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Sally Murphy, Australian author

What I Read in July

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It’s a new month which means time to share what I read last month. July was cold, and a bit lazy – I took a week’s annual leave from my day job, and read a lot. And then I had Covid, with a week of enforced rest – and read a lot more. So I was not so surprised to realised I had managed 23 books in the month. And some good ones too!  Here’s what I got through:

Books for Kids

 

  1. Alex and the Alpacas Ride Again, by Kathryn Lefroy (Fremantle Press, 2022).  This is the sequel to Alex and the Alpacas Save the World, which I read when it was released, and has been rereleased so that new readers can enjoy them both.  It was great to get to see what happens next to Alex – who thought she’d saved the world (with some help from her grandpa and his alpacas) , but now discovers that the job was only half done. Set in Melbourne,  with plenty of action and a dash of humour, this is a gripping read.
  2. Zadie Ma and the dog who chased the moon, by Gabrielle Wang (Penguin,2022). Zadie’s life isn’t always easy – her father has shell shock from fighting in the war, and her mother seems to love Zadie’s little brother Teddy, but not Zadie. To escape, Zadie writes stories – but when she discovers that her stories have a way of coming true, she decides to write the story of a dog, in hopes she will end up owning that dog. Whimsical, and lovely.
  3. The Lost Child of Chernobyl, by Helen Bates (Otter Barry Books, 2021). This was in my to-read pile for a while, and I think must have been sent as a review copy. A graphic novel, inspired by the real events of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986. Although the child’s story is fictitious, the real events and the message of healing and of humankind’s impact on the world, is very real.
  4. Cat Problems, by Jory John, illustrated by Lane Smith (Walker Books, 2021). Another one from my review pile (can you tell I’ve been having a clean out?), this is a humorous tale of one cat’s day, which is filled with problems – moving sunbeams, noisy household machines, and even another cat who is ALWAYS in the way.
  5. The Way of Dog, by Zana Fraillon ((UQP, 2022). You know I love pretty much every verse novel ever, so it will be no surprise when I say how much I loved this offering. Written in the voice of the dog, Scruffity, there’s some humour but also lots of feelings, as Scruffity and the people he meets have some big life challenges.  I may have cried, but that’s also no surprise..
  6. August and Jones, by Pip Harry (Lothian, 2022). Jones isn’t happy about moving to the city, but August is happy when he is chosen as her buddy, to show her around the school. The two quickly become friends, and support each other through some really tough times. Pip Harry is an amazing writer, and this one’s another winner.
  7. Across the Risen Sea, by Bren Macdibble (Allen & Unwin, 2020). Not sure why I hadn’t read this book yet, given that Bren’s one of my favourite writers for middle grade, and an all round lovely person, too.  But I realised I didn’t have it, and bought a copy from a lovely bookshop in Dunsborough, and then read it in a day, because I couldn’t pout it down. Set is a post apocalyptic world, with two young friends drawn in drama and adventure involving dangerous trip across the inland sea which global warming has created, evading pirates, giant sharks and crocodiles, in a quest to save their peace-loving village. What’s not love?
  8. A Clue for Clara, by Lian Tanner (Allen & Unwin, 2020). I bought this after listening to Lian speak at the recent CBCA National Conference. She is a clever, funny speaker, and I was not at all surprised that this translates into her writing as well. Clara is a chicken who has decided she wants to be a detective, just like the one’s she has seen on the Boss’s television. But she’s a small scruffy chicken and not even the other chickens take her seriously – so how can she convince the humans? Fortunately she meets Olive, the daughter of the local policeman. Lots of fun and adventure ensue.
  9. Tilda, by Sue Whiting (Walker Books, 2022). I have been looking forward to this one for quite a while, since Sue told me the piece of her own family history which inspired the beginnings of Tilda’s story. So I was delighted to receive a review copy ahead of its September release, and read it in two sittings.  Set at the turn of the twentieth century in a fictional orphanage, where Tilda is left by her father when he goes to serve in the Boer War.  Tilda is mistreated by the dreadful Sister Agatha, and must use all her courage – and some resourceful friends – to survive. A wonderful read.
  10. Rita’s Revenge, by Lian Tanner (Allen & Unwin, 2022). Having adored Clara, I was delighted to see there was a sequel  and, of course, I had to read it. What’s funnier that a chicken detective? A duck out for revenge on that chicken!  Just like the first book, this is clever, funny and exciting in equal measure.
  11. Ella and the Useless Day, by Meg McKinlay & Karen Blair (Walker Books, 2002). Another review copy, and another one I have been waiting for excitedly. I wasn’t disappointed. Far from being useless, Ella’s day is very rewarding, as she and her dad clear out all the items clogging their house that they deem useless – and discover that these very items may indeed be useful for other people. Such a fun book, with a subtly lovely message.
  12. I am Susannah, by Libby Gleeson (Angus & Roberston, 1987). I’m really enjoying dipping into some of the Australian authors I deeply admire. Frist published in the 80s, this one still holds up . Susie’s best friend has moved away, and this devastates her. Now she is navigating issues of peer pressure, friendship and independence, with no one close who understands, least of all her mum.
  13. Miss Penny Dreadful & the Midnight Kittens, by Allison Rushby, with illustrations by Bronte Rose Marando (Walker Books, 2022). A fun new series, set in 1872, with the main character, Penny, finding herself travelling with her famous authoress aunt and caught up in the mystery of apparently bewitched  kittens. The ending hints at the next mystery, and I look forward to reading it.
  14. Dreaming by Starlight, by Siobhan Curham (Walker Books, 2022). A middle grade story about friendship and fitting in. The main character, Jazz, has moved to England from Australia and is having trouble settling down until her older cousin tells her about a secret club she used to run called the Midnight Dreamers (who featured in earlier books by the same author, although this one stands alone, too). Jazz follows the same steps and finds three new friends, each with their own set of challenges.

