Reviewed by Ian Lipke Debbie O’Shea is an experienced teacher of music who, over a lifetime, has taught students at all levels of exposure. While not necessarily documenting her life experiences, she has nevertheless provided a comprehensive picture of a busy teacher fully involved in her profession. Anecdotal material exists throughout the account to support
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke This young adult comedy is the debut novel by Sasha Vey, an Australian author who enjoys writing about the complicated and often embarrassing transition into young adulthood. In this story many of the everyday dramas of teenagers on this journey are highlighted. The title, although it applies to one girl in
Reviewed by E.B. Heath In his latest book, On Democracies and Death Cults, Douglas Murray reports on the Hamas insurgency into Israel. Murray travelled throughout Israel immediately after the attack of October Seventh, the initial chapters describe the horror of the brutality he witnessed. It seems the atrocities were under-reported by the media. He questions
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke Sophie Green’s books are like joining a social group over a cup of tea or coffee. They are not dramatic, chilling or fanciful. They are about ordinary people just like the rest of us who have ups and downs in life. In her latest book, Lessons in Love at the Seaside
Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve In today’s world, the sight of a child, who is an independent reader, immersed in a book and forsaking other activities, is unusual. Devices have usurped this position and it is no exaggeration to state that most prefer them to the ‘much too slow’ books! Sosuke Natsukawa has written a sequel
Reviewed by Richard Tutin When we watch a sporting event, we mostly see the players or in the case of motor racing the drivers. While they are the stars of the show because they are in the forefront, behind them are many whose talents and efforts keep the show on the road. Formula 1 (F1)
Reviewed by Ian Lipke Riley Knight is the host of a popular podcast, called Half-Arsed History. Despite the publisher’s assurance that Knight’s stories are true, the joking approach of the author requires one to take care when deciding which elements of each story are true. The book highlights the many and varied ways that people
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke This series for the 8–14-year cohort is a fast-paced action adventure of a young First Nations’ girl who tries to save her people from being captured from those seeking more power. These books have become popular throughout the world. Co-written by a Peek Whurrong man from Warrnambool Victoria, Jordon Gould, and
Reviewed by Ian Lipke This is a crime and mystery novel. Its centre is the small country town of Warrawolong, a make-believe area not far from Eden. The story is simple of construction. In 1915, two days before his departure for the Front, Jack O’Rourke rescues an elderly man from drowning. This is Samuel Lomond,
Reviewed by Ian Lipke Indyana Schneider wrote much more than a story when she decided to direct her energies into producing Since the World is Ending. The book covers such topics as music, consequence, desire, and the importance of love and art in a world that meets passion with passion. The characters lead a life
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke What an exciting way to encourage late primary school children to read. Justin Somper has written a futuristic pirate tale with danger at every corner, missing people, kidnapping, not knowing who you can trust and a sea battle. Throughout this story are black and white sketches by Teo Skaffa to enhance
Reviewed by Ian Lipke In the annals of non-fiction writing the name of Edmund Goldrick makes scarcely a ripple. As of the 30th July, that will change, for on that day, Hachette Australia will publish Goldrick’s ANZAC Guerrillas, a World War II story of resistance, hope and humanity in Occupied Europe. This academic work tells
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke After fifteen years of marriage to Noah, August is not happy. Their life together has lost its connection. She was getting up each morning at 3am to go to the bakery which she had bought without any consultation with Noah. The same with their house purchase. This had been her dream
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke This young adult contemporary romance is a debut novel in a two-book series based on The Wildest Dreams Bookshop. The second book, Snowed in at the Wildest Dreams Bookshop is also due to be published in 2025. The author, Gracie Page, lives in London but daydreams about leaving her office job
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke Inspired by amazing true stories, this hard-covered children’s book features Australian fauna and its climate, specifically its flooding rains. The central characters are kangaroos – mother Mango and joey, Hopscotch. They live in the tropical forest and join the mob grazing beside the river. Hopscotch loves to play with the other