Reviewed by Ian Lipke Suzanne Do is not as well-known as her husband, Anh, but her book The Golden Sister promises much. The Do family live on the coast south of Sydney. The Golden Sister is a fast-paced mystery set in a small fictional NSW coastal town, exploring complex and dysfunctional family dynamics and the
Indigenous Literacy Day (ILD) is an annual celebration of First Nations stories, cultures and languages created by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF). On Wednesday 3 September, we’re celebrating with the theme Strength in our Stories: For Now & Future Generations with a free FILM and LIVESTREAM event from Sydney Opera House. Indigenous Literacy Day FILM Join us
RICHEST INDIVIDUAL LITERARY PRIZE IN AUSTRALASIA ANNOUNCES LONGLIST The richest individual literary prize in Australasia, the ARA Historical Novel Prize, has announced its longlist. Open to novels where the majority of the narrative takes place at least 50 years ago, the Historical Novel Society Australasia (HNSA), with the generous patronage of the ARA Group, has
Reviewed by Rod McLary The author of this new book – Alex Dook – describes it as ‘a simple story’ [author note] and, on its surface, it is exactly that. But when the reader begins the novel, it takes on a depth which pulls the reader into a nightmare of life and death. Gunpowder Creek
Reviewed by Rod McLary The crime genre is a broad church and there are a number of sub-genres from the hard-bitten police procedurals to outback noir to urban noir – all of which provide their own brand of tension, excitement and the thrill of the chase. So there is ample room for Senior Detective Antigone
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke The brother and sister duo who have produced this hard covered children’s book are among several authors and illustrators who identify closely to First Nations culture. All of these books have been beautifully presented with colourful educational material for primary school age students. Victor Steffensen is an indigenous writer, musician, film
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke I Am Me is a hard-covered children’s picture-book produced by Mitch Tambo and illustrated by Caria Hoffenberg. In January 2026 this talented music artist will release an album of children’s music with the same title. First discovered on the finale of Australia’s Got Talent, this unique First Nations’ entertainer has provided
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke There are so many children’s authors and books that parents should have no trouble finding something to read to their young ones. Melbourne based children’s author, Evie Garland, has used her passion for all things festive to create her Christmas tree shaped board book. It is beautifully illustrated by Rachel Gyan,
Danger Awards 2025 Shortlists The BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival has announced the shortlists for the 2025 Danger Awards. Shortlisted titles in two of the four categories are: Debut crime fiction What I Would Do to You (Georgia Harper, Vintage) Gus and the Missing Boy (Troy Hunter, Wakefield) * A Town Called Treachery (Mitch Jennings, HarperCollins) All You
Reviewed by Norrie Sanders Domination is a story of how a tiny cult within the Roman empire came to be a powerful force in the space of a few centuries. Professor Alice Roberts is not the first and is unlikely to be the last to ponder this question: how did Christianity come to dominate the
Reviewed by Ian Lipke Giants do live in our world. A quick search of any encyclopedia will reveal the existence of people nine feet tall. If you consider a nearly 9-foot-tall human a giant, then yes, they certainly do. Robert Wadlow, the tallest person on record, grew to 8 feet, 11 inches (2.72 meters) before
Reviewed by Ian Lipke Gary Waldon, author of best seller Sort Your Sh!t Out, is back to help you Master the Art of Reinvention at a time when we need it the most. Life is always changing, but big changes like relationships, work, winning lotto, or even the rise of AI can disrupt everything, whether
Reviewed by Richard Tutin This entertaining book by Matt Murphy reminds me of the old wild west scene when a dishevelled prospector comes rushing in saying at the top of their lungs “Tha’s gold in them tha hills”. Murphy has set himself the task of identifying who exactly could rightfully be regarded as the one
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