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“The Revenge Club

By Kathy Lette

Rating:
Genre: Fiction: Contemporary Women’s Fiction
Read: May

TBA

“Killarney”

By Nikki Mottram

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Genre: Fiction: Rural Noir
Read: May

TBA

“The Cryptic Clue”

By Amanda Hampson

Rating:
Genre: Fiction: Cosy Mystery
Read: April

The second in the Tea Lady series doesn’t disappoint. This time, Hazel and the ladies are in deep trouble – their jobs are being replaced by Cafe Bar machines. On top of that something strange is happening in the local vicarage, and trouble is looming with the building of the Opera House. Great fun.

“Murder in Williamstown”

By Kerry Greenwood

Rating:
Genre: Fiction: Cosy Mystery
Read: April

Phyrne Fisher is at it again. This time there has been a suspicious murder of an Asian worker on the docks in Williamstown., and some dodgy accounting at the Institute for the Blind. Mystery with a dash of fun, 1920’s fashion and parties.

“Nowhere Fast: Punk and post-punk Brisbane 1978-1982”

By Robert Forster & John Willsteed

Rating: ****
Genre: Non-Fiction: Photo Journal, Music
Read: April

A brilliant photo journal of the alternative music scene in Brisbane, Australia in the the late 70s and early 80s. Fantastic photos.

“Until August”

By Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Rating: ****
Genre: Fiction: Literary
Read: April

This final novel (a novella really) by this grand master of literature is somewhat fractured compared to previous works, but still shows sparks of genius.

“Brave New World”

By Aldous Huxley

Rating: *****
Genre: Fiction: Science Fiction
Read: March

I have wanted to re-read this book for some time as I read it during my teens and had forgotten a lot of the details. This cautionary tale of the perils of genetic engineering has dated a little but the story still packs a punch. I haven’t devoured a book like this for a long time. Well worth a second look, or a first look if you haven’t read it.

“The Day of the Triffids”

By John Wyndham

Rating: ****1/2
Genre: Fiction: Science Fiction
Read: March

This has been on my re-read list for some time. I didn’t particularly enjoy it when I first read it as a young teenager – probably because the protagonist, Bill, is a bit of a fussy, nervous type. This time, I loved the cautionary tale of humanity’s greed and excess resulting in our downfall. A must-read for all sci-fi fans.

“Wow, no thank you”

By Samantha Irby

Rating: ****
Genre: Non-Fiction: Memoir
Read: March

An entertaining collection of essays covering everything from writing, dating, clubbing to general living. My favourite was the one about the importance of the ‘mix tape’.

“The Lying Life of Adults”

By Elena Ferrante

Rating: *****
Genre: Fiction: Literary
Read: March

An amazing (and accurate) portrayal of that point in a young person’s life when they discover that a lot of the things their parents had told them about everything from sex, love, family, relationships, politics and religion are not entirely true. Told through the eyes of Giovanna, Ferrante beautifully describes the coming-of-age experience, the class divide in Naples (and Italy) in the 90s and the status of women. Like descriptions in Ferrante’s other works, I am horrified by the levels of sexual harassment (cat-calling, propositioning, mauling etc) experienced by girls as young as 12. A wonderful read.

“Marr’s Guitars”

By Johnny Marr

Rating: ****
Genre: Non-Fiction: Arts/Music
Read: February

A beautifully assembled coffee-table-style book replete with beautiful images of the guitars admired, used and preferred by Johnny Marr. One for fans of Marr and/or guitars.

“Corners of Melbourne”

By Robyn Annear

Rating: ****
Genre: Non-Fiction: Social History
Read: February

A rather interesting look at the history of Melbourne and a re-telling of some of the quirky incidents of days gone by. I particularly like the descriptions of pre-modern sewerage system dramas. Very interesting and well-researched.

“The Tea Ladies”

By Amanda Hampson

Rating: ****
Genre: Crime – Cosy Mystery
Read: February

A delightful cosy mystery about a group of tea ladies who work for fashion industry companies. These canny ladies work together to solve the mystery of the death of one of their company’s accountants, and the involvement of a mysterious Russian woman. Good fun.

“Wellworth”

By Eila Jameson-Avey

Rating: ****
Genre: Crime – Domestic Noir
Read: February

Ally Williams has accepted a temporary assignment as a math teacher in her home town. Abandoned at the Wellworth institution for children by her mother at an early age, Ally is curious to uncover the mystery of her heritage, the secrets of Wellworth and the truth about the tales of missing children. Her investigations are hampered by a lack of records, unhelpful locals and the closed ranks of former Wellworth staff.

The plot builds smoothly, with many twists and turns and engaging subplots. You are kept on your toes right up until the end.

“Getting to know the birds in your neighbourhood”

By Darryl Jones

Rating: *****
Genre: Non-Fiction: Nature and Wildlife

An informative and easy-to-use guide to Australian Birds. Designed as a field guide for novice Birders, I can understand how easy it is to be drawn into this fun and interesting hobby. Great pictures and information.

“365: A Year in the life of Melbourne”

By Chris Cincotta

Rating: *****
Genre: Non-Fiction: Photo Journalism

Another wonderful coffee table book by photographer Chris Cinotta. The book features a photo of Melbourne (and surrounds) for every day of 2022. The photos are magnificent. Some featuring people, some scenery and others events. A brief description accompanies each photo and some have QR code links to additional material.

“The Secret Political Advisor”

By Michael Spicer

Rating: ****
Genre: Fiction: Humour

What a hoot! This “expose” of the inner workings of a political consultancy firm will keep you laughing for days. If you like “The Thick of It”, “Yes Minister”, “VEEP” and “House of Cards” style shows, then this is a book for you. Marvellous fun!

“Moments of Melbourne”

By Chris Cincotta

Rating: *****
Genre: Non-Fiction: Photo Journalism

A wonderful coffee table book featuring photographs by the author of Melbourne City and surrounding suburbs. Beautiful.

“Art Boozel”

By Jennifer Croll & Kelly Shami

Rating: *****
Genre: Non-Fiction: Art/Entertaining

A fabulous and fun coffee table book featuring snazzy art, wonderful artist facts and some really clever cocktails. I think I’ll start with a Mondrian and maybe follow it up with an Ono.

Uday Mukerji

Dead Man Dreaming

Leanne Margaret

Multidimensional Meditation

Katie Rose Guest Pryal

Fallout Girl

Robert Eggleton

Rarity from the Hollow

Jim Nesbitt

Right Wrong Number

Sarah Key

The Butterfly Wind

Uday Mukerji

Love, Life and Logic

Uday Mukerji

Love, Life and Log

Peter Davidson

Trumped: Beyond Politically Correct

Sarah Jackson

Pete & The Persian Bottle

Katie Rose Guest Pryal

Chasing Chaos

Jim Nesbitt

Last Second Chance