First book for August. Delightful. I‘ve always enjoyed her stories. It was perfect for this stormy weekend. An older woman finding herself and realising she has choices and it‘s never too late. ❤️❤️

This is a reprint of the 50th year . I rescued it from an op shop. When I was teaching I read these stories to my Year 1s. Rereading it now I think it would still appeal to young ones. I‘m going to try in on step granddaughter who is a little older but has a naughty little sister.

Lent to me by a friend. Delightful. A well written , eloquent love story. Actually a few love stories or maybe better , stories of love. Set in France and England. Took me a while to read but I did enjoy it.

Heard these two young women on the radio. One dealing with a physical “ broken” brain the other a mental “ broken “ brain. Chronicles their different experiences with lots of commentary on our medical system and how each is dealt with. Also how each is perceived by friends and family. The two women are friends and the book is illuminating and their friendship shines through.

Went to see these two this afternoon. Thank you @MrsMalaprop for alerting me to her coming. Wonderful. It was a wet cold day here in Perth. To sit and hear these two beautiful woman discuss Helen‘s book warmed my heart.

Love Little Golden Books . I have been collecting them from Op shops. This one is a new one. They seem to be publishing some very modern titles. Explains the meaning of the colours on the flag and how the flag came about.

For a long time I‘ve wanted to read one of his books. My partner, as an adult , went to visit her Year 2 teacher, Miss Boyd. Who told her about her nephew who had just had a book published. When she told me this story I wanted to read one of his books. This was a bit of a saga . Written in a journal form. Privileged white man . 1923 to 1991. Most of the time I didn‘t like him. Very well written making it a pleasure to read for the words alone.

This book was in the crime section of our library. A 2025 publication it does have a crime in it but it‘s certainly not central to the story. It‘s about relationships and follows a group of people over time. Set mainly in Ireland with London , Paris and Italy in the background. Only trouble I had was the Irish names. Only one I knew how to pronounce. Luckily with reading it doesn‘t matter. 😊. Enjoyed this read after a slow start.

Saw my grandson 17 yesterday and said his teacher was reading this with the class . Asked him about it and he said he had cried at the end. So thought I‘d give it a read. Certainly a story of it‘s time . A quick read for me. A classic for sure. Reading other reviews I found one by a teacher who said her junior boys cried at the end. I collect these Penguin editions so will add this one.

It‘s been a while since I enjoyed a book as much as I did this one. It‘s set me off researching other books. Watching Gina Chick on Who Do You Think You are and filling in the pieces not available to Suzanne when she wrote this book 30 years ago. How much we inherit and how much is environmental and then comes the choices we make. So interesting. Loved loved loved it.

An ex library book I got it not knowing it was short stories. I‘m not a fan of short stories. I was in my younger days. Anyway I gave this a go. The best story was the last one which was titled Australia Day. So that made me glad I had persevered and made it to the end. A story I feel is probably close to the authors heart.

Entertaining. A wee bit far fetched . Perfect for TV. Love Poe and Tilly. Would definitely read another in the same series.

This book will stay with me for a while. Knowing the authors background and that she died the year this was published made this a thoughtful read for me. A story about relationships, living and dying and more. I loved it. I‘ve read a couple of her books now and loved them all. A talent lost too soon.

Just finished this sitting in the precious winter sun. What a wonderful story. David tells us of his life in the 60s to Covid times. It seems to me a life well lived . The writing is beautiful. Set in England it also chronicles changing attitudes to gay people and dark skinned people. I heard the author on the radio and. Knew I wanted to read this book. I also loved his book The Line Of Beauty. Both ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Forgot to put this one on. I read it a while ago. I do enjoy his books. Such a prolific writer. His stories always have an unusual angle. This one the author has put himself in it. Peppered I think with facts from his own life. Making me wonder at times what was fact and what fiction.

