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Rush Oh!
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
40 posts | 19 read | 59 to read
LONGLISTED FOR THE BAILEYS WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2016When Mary Davidson, the eldest daughter of a whaling family in Eden, New South Wales, sets out to chronicle the particularly difficult season of 1908, the story she tells is poignant and hilarious, filled with drama and misadventure.It's a season marked not only by the sparsity of whales and the vagaries of weather, but also by the arrival of John Beck, an itinerant whaleman with a murky past, on whom Mary promptly develops an all-consuming crush. But hers is not the only romance to blossom amidst the blubber . . . Swinging from Mary's hopes and disappointments, both domestic and romantic, to the challenges that beset their tiny whaling operation, Rush Oh! is a celebration of an extraordinary episode in Australian history when a family of whalers formed a fond, unique alliance with a pod of frisky killer whales - and in particular, a killer whale named Tom.
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Leftcoastzen
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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#NewYearNewBooks #ShipsorSailing a whaling tale that has been on the TBR since it was published in 2016!😱😄

sarahbarnes Omg! This book has been on my shelf since then, too! I still haven‘t read it. 11mo
Eggs It sounds good 🐳 🌊⛵️ 11mo
Leftcoastzen @sarahbarnes we are saving them up for the book apocalypse! 😁 11mo
54 likes3 comments
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Curiouser_and_curiouser
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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I'm finally on the past 25 pages of this book. Ive taken some time out today to have some rest & alone time & I'm feeling great.This is the perfect Australian coastal book to read & I've been reading it every chance ive had whilst holidaying in QLD.
Im in the perfect spot right now to finish it right here on the beach. I've loved reading this story, her writing is lovely & the family has drawn me in. The love story has kept me wondering too...

45 likes1 stack add
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Curiouser_and_curiouser
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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Finally arrived in Queensland yesterday arvo. Raining but warm. Everyone's had a dip in the pool already.
I managed to read in the car unbelievably, I was over my usual travel sickness after the first day. But even so, with the constant interruptions of my busy, chatty family I only got through about 65 pages in our 4 days on the road.

Loving this story so far, taking me back to what life was like over 100 years ago with a great sense of humor!

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Curiouser_and_curiouser
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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Thanks to @Victoria_Clyne for suggesting to visit the Killer Whale Museum whilst staying at Eden for a night on our way to Queensland. My daughter and I loved it and it's given me a depth of knowledge of the history at Eden whilst I continue on reading my book Rush Oh!
Such a cool experience 🐳

Princess-Kingofkings So good to see your smiles! 5y
Crazeedi Beautiful picture!❤ 5y
Victoria_Clyne So glad you enjoyed it. Waiting for my kids to be a bit older to take them. 5y
See All 8 Comments
CarolynM Eden is such a beautiful place! Enjoy! 5y
Curiouser_and_curiouser @Princess-Kingofkings Aawww, thank you, we were so elated after our tour 🐋🐟🐳 5y
Curiouser_and_curiouser @Victoria_Clyne they will love it. I saw a very young family there today. A baby and little toddlers running around. 5y
Curiouser_and_curiouser @CarolynM It sure is! I am even more excited to read my book now, knowing that its based on true historical events! So much more meaning. And yes, I think we need to stay here for longer than one night. We stayed in Eden for 1 night 10 years ago on our way to Queensland and I remember saying that then too. Bucket list 😉 5y
42 likes8 comments
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Curiouser_and_curiouser
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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Well who woulda thunk? I began this book this week and downloaded the audiobook for the car as we have left on a 4 day drive from Melbourne to QLD beginning today. I let the men decide & book accommodation on our journey up, as I did the packing.
And can you believe, we are staying in Eden, NSW!!! The very place my book is set in, only in 1908. Look at the whale on the sign of the caravan park we are staying at too.
This is a little bit uncanny.

ljuliel Isn‘t that neat ? 5y
Victoria_Clyne Did you visit the killer whale museum? We went years ago and it was quite good. 5y
Curiouser_and_curiouser @Victoria_Clyne Thanks to you my daughter and I made time to stop and visit the Whale Museum just now, before our drive to Jervis Bay. She and I loved it! Thank you for suggesting we go. It was fantastic 🐳 5y
35 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Curiouser_and_curiouser
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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After browsing a few books this week & not feeling heavy interest in my current read I have been sampling some audiobooks whilst preparing for our holiday, beginning this Friday.
I happened upon the audio version of a book I bought recently having never heard of it before but excited to own.
Well, as soon as it began I felt that certain excitement which comes with "Just Right" books.
Its Australian, historical & well written.
Loving it already!!!

