption. I was not disappointed with this one. The acting was very strong, the scenery spectacular and the story magnificent. Don’t miss out on this one.

The Bear is a drama-comedy series about a world renowned chef who is forced to come home to take over his brother’s sandwich shop after he tragically passes away. It’s funny yet tragic and the acting is terrific. It’s one to check out.

Until next month…

Book Review: The Secrets of Midwives by Sally Hepworth

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I do enjoy Sally Hepworth’s books and have read a few. So I visited her back catalogue to find one that I haven’t read.

The Secrets of Midwives unlike some of her other books is set in the USA which threw me a little as I’m so used to her settings in Melbourne. Nevertheless, it made no difference to this page turner.

Neva is a third-generation midwife who keeps her own pregnancy a secret from her mother and grandmother because she wants to keep the father’s identity hidden. However, her pregnancy dredges up some hidden secrets for her grandmother Floss, herself a single mother. Grace who is Neva’s mother, can’t let the whole thing rest despite the fact that she has her own private turmoil.

There are three stories which unfold as we are put into the point of view of each woman. It comes together beautifully but I was truly gripped by Floss’s back story.

Hepworth balanced the debate around natural versus interventionist childbirth well. The whole story of childbirth and every mother has their own story, was very well done.

It’s a compelling and easy read.

Cover Reveal: Sugar Creek by S.C. Karakaltsas

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I’m very excited to show you the cover for my new novel which will be released to the big wide world 20 November 2023.

I hope you like the cover by Annie Seaton as much as I do.

Blurb

A missing man, a stolen baby and a plot of land where nothing grows. Are they connected? One person knows.

1948: Sugar Creek seemed such a welcoming town for Ellen, a young woman keen to share the news of her pregnancy with her fiancé Billy. When Billy signs up for extra work testing topical creams at the local military base, to earn money for their wedding, Ellen is nervous. Now it seems her fears were founded. Billy has disappeared. Devastated, Ellen begins to ask questions, turning the locals against her and putting her life at risk as she desperately searches for him.

2000: Instead of beginning her career with a dream job as a GP in a suburban practice, Dana has found herself jobless and facing the hospital board for a mistake she made with a patient. Herb Hipworth, mayor of Sugar Creek, is desperate for a town doctor and makes Dana an offer she can’t refuse. But when Dana arrives in the remote tropical town, she discovers the locals are plagued with unexplained health issues. Now, as she digs for the cause, she stumbles upon a decades-long conspiracy leading to an environmental disaster.

Sugar Creek will be available 20 November 2023 but you can pre-order on Amazon.

Book Review: 488 Rules for Life by Kitty Flanagan

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I have to say upfront that I am a huge Kitty Flanagan fan. For those of you who aren’t aware, Kitty is an Australian comedian, actress, writer, producer…is there anything she can’t do? Her television show called Fisk has just debuted in USA after becoming a hit here.

I saw her earlier this year at the Melbourne Comedy Festival and loved her show. On our recent road trip I discovered that her book was out on audio and what better way to pass the long hours in the car than by listening to Kitty. It was like being at one of her shows with many laugh-out loud moments. Even my husband appreciated it.

There are many rules some of which just make absolute sense and, in my mind, need to be raised. I did chastise my husband over the rule about mobile phone use. Kitty is right. No-one wants to hear your phone conversation on speaker so everyone can hear it.

This book of rules is more than comedic material. It is just modern day etiquette and I’m with her in this, everyone should read it or listen to it. Perhaps it can be part of the school curriculum. Wait, she’s probably got that one sorted too.

If you don’t know her, then get the audio book. It’s narrated by her and it’s truly terrific and who knows you might win an argument or two.