Third in a series. Delightful. I love remembering earlier times when tea ladies reigned supreme. This is set in the early 60s. Very Aussie. With unions , the waterside workers, shepherds pie, mini skirts, shared housing, hippies, and much more. When a pot of tea and a biscuit was the going thing. No coffee in sight.
A light fluffy read.

Escapist reading for me. I like the main character Joe . I‘ve read a few about him now. This was an ok book but I didn‘t like the ending at all.

It took me a while to read this because I wanted to savour the beautiful writing , story telling and wisdom of Niall Williams. A wonderful story of life , love and happiness . The narrator was a joy to “ listen “ to.
This is one book I think I could listen to as an audio book.
A tale of a time in Ireland when things were simple but technology in the form of electricity was spreading .
A look at one small village . Insightful. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Very interesting. I had no idea who she was even though in the 70s I had been a member of WEL , the Women‘s Electoral Lobby which she had founded. I would have loved to have met her and to have heard her speak. A fascinating woman. Strong in her opinions and true to her values. Talking about sex long before it was “ proper “ to do so. Judith Brett has done a great job. Very well researched.

A local publisher and author. Very new. Thanks @CarolynM . I was able to get it from library. I found the style of writing different but enjoyable. There was not a lot of emotion , very matter of fact. Making the read even more enjoyable was the walk down memory lane for me with situations and places I knew from the 70s and onward.
A champion for gay and trans rights. The law has come a long way thanks to people like Andrea. ❤️🌈

I was not going to read this, however coffee friends raved on and on about it and one handed me a copy. Took me a while to get into it and must admit I skipped read a lot. Author must be smiling. A very timely novel. Interesting ending. A quick read especially if you read like me. 😊.

2 Aussie authors. Tagged book going free as a throw out from local library. The other published last year $1 in an op shop. Could not believe it @MrsMalaprop . On to my TBR shelf they go. Also got to see some of the Sydney Writer‘s Festival on the big screen at our State Library. Helen Garner, Ian Rankin and Anna Funder.

A very old book. First published in 1916, this one 1960. It caught my eye because I had to read it in high school and all I can remember is that I hated it. Reading it now I can understand why my teenage self didn‘t like. It is a spy thriller set in WW1 . I‘m glad I reread it. Looking back I realise we had a very British based curriculum.
By the way this old book smells great.😊❤️.

All the way through this book it seemed familiar . I checked and I hadn‘t read it before. Then it dawned on me it‘s on one of the streaming services. Well worth a watch. Also a good read. I‘m a bit of a fan of his character Joe OLoughlin.

A reread of the book that prompted my visit to Iceland in 2017. A truly magical place. This books tells the story of the last execution in Iceland. It has taken on new meaning for me after finishing her latest book Always Home , Always Homesick. Both wonderful reads. I don‘t keep many books these days but these books are definitely keepers.

Loved this read. I could relate to much of the way she feels. It also bought back memories of my visit to Iceland. A magical place and a highlight of all my travelling. This prompted me to reread Burial Rites. The book that prompted me to visit Iceland in 2017.

Right book at the right time. Op shop find. Could not believe it. The illustrations are delightful and the words wonderful. For all people and all ages. Not just the kids. ❤️❤️

Excellent. She keeps getting better with this series.

Another short listed book for the Stella. The writing is exquisite and I had to really concentrate in places. It dragged somewhat for me at times. But has got me really thinking after I read the authors note.

My GP has recently moved to a different practice so I get to visit a suburb which has one of the best independent book shops in my opinion. I get to browse books , walk around and have lovely coffee and chocolates. Plus see my wonderful GP. Looking forward to reading this book. Loved his latest.

A small book haul. Two are fresh off the press and I couldn't find listed here yet. Other two going cheap at local bookshop. So looking forward to the Hannah Kent book. ❤️

A short Aussie novel. Short listed for the Stella award.Set during the lockdown it looks at the lives of 4 family member and a rabbit. Insightful, it deals with love,grief,and emotions that make up everyday life. Beautiful writing.

