Book Review: Show Me Where It Hurts

Author: Kylie MaslenPublisher: Text (2020)Genre: Memoir “Kylie Maslen has been living with invisible illnesses for twenty years - more than half her life. Its impact is felt in every aspect of her day to day existence: from work to dating; from her fears for what the future holds to her difficulty getting out of bed…

Book Review: The Three Rules of Everyday Magic

Author: Amanda Rawson-HillPublisher: (2018)Genre: Contemporary fiction (for a middle grade readership) “Kate has trouble believing in magic, especially since the people she loves keep leaving her. But when Grammy tells her the three rules of everyday magic–believe, give, and trust–Kate can’t resist believing, at least a little. Following Grammy’s advice, she tries to bring her…

Book Review: Footprints on the Moon

Author: Lorraine MarwoodPublisher: UQP (2021)Genre: Historical fiction (for a middle grade readership) “It’s 1969 and life is changing fast. Sharnie Burley is starting high school and finding it tough to make new friends. As the world waits to see if humans will land on the moon, the Vietnam War rages overseas. While her little cousin,…

Mini Book Reviews: February 2021

For this post, I’m reviewing an eclectic handful of the books I read at the beginning of the year. Hopefully there’ll be something here to appeal to readers of fiction and non-fiction! First up, one of the books on my re-read list for 2021, which I listened to on BorrowBox. The Yearbook Committee by Sarah…

Book review: This is How We Change the Ending

Author: Vikki WakefieldPublisher: Text (2019)Genre: Contemporary fiction (for a young adult readership) “Nate McKee is doing his best to be invisible. He’s worried about a lot of things - how his dad treats Nance and his twin half-brothers; the hydro-crop in his bedroom; his reckless friend, Merrick. Nate hangs out at the local youth centre…

Book Review: Girl of the Southern Sea

Author: Michelle KadarusmanPublisher: UQP (2021)Genre: Contemporary fiction (for a middle-grade readership) Image description: The background is a setting sky. The clouds are pink and the sun is visible in front of them. There is the silhouette of a girl with her arms held jubilantly above her head. “A gifted student, Nia longs to attend high…

Book Review: The Secrets We Keep

Author: Nova WeetmanPublisher: UQP (2016)Genre: Contemporary fiction (for a middle grade readership) Image sourceImage description: light blue cover. At the top of the page, the title written in red text. The top half of a young girl's face is visible. She has brown hair and there are some pictures above her head: a letter, a…

Mini Book reviews: January 2021

I enjoyed writing several mini reviews for December, so I thought I’d continue it! I’ve read quite a mix of books this month and picked three of my favourites to focus on here. Again, in no particular order. How to Survive Today by Tonya IngramPublisher: Wild Awake (2019)Genre: Self-help Image sourceImage description: Yellow cover, author's…

Book Review: Sure Signs of Crazy

I wrote this review a couple of years ago, before I understood the full impact of the use of slurs such as cr*zy, and I wish to apologise to anyone for whom it is distressing. Full spoilers ahead. CONTENT WARNING: Mentions of suicide, alcoholism, murder and attempted murder. Image sourceImage description: bright orange background. Yellow,…

Mini Book Reviews: December 2020

I’ve been a bit short on time lately and have read so many great books. So, rather than review them individually, I thought I’d do something different and summarise my December reads in one post! Here they are, in no particular order. Actress by Anne Enwright  Publisher: Vintage (2019) “Katherine O’Dell is an Irish theater…