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ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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55 likes1 stack add
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mskayla07
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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Pickpick

This was a good story. Somewhat interesting characters with a very interesting plot/setting. I really liked the writing style; it felt like the character was actually speaking to me telling me about her life. The sudden ish changes in topics were confusing sometimes but I did like the little drawings or notes she included, it added a nice personal touch to the story.

But overall, a good, well written story. The audiobook was decent.

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mskayla07
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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My September TBR 😊 #tbr #bookstoread

9 likes1 stack add
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Susannizo
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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I thought I would try the Bookcase.club and this is my first delivery. Not sure this is for me, I like picking my own books thoughts?

Traci1 I like surprises, but then I'm not sure how I feel about that. I might consider trying it for a month or two. The Rush Oh book looks interesting, though. 7y
7 likes1 comment
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Leftcoastzen
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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#deepwater #marchintooz Rush Oh! Is historical fiction about a whaling family in 1908 in New South Wales , still on my TBR.Whaling was very dangerous, but moving lumber up and down the coast wasn‘t so bad ,often whole families lived aboard. The photo is of the family living quarters of steel full rigged ship that moved lumber . Circa 1904 with the wife and most of the comforts of home.Puget Sound .photo by Wilhelm Hester

Cinfhen Did u ever read 7y
Cinfhen It was really good!!!!! 7y
Leftcoastzen @Cinfhen oh ?just read description! Sounds good , will stack,thanks! 7y
Cinfhen Some people were put off by the violence and there was some animal cruelty but the book was so well written and really true to the time and setting!!! I LOVED it❤️❤️❤️ 7y
34 likes1 stack add4 comments
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emmaturi
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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This book is set in Australia around 1900 and the family are whale hunters. I was not sure about it as don't believe in whale hunting. But it is only a book isn't it!! #bookcover #bookworm #books #bookcrazy #currentread

Marchpane I just read a novel about whaling in Australia - all I can say is thank goodness it doesn't go on anymore. They are such beautiful creatures 🐋 7y
emmaturi Yes totally agree with you! @Marchpane 7y
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emmaturi Haven't heard of it but will check it out! @Cinfhen 7y
Marchpane @Cinfhen I have and loved it! Even though that book is very dark and brutal. 7y
Cinfhen I was gonna say VERY DARK @emmaturi and if you are uncomfortable with animal cruelty you may need to skip it... otherwise it's a great read! Our bookclub was all thumbs up 7y
16 likes6 comments
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AshleyS
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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Mehso-so

I thought this book was interesting, and I liked the story, but moved at a little too slow of a pace for me.

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AshleyS
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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I'm still alternating chapters between Rush Oh! And Harry Potter, but the chapters in Rush Oh are much shorter so I'm flying through Harry Potter at a much faster rate. I'm starting Prisoner of Azkaban today and think I'll finish Rush Oh today or tomorrow

TheNextBook Prisoner of Azkaban Illustrated Edition comes out on Tuesday and yep, I'm buying it. No shame. 7y
AshleyS @TheNextBook Oh I'm going to be buying the illustrated books eventually, they look amazing! 7y
14 likes2 comments
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AshleyS
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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I have been having a hard time getting in to books lately, but still have a strong desire to read! I'm going to alternate chapters in these two (Harry Potter always holds my interest, and Rush Oh is for my family book club) before I start packing up my kitchen and going to a birthday party at noon.

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tricours
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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Mehso-so

I found this book a bit too childish, and a bit lacking in plot. The slightly romantic plot was just uninteresting, I wanted something completely different, darker and more profound.

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tricours
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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Going on an #audiowalk I first have to locate the cat and shut him inside the house. Otherwise he risks following us across dangerous roads. 😱

Libby1 Wow! He's a brave cat. He's not at all afraid of the dog. 7y
tricours @Libby1 Conan has no need to be afraid. Walter has. Walter has been slapped enough by Conan for his lack of respect for personal space, so he doesn't dare come too close. 7y
42 likes2 comments
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tricours
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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New audiobook, new knitting project (sweater to the left). 👍

LeahBergen Lovely! 7y
37 likes1 comment
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Bookworm83
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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suvata Sounds interesting 7y
Bookworm83 @suvata It was great! Another good one by the same author is 7y
Rachiiebookdragon I loved The Book Of Unknown Americans, it is/was a great read :) 7y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Essex and Rush Oh! were 2 of my faves so far too! 7y
99 likes4 comments
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ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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Pickpick

5 star historical fiction! Loved this one!

