The Book Thief: Book & Movie Review + Quotes, Markus Zusak
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is a modern classic. We discuss why in our novel & movie review and share favourite quotes.
Aussie Author
Book Review – AVENUE OF ETERNAL PEACE by Nicholas Jose
Avenue of Eternal Peace Synopsis Beijing is a city of opportunity and danger when cancer specialist Wally Frith arrives there from Sydney. Chance encounters have life-changing consequences. As the doctor’s journey spirals back into his own family story, memories and ghosts…
Oscar & Lucinda by Peter Carey, Review: Something special
Oscar & Lucinda won Australian author Peter Carey the 1988 Booker Prize and the 1989 Miles Franklin Award. It was shortlisted for The Best of the Booker. Oscar & Lucinda Synopsis A young Anglican minister who looks like a scarecrow, thinks like an angel, and…
THE CHICKEN THIEF by Fiona Leonard, Book Review & Author Interview
The Chicken Thief Synopsis : Alois is The Chicken Thief, an intelligent young man impelled into a life of crime as a means of survival in southern Africa. The political climate is turbulent, with the current President experiencing lagging popularity,…
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton, Review: A magical storyteller
Kate Morton’s The Forgotten Garden is a captivating and atmospheric story of secrets, family and memory that I highly recommend in audiobook. The Forgotten Garden Synopsis Thirty-eight-year-old Cassandra is lost, alone, and grieving. Her much-loved grandmother, Nell, has just died…
THE BIG ASK by Shane Maloney, Book Review: Caustic wit
The Big Ask as with other titles in Shane Maloney’s Murray Whelan Series is a wonderful mix of thrilling action and caustic wit.
Murray Whelan is an underdog who seems to just get up everytime life knocks you down. He makes mistakes – big ones – but he inevitably figures out a way to deliver a bit of his own Robin Hood justice to those who mistake him for a patsy.
FALL GIRL by Toni Jordan, Book Review
I really enjoyed Australian author Toni Jordan’s debut novel Addition because of its quirkiness and refreshing approach to chick lit (read my review), and so I eagerly awaited the publication of her second novel.
In Fall Girl Toni Jordan has created an interesting premise and quirky characters for the reader to be engaged and surprised by.
The Broken Shore by Peter Temple, Review: Deft observation
In The Broken Shore Peter Temple has created characters that display the darker side of humanity that is all too present in society, whether we choose to admit it or not.
There is a relentless and very personal message contained in The Broken Shore, a continual surging towards the delivery of justice in an imperfect world by imperfect people – symbolic of waves crashing into a shore. This is no pollyanna story – some readers may find the subject matter confronting (over and above the use of language I’ve already mentioned).
DREAMS OF SPEAKING by Gail Jones, Book Review
In Dreams of Speaking Gail Jones casts a spell of introspection, unbridled honesty and intelligence.
I found myself mesmerised not only by the story of Alice and Mr Sakamoto, but by Gail Jones’ mastery of language. It is not simply that the prose is a treasure trove for word lovers, it is the gloriously descriptive and refreshing, thought-provoking observations that I was continually impressed by. Jones sets a scene and a mood in a way that kept me wanting more.
Addition by Toni Jordan, Review: Quirky & intelligent romance
Toni Jordan’s Addition was… Winner, Indie Awards, Best Debut Fiction, 2008 Longlisted, Miles Franklin Literary Award, 2009 Shortlisted, Australian Book Industry Awards, Best General Fiction Book, 2008 Addition Synopsis Grace Lisa Vandenburg counts. The letters in her name (19). The steps she…
TRICK OR TREAT by Kerry Greenwood, Book Review
Book 4 in Kerry Greenwood’s Corinna Chapman’s Murder Mysteries Series Trick or Treat Synopsis: Corinna Chapman, amateur sleuth, baker extraordinaire and proprietor of the Earthly Delights Bakery, returns for her fourth criminally entertaining and delicious adventure. When a cut-price franchise…
SEVEN ANCIENT WONDERS by Matthew Reilly, Review
Seven Ancient Wonders Synopsis: Also published as Seven Deadly Wonders Two thousand years ago, it was hidden within the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Now, in the present day, it must be found again… Captain Jack West Jr –…