15. The Boy Who Met a Whale, by Nizrana Farook (Nosy Crow, 2021). I bought this on the basis of its amazing cover. and really enjoyed it – a blend of adventure, resilience, facing up to fears and more. And yes, there are whales!

16. Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief,  by Katrina Nannestad (ABC Books, 2021).  Another beautiful cover, and another beautiful book. Set  in Russia in 142 as a six year old Sasha is orphaned and finds himself travelling with the army, sheltering but also providing comfort and support to his new friends.

Fiction for Young Adults

  1. The Hidden Girl, by Louise Bassett (Walker Books, 2022). Another review copy. I enjoyed this debut novel , set in Melbourne and Indonesia. Mel has a chequered past at school but has tried to keep her head down at her new school. When she discovers a diary with a coded cry for help, she finds it increasingly difficult to stay out of trouble and do the right thing.

 

 

Fiction for Adults

  1. Cotillion, by Georgette Heyer (Heinemann, 1953). When my mother downsized late last year, I was gifted her collection of Heyer’s books, which I had loved in my late teens but not delved into since. I finally made time to read one – Cotillion. Regency romance, with an heiress who will only inherit if she marries one of her benefactor’s great nephews.  Amusing, and an easy read, just right for a cold winter evenings. I’ll be reading more, when I have time.
  2. The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes, by Arthur Conan Doyle. It’s taken a while, but having finished this one I’ve now listened tot he entire collection of Sherlock Holmes books. Nice tor each the end because it’s an achievement, but will miss the writing and the voice of Stephen Fry, who has beenr eading them to me for months and months, in between other audiobooks.
  3. Benang, by Kim Scott (Fremantle Arts Centre Press, 1999). I hadn’t read this before, though had long meant to. Now I have I wonder why I took so long, but also how many rereadings the book will need before I have unravelled its complexity. There is a lot going on – and that confusion for the reader is deliberate, because the subject matter is complex, and deep and also the narrator’s unravelling of his family’s history is just as confusing for him. Harley is a Noongyar man who is trying to work through the truth of this fact, with the knowledge that his grandfather, a white man, believes he has ‘bred’ Harely to be the frist white Noongyar – ie that he has bred the Noongyar out of him. A disturbing premise, but not as disturbing as knowing that this work is rooted deeply in the history of Western Australia and colonial policies.

Poetry

  1. Adultolescence, by Gabbie Hanna (Simon & Schuster, 2017). I picked this one up because of its title, and enjoyed the sometimes irreverent, often funny and very real poetry it contained, dealing with love, life and adulthood in all its guises.

Nonfiction for Adults

  1. The Art of Storytelling: From Parents to Professionals, by Hannah B. Harvey (Audible, 2012).  I got a lot out of this. Aimed at those who want to tell stories – either professionally or more informally, I found that it had a lot to offer a writer as well and, because I use oral storytelling in my sessions, I picked up lots of tips there, too.
  2. Bedtime Story, by Chloe Hooper, illustrated by Anna Walker (Scribner, 2022). Oh gosh!  This is the most beautiful, heartbreakingly honest book. I cried in the first chapter, and several times afterwards. A letter from the author to her son as the family navigates a journey through i9llness. Hooper searches for a children’s book to help, and the book delves into children’s literature, and at he lives of children’s authors, along with issues of life, death, honesty and so much more. With stunning illustrations by the amazing Anna Walker, this is truly a beautiful book

That brings my total for the year (so far) to 104 books, creeping closer to my target of matching last year’s 153.  We’ll see – 49 more seems doable, but it’s been a year of busyness so we shall see.

