Reviewed by E. B. Heath Ruta Sepetys is a celebrated writer of historical fiction and a world-class ambassador for human dignity. Her books are written with the intent of giving voice to populations who suffered through cruel totalitarian regimes but are under-represented in historical records. She is categorized as a ‘crossover’ novelist, valued by both
Reviewed by Ian Lipke My library holds a total of fifty-four books written by J.D. Robb, a pseudonym of Nora Roberts, and seventy-six under her real name. I know that I do not hold her complete oeuvre. Her books appear at an average rate of one each six months. Writing for this author approaches disease
Reviewed by Ian Lipke Few people of my generation will fail to recognize the name Anne Frank. Anne was a thirteen-year-old Dutch girl whose family took steps to hide in an annex to Otto Frank’s business premises when Nazi Germany invaded the Netherlands in the early 1940s. The Franks were Jews and therefore certain to
Reviewed by Richard Tutin Picking up this book was like receiving an invitation to relive the past. Don Loffler’s pictorial assembly of cars owned and driven between 1946 and 1966 brought back many memories. The vehicles that are highlighted were on the go during my childhood and teenage years. I found myself looking to see
Reviewed by Clare Brook Learning made easy and fun sums up Ouch: Tales of Gravity. Illustrated beautifully by Andy Hardiman, Kate Simpson’s Ouch: Tales of Gravity, is an excellent example of science being presented via charming, colourful, and amusing illustrations. The illustrations are a mixture of full-page colour, or individual pictures surrounded by white space,
Reviewed by Ian Lipke I received a present this week, an unexpected delight, a treasure – the latest book by Elizabeth George, the undisputed queen of crime fiction. The volume I received was Something to Hide, an Inspector Peter Lynley / Sergeant Barbara Havers story that is labelled No 21 in this sequence. Similar to
Reviewed by Rod McLary On 21 March 1972 in Mackay, fourteen-year-old Marilyn Wallman rode her bike to the school bus stop. Ten minutes after she left home, her two brothers found her abandoned bike and schoolbag by the side of the road. Marilyn was never seen again and her killer has never been identified. This
Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve Deeply unsettling in its powerful themes, with opening pages that relate brutish male behaviour and allude to unspeakable trauma, The Furies is not an easy read. Cynthia, a sixteen-year-old girl, is living alone when not long ago, she had a father and mother and a little sister, Mallory, forming her family
Reviewed by Richard Tutin Writing a short story is an exacting art. Words cannot be wasted but the story needs to begin, progress and come to some form of conclusion. From time to time the thought arises that this form of literature is dying and before too long will be consigned to the heavens. However,
Reviewed by E.B. Heath It is clear the race to genetically modify humans is relentless as an incoming tide. Anthropologists, ethicists, and activists, at pains to slow the surge, are having as much success as King Canute’s futile attempts to control the sea. Furthermore, genetic experiments are not just happening in well-regulated laboratories! In The
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke This hardcovered, landscape 29x23cm book is the latest in a series of ABC books for young children, aged 3 years and up which promote ways we can all help enjoy a healthy and sustainable way of living. Previous books in this series have been about Food, Seasons, Transport, Places to Go,
Reviewed by Ian Lipke Darry Fraser is an author new to me although she seems to be a prolific writer. Her publications include Daughter of the Murray, The Widow of Ballarat, Elsa Goody, Bushranger and several others. Now appears The Prodigal Sister. Fraser seems to be one of the sisterhood who feel that women writers
Reviewed by Gerard Healy A very interesting look inside the world of 1960s and 70s TV shows and later Hollywood movies, by brothers Ron Howard and Clint Howard. Ron is the better known of the two with his childhood appearances in The Andy Griffith Show and Happy Days and his later successful directing career. He
Reviewed by Ian Lipke The Last Checkmate is an inspirational book. On the surface it is a standard anti-Nazi work in which the heroine leads the way in defeating evil. However, Gabriella Saab has written undercurrents in this book of greater moment than a simple tale of opposing evil. Maria Florkowska, the lead character, and
Reviewed by Richard Tutin Sport has a special place in the hearts and minds of many Australians. While some just enjoy watching their favourite sports heroes in action, others, like Adam Zwar, take it to a different level. Zwar recounts memorable moments from his life while tying them to the cricket season that played out