What I Read in March 2024

March 31, 2024 by Sally

It’s the end of another month, so time for my reading roundup for March. After a slowish start to my reading year, this month I surprised myself by reading 16 books, largely the result of attending some excellent industry events and buying more books than I expected that I just HAD to make time for. A good problem to have. Here’s what I got through:

Books for Kids

Another Day as Emily, by Eileen Spinelli, with illustrations by Joanne Lew-Vreithoff (Random House, 2014). It’s a verse novel which means I loved it before I even opened it – have yet to find a verse novel I don’t like. This one is about a girl who’s having a tough summer, and, when she reads about Emily Dickinson, decides to try the life of a recluse.
Dream Within a Dream, by Patricia MacLachlan (Margaret McElderry Books, 2019). I’m a sucker for a gorgeous cover, and this one is not just visually gorgeous but the cover has a finish which makes it lovely to stroke (I think it’s got a vinyl finish?). The story inside is similarly lovely, about a girl who holidays with her much-loved grandparents every summer, and finds everything changing.
Pearly and Pig and the Island of Secrets (Walker Books, 2024) Not only is this book dedicate to me (and our friend Claire Saxby, too), but I once dressed up as Pig to help Sue Whiting speak about the book. I do a pretty mean Oink, let me tell you! This is the third in the series, but stands alone – still, why wouldn’t you read them all. Pearly is an Adventurologist who, with her friend Pig gets into all kinds of scrapes, this time involving a remote island, puffins, a volcano and more.

Books for Young Adults

The Sidekicks, by Will Kostakis (Penguin, 2016). I spent time with Will at the Between the Lines Festival recently and, although I’d read two of his later books, realised I’d not read this one. So, of course, I decided it was time. Great read – about three boys who all shared a mutual best friend, but don’t particularly like each other. But his death has repercussions for all of them. I really enjoyed the viewpoint here – each character has roughly one third of the book, with their stories overlapping, but gradually revealed.
A Hunger of Thorns, by Lili Wilkinson (Allen & Unwin, 2023).Lili was also at the Between the Lines festival, inspiring me to buy a copy of this book which I then, coincidentally, started reading on the day the CBCA Shortlist was announced. Easy to see why this one is on the shortlist – I was drawn in to this alternative world where witches and magic exits in a contemporary world and Maude, the daughter of witches, tries to find her missing friend.
Birdy, by Sharon Kernot (Text Publishing, 2024). Great to see a new verse novel from Sharon Kernot, some time after her first one. This one is the story of Maddy, who is selectively mute following an incident that has left her feeling ashamed and alone, and of Alice, whose daughter, Birdy, disappeared long ago. The pair form an unlikely bond, and move towards mutual healing.
One Song, by A.J. Betts (Pan, 2023). Not sure why it took me so long to get to this one, as I was eagerly awaiting its release last year. Anyway, glad I finally picked it up. Betts is a genius at the young adult novel.

Books for Adults

Womxn: Sticks and Stones: Acrostics and Poems to Reclaim the Words That Have Hurt Us, by Lexy Wren-Sillevis (Octopus Books, 2021). I love this! It’s easy to think of Acrostic poems as a simple exercise in matching words to letters, but this little volume is anything but simple. Using the acrostic form, the poet takes word commonly used to insult and hurt womxn (her spelling) and rewrites or redefines them in thought provoking and insightful ways.
Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens, by Shankari Chandran (Ultiom Press, 2022). I was fortunate enough to listen to the author on a panel at the recent Perth Writer Festival, inspiring me to take this out of the to-read pile. And, while I found it a really challenging read, that’s the whole point. Telling the story of the people who live at and love a nursing home in suburban Sydney and the events which escalate to not only threaten its existence, but also to divide a country, this is also a story of family, belonging, colonialism and racism. Hard to do justice in just a few lines, but not only do I recommend this book, I am grateful to it for challenging my knowledge and my privilege.
Greater City Shadows, by Laurie Steed (UWA Press, 2024). Another purchase at the Writers Festival, though I had planned to go to the launch the week before. Accessible, thought-provoking stories of humanity, connection, relationships and more.
On the Homefront: Western Australia and World War 11, edited by Jenny Gregory (UWA Press, 1996). Read in my continuing research for a historical fiction I am writing, I found this really interesting.
The Book of Tree Poems, compiled by Ana Sampson, illustrated by Sarah Maycock (Laurence King Publishing, 2023). This one was a gift, and will be long treasured. A beautiful collection, both visually and in its content, with poems about all kinds of trees, in all seasons, and by poets both well known to me, and those who are new. I read it cover to cover over a couple of evenings, but know that I will dip in and out of it many more times.
ADHD For Smart Ass Women: How to fall in love with your neurodivergent brain, by Tracy Otsuka (Headline, 2024). The author has a podcast of the same name and it’s excellent, so I knew I needed to also read the book. I listened to the audio version as it isn’t yet out in print in Australia (coming in May, I think), but will likely get the print version when it comes out as there is a lot of useful information which my ADHD brain might not retain but wants to revisit. Lots of practical advice and explanations.
Goldenrod: Poems, by Maggie Smith (One Signal, 2021). This one was given to me along with Tree A Poems (above). What a thoughtful gift from a fellow poet. I savoured this two or three poems each day, mainly over breakfast, and really enjoyed it. One poem that particularly spoke to me was Wife for Scale, which is reprinted online (with permission) here.
Bitter & Sweet, by Amal Awad (Panterra Press, 2023). I listened to this author on a panel at the Perth Writers’ festival last month, and just had to buy a book afterwards. An excellent read, although it left me hungry, with lots of food scenes 🙂