 

What have you been reading?

What I Read in June

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Oh my! June has flown by – with only one post since my last ‘What I Read’ post. I will write more soon about just why I have been so busy in June, but, in the meantime, here is what I managed to get read in amongst the busyness.

Books for Kids

  1. All in the Blue Unclouded Weather, by Robin Klein (Text, 2017).  Continuing my exploration of Robin Klein’s works. This one was  first published in 1991, but was re-released as part of Text’s Text Classics.  I hadn’t read this before, but adored getting to know the Melling sisters, and will be following up with the sequels.
  2. Whisper on the Wind, by Claire Saxby & Jess Rackleft (Allen & Unwin, 2022). I love everything Claire writes, and this lyrical offering is no exception. It is gentle, and whimsical, and the illustrations are simply divine.
  3. Seree’s Story, by Irma Gold & Wayne Harris (Walker Books, 2022). I seem to keep using the word divine when talking about picture books – but I’m afraid that I’ll keep using it, because it is the perfect word. This is the story of a young elephant taken from her mother for a life in a circus – and of their joyful reunion. Irma Gold is a fabulous wordsmith, and Wayne Harris one of my favourite illustrators, making this – you guessed it – a divine offering.
  4. Girl from the Sea, by Margaret Wild &  Jane Tanner. I was lucky enough to buy this at the recent CBCA National Conference – which meant that I could then get it  signed by the author. Margaret Wild is an absolute treasure (and was the author of the very first verse novel I ever read).  This is a stunning book – with Wild’s lyrical tale of a girl watching a family living in a cottage by the sea, and  Tanner’s illustrations, mostly in grey scale with tinges of blue, haunting and beautiful.
  5. Ninni Yabini, by Cheryl Kickett-Tucker & Tyrown Waigana (Fremantle Press, 2022). This came to me as a review copy, and I am very glad to have received it. A beautiful story of a  black swan family, told in dual languages – Noongar and English.  It is so wonderful to see that the Noongar language – the language of the Noongar people of the South West corner of Australia, where I live and work is made accessible to children, families and educators through the story. I look forward to sharing this with my grandchildren and with my education students.
  6. How to Tackle Your Dreams, by Fiona Hardy (Affirm Press, 2022).  A story about football – and sewing. A surprising combination, which works well. Homer is a footy star, but not as big a star as his mother, who is in her debut in the women’s league. Homer still loves footy but he’s dealing with the absence of his father and his passion for sewing, which is pushing his friends away.
  7. Old Fellow, by Christopher Cheng & Liz Anelli (Walker Books, 2022). A day in the life of two old fellows – a man and his dog, and their adventures, mostly in the local park.  A joyful celebration of aging, community and the bond between people and their dogs.

 

 

Fiction for Young Adults

  1. Impossible Music, by Sean Williams (Allen & Unwin, 2019). Pulled from my to-read pile as I headed out the door for a flight, and I was so glad this one chose me. I read the whole way from Perth to Melbourne and then, in the hotel, had to finish it before bed.  A moving story about facing up to the huge challenges life can throw up – for SImon, it is losing his hearing literally overnight.
  2. Another Holiday for the Prince, by Elizabeth Jolley, illustrated by Steven Bray (Angus & Robertson, 1996).  Another op shop treasure. This is a small boo, reproducing a Jolley short story with the addition of illustrations and layout making it a kind of graphic novel. I really enjoyed the format as well as the story, told from the perspective of a teen whose mother seems to do everything in life to please the older brother – known as The Prince. An excellent short story.

 

Fiction for Adults

  1. Matthew Flinders’ Cat, by Bryce Courtenay (Penguin, 2002). This had been in my to-read pile for a while, after  I bought it from a  discard pile. Not sure why I had not read this before – I always find Courtenay’s work quite readable. I struggled a little with the nature of some of the subject matter here, set against some of the unsavoury parts of Sydney life.
  2. A Kiss From Mr Fitzgerald, by Natasha Lester (Hachette, 2017). I listened to this on audio, and really enjoyed the depiction of 1920s Manhattan, as well as the story of Evie, who is destined to be a wife and homemaker for a rich banker’s son, until she realises that she wants more: to be a doctor. Cut off by her family, and pushed out by all but her closest friends, she has to fight for what she is sure is her destiny.

Non Fiction for Adults

  1. Love Stories, by Trent Dalton (Harper Collins, 2021).  I listened to the audio version of this. What a joy to listen to Dalton read this heart filled book. I thought it would be a series of short stories, but what it is is a celebration of love in all its forms, as strangers share their stories of love with Dalton, and he, in turn, reflects on what love is.
  2. Word of Dog, by Megan Anderson (Fremantle Press, 2019). I bought this one at a Fremantle Press event in 2019 and then found it last week still in the paper bag when I was moving things out of my rental unit. Oops.  Anyway, it is a quick, quirky read – though you can also dip in and out, because each page stands alone, Anderson’s dog art accompanied by little vignette-quotes from anonymous people on all kinds of things.

