In her debut novel, Katya Balen uses her knowledge of autism and experience working with autistic people to create an intriguing and intense yet always respectful family story. I think I started crying on about page 23 of this gorgeous but heart-breaking book and hardly stopped. When the tragedy referred to in the blurb happened, […]
Books
Review: Revelation, by Mikaeyla Kopievsky
Revelation is the novella prequel to the Divided Elements series by Australian author Mikaeyla Kopievsky. Set in a future Paris after the Singularity and Emancipation, citizens now revel in a veritable utopia of ubiquitous drugs, alcohol, and entertainment, washed down with full employment, universal healthcare, and affordable housing. All made possible by the Orthodoxy—a new […]
Review: Their Brilliant Careers, by Ryan O’Neill
This book is utterly fascinating! Short bios about 16 extraordinary Australian writers going back to the 19th century – many of whom I’ve never heard of. There’s one woman who was a successful crime fiction writer – though of questionable talent – who conspired with her husband to blackmail her way to publication. Then there’s […]
Review: Beyond – A Short Story Collection, by Alanah Andrews
I’ve become a big fan of short story collections in recent years. They’re fabulous to dip in and out of, and great for when you’re tired and can’t focus on a novel-length narrative. Beyond, by Alanah Andrews, is aimed at YA level but is very enjoyable for adults as well. The stories range in length […]
Review: 488 Rules for Life, by Kitty Flanagan
I read 488 Rules for Life, by Kitty Flanagan, straight after Margaret Atwood’s The Testaments. It definitely gave me the light relief and laugh detox I needed! I’m a long-time fan of Kitty Flanagan’s and love her brand of dry humour. 488 Rules For Life: The Thankless Art of Being Correct is quite literally that […]
Review: Who’s Afraid of the Quite Nice Wolf? by Kitty Black
The Quite Nice Wolf doesn’t fit in with the local wolf pack. He commences training to become a proper wolf – one that’s BIG and BAD. Can he help the wolf pack with their master plan? For ages 3 – 6 years. Review by Amy Wakley-Ahearn I don’t know about you, but my kids have […]