Aussie Author Challenge 2012 – Guest Blogger – July
As part of the Aussie Author Challenge 2012, each month I will be inviting an active challenge participant to guest post here at Booklover Book Reviews.
Last month Shelleyrae from Book’d Out joined us and now in July I welcome guest blogger Tracey from My Four Bucks. Tracey is an Aussie book blogger signed up and well on her way to achieving the Aussie Author Challenge’s Dinky-Di status. Tracey’s rationale behind the title for her blog is:
“My blog is entitled my four bucks because 2 cents isn’t nearly enough to encompass my love of books and reading.”
Tell us a bit about yourself Tracey and the types of books you feature on your blog, My Four Bucks:
I’m a book-lover with a passion for books and reading and I started reviewing books on My Four Bucks in 2006 as a way to record my thoughts and organise my reading. My blog has come such a long way since then, and it’s such a thrill to interview authors and be part of the bookish world with others who share my passion.
I like to think I read a generally wide selection of books, however there’s no doubt my favourite genre is historical fiction. I also enjoy thrillers, crime, mysteries and books with a supernatural theme, as well as the odd non-fiction book thrown in for good measure.
Outside of reading and blogging, I love to collect bookmarks and also have a few Pinterest boards with bookish themes that keep me entertained.
What are the last 5 books by Australian authors you have read/reviewed?
In reverse order from most recent:
Rocks in the Belly | Jon Bauer
My Hundred Lovers | Susan Johnson
Killing Richard Dawson | Robin Baker
The Light Between Oceans | M. L. Stedman
The great thing about reading novels by Aussie authors is that they’re more accessible to readers and fortunately I was able to interview Robin Baker and John M. Green from Pantera Press for my blog.
Which Australian author do you think deserves broader recognition and why?
My favourite Australian author at the moment is Kate Morton, and her novel The Forgotten Garden is one of my favourite contemporary Australian novels of all time. I’ve recommended it to countless friends and colleagues and they’ve all enjoyed it as much as I have. I’ve also enjoyed her other novels The Shifting Fog and The Distant Hours.
Kate Morton uses a plot design of two different time periods, characters haunted by the past, family drama, mystery and secrets slowly revealed; it’s such a magical and effective concoction I’m swept away each and every time. Her imagery is gothic and sometimes ghostly and I believe this is an author who deserves broader recognition.
Another Australian author I believe deserves broader recognition is Matina Jewell, author of Caught in the Crossfire, a personal and inspirational memoir of her time serving as a UN Peacekeeper in Lebanon. I think more Australians should read this informative and engaging memoir particularly those interested in learning how a person can recover from debilitating physical and emotional hardship and begin to live with purpose again.
The Aussie Author Challenge Soapbox is at your disposal…
Ooohhh, what a fabulous opportunity! Now to use it wisely. First I’d like to comment on the use of public libraries and encourage readers to make use of their local library. Libraries have come a long way and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. I returned to the library 3 years ago and now take pleasure in searching and reserving titles online at home, receiving email notifications when they become available and then drop in to collect them when it suits. So easy!
Titles can be ordered from other libraries and with book prices in Australia so high, why not make better use of our libraries? Sure, there may be a waiting list for popular books, but voracious readers always have a huge list of books to read so reserve a bunch and before you know it your turn will come around. If you have ‘germ issues’ just wipe them down when you get home and get reading!
Next I’d like to remind avid readers and bookaholics (if you’re reading this, it means you) to support Aussie authors and try new authors every now and again. That’s the main reason I signed up to the Aussie Author Challenge. Whenever I post a new review of my own, I make sure I read a couple of other reviews while I’m there and I encourage other bloggers to do the same. Leave a comment and let’s share the love. ;)
Thanks to Jo for inviting me to be the guest blogger for the Aussie Author Challenge 2012.
Disclosure: If you click a link in this post and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission.
It’s been a pleasure having you join us today Tracey!
I share your adoration of Kate Morton’s The Forgotten Garden, and I too only rediscovered my local library services in the last couple of years. The services offered entirely online these days, such as audio book and ebook downloads all free from the comfort of your own home, is pretty impressive.
When looking for your next Aussie read, why not checkout what Tracey has been reading at My Four Bucks.