OSChamberlain I'm currently reading Moby Dick, and I feel I will need more whaling books in my future, so adding this for sure! 8y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled @OSChamberlain I ❤️ whaling books. May I also recommend The Whale: A Love Story, if you haven't read that one. All about the romance between Melville and Hawthorne. Made me appreciate Moby Dick. 8y
OSChamberlain @ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Oh that sounds wonderful!!! 8y
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Zelma I've also heard really good things about this one too 8y
Bklover This sounds fascinating! 8y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled @zlelma - Ahab's Wife is one of my favorites EVER 👍 8y
chapter_fifty2017 I really loved this book too !! 8y
51 likes4 stack adds7 comments
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ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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Historical Australian whaling fiction! I am EATING THIS UP!!

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rachelwill
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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Pickpick

Book #2: As a vegetarian going into a book about whaling was a wary venture. But in the hands of our witty narrator, Mary, this journey into the small town world of Australian whaling town, Eden, populated by folklore, family, love, and boiling blubber, is a safe one.

A fantastically enjoyable read filled with humour and affection #readjanuary

4 likes1 stack add
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Bookworm83
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
Pickpick

This was a lovely read about a whaling season in the early 1900's in Australia and its effect on the teenage narrator and her family. I enjoy books that explore small town family life and this book did that, but the focus was more on the family's struggles and triumphs with whaling, which was interesting. The perfect read for a lazy afternoon. #ERmadlibs

JenP I have this on my TBR! 8y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled If it's about whaling, then that's for me! 🤗🐳 8y
Bookworm83 @JenP I hope you enjoy it as I did! @ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled I'm a sucker for books with anything related to the ocean or seaside. Do you have any other recs for books about whaling? After reading this book, I'm fascinated. 8y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Oh yes! My knee-jerk rec is Of Whales and Men by R B Robertson. Please also check my Goodreads (Ericka Seidemann) and friend me - I have a whaling shelf and a sea/shipwreck/mutiny shelf, if you like that kind of thing 8y
Bookworm83 Thank you so much @ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled ! I will send you a friend request today 😊 8y
81 likes8 stack adds5 comments
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Bookworm83
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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Snow Day!! You know what I will be doing today! #teachersoflitsy #snowday

ErikasMindfulShelf I need a snow day!!!❄❄ 8y
ErinC Super jealous! 8y
mhillis Wow! ☃️☃️ 8y
See All 23 Comments
eanderson Looks like a good day! 8y
Cinfhen I LOVE that teachers get excited over snow days as well😄enjoy ☃️ 8y
monkeygirlsmama I got all excited for a sec, then my mind made the shift that this didn't apply to me. Bahaha 8y
Bookworm83 @Cinfhen Oh yes! Sometimes I think we are more exited than the kids 😋 8y
LindsayReads I miss snow days! Enjoy! 8y
Bookworm83 @monkeygirlsmama LOL...sorry about that 😉 8y
Mariposa_Bookworm Jealous! Enjoy your day! 8y
minkyb Nice New Year's gift. i remember when as a teacher I loved snow days, then as a parent - not so much lol. 8y
courtney Jealous! Enjoy a cozy day! 8y
Bookworm83 @minkyb LOL! I'm sure it's not as relaxing for parents 😋 8y
quirkyreader Cool #virago book. I already had today off but I am not looking forward to Friday and Saturday. 8y
Graciouswarriorprincess Lucky you; enjoy! I plan on doing that on Saturday as they are calling for ❄️ here and everyone says that there is limited snow removal equipment. Welcome to the south!👍🏻 8y
Reviewsbylola We are expecting snow but our schools never close. We are more likely to close for windchill than snow. Enjoy your day! 8y
Bklover Just retired from a school. There is nothing better than a snow day!!!❄️❄️❄️ 8y
PurpleyPumpkin Lucky you! Snuggle up and enjoy. 😉❄️ 8y
Yournewfriendsams Yayay! Love a good snow day!! 8y
Lmstraubie You need one good snow day a year, but just one! ❄⛄ 8y
monkeygirlsmama @Bookworm83 That's quite alright. Haha My students have finals today, so it will be a low key day anyhow. And then we start Chinese New Year holiday, so I will actually have a month off. 😮 Great for the TBR pile, not so much for the bank account. 😫😆 8y
Bookworm83 @monkeygirlsmama Right?! I always spend way too much money on breaks 😬 8y
asiriusreader Lucky duck!! Hoping for my own snow day soon!! 8y
161 likes2 stack adds23 comments
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Leelee08
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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This is my #januaryTBR. Little bit of romance, early 20th century whale hunting, and some amazing essays by Lindy West. I graduate this semester, so I won't be able to read as much as I'd like. Four more months!! #readjanuary

