Books about friendship are not often described as love stories, but this is one.At the age of twelve, Nell has accepted that hers will likely be a friendless existence. She’s not interested in boys or makeup or competing to see who can eat the least – so fitting in at her all-girls’ school feels impossible.Continue reading “Review: Love, shame, and redemption in Madeleine Gray’s Chosen Family”
Tag Archives: adult fiction
Review: ‘The Farm’ delivers suspense and reflections on women’s body autonomy
When 37-year-old Leila suffers a health tragedy, she doesn’t recover as quickly as she expected. Her partner, James, suggests a year away from the city – they’ll stay on his family farm, where the wide, open spaces and clean country air will help her come to terms with her grief. But the property is remote and the houseContinue reading “Review: ‘The Farm’ delivers suspense and reflections on women’s body autonomy”
Review: Cosy, bibliophile friendly vibes in Dinner at the Night Library
The Night Library on the outskirts of Tokyo isn’t your ordinary library. It’s only open from seven o’clock to midnight. It exclusively stores books by deceased authors, and none of them can be checked out — instead, they’re put on public display to be revered and celebrated by the library’s visitors, akin to a bookContinue reading “Review: Cosy, bibliophile friendly vibes in Dinner at the Night Library”
October Book Club: Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi
Ada carries separate selves within her. When a traumatic experience crystallises the selves into something more powerful, Ada’s life shifts in a dangerous direction. Our September October book club discussion is about Freshwater, a semi-autobiographical novel by Nigerian writer, Akwaeke Emezi. We talk about multiplicity and the character’s experience with alters, and the role ofContinue reading “October Book Club: Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi”
Q&A with Mark Mupotsa-Russell on The Wolf Who Cried Boy
Six-year-old Henry believes his life is a fairytale. He’s a Star Prince, his mum is a Star Queen and they’re hiding from Henry’s father, the mysterious ‘Wolf King’. When news arrives that his Grandma is gravely ill, Henry and his mum must take a road trip across the country and back into the Wolf King’sContinue reading “Q&A with Mark Mupotsa-Russell on The Wolf Who Cried Boy”
Author interview | Jodi McAlister on An Academic Affair
Romance author and academic Dr Jodi McAlister shares her insights on her latest release, an Academic Affair. Meet academic rivals Sadie and Jonah; when a position comes up that Sadie and Jonah are both perfect for, their ongoing enmity explodes into a red-hot competition. We dive into the world of early career academia, rivals toContinue reading “Author interview | Jodi McAlister on An Academic Affair”
Q&A with Sinéad Stubbins about her latest novel, Stinkbug
In this wildly original and deeply unhinged story, Sinéad Stubbins turns her keen but empathetic eye on the lies we tell about ourselves in order to belong. Part anxious millennial fever dream, part searing workplace satire, Stinkbug follows Edith and a select group of employees at Winked advertising agency who are sent to an elite three-dayContinue reading “Q&A with Sinéad Stubbins about her latest novel, Stinkbug”
Author interview | Graeme Simsion and Anne Buist talk the Glass House
Join us for a fascinating interview with Anne Buist and Graeme Simsion, authors of the Menzies Mental Health series – i.e. The Glass House (book 1) and The Oasis (book 2). We have a lot to talk about including the complexity of the Australian mental health care system, balancing technical accuracy and storytelling, and tellingContinue reading “Author interview | Graeme Simsion and Anne Buist talk the Glass House”
May Book Club: Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert (S4E3)
Chloe Brown is a chronically ill computer geek with a goal, a plan, and a list. After almost—but not quite—dying, she’s come up with six directives to help her “Get a Life”. Our May book club discussion is about Get a Life, Chloe Brown, a romance novel that features characters experiencing chronic pain and trauma.Continue reading “May Book Club: Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert (S4E3)”
Review: You Must Remember This – a journey through time and memory
Grace can’t settle. She can’t shake the feeling that someone is missing. You Must Remember This is an eloquent jumble of a family story, as experienced by Grace, an elderly woman with dementia trying to get her moorings in a worsening storm. It contemplates the perils of remembering and forgetting, making your own way inContinue reading “Review: You Must Remember This – a journey through time and memory”