2020 was a year of unprecedented events and changes. For me I became more involved in my art than in reading but still read around eighty books. There were some stand outs which I will share with you over the next few days.
In no particular order – all great reads.
The Silent Wife – Karin Slaughter
The Good Turn – Dervla McTiernan
Red Dirt Country – Fleur McDonald
House of Correction – Nicci French
Dog
Shaun Tan
Allen & Unwin
ISBN:981760526139
RRP $19.99
Description:
A beautifully poignant gift book exploring the relationship between man and man’s best friend, from the masterful Shaun Tan.
One day I threw my stick at you.
You brought it back.
Then we were walking side by side
as if it had always been this way.
World-renowned artist and storyteller Shaun Tan reflects on the nature of humans and animals in this exquisitely illustrated fable about owner and Dog. A perfect little gift book from an extraordinary talent.
My View:
This book clearly illustrates the power of pictures and words – this is such a simply presented yet powerfully poignant read – all dog lovers will be able to relate to this and those who have lost dogs will smile that bittersweet smile, you know the one, the one that says “yes, I get it. I understand. I miss you.” (And perhaps they will shed a silent tear in memory of their best friend, as I did).
A beautiful read.
In the Bush Book and Jigsaw Puzzle
Roland Harvey
Allen & Unwin
ISBN: 9781760878429
RRP $19.99
Ages 5-10
Description:
A fabulously entertaining book and jigsaw gift set from one of Australia’s favourite illustrators.
Wombat Flat’s the best!
We camped out near the Cascades, stayed up all night to see the sunrise, nearly got snowed in at Mt Misery … and rode across the Razorback.
And a squillion other things that you’ll find out when you come with us to Wombat Flat.
A delightful book and puzzle gift set of an Australian classic for the whole family to enjoy. The 400mm x 490mm jigsaw comprises 150 pieces.
My View:
This book and puzzle combination were something I was very excited to receive; previous to this I have only discovered one other similar combination, this is such a rare and wonderful find. Puzzles for this age group (150 pieces) are rare, it seems there are plenty of toddler age-appropriate puzzles everywhere you look; floor puzzles, wooden peg puzzles, children’s’ tv character related puzzles, puzzles of a maximum of about 20 pieces but puzzles that are suitable for the next age group – pre-schoolers are a hidden gem and I am glad I have discovered one more to add to the collection.
The puzzle component of this combination gift pack (excellent for Christmas – you still have time to order) has 150 pieces – perfect for those inquisitive minds; perhaps read the hilariously funny hardback book first then work on the puzzle together, discussing sections as you complete. This is a great resource – such a fun way to develop those comprehension, language and fine motor skills.
Something Like This
Karly Lane
Allen & Unwin
ISBN: 9781760529253
RRP $29.99
Description:
A spellbinding new rural romance from the bestselling author of the Callahans of Stringybark Creek trilogy and Fool Me Once.
Jason Weaver just wants to be left alone. It was a tough transition from his army days to civilian life, and he’s looking forward to settling into a solitary life.
Tilly Hollis is working two jobs to save for her dream career: running an equine therapy program. Tilly loves her horses more than anything, and after losing her husband and business partner just a few years earlier, she’s determined to make it work on her own.
When Jason walks into the cafe where Tilly works, they’re immediately drawn to one another. But can they overcome their pasts to find a future together?
My View:
I have had a few very restless/sleepless nights recently and so the last time I found myself still awake past midnight a pick up my copy of Something Like This and settled in to read for an hour or so before I went back to bed and sleep, I hoped. This was a major mistake. 173 pages later I did not want to put this book down! I looked at the clock – gone 3 (well to be honest – it was a bit later than that but I am not admitting to that) 😊 I sighed and decided I really had to try and get some sleep, so reluctantly I left the book on the table and went back to bed, yes I did get a few hours sleep.
I loved this read! The main characters were so engaging, their back stories poignant and heartbreaking yet not melodramatic, their everyday life relatable with an appeal that connects to the reader – this is a fabulous character driven narrative. There is more to this narrative than rural romance; this is a multi-faceted exploration of loss, grief, families, second chances and courage, the everyday courage of getting up and facing each new day when you least feel like it. It’s about cancer, about the aftermath of war, about hope, faith and building trust…and therapy horses, set in the back drop of small rural town life.
