Corey’s Rock written by Sita Brahmachari
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Picked it for my son purely by the familiar name in the title, but ended up reading it myself. What an emotional [crying emoji], beautiful story of grief.
On The Chin written by Alex McClintock
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Don’t know where I even learned of this book, but I’m so glad it was on my list for so long, and that I’ve now read it.
A masterpiece from start to end, it’s my ideal type of story. Weaving a personal tale of achievement with respectable self-deprecation, and a fond recall of the history and essence of a sport – one that every uninitiated person has an opinion on. Alex doesn’t hide the unflattering and worrying side of boxing.
It’s all clearly described with balance, with the added authority of someone who has gone a few rounds, but didn’t need to.
Too Much Lip written by Melissa Lucashenko
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Getting through this story may have taken me several library loans and renewals. But definitely entertaining and thrilling throughout. Loved the characters, despite their flaws – even recognised quite a few. Life is gritty, life is rarely a complete fairytale. As I say (or maybe it was Wesley Snipes): Always bet on black.
Bird Box (Bird Box, #1) written by Josh Malerman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A world where we can’t safely see is a terrifyingly vulnerable place. To combine this with looking after two young children took this so much further, I felt unsafe to imagine where it might go next. Just brilliant.
(People might be familiar with the horror movie starring Sandra Bullock. This is one of the few times I can pretentiously inform people, the book is actually better.)
Something to Believe In written by Andrew Stafford
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I enjoyed Something To Believe In, and read it in record time – for me. I’m less passionate about music, but was kept interested through the great honesty Staffo showed in weaving life’s struggles through a life of music.
Epochalypse written by Jonathan Hennessey
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is the first time I’ve read a graphic novel. A bit of fun. Could enjoy a few more in future.
Dark Emu written by Bruce Pascoe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I think everyone should read this amazing book. Dark Emu is filled with fascinating well-referenced revelations, to shed light on a contrary view of pre-colonised Australia. Our Aboriginal ancestors may have been more than primitive nomadic hunter-gatherers to have survived so well for 10,000s of years. Sadly that logic and the accounts from original white settlers has proven too much of a shock to some.
It’s quite a poignant time to complete Pascoe’s book. I read it amid the Australian Federal Police’s enquiry and rejection to a (Federal MP endorsed) claim that Bruce is a fraud and no true Aboriginal. We’re also in a time of unprecedented bush fires, where Bruce has been volunteering on the front-line to save his community.
Tomorrow is Australia Day, or Invasion Day depending on your viewpoint. My wish is that the detractors, who aim to quash an Australia or history which doesn’t align with their comfortable narrative, could open their eyes and read a book like Dark Emu.
No Friend But the Mountains: Writing from Manus Prison written by Behrouz Boochani
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’m glad I read this challenging book. Boochani has shed important light on an ugly Australian chapter. It’s an eye-opening account through his observation and poetry.
Don’t Blink written by James Patterson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
“Don’t Blink” was a perfect book title given the non-stop action. I enjoyed the pace and writing, even with unsurprising cliche after cliche.
Fight Club written by Chuck Palahniuk
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
What a brilliant ride. I wish I hadn’t seen the movie first, and uncovered the tale in sequence. Still a great book I couldn’t put down for long.