Tag Archives: Book reviews

The Month that was…October 2023

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My blog is a little late but October was crazy busy.

The launch of my latest novel, Sugar Creek has been taking up a lot of my time and we have another wedding in the family in early November.

The reviews from the advance readers for Sugar Creek are coming in and the reception has been really well received. Check out some of the reviews from Goodreads.

Anne-Marie wrote, “Although this is a work of fiction, the storyline, events and characters are quite believable. I am always on the lookout for Aussie authors and am so happy to add another to my list.’

Christine wrote, “Excellent story telling. The book kept me engaged. The characters were easy to like and well developed.”

Marlene wrote, “A very good read, I finished it in only 4 days. She writes in a way that makes you really care for the characters. If you are looking for an easy read that plays with your emotions, you will enjoy Sugar Creek“

Now I’m preparing for the launch party and my daughter’s wedding all in the same month.

Sugar Creek is available now for pre-order and will be released 20 November.

What I’ve been reading…

It’s been a bit light on this month with only two books read. To be fair Bruce’s book was long and surely equal to two books. Watch out for the reviews coming shortly.

What I’ve been watching…

Like the rest of the world I watched Beckham and loved it. I was struck by the mob madness around soccer players and the mentality of striking out against Beckham as if it was his fault for their disappointment. It really gave an insight into the expectation of elite athletes by supporters. It’s not always pretty. Highly recommend this one.

Until next month, happy reading…

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.

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.

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.

Book Review: Murder at the Dunwich Asylum by Karen Thurecht

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I recently visited North Stradbroke Island during their annual Arts Trail which I followed to the hall which was once the Dunwich Asylum. There I met author Karen Thurecht who has written a book series about Dr Hamish Hart. Murder at the Dunwich Asylum is the first in the series of mysteries and I couldn’t resist picking it up.

The setting is 1884 when Hamish Hart visits the island to undertake an assessment of the asylum but becomes embroiled in the deaths of two people, one of which is an inmate. The superintendant, keen to downplay the death insists it is suicide. Dissatisfied, Hart begins an investigation and finds evidence that the inmate, Emily Baker was murdered. His friend Rita comes from the mainland and together they begin digging into areas where they shouldn’t and put their own lives at risk.

I loved the island’s description particularly as I could visualise it exactly. I was keenly interested in the historical context woven by the author into the narrative snippets from the newspapers of the time for each chapter heading. I also appreciated the themes around the social problems such as alcoholism, abuse of women and mental health issues and how this was dealt with in the day. Being sent to an institution for being a disobedient wife is just one way.

Hart’s character develops he begins investigating and I particularly liked Wesley Wallace who is introduced in the first chapter. We never really know if he good or bad but his story takes a surprising turn.

If you’re after a bit of a mystery and some fantastic island history then read this one.