The End of Time is a fabulous modern story about the differences and similarities between people of all races and religions. Told in first person with empathy and humour, it centres on on the story of two teenage Syrian brothers trying to reach the U.K. where they hope to leave the war behind them and […]
Books
Review: The Bride Test, by Helen Hoang
I read The Bride Test, by Helen Hoang, when I was flat on my back with the flu. It was such a fun, heartwarming and easy read. It’s an unusual premise with echoes of familiar stories. If you transported Pride and Prejudice to the modern day, mashed it up with Pretty Woman themes and then […]
Teens, drugs and dementia – Love And Other Battles, by Tess Woods
I picked up Love and Other Battles, by Tess Woods because I’d heard others rave about it, and I’m really glad I did. It’s a wonderfully warm and inspiring story of mothers, daughters and lovers across three generations. It made me laugh and cry and I even learned a thing or two about parenting teenagers. I […]
The French Photographer: female war journalists in World War II
Natasha Lester’s wonderful new novel, The French Photographer, follows the fictional life of Jessica May from 1942 through to the current day. Model turned war photojournalist, Jessica runs up against army men who consider it their job to keep women in their place – behind the front lines. They would prefer she report on food stamps […]
Could you survive on 100 words a day? Vox, by Christina Dalcher
As someone who loves to talk and write and read, Vox by Christina Dalcher was a nightmare read for me. In a near-future U.S. the alt-right has risen to power and put women in their place – in the home, serving men. Women and girls are fitted with counter bracelets trained to the wearer’s voice. […]
Hobart could be the Australian capital by 2221 thanks to global warming
Average sea levels have risen around 23 centimetres since 1880 and that rate is accelerating, with another 3.2mm of rise each year in 2019. What if that rate continues to accelerate as the polar ice caps melt and the water heats up? Most of the eastern seaboard of Australia would be underwater, drowning Melbourne, Sydney […]
