【 AFTER STORY 】 ★★★★★ Genre: Fiction (First Nations)Author: Larissa BehrendtPublished: July 2021Publisher: University of Queensland PressPages: 360 (paperback) Content warning (click to see) alcohol * child death * sexaul assault * murder * racism * colonialisation First thoughts After Story is a beautiful narrative between mother and daughter that will break your heart and … Continue reading Learning to Listen in After Story | Book Review
【 LAST SHOT 】 ★★★★★ Genre: Non-fiction, MemoirAuthor: Jock ZonfrilloPublished: July 2021Publisher: Simon & SchusterPages: 336 (hardback) Content warning (click to see) drugs * difficult pregnancy * addiction Thanks to Simon & Schuster for a copy of this in exchange for an honest review First thoughts This book is an inspiration in tenacity. I could … Continue reading A Passion for Food in Last Shot | Book Review
【 THE GOOD WIFE OF BATH 】 ★★★★★ Genre: Historical FictionAuthor: Karen BrooksPublished: July 2021Publisher: Harlequin FictionPages: 560 [paperback] Content warning (click to see) rape ° violence ° adult/minor relations ° sex ° murder ° death ° sexism ° assault ° mild homophobia Big thanks to Harlequin Australia for a copy of this in exchange … Continue reading Medieval Feminism in The Good Wife of Bath | Book Review
【 UNDERGROUND 】 ★★★★★ Genre: Graphic Novel, Historical FictionAuthor: Mirranda BurtonPublished: August 2021Publisher: A & U ChildrenPages: 272 (paperback) Thanks to Allen & Unwin for sending me a copy of this in exchange for an honest review First thoughts This was a brilliant book that opened my eyes to some courageous humanitarian efforts by some … Continue reading Wombats and Wars in Underground | Graphic Novel Review
【 THE OTHER SIDE OF BEAUTIFUL 】 ★★★★★ Genre: ContemporaryAuthor: Kim LockPublished: July 2021Publisher: HarlequinPages: 368 [paperback] Thanks to Harlequin Australia for a copy of this in exchange for an honest review First thoughts This was a really lovely story that surprised me with how much I enjoyed it! It's a great lesson in overcoming … Continue reading Conquering Anxiety in The Other Side of Beautiful | Book Review
【 THE ONES WE'RE MEANT TO FIND 】 ★★★★ Genre: Young Adult, Sci-Fi, ThrillerAuthor: Joan HePublished: May 2021Publisher: Text PublishingPages: 375 [paperback] Thanks to NetGalley and Text Publishing for a copy of this in exchange for an honest review First thoughts Wow okay this was good in so many ways! This is also fast becoming … Continue reading Robots in The Ones We’re Meant to Find | Book Review
【 THE BOY FROM THE MISH 】 ★★★★★ Genre: ContemporaryAuthor: Gary LonesboroughPublished: February 2021Publisher: Allen & UnwinPages: 288 [paperback] First thoughts This was really good! I'd heard some great reviews for this queer First Nations story so I knew I have to pick it up. This lived up to the hype and I'm so glad … Continue reading Queer Indigenous YA in The Boy from the Mish | Book Review
【 SON OF THE STORM 】 ★★★★ Genre: FantasyAuthor: Suyi Davies OkungbowaPublished: May 2021Publisher: OrbitPages: 496 [paperback] [ TW ° gruesome violence ° blood ° undead ° death ] First thoughts So interesting! I loved the world building and the complexities of society in this story. It is absolutely to die for and my imagination … Continue reading Epic African Empires in Son of the Storm | Book Review
【 DIAL A FOR AUNTIES 】 ★★★★★ Genre: Contemporary, Romance, MysteryAuthor: Jesse SutantoPublished: April 2021Publisher: HarlequinPages: 298 [paperback] Big thanks to Harlequin Australia for a review copy in exchange for an honest review. First thoughts Holy guacamole, this was fantastic. I laughed the whole way through it - it's totally ridiculous and brilliant. You simply … Continue reading Accidental Murder in Dial A for Aunties | Book Review
【 THE ARDENT SWARM 】 ★★★★ Genre: Historical FictionAuthor: Yamen ManaiPublished: February 2021Publisher: Amazon CrossingPages: 204 [paperback] First thoughts This was an excellent and clever read! I was really curious to pick this up as the blurb described it as "a stirring allegory", and I couldn't put it better myself. What's it about? The Ardent … Continue reading Beekeeping in The Ardent Swarm | Book Review
Upside-Down Books 