BookishMarginalia I like the variety! 8y
Leelee08 @BookishMarginalia Thank you! I try to mix it up from time to time. 😍😂 8y
Bookworm83 I'm tying to finish Rush Oh! today! It's good! 8y
Leelee08 @Bookworm83 The love story is what's bothering me. It's making me sad. Lol 8y
73 likes4 comments
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Bookworm83
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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Trying to sneak in one more book this year! I picked this after reading @valeriegeary 's excellent description 😀

valeriegeary 🙌 Ooooh, I hope you like it! The ending was, I thought, a bit anti-climactic, but overall I had a great time reading it! 8y
91 likes1 stack add2 comments
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valeriegeary
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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Snugs and kisses.

Joybishoptx What a sweet puppy! 8y
britt_brooke 💕💕💕 8y
63 likes2 comments
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valeriegeary
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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Starting this one today. So far it's a thrilling whale of a tale with a wonderfully spunky first person narrator who reminds me a little of Flavia de Luce!

saresmoore Fun! 8y
Bookworm83 You had me at Flavia! 8y
Faibka Love whale tales! 8y
SusanInTiburon Intriguing! 8y
B.Reader Sounds great! 8y
51 likes8 stack adds5 comments
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EchoMyEscape
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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So my library totally had this book 😍😍😍🤗🙌 yay!

Carol Gorgeous library card! 😍 8y
EchoMyEscape Thanks girl!!! @carol 😉 8y
21 likes2 comments
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EchoMyEscape
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett

So my library totally had this book 😍😍😍🤗🙌 yay!

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Heather_Reads
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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Pickpick

I can't string words together to write a proper review of this book, so instead I'll just tell you some things I did while reading it.

•I sighed out loud a lot.
•I laughed out loud a lot.
•I got a bit sad.
•I pressed the book to my heart and stroked it lovingly.
•I reminisced on my early childhood years spent in a remote part of Australia.
•I had an excellent time, and pondered on why I put off reading this for so long.

In summation: read it. 🐋

TeR Ok 8y
Rebeccak You definitely moved this up on my TBR 8y
MrBook Nice review 😊👍🏻 8y
18 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Heather_Reads
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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The illustrations in this book are so lovely. 🐳

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Heather_Reads
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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Some enjoyable Sunday reading.

MrBook Love this pic! 8y
Heather_Reads @MrBook Thanks! 😊 8y
12 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Godmotherx5
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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My hubby built this shelf for me. He indulges my fondness for Cinderella & my love of reading. I waited a long time for my prince. He was well worth the wait 💕
@Litsy #shelfie #24in48 #readathon

21 likes1 stack add
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Caspette
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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Pickpick

A beautifully written books full of humour about a whaling family in Eden Australia during the whaling season of 1908. A fascinating glimpse into a part of Australian history that doesn't get mentioned often.

3 likes1 stack add
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Caspette
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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Every time this book mentions the Plover's I have a laugh as the author describes them perfectly. Also don't think I have ever heard of everyone describe a plover so nicely after being swooped at.

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Caspette
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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This description of the Plover family was spot on and hilarious.

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Hoopiefoot
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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Mehso-so

I really wanted to love this but struggled to get into it and stay engaged with it.

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Sue
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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Mehso-so

I feel ambivalent about this book. The harshness of surviving in Australia seems to sound the same no matter what book you read. The story of the killer whales was interesting, and it was nice to see a different balance between the whites and Aboriginal Australians. Btw plovers are that evil.

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Liberty
Rush Oh! | Shirley Barrett
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Today's reading.

Lindsy This is on my TBR! How was it? 9y
Liberty @Lindsy Great! 9y
Sue I was thrilled to hear an Aussie book on 'All the Books'. Thanks - it's on my TBR :) 9y
Godmotherx5 I went out & bought it right after last week's podcast. I've flagged books before but never purchased like that. Thanks for your enthusiasm. 9y
40 likes13 stack adds4 comments