That brings my total for 2022 to 81 so far. Half way through the year, I’m on track for my goal. Hopefully in July I will boost that total – I am taking a whole week off my day job next week.

May Reads

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May is over and June has begun, so it’s time to look back at what I read in the past month. It’s been a chaotic month, and I feel like I’ve hardly sat down, let alone read – but I actually managed to get through 24 books. Just shows what you can do when you snatch little pockets of each day to do what you love. Here’s what filled those pockets

Books for Kids

 

      1. What Snail Knows, by Kathryn Apel, illustrated by Mandy Foot (UQP, 2022).  A really lovely verse novel about moving, friendship and family. Lucy and her Dad are always on the move, making it hard to make friends. But Lucy has Snail and, at her latest school, a human friend too. You can see my full review at Aussiereviews.
      2. Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie, by Julie Sternberg, illustrated by Matthew Cordell (Amulet Books, 2011).Another verse novel – I’ve been on a bit of a binge lately, reading as many as I can get my hands on. This one is a gentle story about facing change. When the narrator, Eleanor, hears that her beloved babysitter is moving away, she is devastated. But as she prepares for other changes, including the start of a new school year, Eleanor builds a relationship with her new sitter.
      3.  10.10 Poetry Anthology, edited and compiled by Bridget Magee. I won this book in a giveaway, which was particularly cool because I didn’t know I had entered it. It was a subscriber giveaway, drawn  from subscriber’s the lovely Bridget’s   Wee Words for Wee Ones Blog. All the poems are connected to the theme of ten – bot not all about the number ten. Instead there are poems about TEnderness, TENacity, TENsion and so on. Very clever. If you want a taste, you can hear one of Bridget’s own poems from the book here.
      4. Elmer Makes a Break, by Patrick Cook (Puffin, 1982). I rescued this from a library throw out trolley a few years ago, and it has been in my to read pile ever since. It was just the thing for a quick read on a cold May day. The humorous tale of a rat who wants an adventure, but gets more than he bargained for when he becomes a lab rat.
      5. Winnie-the-Pooh, by A. A. Milne. I listened to the audio of this on a long drive in the country, and it certainly made the drive even lovelier. I love Pooh and his friends, and this was just a lovely trip down memory lane, to hear the voices done for me as I followed the adventures.
      6. Birdie, by Eileen Spinelli (Eerdmans, 2019)  Another verse novel fromt he U. S. Birdie is still dealing with the loss of her much loved Dad, so when her mother stars dating again, she is not impressed.  She is more open to her grandmother having a new boyfriend. At the same time she needs to deal with changes in her friendships. A lovely gentle story about grief and relationships and growing up.
      7. When We Were Very Young, by A. A Milne. Having read Winnie-the-Pooh, I couldn’t resist also dipping in to the rest of my collection of  Milne’s work. This was a favourite collection of poetry in my childhood, and I still adore it – it even inspired a Poetry Friday post this month – and has done before, too.
      8. The Ghost Locket, by Alison Rushby (Walker Books, 2022).  I do love a ghost story, and really enjoyed this one, set in London, where eleven year old Lolli deals with a sinister ghost lurking in the historic house run by her beloved Aunt Elsie.
      9. Tasmanian Devil, by Claire Saxby & Max Hamilton (Walker Books, 2022). My friend Claire writes the most beautiful, lyrical nonfiction ever. Yes, I’m biased because she’s my friend, but it’s true – she brings nature to life in exquisite ways. This time it’s the tassie devil, and the illustrative work of Max Hamilton is simply gorgeous too.
      10. Eleanor, Elizabeth, by Libby Gleeson (Second Look Press, 2016). Reading  Letters from Robin last month  left me wanting to rediscover not just teh works of Robin Klein, but also some of my other favourites from the 80s and 90s. This lead me to reread this one, from Libby Gleeson, one of my favourite authors for young people.  The story of Eleanor, who is unhappy about moving to the country, but finds comfort through connecting with her grandmother, whose diary she discovers and reads.
      11. Red, by Libby Gleeson (Allen & Unwin, 2012).  And another Libby Gleeson book, this time set in Sydney following a massive natural disaster. Red wakes up with no memory of who she is or why she is there. Her new friend Peri, himself homeless even before the storm, helps her unravel her past and what it is she must do next.
      12. Spi-ku:  A Clutter of Short verse on Eight Legs, by Leslie Bulion & Rebert Meganck (ill.) (Peachtree Publishing, 2021). I do not love spiders, but I did love learning more about them through this collection. Using a variety of poetic forms and accompanying nonfiction text, this is a fun way of exploring spider facts.
      13. Blubber, by Judy Blume (Athaneum, 1974). Another classic read. First published in 1974 but this was my first time reading. Still topical and accessible as a look at the impacts of bullying, and the pressures of peer groups.
      14. At the Pond, by David Elliott, illustrated by Amy Schimler-Safford (Candlewick, 2022). So much poetry this month! This one is a picture book length collection, with each poem introducing a different  pond-resident and, at the same time, moving through the day. The illustrations, with collage and paint, are just divine.

