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Sally Murphy, Australian author

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A Quick Catch Up

August 25, 2020 by Sally

2020: the year of time simultaneously racing by and standing still. It is hard to believe it is late August already, and yet so much has happened this year, and looking back to February (when 2020 was just starting to look interesting) seems an age ago.

So what have I been doing since I last posted? Quite a lot – my day job (I teach future teachers at university) has been busier than ever this year, mainly because of the impact of the pandemic on my students’ studies. I’ve also been working on what I hope might be a new verse novel, and I was lucky enough to actually visit a real school last week.  Thanks to the staff and students of Yanchep Beach Primary School for welcoming me so warmly.

Although it hasn’t been the ideal time to launch a new book – no booklaunch  or other physical events during a pandemic – Worse Things has been read and shared and talked about lots online, which is really pleasing. Some highlights:

  • Tamara at Tamara Reads admitting she sobbed uncontrollably while reading it.
  • Writing WA calling me  master of the verse novel genre in their review.
  • Being interviewed by my wonderful friend and writing colleague Teena at In Their Own Write
  • And chatting my other wonderful friend Rebecca at Alphabet Soup 

I have also been delighted by the people who have told me they’ve read and enjoyed it, and lots of posts on Instagram and other social media by readers spreading the word. Thank you!

Lastly, in between all this busyness, I have been walking lots. I am fortunate to live in Western Australia where, although we must remain cautious about Covid 19, our current situation means I can move around the state. My daily walks, mostly to my much-loved beach, are a form of meditation for me. If you are on Instagram, you can see the glimpses I share, hoping to spread the beauty to those who can’t wander far from home. In the meantime, here’s a glimpse of a wintry beach.

Thanks for dropping by.

What I Read In June

July 1, 2017 by Sally

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

June 2, 2017 by Sally

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

May 10, 2017 by Sally

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

January 31, 2017 by Sally

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

October 8, 2016 by Sally

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

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