PS – I am even quoted on the back of this book 🙂
Eddie Woo’s Magical Maths 2
Eddie Woo
Pan Macmillan Australia
ISBN: 9781760981976
RRP $19.99
Description:
A bumper book of maths fun stuffed with things to draw, puzzle, invent, order, unscramble, code, decode for kids aged 7+ years from Australia’s best known maths man. There’s magic in maths – if you know where to look…
AUTHOR Eddie:
Eddie Woo teaches mathematics at Cherrybrook Technology High School, Sydney. He has been teaching maths for more than ten years.
In 2012, Eddie started recording his lessons and uploading them to Youtube – creating ‘Wootube’. Since then, he has amassed a following of more than 1 million subscribers and his videos have been viewed more than 60 million times.
In 2018, Eddie was named Australia’s Local Hero of the Year and shortlisted as one of the top ten teachers in the world.
My View:
This is the perfect book for your school aged child to engage them with the fun world of maths – and yes maths can be fun. There are puzzles, word hunts, games, colouring in, “spot the differences” to name just a few of the fun exercises here …I think some of these can be played with younger kids if they are supervised/assisted by an adult. My grandson (4 ½ years) and I will enjoy playing “sprouts” pps 158- 160 – a game about connecting dots. Because maths is all about patterns, and our universe is extraordinarily patterned, you will find something here that can interest everyone. I learned my art practice is about fractals, so much fun to be had they won’t even know it maths they are learning 😊
Thanks, Eddie, for a fabulous fun and entertaining book. I am glad I have discovered you and your maths books, now to discover your YouTube videos.
PS – this will make a great Christmas present for someone you know.
Chris Hammer
Trust
Allen and Unwin
ISBN: 9781760877415
RRP $32.99
Thanks to Allen and Unwin I have one copy of the fantastic read to give away ( Australian residents only) Simply comment with the name of the first book that Chris Hammer had published *hint it was back in 2010 https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/books/fiction/crime-mystery/Trust-Chris-Hammer-9781760877415 winner will be randomly selected on the 30th of October 2020
Chris Hammer
Trust
Allen and Unwin
ISBN: 9781760877415
RRP $32.99
Description:
He violated her past and haunts her present.
Now he’s threatening their future.
She breathes deeply, trying to quell the rising sense of panic. A detective came to her home, drugged her and kidnapped her. She tries to make sense of it, to imagine alternatives, but only one conclusion is possible: it’s her past come to claim her.
Martin Scarsden’s new life seems perfect, right up until the moment it’s shattered by a voicemail: a single scream, abruptly cut off, from his partner Mandaly Blonde.
Racing home, he finds an unconscious man sprawled on the floor and Mandy gone. Someone has abducted her. But who, and why?
So starts a twisting tale of intrigue and danger, as Martin probes the past of the woman he loves, a woman who has buried her former life so deep she has never mentioned it.
And for the first time, Mandy finds denial impossible, now the body of a mystery man has been discovered, a man whose name she doesn’t know, a man she was engaged to marry when he died. It’s time to face her demons once and for all; it’s time she learned how to trust.
Set in a Sydney riven with corruption and nepotism, privilege and power, Trust is the third riveting novel from award-winning and internationally acclaimed writer Chris Hammer.
My View:
This is an exceptional read from Chris Hammer – in fact I think it is the best in the series. The words that springs to mind is “smooth, like a fine whiskey” does that sound corny? It’s what popped into my head after I finished reading this one – how this writer’s style has really grown, matured, developed, progressed…it has a complexity that engages and carries the read along for this exciting ride. The writing appears effortless, smooth, intense.
This is a fantastic end (?) to the original premise – we now have fully developed back stories and characters, mysteries, suspense, some sadness and a very satisfying resolution. What more could you want except another drop? Hope there is another in the pipe line Chris Hammer.
Either Side of Midnight
Benjamin Stevenson
Penguin Random House
ISBN: 9780143795643
RRP$32.99
Description:
An electrifying thriller with a mind-bending premise: One million viewers witness a popular TV presenter commit suicide live on air – yet his twin brother is convinced it was murder.
How can it be murder when the victim pulled the trigger?
At 9.01 pm, TV presenter Sam Midford delivers the monologue for his popular current affairs show Mr Midnight. He seems nervous and the crew are convinced he’s about to propose to his girlfriend live on air.