    Books for Young Adults

        1. The Black Flamingo, by Dean Atta (Hodder, 2019). Oh how I loved this book! Not only is it a verse novel, which (if you haven’t picked up on this) is my favourite genre, but it is is also just an amazing exploration of belonging, as Michael navigates his queer identity, his family dynamics, friendship and more.
        2. Roxy, by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman (Walker Books, 2021). What a ride! This book made me uncomfortable from the moment I realised it was being narrated by two prescription drugs – and yet this discomfort was the very point of the book, and kept me reading. The premise is that what humans know as drugs or opioids are really malevolent gods, and two of those drugs – Roxy and Addison – are competing to see which one can can produce a lethal result the fastest – playing with two siblings as their targets.  Confronting but very clever.
        3. Finding Jupiter, by Kelis Rowe (Walker Books, 2022).  I love receiving review copies and the way this takes me in such varied reading directions.  Ray does not want a relationship, so when she meets Orion she is not ready for the attraction she feels. Orion is also resistant, but he feels pulled towards Ray in a way he can’t explain. Their romance is rocky, but it’s the tragic past that links their families that makes things tricky.
        4. Came Back to Show You I Could Fly, by Robin Klein (Text Classics, 2017). First published in 1987, this book was just beyond my own teen reading years, so I have only ever read it as an adult, but I remember thinking it amazing in the 90s when I first read it. This reread did not disappoint. The characters of ten year old Seymour, q naïve and lonely boy, and Angie, a drug addict, and the way they form an unlikely friendship is really compelling and beautifully rendered. I wish I could write like that!

    Books for Adults

        1. His Last Bow, by Arthur Conan Doyle.  I started working my way through the complete collection of Sherlock Holmes stories last year, and this is the second last title. One to go. I am still enjoying the language and style, and (as I’ve said before) listening to them being read by Stephen Fry.
        2. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Simon & Schuster, 2021).  This was recommended to me by one of my university students, who told me is one of the best books she’d ever read. High praise, and enough o make me curious. I really enjoyed this story – a glimpse at life behind the scenes in Hollywood’s glamour years, as well as an exploration of the challenges of being LGBTQI in this community, and of love in all its forms.

    Nonfiction for Adults

        1. Ten Steps to Nanette, by Hannah Gadsby (Wavesound, 2022). I love listening to audiobooks, because it helps me on long drives, and also when doing dull stuff like housework. But there are some books that I believe should be read on audio because of the value of the author’s voice – and this is one of them. Listening to Hannah Gadsby tell her story is an absolute privilege. Not always easy,  because of the subject matter, but always riveting and heartfelt and very moving. Superb.

    2. Let Go, by Hugh van Cuylenburg (Penguin, 2021). From the author of The Resilience Project, which I read twice last year, this one is a good complement, exploring the additional challenges to resilience which the pandemic, social media and more can throw up, and new insights into van Cylenburg’s own journey.

    3. The Ballroom Murder, by Leigh Straw (Fremantle Press, 2022).  The true story of a murder that happened in Perth in 1925, when a young woman, Audrey Jacob, shot dead her former fiancé – in  he middle of a charity ball at Government House. Drawing from newspaper accounts, court records and other historical documents, this is an intriguing story.  Mine was a review copy – the book is not released until August.

  2. 4. Fathoms: The World in the Whale, by Rebecca Giggs (Scribe, 2020). Youc an tell from the cover that this is a book about whales – but it is about so much more, too. Framed against an exploration of the whale and humans’ relationship to whales, this books is philosophical, sad, and hopeful in turn. beautiful reading.  

This brings my total for the year to 68 books read so far – nearly half way to my goal which, I guess, means I’m on track.

 

 

That’s it from me, but I’d love to hear what you’ve been reading.

Poetry Friday: Verse Novels are Awesome

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Yesterday I had the very great pleasure of being part of  the School Library Association of Victoria’s online Reading Forum, with a panel discussing one of my great loves – verse novels.  Panellists included  the amazing Kathryn Apel (poet extraordinaire), the equally amazing Zana Fraillon (whose prose I always adore, and whose first verse novel I cannot wait to get my hands on), Kelsy Peterson (amazing librarian from Brighton Grammar School) and Ruth Nitschke (from the fabulous National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature). And the attendees were librarians, teacher-librarians and other educators from across Victoria and further afield.