Just loved this book. It took me a while to get into it but so glad I kept going. By the time the story unfolded I had a good handle on the main characters. I had to really concentrate at times on his beautiful writing. Good tears at the end for me. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The second in this series. I‘m really enjoying following Hannah a young doctor. Both books are fiction based on facts. We get a good look at how mental health services are working and not working in Australia. Also the difficulties of diagnosis, working in an understaffed situation, and what it‘s like to be a patient and so much more.
I‘m looking forward to next book in the series. Hopefully there will be one.🤞

Read the book after Ann Patchett recommended it on Instagram . She reads it once a year. I can see why it‘s considered a classic. I have seen the original movie. Found this copy in op shop today. 👏👏. Now have to find a copy of the first movie made with Ryan O‘Neil.

Heard Esther on the radio . It was from the Sydney Writers festival , not recent I don‘t think. I didn‘t realise her first book was Hideous Kinky . I saw the movie with Kate Winslett and loved it. This book is about 3 generations of women. I found it difficult at first to keep track of the characters as they had alternating chapters but finally got the hang of it. It all comes together nicely. Loved it.

A perfect read for right now. Kept me engaged and wanting to read. Believable characters. Enough mystery and on the edge of seat stuff too. Good ending. I found it in a little library. A complete unknown for me.
Plot not too complicated. Political , British. The past can come up to bite you when you are in power. Lies don‘t help.

So sad. One of my most favourite Aussie Authors. Tagged book, one of my favourites in her series about a baker.

The blurb explains it well. Based on letters between Micheal‘s father living in London and his cousin in Poland. A good read together book for 8 + I would think. I loved it. Great illustrations too.

Got me in but lost me at the end. However has kept me distracted for a day. And I needed that.

Loved the TV series so thought I‘d try a book. The Agatha in the TV series is much nicer and funnier. Think I‘ll stick with the TV series.

I‘ve never read any of her books. But these covers intrigued me. 10cents each.😊.

Clever. Entertaining. A long read but worth it. Heavy book hard to read in bed. 😊. Soon to be tv series. Follow on from Magpie Murders and Moonflower Murders , also TV series. Such a prolific writer. A wonder.

Finally got around to reading this. Not too sure what I thought so I looked up the author and listened to her and got an idea of what she was doing in this book. Loved her descriptions of NY. Very real.
The story somewhat repetitive and drawn out. A brave first novel.

A smaller version , so smaller print and very compact. I had to read carefully.Well researched. About a group of astronauts on a space station. A timely read as the 2 American astronauts arrived back recently. Insightful. What is the purpose of going around and around the earth in orbit. What‘s the future of humanity. Is it in the hands of billionaires?

You have to know I‘m the Queen of these type of books. Over my long time on this planet I have acquired a heap of them. Recently culled them down to one bookshelf. This seems to be the flavour of the day right now . A gentle reminder of things I have learnt along the way. But more importantly a nudge to actually apply theses things. She is a dynamic personality . I‘ve used her theory, not always easy , but has helped. You can teach an old chook 👇

Have been trying to track down her books in our library system . Most available as ebooks. Disappointing for me. If I were to try an ebook, what device would you suggest ?
Found this in an op shop. Such great writing.
Always makes me sad that she died so young. Such potential, gone. 😢

This book was not listed and I don‘t know what you do for an unlisted book. I‘m on a mission to read Aussie authors. At the moment the library makes it easy to pick them as they have a kangaroo sticker on the spine. I just go along the shelves and look at these books and pick some to read. The library is about to change the way they shelf the books . Instead of alphabetical order they are going to be in genres. Another library I go to does this 👇

Not my usual read. A gift from a friend. I did enjoy it. So very different from my usual reads.
A hot day here today so I sat and read most of the day. Two older people at crossroads in their lives.
“A thoughtful ,charming and sensitive story about ageing ,resilience and the delight of rediscovery.” A quote from the blurb.

A follow on from Parable of the Sower. So good. Dystopian but felt , in parts, like now. I recommend both books.
Classic. Great writing. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️