sallymurphy.com.au

Sally Murphy, Australian author

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 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.

Reviews and Press for Looking Up

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Whenever I have a new book out, I look forward to the reviews and press with some trepidation. I love to see my book get coverage – but I also, of course, worry whether they will be well received.

So, I am delighted with the  publicity for Looking Up that is starting to appear.

The Bunbury Mail, one of my local papers, describes me as a ‘local legend’ and ‘super woman’ and describes Looking Up as being about ” families that fall apart, and those who choose to mend them.” You can see the full article here.

Lamont Books have added Looking Up to this month’s Standing Orders, and their review of the book says, in part: “Sally Murphy always writes such beautiful stories, and this is no exception.” You can read the full review here.

If YOU have read Looking Up, I’d love to hear what you think. Drop me a line.

 

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.

Another Great Review

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Really pleased with this lovely review of the first two Sage books by Zac, a librarian from New Zealand. Of course, reviews aren’t written to please the author, but a good one always makes my heart sing.

Sage 1 and 2

First Reviews

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Cover Sage Cookson 1It’s always an anxious wait for the first reviews of a new book, so it was wonderful today to discover the first two reviews are online – and they’re both positive.

Eva at The Multitasking Woman says “If you’re a parent of a budding chef or Masterchef fan, this is the perfect book with food being the central theme.” You can read the rest of her review here.

And Pat at Readplus says ” with its short chapters, interesting characters and touch of suspense, will have its readers eagerly waiting for the next installment.” You can read the rest of her review here.

As a reviewer myself, I know that reviews aren’t written for the author – but, as an author, I must say I’m delighted!