What an event! So much love for verse novels from the presenters and the attendees. One thing I loved was that we did not  meet and plan who would say what, and yet we were such a great combination, with common threads running through without being repetitive. I know many of the attendees were already fans of the verse novel, but I also got the feeling that they were leaving with big to-read lists and even more passion for sharing verse novels with young readers.  Winning!

Some of the takeaways for those of you who missed it:

  • Verse novels are awesome.
  • They exist on a range of topics, for a range of age groups and can appeal to readers of all interests.
  • Verse novels are awesome.
  • They offer poetry in a way which is accessible and relatable, but offer depth and empathetic experiences.
  • Verse novels are really awesome.
  • They can be used in the classroom for writing, for building reading skills and for exploring curriculum, but they can equally (and perhaps most importantly) be read for pleasure.
  • Verse novels are totally awesome.
  • White space! I think we all mentioned the white space in verse novels as being important, but it what was Zana said that really resonated with me – reminding us that the white space is both physical and metaphorical. That is – it is in what is not said, in the spaces, that a lot of meaning and connection is allowed to bloom.
  • Verse novels are totally, absolutely awesome.

Okay, maybe I’m repeating myself on the awesome bit, but this was truly the message that the evening got across – both from the presenters and from the participants.

I logged out with a huge smile on my face, and a new list of to-reads. I am constantly surprised by how many verse novels I haven’t yet read – but also delighted because that means more reading joy in my future.

You can find the recommendations from Kelsy on her padlet here.  I also cannot wait to get my hands on Zana’s The Way of Dog. I am lucky to have already read all of Kat’s verse novels, including the wonderful What Snail Knows, which I reviewed here.  And, of course, a massive shout out to the amazing NCACL Verse Novel resource, where you can learn more about all the wonderful verse novels for children and young adults which  have ever been published in Australia.

The other reason I’m smiling, is because today is Poetry Friday – so there is lots more poetry goodness ahead as I browse my friends’ poetic offerings. Rose is hosting this week’s  the roundup here.

 

 

 

April Reads

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Twenty books! I knew I had been doing a lot of reading in April but am still surprised with my month’s total. Some excellent reads, and a real range.

Books for Kids

 

  1. The Vexatious Haunting of Lily Griffin, by Paula Hayes, illustrated by Katy Jiang (Fremantle Press, 2022). A fun story of ghosts, family and friendship. There are some serious issues explored here – bullying, family violence and more – but also lighter moments, including a naughty ghost with a sweet tooth.
  2. Camp, by Kayla Miller (Walker Books, 2022). A lovely graphic novel about navigating the challenges of friendship in the setting of a holiday camp.
  3. Our Country: Ancient Wonders, by Mark Greenwood & Frane Lessac (Walker Books, 2022). I always love a book by this talented pair. This time the focus is on Australia’s ancient wonders, from dinosaur trails to meteorite craters, and more.
  4. The Bravest Word, by Kate Foster (Walker Books, 2022). This was lovely – the story of an 11 year old boy, Matt, who connects with,  and saves, a neglected dog while also finding a way to confront the depression which is gripping him. Beautifully wrought.
  5. Beaver Towers, by Nigel Hinton (Abelard, 1980). A cute story of a young boy whose kite whisks him away to a far away island where he must help  beavers, and other animals, take back their castle from a magic witch.
  6. Bush Magic, by Kylie Howarth (Walker Books, 2022). This delightful picture book is, as the name suggests, magic. An imaginative adventure  highlighting the bond between littles and grandparents. Love it!

Books for Young Adults

 

