Origins of a Story: 202 True Inspirations Behind the World’s Greatest Literature Jake Grogan Cider Mill Press 320pp; $33.95 In university, Jake Grogan was given some pretty standard advice: “Make a list of the people who inspire you, then go and learn everything you can about what inspired them.” He took it, and began collecting […]

Title: A Stranger in the House Author:  Shari Lapena Published: July 31st 2017 Publisher: Penguin Books Australia Pages: 320 Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Mystery, Psychological, Suspense, Thriller RRP: $32.99 Rating: 4 stars He looks at her, concerned. “How do you feel?” She wants to say, Terrified. Instead, she says, with a faint smile, “Glad to be home.” Karen and Tom Krupp are happy—they’ve got a […]

Title: Farewell My French Love Author:  Nadine Williams Published: April 24th 2017 Publisher: Harlequin Books Australia Pages: 288 Genres:  Non Fiction, Memoir RRP: $29.99 Rating: 3.5 stars Journalist Nadine Williams is heart-broken following the untimely death of her French-born husband, Olivier. Long-time friend Jane, alarmed at Nadine’s despair, suggests a return to Europe to restore her joie de vivre: ending in Paris where […]

Oracle Bone By Lydia Kwa Aresenal Pulp Press 304 pp; $19.95 Oracle Bone, the new novel from Singapore-born, Vancouver-based writer Lydia Kwa, is at once richly imaginative and deeply human, a compelling narrative drawing the reader with both the fantastic and the familiar. Set in seventh-century China, Oracle Bone begins with Ling, a young woman, […]

Title: Keep You Safe Author:  Melissa Hill Published: August 21st 2017 Publisher: Harper Collins Books Australia Pages: 384 Genres:  Fiction, Contemporary, Women’s Fiction RRP: $29.99 Rating: 4 stars For single mum Kate O’Hara, there was no decision to make. Her daughter Rosie is one of a small percentage of Irish children with a disorder that prevents her from being vaccinated against measles. All […]

This is an interesting story. At first I had difficulty with the slow pace, but soon it seemed natural to the time, place, and the depth of despair and pain the people endure and exude. Even their surroundings – dust, dead vegetation, no living animals except for the occasional bird – drag them down. Bill […]

Title: Little Secrets Author:  Anna Snoekstra Published: October 23rd 2017 Publisher: Harlequin Books Australia Pages: 336 Genres:  Fiction, Contemporary, Australian, Crime, Mystery, Suspense,Thriller RRP: $29.99 Rating: 4 stars What happens when ambition trumps the truth? A town reeling in the wake of tragedy An arsonist is on the loose in Colmstock, Australia, most recently burning down the town’s courthouse and killing a […]

Title: The Sunshine Sisters Author:  Jane Green Published: June 27th 2017 Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia Pages: 416 Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Women’s Fiction RRP: $29.99 Rating: 5 stars Ronni Sunshine left London for Hollywood to become a beautiful, charismatic star of the silver screen. But at home, she was a narcissistic, disinterested mother who alienated her three daughters.  As soon as possible, tomboy […]

  Title: Front Page News Author:  Katie Rowney Published: May 16th 2016 Publisher: Penguin Books Australia Pages: 288 Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Australian, Rural, Mystery RRP: $32.99 Rating: 4 stars Cadet journalist Stacey McCallaghan is struggling to find anything newsworthy to report on in the small country town of Toomey. Front-page stories consist of the price of cattle and lawn bowls results, and Stacey […]

I’ve always loved Connie Willis. She’s the kind of writer who makes reading fun, whose stories engage her readers and really makes them think. Her stories are full of the whimsical, absurd, and humorous with endearing characters, clever prose, and witty dialogue. Connie’s collection of Christmas-themed short stories was first published in 2000, but lucky […]