That brings my total for the year so far to 35 books, which is more than I expected, but a sign of a satisfying month of reading. What have you been reading?

What I Read in November 2023

December 4, 2023 by Sally

Time for my second last reading roundup for the year. November was a busy month but I still managed to read 16 books – a total helped by the fact that lots of them were picture books. Here’s what I read:

Books for Children

1. Friendly Bee and Friends: Woe is for Worm!, by Sean E. Avery (Walker Books, 2023).The second book featuring Friendly Bee and her friends – this time featuring Bee, Angry Wasp, Enormous Hairy Spider – and Pessimistic Earthworm. Lots of fun. Sean Avery is a genius.
2. Raised by Moths, by Charlie Archbold & Michelle Conn (Midnight Sun, 2023).I was lucky enough to attend the launch for this while on my recent trip to Adelaide. Whimsical but also with a lovely exploration of belonging and childhood. The illustrations are divine.
3. The Wheelbarrow Express (Walker Books, 2023). My copy is signed by the author – because she came for a sleepover on her recent trip to WA. How lucky am I that Sue Whiting is my friend? So I know I am a little biased, but this book is just wonderful, with a tale of a boy and his grandfather, with wheelbarrow rides, tender connections and love. Again, the illustrations are perfect.
4. Madame Cholet’s Picnic Party, by Elisabeth Beresford, illustrated by Margaret Gordon (Ernest Benn, 1976). I picked this one up in an op shop some time ago, and then read it late one evening when I wanted something light. I loved the Wombles when I was a child, and enjoyed a little glimpse back into their world.
5. Mr Clownfish, Miss Anemone and the Hermit Crab, by Sean E. Avery (Walker Books, 2023). I adore Sean Avery – and his quirky books. This delightful picture book is about friendship, bravery and under water fun.
6. Pog, by Lyn Lee, illustrated by Kim Gamble (Omnibus, 2000). Another bargain opshop rescue,. What a delight to rediscover this brave little monster who is, like the other monsters, scared of one thing – children.
7. Nikki Hind: Dressed for Success, by John Dickson & Chantel de Sousa (Vision Australia, 2023). One of my reading delights this month was reading this one, and the two others (see below) that make up the Big Visions pack. This one tells the story of fashion designer Nikki Hind, who lives with a vision impairment and has a successful fashion label.
8. Craig Shanahan: Cooking up a Storm (Big Visions), by John Dickson and Claudia Frittitta (Vision Australia, 2023). Also part of the Big Visions imprint, this one is the biography of chef Craig Shanahan, aka ‘the blind chef’.
9. Matt Formston: Surfing in the Dark, by John Dickson and Philip Bunting (Vision Australia, 2023). The third title in the Big Visions pack, which I was sent by Vision Australia. This one tells the story of Matt Formston, world champion surfer and cycling Paralympian. I love that these three books can work together or individually, in biographies that share amazing stories of people living wi9th vision impairment. Each includes the details of that impairment, and its progress but this is just part of each person’s story, with achievements and everyday life being a key part of each story. With the stories told in good sized bold font, as well as in braille, the books will be accessible to readers with any level of vision and this makes such a wonderful aid both for school and home use. It would be excellent to see these books in mainstream libraries making the stories, and their amazing subjects, accessible to all young readers.
10. City of Light, by Julia Lawrinson, illustrated by Heather Potter & Mark Jackson (Wild Dog, 2023). I was really happy to see this book come into the world, because it’s a topic I have long thought would make an excellent picture book. It’s the story of Perth’s label as the City of Light, after the people of Perth turned on their lights so that John Glenn could see them from space. Also, one of the illustrators, heather Potter, also illustrated my Pearl Verses the World which led, indirectly, to me needing to write a story about a cat.
11. The Lucky Shack, by Apsara Baldovino & Jennifer Falkner (Working Title Press, 2023). I bought this after hearing the illustrator speak at the State Library of WA’s Young Reader’s Day Out recently. When she showed the images I sighed at their perfection and knew I had to own the book. So lovely.

