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Sally Murphy, Australian author

What I Read in January

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The first month of  2018 has been and gone (gosh, that was quick!), and it’s time to check in with what I read for January.  I only managed one picture book – but it was my favourite read for the month. The Great Rabbit Chase is a delightful offering about, as the title suggests, the quest to capture an escaped rabbit. But perhaps it is the rabbit who is capturing the people – showing them a good time!  Other highlights this month were Clan of Wolves, the second on the Tarin of the Mammoths series and, although it made me cry,  and The Choke, by Sofie Laguna.

As always, if I have reviewed the book, I have linked to the review so you can see what I thought.

Picture Books

The Great Rabbit Chase, by Freya Blackwood   

Younger Readers

Northern Lights, by Phillip Pullman

500 Minutes of Danger, by Jack Heath

The Cursed First Term of  Zelda Stitch, by Nicki Greenberg

Jehan and the Quest of the Lost Dog, by Rosanne Hawke

Clan of Wolves, by Jo Sandhu

Young Adult Readers

A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares, by Krystal Sutherland

The Fifth Room, by A. J. Rushby

Fiction for Adults

The Twentieth Man, by Tony Jones

We That Are Left, by Lisa Bigelow

The Choke, by Sofie Laguna

Non Fiction

The Hate Race, by Maxine Beneba Clarke

The Prosperous Coach, by Steve Chandler & Rich Litvin

 

I’d love to hear what you thought of any of these books – or else, what it is you’ve been reading so far this year.

What I Read in October

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I’ve had a very busy October, which is wonderful, but has impacted on the number of books I got through this month. Still, there are some amazing titles in the thirteen books I did read.  From the Cutting Room of Barney Kettle made me cry. It’s only the second Kate De Goldi book that I have read, but it won’t be the last.  Braving the Wilderness also introduced me to a new author, researcher Brene Brown. I am so glad my friend Sue recommended Brene’s work to me. Her examination of aspects of belonging spoke so much to me, and I have a second book loaded onto my Audible account to listen to.  Here’s the lists of what I got through in October, with links either to my reviews or to where you can find them online.

Picture Books

Eric the Postie, by Matt Shanks

Younger Readers

Dinosaur Trouble: The Great Egg Stink, by Kyle Mewburn & Donovan Bixley

Dinosaur Trouble: The Lava Melt Shake, by Kyle Mewburn & Donovan Bixley

From the Cutting Room of Barney Kettle, by Kate de Goldi

To the Moon and Back, by Dianne Bates

Clockwork, by Philip Pullman

Young Adult

Dreamology, by Lucy Keating

Adult

No Matter What!, by Lisa Nichols

Half Wild, by Pip Smith

The Figures on the Lake, by Peter O’Shaughnessy

Braving the Wilderness,by Brene Brown

5000 Words per Hour, by Chris Fox

How to Make a Living with Your Writing: Books, Blogging and More, by Joanna Penn

Have you read any of these, or do you have another recommendation for me? I’d love to hear from you.

What I Read In June

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Another month has past, and time again to look at what I’ve read this month. Lots and lots. I knew I was reading a lot – but was surprised to realise I’d got through 22 books this month. My favourite?  Bren MacDibble’s How to Bee.

As always, I’ve linked to my reviews where I’ve reviewed them.

Younger Readers

Trouble and the New Kid, by Cate Whittle, illustrated by Stephen Michael King

How to Bee, by Bren MacDibble

Jinny & Cooper: My Teacher’s Big Bad Secret, by Tania Ingram

Jinny & Cooper: Revenge of the Stone Witch, by Tania Ingram

Tarin of the Mammoths, by Jo Sandhu

Mr Romanov’s Garden in the Sky, by Robert Newton

Wonder, by R. J. Palacio

Stinky Street Stories, by Alex Ratt

Young Adult

Love, Ghosts & Nose Hair, by Steven Herrick

A Place Like This, by Steven Herrick

This is My Song, by Richard Yaxley

Adult

Double Fault, by Lionel Shriver

Old Growth, by John Kinsella

The Mother’s Promise, by Sally Hepworth

Police at the Station and They Don’t Look Friendly, by Adrian McKinty

Daughter of Mine, by Fiona Lowe

From the Wreck, by Jane Rawson

Finding Hannah, by Fiona McCallum

Non Fiction

In the Line of Fire, by Ian Townsend

Have a great July! Would love to hear what you think about any of these books.

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.

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

 

 

January Reading

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This year I am hoping to keep track of my reading with a monthly round up of what I’ve read. I’m only to count picture books if it’s the first time I’ve read them, and I’ve reviewed them. As I read poetry every day, but tend to dip and out of books, I’ll only record collections/anthologies which I have read cover to cover.

Anyway, as January draws to a close, here’s what I’ve read, grouped by age range or format. Where I’ve reviewed the book, I am linking the title to the review, which means you’ll get a bit of a blurb direct from the review. .

 

Picture Books

Molly & Mae, by Danny Parker & Freya Blackwood

The Silent Owl, by Sam McPhillips (ill) & Clemency Pearce

 

Younger Readers

Lola’s Toy Box: Party at Cuddleton Castle, by Danny Parker

Freedom Swimmer, by Wai Chim

Skyfire, by Michael Adams

When the Lyrebird Calls, by Kim Kane

Star of Deltora: The Hungry Isle, by Emily Rodda

 

Young Adult

Paladero, by Steven Lochran

 

Within These Walls, by Robyn Bavati

Poetry

One Minute till Bedtime, Kenn Nesbitt (ed)

Adult Fiction

Wild Island, by Jennifer Livett

 

The Museum of Modern Love, by Heather Rose

The Fence, by Meredith Jaffe

The Safest Place in London, by Maggie Joel

The Love of a Bad Man, by Laura Elizabeth Woollett

That’s it for January – fifteen books. What have you been reading? I’d love to hear your recommendations.