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Sally Murphy, Australian author

What I Read in May

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Can’t believe it’s June already. I’m still getting used to writing 2017 in the date! Be that as it may, June it is, so time to report on what I read in May. Lots of goodies here, but perhaps my favourite has been the picture book, Mopoke, which made me laugh. I read it to my uni students (future teachers) to end the semester, and they laughed too. – which is why I read it to them. If I only taught them one thing this semester, I hope it was how important tit is that we read for pleasure.

So, here’s what I read. As always, if I’ve reviewed it, I’ve linked to the review.

Picture Books

Mopoke, by Philip Bunting

One Keen Koala, by Margaret Wild & Bruce Whatley

Children’s

History Mysteries: Diamond Jack, by Mark Greenwood

Australia’s Great War: 1917, by Kelly Gardiner

The BFG, by Roald Dahl

The Turnkey, By Allison Rushby

Wipeout, by Michael Adams

Young Adult

The Shark Caller, by Dianne Wolfer

Kill the Possum, by James Moloney (Audio)

Adult Fiction

In the Shadow of the Ark, by Anne Provoost (Audio)

The Girl on the Train, by Paula Hawkins (Audio)

The Rosie Effect, by Graeme Simsion

Lovesong, by Nikki Gemmell

 

Back to work. So many books, so little time. Have a great June.

What I Read in April

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Time for another round up of what I read last month. April’s list is a bit shorter than previous months, because I had a very busy month with various projects. Still, the books I read, I loved. I was especially besotted with Bronze Bird Tower, the final installment in the Dragonkeeper series. If you haven’t come across this wonderful series, I thoroughly recommend it.

Younger Readers

The Grand Genius Summer of Henry Hoobler, by Lisa Shanahan

Bronze Bird Tower, by Carole Wilkinson

Young Adult

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Audio Book)

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Audio)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Audio)

Adult

Storm and Grace, by Kathryn Heyman

What I Read in March

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2017 is rushing by, and another month has finished. I read 15 books in March, helped largely by lots of long drives in which I worked my way through 5 audio books.  With more driving ahead of me this month, I’m hoping to finish rereading the Harry Potter series, narrated by Stephen Fry, which is a real delight.

Picture Books

The Story of Ferdinand, by Munro Leaf

Younger Readers

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, by JK Rowling (Audio)

Carnage, by Michael Adams

Laugh Your Head Off Again

The Unforgettable What’s-His-Name, by Paul Jennings

Lizzie and Margaret Rose, by Pamela Rushby

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by JK Rowling (Audio)

Hot Dog, by Anh Do

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by JK Rowling (Audio)

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, by JK Rowling (Audio)

Young Adult

A Shadow’s Breath, by Nicole Hayes

Lisette’s Paris Notebook, by Catherine Bateson

Adult Fiction

The Rosie Project, by Graeme Simsion (Audio)

Bloodlines, by Nicole Sinclair

Daintree, by Annie Seton

 

Reading aside, I’ve not had much time to blog lately as I plough through the final draft of my doctoral thesis, and do some teaching at university. But with a new book coming out May 1, I’ll be back on board soon.

Poetry Friday: The Ray’s Reply

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Last Friday I shared this poem, written to the stingray I met on my morning walk:

I had some comments wondering what the ray might say back to me, so, of course, I had to sit down and figure out what it is Ray might say to me. And here it is:

 

Have a great Friday. Today’s Poetry Friday roundup is hosted by Michelle at Today’s Little Ditty. Head over there to see what other poetry goodness is on offer – and to read Michelle’s amazing account of the work of Lily Yeh.

What I Read in February

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Another update on my reading for the year. February was a busy busy month – my first speaking engagements for the year, working on a PhD, which is getting closer to completion, and some academic work, as well as my first ever big swim and more. So I finished less books this month, though I probably read more journal articles and individual poems. Anyway, here’s the ten I’m counting for the month. As in January, where I have reviewed them, I have linked to the review. Where I haven’t, I’ve linked them to where they an be found online.

Picture Books 

Small Things, by Mel Tregonning

Crusts, by Danny Parker & Matt Ottley

Radio Rescue, by Jane Jolly & Robert Ingpen

What Do they Do With All The Poo, by Anh Do & Laura Wood

Poetry Collections

Poetry for Kids: Emily Dickinson, edited by Susan Snively, illustrated by Christine Davenier

Young Adult

Goldenhand, by Garth Nix

Before You Forget, by Julia Lawrinson

Adult Fiction

Sapphire Falls, by Fiona McDonald

On the Blue Train, by Kristel Thornell

Non Fiction

The Pleasure of the Text, by Roland Barthes (translated by Richard Miller)

How Writing Works, by Roslyn Petelin

 

 

Poetry Friday: Walking the Dolphins

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Every Friday I have to drop my son at work very early. this is a good excuse for me to have an early morning beach walk – usually at my favourite dolphin-spotting beach. The dolphins dictate how far I walk, because if there are no dolphins (which is rare) I just walk the length of the beach and turn around again. But if they’re there, I tend to walk further, but will change my direction regularly so I can keep them in sight and find it hard to leave the beach while there are dolphins in sight. After these walks I often tell my family I’ve been ‘walking the dolphins’ and, of course, this has lead to a poem.

 

Look closely – there are two dolphins INSIDE the wave, having a ride.

Walking the Dolphins

Some people like to walk their dogs

I see them in the park

From early in the morning

Until late, long after dark.

 

Some dogs on leads; others romp

Or fetch a stick or ball

Some owners watch their dogs from seats

Not walking much at all.

 

Me? I walk the dolphins

The pooches of the sea

Up and down the beach I go

And dolphins follow me

 

I’m on the sand, they’re further out

But I watch them swim and play

Some times they jump and flap about

And sometimes gently sway

 

I hardly note how far I’ve walked

Up and down the shore

Watching cetaceous friends cavort

Just leaves me wanting more

 

And later on it comes to me

As I turn back from the sea

It’s not me that’s been walking them

But they that have walked me.

 

(Poem copyright Sally Murphy 2017)

 

In case you you haven’t seen it before, here’s my favourite bit of video of one of ‘my’ dolphins coming closer to say hello.

 

Have a great Friday. Today’s Poetry Friday Round Up is hosted by Karen Edmisten. SO, to read lots more poetry goodness, head over there.