Books for Young Adults

New Patches for Old, by Christobel Mattingley (Puffin, 1977). Picked up second hand on my recent trip to Adelaide, along with other Mattingley titles, giving me a chance to get to know her work better. The story of a teen (Patricia) who is really unhappy about migrating from England to Australia – and the journey to rebuilding her life.
Ask No Questions, by Eva Collins (Puncher & Wattman, 2022). It was coincidence that I read this one and the Mattingley one sequentially, but both deal with the experiences of migrants to Australia. This one is an autobiographical verse novel about the a Polish family coming to Australia during the cold war. Excellent poetry, and a perspective I found enlightening.

Books for Adults

1. Things I Don’t Want to Know, by Deborah Levy (Penguin, 2013). I ordered this from my local bookshop after it was recommended on a podcast – but can’t for the life of me remember which podcast, or who recommended it. Still, I’m glad that past-Sally raced in and ordered it, and really adored this, billed as ‘living autobiography, and exploring writing, womanhood, and the way childhood experiences have shaped the author’s ‘now’. I am likely to order the two subsequent books, though it stands alone beautifully.

2. How to Love the World: Poems of Gratitude and Hope, edited by James Crews (Storey Publishing, 2021). What a beautiful beautiful anthology. From the format, with a cover to die for and hug, to the selection of poems to inspire, to reassure and to love, and little pauses for reflection throughout. I savoured this over about a month, reading a poem or two at a time.

3. The Red Witch: A Biography of Katharine Susannah Prichard, by Nathan Hobby (Miegunyah Press, 2022). This one took me a while to read – I actually started it in late August. That isn’t a reflection on its quality – but as it is quite dense, I put it aside a few times for lighter, quicker reads, finding I needed the head space to concentrate. A really thorough examination of the life, works and times of author Katharine Susannah Prichard.

That brings my total for the year to 119. Happy with that – and there’s still a month to go. What have you been reading?

What I Read in July

August 1, 2022 by Sally

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

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.
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.
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.
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.
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..
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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

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

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.
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.
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

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

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.
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?

Some News and Some Thankyous

July 14, 2022 by Sally

The last month has been an absolute whirlwind of emotion and busyness, and several times I have sat down to blog about it and just not even known where to start. But here I am, finally trying to say stuff.

You see, the big news is that my name was included in the Queen’s Birthday Honour List, announcing that I had been awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for my services to children’s literature and education. To say that this was an amazing honour is an understatement. You see, as I said to more than one person, it feels like I’ve been rewarded just for getting out of bed in the morning. Truly, the things I do, as both author and as educator, are an absolute pleasure to do. And I did not ever imagine that someone would nominate me for such an award for doing them.

However, it seems someone did indeed nominate me – and I still don’t know who was behind the nomination. SO I want to say thank you to that person (or persons), because it means a lot that you saw what I do and thought it worthy of an award. And I want to say thank you too, to the selection panel who have to read and check the nominations before recommending that the Governor General endorse them.

And, because it is time for me to these thank you, I want to most especially thank my family – my darling husband (my beloved) my children (the Murphlets) and my grandchildren (the Murphlings) who inspire me to write and who enable my career in so many ways – and who tolerate my absences, and my creative impulses and my mess. And my other family – my Mum (who inspired my love of reading and writing) and my Dad (who isn’t here any more, but I know would have been pretty chuffed) and my siblings and extended family.