  1. Dear Nobody, by Berlie Doherty (Harper Collins, 1991). This one is a classic, but I hadn’t read it before and picked it up in an op shop a while back. The story of Chris and Helen who, in their final year of highschool, find their plans and dreams changed when Helen falls pregnant. Told mostly from Chris’s viewpoint, as well as through letters which Helen writes to her unborn baby. There was a lot to connect with here, as I was a young mother myself many moons ago.
  2. Frenchtown Summer, by Robert Cormier (Puffin Books, 1999). I only recently heard of this book, recommended by another verse novelist, and tracked down a copy . I did not know Robert Cormier had written in verse, but am glad now that I do know and have read this. Set in 1938 and following one summer in 12 year old Eugene’s life, with his relationship with his seemingly distant father being a core focus. The verse is beautiful and as haunting as the town (Frenchtown) and events.
  3. The Taking of Jake Livingston, by Ryan Douglass (Andersen Press, 2022). Not my usual cup of tea (sent to me as a review copy) – thriller with ghosts, ectoplasm, and lots of gore – but once I started I couldn’t put it down.  Jake can see ghosts and, chillingly, watches them replay their last living moments on a loop. He’s being targeted by the perpetrator of a recent school shooting, and it seems the ghost has plans for him. If that isn’t enough, he’s the only black kid at his school, and grappling with his sexual identify. That’s a lot, but it’s handled well, making the book very readable, if a little scary.
  4. The River and the Book, by Alison Croggon (Walker Books, 2015). I’m not sure why I hadn’t read this before, but am glad I now have. With elements of fable and magical realism, this is the story of the two treasures in Simbala’s life – the river, which flows through her village, and the Book, which guides the decisions of of the villagers.  But the river is affected by the actions of developers further upstream, and Sim, who is the Keeper of the Book, searches for answers, not knowing that the book itself is also threatened.
  5. Baby Love, by Jacqueline Wilson (Penguin, 2022). I spotted this in a bookshop and, having recently read Dear Nobody, was interested to see another take on the topic of teen pregnancy. I have to say that, having been a teen mother myself (at age 18), some of the events felt a bit close to home – but in the kind of way that made me (or my teen self)  feel seen. Set in 1960, with a 14 year old main character, Laura, this was a really moving take on the subject. I had to keep reading – started it late one night and finished it the next afternoon.
  6. How to Repaint a Life, by Steven Herrick (UQP, 2021). I adore Steven Herrick’s writing – he is, after all, one of the reasons I fell in love with the verse novel form. This one is not in verse, but it bears his trademark forthrightness. His characters and their lives are real and relatable, and I love getting to know them, even in the midst of their pain. This one is the story if Isaac, escaping his old life with an abusive father, and trying to find himself in a small town, where he meets Sophie, who wouldn’t mind a bit of change in her own life.
  7. White Rose, by Kip Wilson (Versify, 2019). A historical verse novel based on a true story, this one made me gasp with its subject matter and ability to make it so very real. The story of German student Sophie Scholl who, during World War 11 had the courage to speak out against the fascist regime in her  country.
  8. Dying to Tell Me, by Sherryl Clark (2014). One of my goals these past couple of years is to catch up on books by favourite authors. This is one of those – I am unsure why I hadn’t read this before,  but looking for something else I was reminded about this one and ordered it.  Sherryl is a really versatile author, and this one is part ghost story, part crime fiction and also explores the impact of family breakups. It makes for an absorbing blend.

Fiction for Adults

 

  1. After the Flood, by Dave Warner (Fremantle Press, 2022). This was a review copy and is not due for release till August. Set chiefly in and aroudn Broome, this is crime fiction with a bite – industrial espionage, protesters, grizzly deaths, and a gritty detective determined to  unravel the truth.
  2. The Valley of Fear, by Arthur Conan Doyle. I started working my way through the  collection of Sherlock Holmes stories, read by Stephen Fry, lats year, and am still going – after this one there are two more books to go.  I’m still enjoying them, and have to confess I’m a little sad to be coming to the end.

Nonfiction for Adults

 

  1. A Repurposed Life, by Ronni Kahn, with Jessica Chapnik Kahn (Murdoch Press, 2020). When I saw (on TV)  Ronni Kahn, the founder of the amazing Oz Harvest, speaking at the Press Club last month I straight away logged into Audible and bought and downloaded her book. I wasn’t disappointed. An amazing life, and lovely to hear it read by Ronni herself.
  2. Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender, by David R. Hawkins (Audible). I listened to this as it was free in a two for one deal at Audible and I just chose something a little randomly to go alongside the book I wanted.  I’m a little bit torn about commenting on/sharing this book because it has some really good takeaways about (as the title suggest) letting go of negative emotions (not suppressing, but letting go) and the power of this for being happier and healthier. But there are some bits which I was quite trouble about, including parts where I felt there was some victim blaming – around illness , disadvantage and misfortune. For myself I was able to let these go and focus on the bits that were relevant and helpful.
  3. Able, by Dylan Alcott (Harper Collins/Bolinda Audio, 2019). This was a featured title on Audible this month, and I’m glad I chose to download it. Dylan, the current Australian of the Year is an inspirational, funny, open and big hearted person, and listening to his story read in his voice was a real treat.
  4. Letters from Robin, by Jon Appleton (Noble Books, 2022). I bought this one after reading about it in Magpies Magazine, and am glad I did. A biography of Robin Klein told from the perspective of Appleton, who wrote to Robin when he was eleven – and thus began a thirteen year correspondence with her. Appleton went on, while still at school, to establish and publish Rippa Reads, and then to work in publishing. This memoir of that friendship also traces Klein’s career, as well as giving a unique insight into the children’s book industry of the 1980s and 1990s. The only problem with reading this is that I know have a big list of books I want to read or reread.

