【 DRESSED BY IRIS 】 ★★★★ A beautiful love story set in the backdrop of the Great Depression in Australia. Genre: Historical Fiction, RomanceAuthor: Mary-Anne O'ConnorPublished: February 2022Publisher: HarlequinPages: 480 (paperback) Thank you to Harlequin for a copy of this for review Content warning (click to see) sexual assault – death – violence – grief … Continue reading Family Strength in Dressed by Iris | Book Review
【 THE VERIFIERS 】 ★★★★ A quirky, fun mystery that'll make you think differently about data collection. Genre: MysteryAuthor: Jane PekPublished: February 2022Publisher: Vintage Books & Anchor Books Pages: 368 (ebook) Thanks to Vintage Books & Anchor Books for a copy of this for review Oooh this was an interesting ride, and I loved it. I … Continue reading Data Scandals in The Verifiers | Book Review
【 LEVIATHAN 】 ★★★★ A steampunk reimagining of WWI? What more could you want. Genre: Alternate Historical Fiction, SteampunkAuthor: Scott WesterfeldPublished: October 2009Publisher: Simon & SchusterPages: 440 (hardback) This was so much fun and I'm so glad I read it. I wasn't expecting this to have such young main characters – it's firmly within the … Continue reading Steampunk WWI in Leviathan | Book Review
【 LOVELY WAR 】 ★★★★ Heartbreaking in all the right places. Genre: Historical Fiction, MythologyAuthor: Julie BerryPublished: March 2019Publisher: VikingPages: 471 (hardback) Having been repeatedly recommended this book and knowing that this book is made for me - what with Mythology and WWI fiction bundled together - I'm so pleased to have finally read this. … Continue reading Mythological Intervention in Lovely War | Book Review
【 ECHOES OF WAR 】 ★★★★ Beautifully Italian and fiercely passionate. Genre: Historical FictionAuthor: Tania BlanchardPublished: September 2021Publisher: Simon & SchusterPages: 448 (paperback) Content warning (click to see) war — grief — death — pregnancy — natural disaster Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for a review copy of this Quick thoughtsThis was … Continue reading Fighting and Independence in Echoes of War | Book Review
【 WINSTON AND THE INDOOR CAT 】 A book about cats and knowing what you like. ★★★★ Genre: Children's Fiction, Picture BookAuthor: Leila RudgePublished: October 2021Publisher: Walker Books AustraliaPages: 32 (hardback) Thanks to Walker Books for a copy of this in exchange for an honest review This was both cute and quirky. I'm a big … Continue reading Confident Cats in Winston and the Indoor Cat | Picture Book Review
【 TREASURE ISLAND 】 ★★★★ Genre: Classic, Fiction, AdventureAuthor: Robert Louis StevensonPublished: 1883Pages: 183 (paperback) First thoughtsI'm so glad I've finally read this, Robert Louis Stevenson never disappoints. This is a swashbuckling adventure if ever there was one. Once you wrap your head around the older English used by Stevenson, it's a fun story full … Continue reading Gold and Mutiny in Treasure Island | Book Review
【 WHAT YOU CAN SEE FROM HERE 】 ★★★★ Genre: ContemporaryAuthor: Mariana Leky, Tess Lewis (Translator)Published: July 2021 (in English)Publisher: Bloomsbury (in English)Pages: 336 (paperback) Thanks to Bloomsbury for a copy of this for review QUICK THOUGHTSA humble plod through a story that jolts you awake with the occasional shocking twist. This was quite the unusual story … Continue reading Okapis in What You Can See From Here | Book Review
【 THE LAST OF THE APPLE BLOSSOM 】 ★★★★ Genre: Historical FictionAuthor: Mary-Lou StephensPublished: July 2021Publisher: HarlequinPages: 464 (paperback) Thanks to Harlequin for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review QUICK THOUGHTS A quintessentially Australian story of secrets, friendships, fires and love. This book made me feel all the feels. From … Continue reading Apples and Orchards in The Last of the Apple Blossom | Book Review
【 THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY 】 ★★★★ Genre: Magical RealismAuthor: Matthew HaigPublished: August 2020Publisher: VikingPages: 304 (hardback) Content warning (click to see) suicide * depression * substance abuse * death * self harm First thoughts This book is a too-close-for-comfort reminder that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. I'm surprised to find myself … Continue reading Opportunities in The Midnight Library | Book Review
Upside-Down Books 