Breath written by Tim Winton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I enjoyed the boys’ growing love of ocean translated into words. It all seemed very familiar. The reflecting in the final chapters changed the pace an awful lot, I wondered if I had missed something. And in real life that might be precisely how it feels.
I'm Not Racist, but …: A Collection of Social Observations (Salt Modern Poets Series) written by Anita Heiss
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Anita’s clear poetry describes her position on a large number of challenges Australia still has, though may not realise. The book’s title is a perfect summary of what we face.
Deadly Kerfuffle written by Tony Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A very Aussie comedic thriller tackling the contemporary merging of racism and terrorism. An unsuspecting cast of familiar-sounding characters encounter some unpleasantness in their leafy Melbourne suburb – quite helpful for the radio talkback.
Probably as expected, more giggling than suspense.
Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia edited by Dr Anita Heiss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What a wonderful book Growing Up Aboriginal Australia is.
Full disclosure, my amazing Mum wrote one of the stories featured.
It’s a touch sad to finally complete it. I’ve enjoyed flicking through and reading one or two of the stories from time to time at random.
This is apparently a sign of a good book.
Some of the accounts brought joy, truly brightening my day with appreciation. Others shared a more solemn account worthy of reflection.
I acknowledge the strength of all the authors putting their very personal stories to paper.
It made me think deeply about my own view of growing up Aboriginal in Australia.
For that I am grateful.
During our Australian holidays, we had a chance encounter with rugby league great, Wally Lewis while walking into Brisbane Airport.
It’s interesting how sometimes you can spot a celebrity from a mere flash of them quite a distance away.
He was kind enough to pose for a photo with us.
In case he needed some convincing, to seal the deal I mentioned I did name my second son “Lewis” afterall.
I forgot to add that my first son is Myles, so we have pretty close to the famous Wally Lewis and Gene Miles combination.
Wally and wife Jacqui were lovely during our short interaction/interruption while they were on their way to the Dally M awards.
We were grateful, and it had me recounting to the boys again how inspiring he had been as a player.
A few days later at my parents’ place, the boys were flicking through some papers on the bookshelf when they came across the Wally Lewis book, “Out Of The Shadows”; by Neil Cadigan, and Wally Lewis.
We should ignore the fact that my Lewis saw the cover and excitedly exclaimed “Oh look, it’s Dr Phil!”
I decided to read the book before leaving Brisbane, as a result of our chance encounter at the airport.
When you’re like me and average reading 5 books a year, completing an entire book in just three days is what’s called a challenge.
Reading it was quite simple really. The book was a lovely and warm account. I’m probably similar to a lot of Queenslanders, who knew only some of the story of Wally’s epilepsy. The book gives great perspective. It shares the full chronology leading up to the diagnosis, and then living long-term with the disorder while still leading a busy professional schedule. I really had no idea how big an ordeal this was, and accounts from others supplemented the events along the way. It really uncovered my own ignorance around epilepsy. It’s no spoiler that the story has a happy ending. Many aren’t so lucky.
I’m glad I read this book, which I was certainly encouraged to do after seeing The King in the flesh. It made me appreciate how inspiring Wally is as a man.
A wonderful account of The King’s biggest battle outside of rugby league, epilepsy. It was nice to read more about the man who inspired so many on the sporting field, and now is arguably doing even more important work in lifting awareness of the disorder – and even taking control of your health generally.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
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Also, I went through our Brisbane holiday photos from 12 months earlier.
On that trip we managed to catch a Broncos home match, where the boys got their first encounter with King Wally Lewis, the Emperor of Lang Park!
Broncos vs Parramatta Eels 24/08/2017
True Girt by David Hunt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
At the outset, it’s probably a good idea to clarify, this book is not “True Grit“ by wee-drinking author Mr Bear Grylls. Although if you’re after a tale of desperate and deprived actions of slightly deranged people in perilous conditions, you may not be disappointed. *sound of tucker bag being zipped up*
I enjoyed this follow-up to Girt. Both books provide a great antidote to the shiny history of Australia we were taught in schools ‘down under’. Many of the key figures in founding the land became celebrated as place names, but it took a volume like True Girt to aptly describe how many of these characters were.. well.. a bunch of pricks.
Along the way, we appreciate how unique Australia is. Where else is there a such a massive convict past, a sponsored horror of injustice against the original inhabitants, an unexplorable land so enticing to work-experience explorers, and then an uprising culture of rebels who appear to this day as tattoos amongst proud pre-grownups? And then there was the discrimination against other religions and races – glad we sorted out that issue long ago.
Australia has a history that beggars belief, but it’s what a few of us call home.
Many gold nuggets were shared, like Australia inventing what became standard democratic processes (with a few oversights). And we finally learn the collective noun of Hipsters. It makes sense.
True to the author’s word, this follow-up has even more hilarious moments where I laughed out loud before looking around nervously.
I look forward to whatever next installment comes.
A good thing about history, it doesn’t stop.
The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Audio books usually lack something compared to regular books. It’s not the case when you can hear the late great Carrie Fisher reading her own brilliantly funny account of the wonder days of Star Wars and its ensuing fame. It made me smile every day. Perhaps a more appropriate title would be “My infatuation with Harrison Ford”.
Give and Take written by Adam M. Grant
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I highly recommend this book for those turned off by the self-serving, the types who don’t mind who they trample on. In the environment of collaboration and knowledge and networking, those who just Take what they want (at others’ expense) hit a hard limit. Givers exceedingly and continually lead the way to improve outcomes for all. It’s a world I like.
You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life written by Jen Sincero
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
This book might change some people’s lives. Not me. The occasional colourful language and blunt accounts were a welcome relief to many self-help books I’ve read. Though it was let down by the commandment after commandment after commandment of preachy lists. Some “Thou shalts” are no-brainers, some were interesting and helpful, but far too many were cringe-worthy.
Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood written by Trevor Noah
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
A terrifying snapshot of growing up in South Africa. Comedy clearly got Trevor through some very tough times. Nice to see a wonderful role model for any white/mixed/coloured individual who rejects their usual negative stereotypes, and decide to live life in peace and good humour.