sallymurphy.com.au

Sally Murphy, Australian author

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?

February Reads

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At the end of January I was surprised at my low tally of books read. My February tally is even lower – only three books finished – but I’m less surprised, because in February I did a lot of other things:

  • swam around the Busselton Jetty
  • planned and prepared for the start of a new university suggestion, among growing Covid numbers in our state
  • snorkelled
  • rearranged my whole house, with the arrival of new carpet meaning most of our possessions had to packed up, moved and then moved back and unpacked
  • wrote a tiny bit.

And that’s just the main things. Anyway, in spite of all that busyness, I did mange to complete three books, as well as start another three, which I am sure I’ll finish soon.

Here’s what I finished:

Books for Children

  1. Two Weeks With the Queen, by Morris Gleitzman (Pan Macmillan, 1989). I first read this not long after it came out,  and was curious how well it would stack up more than thirty years later.  it still moved me to tears. Funny but also very deeply moving, dealing with childhood cancer, AIDS and more.
  2. Where the World Ends, by Geraldine McCaughrean (Usborne, 2017). I picked this one up because I have been doing a little research of an event set in St Kilda, Australia. I quickly realised the St Kilda in this story is in Scotland, but was intrigued anyway. Based on a true story, a group of boys set ashore for a summer of sea birding is marooned when no one comes to collect them. Beautifully wrought, I am so glad I did find this one.

Books for Adults

  1. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, by V. E. Schwab (Titan, 2020).  This was recommended on Audible, and I wasn’t sure, but really enjoyed it. Addie is 300 years old – having given her soul for the promise of time to live. The only catch is, she can’t own anything and no one remembers her once she is out of their sight. When she meets the one man who seems to be able to remember her, it seems too good to be true.

 

 

 

 

So, that brings my year to date total to ten. A slowish start to the year reading-wise, but there’s still plenty of reading time left in the year.

 

What have you been reading?

January Reading

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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

  1. 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

  1. 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?

What I Read in December

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It’s the last day of the month, so time to look at what I read in December. And, of course, since it’s also the last day of the year, to look back over the whole year.

First, I managed 10 books in the busyness of December.

Books for Children

  1. Backyard Beasties, by Helen Milroy (Fremantle Press, 2022). I received this as a review copy from the publisher, and was delighted when I opened the package, having loved the first two Backyard book, Backyard Birds and Backyard Bugs. Like the others, the simple rhyming text is a pleasure to read aloud and the illustrations are rich. A mixture of native and domestic beasts are found – including a dog, a gecko and a possum.
  2. Lion is That You? by Moira Court (Fremantle Press, 2022). And another review copy, again looking for animals. In this case, the reader is taken on a hunt to see if there are really lions in the Australian bush, a nod to various legends that escaped big cats have survived in the bush. Instead, there are range of Australian animals to spot – a kangaroo, a quenda, a dugite and more. I’m looking forward to sharing this one with my grandies, who do love animal books, and rhyme.
  3. The Song of Lewis Carmichael, by Sofie Laguna, illustrated by Marc McBride (Allen & Uniwn, 2021). A lovely adventure story. Matthew is timid and his parents worry about him. A lot.  But in a magical adventure lead by a crow named Lewis Carmichael, Matthew journeys to the North Pole, learning a lot about his own strength along the way.
  4. A Glasshouse of Stars, by Shirley Marr (Puffin Books, 2021). This is a simply beautiful book, in spite of – or perhaps because of – dealing with some difficult events. Meixing is a young girl dealing with tragedy, change and displacement, living in a New House in the New Land, and a combination of inexplicable magic and her own courage help her to navigate a way.
  5.  The Chime Seekers, by Ross Montgomery (Walker Books, 2021). Yanni is really unimpressed with his baby sister, and the way her presence has changed his life. But when an evil faerie steals her on Halloween, he realises how important she is – and only he and his cousin Amy can save her.

Books for Adults

  1. The Sign of Four, by Arthur Conan Doyle (Audible). The second book featuring Sherlock Holmes and continuing my listening to the collection, read by the inimitable Stephen Fry.
  2. Cold Coast, by Robyn Mundy (Ultimo Press, 2021). I love Robyn Mundy’s writing and she has made stories set amongst the wildest, coldest parts of the world a specialty – reflective of her love of these places. this one is set in Norway, in remote Svalbard and a fictionalised account of Wanny Woldstad, who in 1932 wintered as a trapper. The beauty of the natural world, the perils of humans living there, and the realities of trapping and hunting are woven together in this exquisite novel.
  3. Only Birds Above, by Portland Jones (Fremantle Press, 2022). This one is a review copy, so not out until; 2022. Historical fiction, one of my favourite genres, and exploring the generational impact of war, set in both WW1 and WW2, with a father fighting for the 10th Light Horse and a son a prisoner of war in Sumatra. Not a happy story, but well drawn.
  4. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Arthur Conan Doyle (Audible). The third book in the definite collection of Sherlock Holmes stories. I look forward to working my way through the remainder in 2022.

Poetry

  1. Vociferate, by Emily Sun (Fremantle Press, 2021). This took me a little while to get through because, like the best poetry collections, it needed to be savoured, so I dipped into it over several weeks. Lots to ponder and  consider, with its exploration of belonging and identity.

 

 

 

 

So, these ten bring me to a total for 2021 of 153, including my many loves – picture books, children’s books, poetry, fiction, nonfiction.

 

I have seen lots of friends posting their favourite reads for the year on their blogs or on social media, but can’t bring myself to do this, because I know I will miss something. Every book I finish offers something special.  But one thing I really enjoyed this year was rediscovering some of my old childhood favourites and also working through some of the eclectic offerings that my to-read pile, which dates back years, has afforded.

 

For 2022, I am not yet decided if I will keep posting this monthly list. I like that it keeps track of my reading, and offers a chance to share my thoughts. But there are other ways of doing this, and today I have downloaded an app called Story Graph, which I will experiment with in January before deciding whether to do that instead of blogging, or to do both, or to just keep up with the monthly blog.

 

In the meantime, Happy Yew Year to you. I hope 2021 has offered you some reading joy, and that 2022 offers even more.

sallymurphy.com.au