 

So that’s what I read in April, bringing my total for the year to 44  – and 109 to go to reach my target, which seems a lot. But we shall see.

 

I’d love to hear what YOU have been reading.

March Reads

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Time for  reflection on my reading for the month past, and I am happy to report that I did indeed get some reading done. My tallies in January and February were abysmal – so low I was a little embarrassed to report them – but I turned this around in March and managed to finish 14 books.  I’m pleased with this, and also pleased with the big range of books that have filled my life – from quirky board books, to dark, but beautiful, novels.  Here’s what I read:

Books for Children

  1. Travels of an Extraordinary Hamster, by Astrid Desbordes and Pauline Martin (Gecko Press, 2015). A funny chapter book/graphic novel told entirely through illustrations and speech bubbles. Hamster is selfish, and yet somehow endearing and his adventures will entertain young readers.
  2. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, by Judy Blume (Bodley Head, 1979). I love Judy Blume, and picked this book up in a second hand shop a while ago.  The adventures of Peter, a fourth-grader whose biggest trouble in life is his little brother, Fudge.
  3. Interned, by Pamela Rushby (Walker Books, 2022). Wonderful historical fiction set in and around the internment camps in rural Australian in WW1. Some tough subject matter, told with compassion and a gentle touch.
  4. Everything You Want to See, by Kyle Hughes-Odgers (Fremantle Press, 2022). This is such a cute little offering, in board book format with rhyming text and whimsical illustrations, showing young readers the things they want to see.  Sure to be a firm favourite with my grandies.
  5. Wombat Can’t Sing, by Katie Stewart (Fremantle Press, 2022). A lovely picture book text about knowing one’s own strengths, and not trying to please everyone. As you can see from the cover, Wombat is  gorgeously wrought.
  6. The Last Light Horse, by Dianne Wolfer, illustrated by Brian Simmonds (Fremantle Press, 2022). The fourth and final instalment in the breathtaking Light series, this historical picture book focusses on the story of Sandy, the one light horse who was returned to Australia.
  7. Answers to Brut, by Gillian Rubinstein (Omnibus/Puffin, 1998). An op-shop find. and a Rubinstein book I hadn’t heard of. When Kel finds Caspian’s bull terrier, Brut, he decides to borrow him for a little while. It isn’t right, but he has no idea just what adventure it will create for him, and for Caspian, when Brut goes missing and they have to try to rescue him.
  8. The Echidna Near My Place, By Sue Whiting & Cate James (Walker Books, 2022). This adorable picture book made me smile even before I opened it. Look at the gorgeous cover!  And the author is one of my amazing author  friends, so I knew it would be good. Combines the story of a child and her Nana and their encounters with a local echidna, with facts about echidnas, in a satisfying blend – with stunning illustrations by a new-to-me illustrator.
  9. The Wearing of the Green, by Claire Saxby (Walker Books, 2022). Another book by one of my closest author-buddies. Of course it is hard to be unbiased when you love the authors as much as I love Claire and Sue, but I do what I can. And Claire’s way with bringing historical fiction to life is wonderful. The story of an Irish orphan and her life in colonial Victoria. I was very late to bed the night I read this – I had to finish it before I could sleep.

 

Books for Adults

 

  1. The Hound of the Baskervilles, by Arthur Conan Doyle. Continuing my listening of the audio collection, read by Stephen Fry. It’s been months since I started listening to the complete works, and I still have more to go, but I’m not sick of it yet.
  2. The Gallerist, by Michael Levitt (Fremantle Press, 2022). Set in Perth, this is part mystery, part later-life romance, set in Australia’s art world, with the main character a gallerist who sets out to investigate the provenance of a painting.
  3. After Darkness, by Christine Piper (Allen & Unwin, 2014). It wasn’t deliberate that I read two books about internees this month (see Interned, above), but it was interesting to see two stories, one from young people’s perspectives and one from an adult one. Tomakazu is a Japanese doctor who is interned in South Australia during WW2, but we also follow this backstory, gradually learning of his past in Japan. Well woven.
  4. The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Arthur Conan Doyle. My second Sherlock for the month. Still three more go to have read The Definitive Collection. It’s a marathon, but I’m still enjoying it.
  5.  The Silence of Water, by Sharron Booth (Fremantle Press, 2022). Not an easy read in places, because of its subject matter, but absorbing and beautifully written. A fictionalised story of a real man, Edwin Salt, a convict sent to Western Australia for the brutal murder of his wife and, importantly, the story of the impact of his actions on that wife, Mary Ann, and three generations of Salt’s family.

This brings my total for the year to 24. Still a way to go to reach my goal of 153 for the year – but there is indeed a lot of the year to go. Onwards and upwards.

 

What have you been reading?