Reviewed by Rod McLary Home invasions would be a terrifying experience for the homeowners and their families. As well as the personal and property violence, there are the after-effects – the emotional damage wrought by the invasion and the invaders. The author of this novel – Abigail Dean – has disclosed a long-held fear of
Reviewed by Ian Lipke David Baldacci has tried his hand at historical fiction in his latest book Strangers in Time. While the meaning of the title eludes me, and the classification of the book not being given as Young Adult, these lose any importance in a cracking story of fourteen-year-old Charlie Matters and fifteen-year-old Holly
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke Allen and Unwin have produced another book by the creative team behind CBCA Picture Book of the Year, Iceberg. This one is called Volcano. This hard covered 26x31cm, 31-page book tells the story of how the seabed changes as a volcano births a new mountain. This book is the work of
Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve In two of her very successful previous works, Emma Donoghue created situations in enclosed scenarios which were riveting to read. The Paris Express too is a masterful example of stories of a group of people brought together; this time for a few hours for the train journey from Granville, in Normandy,
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke This book, which is the final in a series, is the creation of Reece Carter, a high-profile Australian nutritionist who has also written two non-fiction books for adults. He has appeared on many of Australia’s major television networks and his written work has featured in The Australian Women’s Weekly and GQ
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke As I get older, I often think of the early years of my life spent at my grandfather’s holiday home across the Esplanade from the beach at Hervey Bay. The time spent on the beach building volcanos and preparing bonfires or walking along the sand, exploring rock pools or just swimming
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke What a fascinating informative book which I am sure all students would enjoy reading. It has been presented in a unique format and includes typical Australian humour. Yet at the same time it shares lots of information about the work being done at the Melbourne University by the TIGRR research team
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke Unlike many novels, the title of this book is immediately linked to the story it tells. I was fascinated to discover that the journey of this story forms a circle. It begins with a university student’s experience watching a lyrebird and continues twenty years later with the same woman, now a
Reviewed by Ian Lipke A description of a novel, set in an Australian town, the story described as an “unputdownable, supernatural thriller about a mysterious global event” contains more than enough emotive terms to get the blood of the most jaded reader surging. This is the case with Chris Flynn’s Orpheus Nine, a publication of
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke This is the first book in an Indigenous history series about Australia’s most iconic landmarks. This hardcovered 30x26cm book has thirty-six pages of beautifully presented pictures on glossy paper with a small amount of text fitting the illustration shown. Each page represents the use of the land on which the Opera
Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve Blanche D’Alpuget has been praised for her non-fiction works, particularly her biographies. With The Bunny Club, she has ventured into the popular genre of the murder mystery. This novel is spiced by the making of celebrity, wealth, beauty and a quest for erotic sex; its cardinal ingredients. Evelyn Sinclair is the
Reviewed by Rod McLary Andrea Goldsmith, until now, was not an author with whom I was familiar but having read The Buried Life I believe that to be a serious omission on my part. The novel explores with intelligence and elegant writing the vicissitudes of personal and family relationships across the broad range of relationships.
Reviewed by Richard Tutin Some people, especially politicians, sincerely believe that they are kingmakers. They think that they can influence the political situation to not only place their person of interest in the top position but also to gain favours that will enhance their prestige and public image. Those folk often fail because they do
Indie Book Awards Australian independent booksellers have announced DUSK by ROBBIE ARNOTT (Picador Australia) as the best book from the last year, and the winner of the Indie Book Awards 2025 Book of the Year. The Book of the Year is voted by independent booksellers across the country from the six category winners. Bookseller judge Claire Leyton from Paperchain Bookstore Manuka (ACT) described
CBCA Awards 2025 The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) proudly announces the 2025 CBCA Book of the Year Awards shortlist. 730 entries were assessed by 15 judges and showcase the incredible work of 36 books, representing 19 publishers, 33 writers and 25 illustrators. Divided into six categories: Early Childhood, Younger Readers, Older Readers, Picture