Instead, he pulls out a gun and shoots himself in the head.
Sam’s grief-stricken brother Harry is convinced his brother was murdered. But how can that be, when one million viewers witnessed Sam pull the trigger?
Only Jack Quick, a disgraced television producer in the last days of a prison sentence, is desperate enough to take Harry’s money to investigate.
But as Jack starts digging, he finds a mystery more complex than he first assumed. And if he’s not careful, he’ll find out first-hand that there’s more than one way to kill someone . . .
My View:
Brilliant!
Once more I am delighted by the back story – of the film making/tv making process – its so accurate 😊 But there is more to this read that the matter of how tv shows are made; there is a lot of depth to this narrative and the characters and surprising reveals that you will not so coming.
Bulimia takes a leading role in this edition; it was discussed in Greenlight but did not have a starring role as it does here. We really feel the daily struggles, the effect on daily life and on those around the afflicted. Its very eye opening.
This was a fast paced, compelling read. The characters, good and bad are really fleshed out – I particularly liked how all had some redeeming feature, something that showed their humanity, no black and whites here, lots of shades of grey, just like life. One paragraph really stood out for me, it is where a character gives some advice to Jack about dealing with loss, with grief and making peace …it really spoke to me. (no spoilers here).
There is a shout out to social media responsibility/laws etc that flows like a current underneath the main storyline. This too I thought was very enlightening and sad; how easily lives can be influenced and destroyed.
The overall message that I took from this – you don’t always know what is happening with someone from the surface, from the “face” they show to the world. Ask that question – “Are you Ok?”
This is a great crime fiction read, it has so much depth. I look forward to the next book by this author.
Easy Gluten Free by Helen Tzouganatos
Published by Plum
RRP $39.99,
Photography by Jeremy Simons
SERVES 4–6 DF, GF, VG
“Sweet potato is beautiful in soups because it has a thick, creamy texture when pureed and carries other
flavours well, particularly spices that balance its natural sweetness. If you love extra heat feel free to
increase the quantity of curry paste in this recipe; I keep mine fairly mild so it’s family friendly.” p 91
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon finely grated ginger
2 garlic cloves, finely grated
2 tablespoons gluten-free Thai red curry paste
1 kg sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into
3 cm cubes
1 tablespoon gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos
750 ml (3 cups) gluten-free vegetable stock
125 ml (1/2 cup) coconut milk
juice of 1 lime
sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper
handful of chopped roasted cashews,
to serve
handful of coriander leaves, to serve
Melt the coconut oil in a large saucepan over medium heat, add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes or until softened. Add the ginger, garlic and curry paste and sauté for another 2 minutes.
Add the sweet potato, tamari or coconut aminos and stock. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes or until the potato has softened. Take the soup off the heat and stir in the coconut milk and lime juice.
Blitz with a hand-held blender or in a food processor until smooth and creamy.
Adjust the seasoning to taste. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with cashews and coriander.
NOTE
• Sweet potatoes are a great source of fibre, vitamins and beta-carotene,
a powerful antioxidant that gives orange fruits and vegetables their colour.
I am going to go out on a limb here and say I have recently read THE TWO BEST LITERARY/CONTEMPORARY READS OF THE YEAR…with a caveat that I can add more to this short list if I come across anything super exciting. 🙂
Covid 19 has certainly impacted on my reading habits and mood. I find myself shying away (but not given up on) my favourite genre – crime fiction, in favour of more contemporary reads – dont ask me why?
In the last couple of weeks I have read Summerwater by Sarah Moss: and Betty by Tiffany McDaniels.
Summerwater
Sarah Moss
Picador
Pan Macmillan Australia
ISBN: 9781529035452
RRP $32.99
Description:
Set in an isolated Scottish cabin park over the course of one rainy summer’s day, A DAY LIKE TODAY follows a group of holidaymakers and their growing curiosity about a disruptive foreign family staying at the site. As the residents become more closely entwined tension mounts between them, but no one can know what lies ahead as night falls. Sharp and devastating, Sarah Moss’s newest novel is the perfect follow up to her Women’s Prize longlisted GHOST WALL
My view:
SUPERB! SUBLIME!!! READ THIS BOOK.
Reading, Writing and Riesling 