Maddy is mute. Since the Incident she has barely spoken. And now she and her mother and brother are staying in a farmhouse on an old apricot orchard not far from town. It’s a chance to rest and recuperate – or a way to hide further away from the world. Alice is waiting. Since Birdy,Continue reading “What is left unsaid in Sharon Kernot’s ‘Birdy’”
Author Archives: novelfeelings
Review: loneliness, mental health, and something else in Beatrix & Fred
Emily Spurr’s Beatrix & Fred follows two lonely individuals as their lives entwined in unexpected ways. If this sounds really vague to you, that’s because this book’s premise is best discovered on your own. Topics include perimenopause, mental health, loneliness and belonging. Review Weird premise, touching execution Beatrix is a loner with a genuine attachmentContinue reading “Review: loneliness, mental health, and something else in Beatrix & Fred”
Interview: Sara Shepard on the Penny Draws series
The “Penny Draws” series revolves around fifth-grader Penny Lowry, who navigates a challenging emotional landscape amid the trials of school life. The story deals with themes such as mental health and anxiety, exploring Penny’s struggle with her ever-changing friendships. We chat with author Sara Shepard, who is also the author of “Pretty Little Liars” series.
S3E6. Girl in Pieces Review
How do you pick up the pieces after life has served you enough trauma for a lifetime? Charlotte, aged 17, is trying to recover in a world that owes her nothing, but has taken so much. In our season 3 finale, we dive into Girl in Pieces‘ representations of self-harm, hospitalisation, and unhealthy relationships, andContinue reading “S3E6. Girl in Pieces Review”
Review: Exploring humanity in Jacinta Halloran’s Resistance
As a family therapist, Nina is the ultimate listener. Yet this is of little use with her latest clients, the Agostinos, who have been mandated to see her after stealing a car and disappearing into the outback. For support with the case, Nina meets with a supervising therapist, Erin. What they unearth in their sessionsContinue reading “Review: Exploring humanity in Jacinta Halloran’s Resistance”
Interview: Megan Williams on Let’s Never Speak of This Again
Let’s Never Speak of This Again follows Abby as she navigates a changing dynamic with her best friend, particularly when tragedy strikes. What does being best friends really mean? How do you support a grieving friend while managing your own feelings? In this podcast interview, we speak in-depth with author Megan Williams about how sheContinue reading “Interview: Megan Williams on Let’s Never Speak of This Again”
S3E5. My Year of Rest and Relaxation Review
Is it possible to hibernate your problems away? Our main character – privileged, vain, and traumatised – chooses to sleep for a year to take a break from her life. In our spiciest review yet, we discuss self-medication, unlikable characters, and one of the worst mental heath professionals we’ve ever encountered in fiction. Mental healthContinue reading “S3E5. My Year of Rest and Relaxation Review”
Interview: Robyn Dennison on Blind Spot
When Dale stumbles into a bedroom at a party and sees a drunk girl being undressed by a group of guys, he backs away and runs. He’s pretty drunk himself, but he knows what he saw. Why didn’t he stop them? Why did he run? Blind Spot follows Dale as he grapples with the aftermathContinue reading “Interview: Robyn Dennison on Blind Spot”
What Love At First Psych Gets Wrong About Psychology
Love At First Psych is an Audible original audiobook (audio drama may also be an apt description since it features a full cast of actors). It is a romance novella with the following premise: two undergraduate students are taking a Social Psychology class all about the psychology of love. They have a group assignment toContinue reading “What Love At First Psych Gets Wrong About Psychology”
S3E4. Challenger Deep Review
Neal Shusterman is one of our favourite authors, so it was a no brainer for us to dive into a book he’s written about an often stigmatised mental health disorder. Joined by Leah from YA Book Chat, we discuss the experiences of delusions and hallucinations; hospital-based treatments of mental health disorders; and the role ofContinue reading “S3E4. Challenger Deep Review”