review – Ryan.Brinkworth.id.au

Review: Tell Me Again

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Tell Me Again written by Amy Thunig
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dr Amy felt like a sister when I came across her for the first time, on Twitter of all places. That was maybe a decade ago. Staunch and unwavering, socially conscientious; yet deadly clear, and academically wise. I remember that stood out on ‘Blaktwitter’ at its height.

I learned A LOT more from Amy’s amazing memoir, Tell Me Again! What a struggle, what strength. It enthralled me from start to finish. It’s equal parts upsetting and uplifting. At times I had to put the book down and just feel the feels. It’s important for everyone to read, to understand the unlimited positivity that’s possible – in seemingly impossible circumstances.

View all my GoodReads reviews

Review: On The Chin

Reading Time: < 1 minute

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.

View all my GoodReads reviews

Review: Too Much Lip

Reading Time: < 1 minute

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.

View all my GoodReads reviews

Review: Dark Emu

Reading Time: < 1 minute

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.

View all my GoodReads reviews