And my writing and illustrating colleagues, who walk alongside me, and my teaching and university colleagues and gosh, just everyone who I work with and have worked with.

But, very particularly, if you are reading this, then I want to thank YOU. Because being a writer is actually very much made special by readers. And I want to thank everyone who has ever read and enjoyed one of my books, poems, blogposts, book reviews, whatevers.

I have received hundreds and hundreds of messages on social media, emails, letters (who even knew they were still a thing!), phonecalls and, of course, in person congratulations. And this has been such a surprise – that so many people were happy for me and happy with me. The most life-changing thing about this award is the fact that it has beensuch a lovely reminder of how many people care – and just how very nice people are. So thank you!

Now I’m back at my desk, writing more, teaching more (the new semester is about to start at my university job) and trying to spread the joy of words with as many people as I can. And promising myself that I will update this blog more regularly ?

In the meantime, I have had a few people ask where the photo of the medal is. The answer is, I don’t have it yet – the ceremony will be in October. But, in the meantime, here is a very serious photo of me, dressed in pink to support my wonderful friend Sue Whiting’s book Pearly and Pig.

March Reads

April 1, 2022 by Sally

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

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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

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.
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.
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.
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.
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?

January Reading

February 1, 2022 by Sally

It feels like 2022 has only just begun, and yet here we are one month down already. At the end of 2021, when I posted my monthly reads, I wasn’t sure if I would keep posting each month, but I’ve decided to keep listing them. I have been experimenting with an app called Storygraph which also allows me to track my reads, but for now I quite like listing them a little old-school.

In 2021 I read 153 books, and I am hoping to match that this year. Keeping a monthly tally should also help me to keep to that – it motivates me on the days when I find myself a little distracted from reading.

Anyway, in spite of that aim, I find that I am reaching the end of January with a pretty low tally of only seven books for the month, even though there are some wonderful reads.. Here’s what I read:

Books for Children

(all three of these books came as review copies from Walker Books Australia)

1. Michael Rosen’s Sticky McStickstick, by Michael Rosen & Tony Ross (Walker Book, 2022). I love all of Michael Rosen’s books, but this was extra special, as it does something very difficult – dealing with the impact of Covid-19 – with aplomb. This is Rosen’s personal account of how he learnt to walk again after being critically ill with Covid 19. It is gentle, honest and very child-friendly.

2. A Good Place, by Lucy Cousins (Walker Books, 2022). Look at this cover! Why wouldn’t I fall in love with this picture book? It’s happy and bright and has a gentle environmental message too. Can’t wait to share this one with my grandchildren, the Murphlings.

3. Pearly and Pig and the Great Hairy Beast, by Sue Whiting (Walker Books 2022). Wow! I have to confess that Sue is a good friend of mine, and so I am always excited to read her books, but putting that aside, this books is excellent. Adventure, a little humour, and a character whose best friend is a pig. What’s not to love? And I am pleased to see that Pearly and Pig will be back for more adventures.

Fiction for Adults

Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens. I am glad I finally read htis, having seen it mentioned in so many places since it was released. I finally downloaded it on audio and listened to it fairly quickly. I know an audio book has me hooked when I start listening to it in the house instead of just saving it for the car. Beautiful, sad and mysterious in equal measure.

2. Hamnet, by Maggie O’Farrell (Headline, 2020). Another one I am super glad I read. The story of Hamnet, William Shakespeare’s son, but also of Shakespeare and his relationship with his wife (Agnes) and family. I really felt drawn to Agnes – very well wrought.

3. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Arthur Conan Doyle. Continuing my read of Sherlock Holmes: The Definitive Collection, read by Stephen Fry on audio, I got through another book this month. Nothing nicer than driving along listening to Stephen Fry, who is a wonderful narrator, and really enjoying the writing too.

Nonfiction

Atlas of the Heart, by Brene Brown (Penguin Random House,2021). I was really excited to read this, having read all of Brown’s earlier books, and adored them. She explores emotions in ways that are accessible and ‘real’, and this new offering is, although a little different than her others, extraordinary. I read it cover to cover but plan to reread and dip in to further digest. And I am going to try to find time this year to reread her backlist.

So, only seven books this month, but I loved them all. And, only 146 to go to match last year’s tally. I’m up for that!

What have you been reading?