Reviewed by Norrie Sanders The Shovel  describes itself as “Australia’s satire news service”, before offering a confession of sorts: “Ok, let’s be really clear here – most of the stuff on this site is made up. So we’re a bit like The Daily Telegraph or The Daily Mail, just with slightly longer words.” Meanwhile

Reviewed by Ian Lipke Think of Albert Einstein and the images form and keep coming. Special Theory of Relativity, General Theory of Relativity, lines in space that are curved not straight, reassessment of time, photons, sub-atomic theory…in other words, science. Prompted to think about Einstein the man as distinct from the scientist, and images that

Reviewed by Ian Lipke This book was written to acknowledge “the experiences of children deemed by their adults as unworthy – of respect, of nurturing, of protection” (295). So says the author in the acknowledgments section. Knowing that information makes it a little easier to understand why the author chose the crimes that appear in

Reviewed by Wendy Lipke The academic history book, Aboriginal Australians, was first written by Richard Broome in 1982 and has been in print ever since with new editions being printed in 1994 and 2002, each time with new chapters added. In 2010, the original thirteen chapters were completely revised and a new chapter added. This

Reviewed by Ian Lipke So many books have been written about King Louis XVI’s reign, his personality, and the factional struggles that plagued his every action. Many more have analysed the actions of his queen in bringing about the downfall of the ancien regime. Another biography appears excessive, given the studies that have all been

Reviewed by Wendy Lipke Many readers of fiction have trouble reconciling the title on the cover of a book with the story within. This is not the case with Minnie Darke’s romance novel Star Crossed. The immediate response to reading the title is Romeo and Juliet and yes, the story does have reference to Shakespeare’s

Reviewed by Norrie Sanders How often have you observed a pair of king parrots or a magpie family in your garden and wondered about how they met and how long they stay together? Or felt for the baby brush turkey who will never know what it feels like to have a nurturing parent?  Australia –

Reviewed by Gerard Healy Veteran journalists Ian Heads and Norman Tasker have put together a collection of stories from their years covering sport (mainly Rugby League, Union and cricket). Boxing, horse racing, swimming and athletics stories get a jersey as well but the AFL is on the reserves bench. While women in sport get a

Reviewed by Ian Lipke Anyone who has read Ian Rankin’s many novels, particularly involving John Rebus and Siobhan Clarke, will know what a wonderful writer Rankin is. We are used to the shenanigans that Rebus gets up to and his dislike of bureaucracy. We enjoy a good stoush when Rebus goes up against his superiors,

Reviewed by Ian Lipke Writers of novels are driven by a whole variety of reasons that explain why they set their minds to devising plots and developing characters and so on. Some aim for glory and fame with the carefully contrived literary tale that plumbs the human condition to reveal something original about mankind and

Reviewed by Ian Lipke I began to read this book with great expectations. The writer, Andrew Rule, seemed well credentialled, having grown up around horses in country regions. I sat back to enjoy the read of this, to all appearances, perfectly illustrated book. Before long I was reading a stirring account of a win by

Reviewed by Rod McLary Drawing on Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus and the subsequent founding of the Christian Church, Christos Tsiolkas has written a powerful and confronting novel which speaks of love and hate, kindness and cruelty, and the fluidity of faith.  Using the gospels and letters of St Paul [Saul] as first-hand

Reviewed by Clare Brook This brilliant idea will get primary school-aged people thinking, writing and learning, all at the same time, in their very own stylish hardback journal.   The Kensy and Max:  Spy Journal complements Jacqueline Harvey’s Kensy and Max series published by Penguin Random House.  Jacqueline Harvey is an experienced educator whose career as

Reviewed by Antonella Townsend Well, I tried! Donning a critique mind-set, I embarked on my maiden Frostheart voyage.  Initially, I made notes along the lines that the protagonist – an abandoned boy with special powers living in an unfriendly environment  – was a worn out trope.  But it didn’t last, critique turned to compliment.  This