Books you can't put down
This list of listener recommended books has been compiled as part of the
Australia Council's Get Reading campaign
Oracle - Jackie French
Reviewer: Juanita Dawson
I just couldn't put it down. As an adult reading a book I presume aimed at
teenagers I was amazed at how riveting I found it.
Diary of an Ordinary woman 1914-1995 Reviewer: Janice Taylor
English woman who kept 37 diaries from
through Depression, world war, raising
giving her time to others - all in the
extraordinary woman!
Margaret Forster
the age of 13 until age 95-living
orphan niece and nephew, teaching,
UK. An extraordinary life of an
Where the Wild Things Are - Maurice Sendak
Reviewer: Margaret Anderson
Max sets out on a journey of discovery and comes to terms with his inner
demons. He now understands his anger is something that he can control.
In spite of his behaving like a wild thing, he learns his parents will
love him regardless (as evidenced by his warm meal).
Red Dirt Diary - Katrina Nannestad
Reviewer: Warwick Brain
Firstly because my daughter wrote it, but more significantly I believe it
is destined to become an Australian Classic of children's literature. The
book aimed at "9 to 12 year olds" is written in a way that any adult
reading it could not fail to find themselves laughing and crying as our
country is gripped by drought and resilient country families respond with
heartache and humour. Its reception in schools throughout the state has
convinced me that my faith in this books future is firmly founded. It is
already in its second print.
Life of Pi - Yann Martel
Reviewer: Jackie Quang (Bookclub Book Club)
The ending of course - were there really animals on the boat or did the
author eat his fellow castaways? Much later on we found out that there
was a real Richard Parker who was a castaway who committed cannibalism
while lost at sea - but many of our bookclub were still happy to choose
the fable as the real story, as the author himself said was open to do.
Dear Fatty - Dawn French
Reviewer: Elizabeth Hickey
This book by Dawn French, made me laugh, cry and think. It has encouraged
me to rethink my body image and re-evaluate the way I think about life. It
is the first bio I have ever read and have found that it is one of the
best reads ever and I think every woman and possibly every man should read
it.
Musashi - Eiji Yoshikawa
Reviewer: Fiona Delacy
I don't often reread books but I have read this one 5 times and I am ready
to go again. It is a book of hope. A simple man, in trouble in his
community is able to self actualize and completely change his life. Then
there are the spiritual wisdoms that come through the story. A tale that
is 500 years old and still very relevant today!
Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
- Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Reviewer: Annette McKenna
Wow! This book has everything. It gives a great historical outline of
life during German occupation. How the inhabitants survived and made
their life bearable with the society offering them hope and friendship.
Then there is the emotional level with the letters expressing their
innermost feelings and observations. The romantic isn't forgotten either.
It is a very engaging book, well written and easy to devour. I loved it.
The Book Thief - Marcus Zusak
Reviewer: Elke Dwyer
I liked this book because it was written in a young, modern and unusual
style with death as the narrator. It tells the story of a young boy and
girl growing up in Nazi-Germany and it reminded me a lot of my own dad who
was born in Germany in 1939 and the stories he used to tell me about when
he was a little boy.
One day in the life of Ivan Denisovich - Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Reviewer: Rohan Goyne
The book reinforcing all the benefits of living in a democracy which we
otherwise take for granted.
Ballet Shoes - Noel Streatfeild
Reviewer: Alison Dell
Whilst this probably only applies to females, I love this book and can
read and re-read it over and over again. For starters, what little girl
doesn't want to perform in the ballet? It captures the imagination for
children with the idiosyncratic and eccentric GUM and his travel tales,
and creates a wonderful tale with a clear snapshot of life and social
mores in London at that time, in how to keep up appearances. It also
shows incredibly strong and vibrant children's personalities in a time
where children were probably seen and not heard (including a girl working
on cars!) which is wonderful to see. It also inspired me to read (and see
in London) 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' and visit the V&A Museum, both of
which are beautifully featured in the book. It is a wonderful story
containing a strong message of hard work, achievement and following your
dreams. A fabulous tale for children and adults alike.
Have the Men Had Enough? - Margaret Forster
Reviewer: Barbara Podger
A wonderful read, this novel particularly strikes a chord with women who
are in the position of helping to care for an elderly mother while at the
same time juggling the needs of a husband and children. I have read a
number of novels by Margaret Forster which explore the theme of the
relationship between mothers and daughters and their families (including
their men). This one I have read several times and lent it to friends. It
combines humour and tenderness, while not drawing back from the reality of
the tension and hurt involved in caring for an elderly mother, and the
poor solution that a nursing home provides. I first read this book about
15 years ago, and it is still my favourite, helping me keep my sense of
humour while I have cared for first my mother-in-law and now my mother.
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency - Alexander McCall Smith
Reviewer: Sandra L Rabjohns
I just love this book. It introduced the wonderful writing of Alexander
McCall Smith. The book may not change your life but it will make the day a
little brighter. Precious Ramotswe and her life in Botswana remind us of
all that can be right in the world when people live their lives with real
integrity and respect for all. It celebrates the best of people not the
worse.
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency - Alexander McCall Smith
Reviewer: Cathy Rees
I recommend the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. I can't choose an
individual book as they are all very charming. Alexander McCall Smith
writes with such love for Botswana and his characters that the books are a
joy to read. They are detective mysteries yet they are so much more and
there is a gentleness in the stories that is unique in this genre.
Precious Ramotswe is definitely a private detective with a difference.
Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
Reviewer: Ryan Bondar
This is a fantastic read, published over 50 years ago, but still relevant
today. The story captures you regardless of age. It transforms you to
childhood memories, when you thought times we easy, but goes to show that
life can be tough regardless of age. Any book that still captures the
imagination of readers 50 years on is a must read. Highly recommended.
The Omnivore's Dilemma - Michael Pollan
Reviewer: Rachel Muntz
The unprecedented success of TV programs such as Masterchef and the
emergence of chefs as celebrities clearly show how seriously Australians
take their food. Or does it? Most culinary TV shows and foodie magazines
deal only superficially with the fascinating stories about where most of
our food comes from. This is partly because it can be incredibly difficult
to find out where food comes from, particularly if it comes in a packet
and has a list of ingredients. Michael Pollan traces a gamut of different
types of food chains in the United States - from multinational
agribusiness to people who hunt and forage for their food. Above all, this
book invites eaters to think about food in new (and old) ways. Compulsory
reading for everyone who eats!
Wolf Hall - Hillary Mantel
Reviewer: Rhonda Nichols
Within the first 50 pages of Wolf Hall I knew that this book was magic.
The retelling of the court of King Henry the Eighth from the point of view
of Thomas Cromwell takes a common story into a new and uncommon attitude.
Hillary Mantel's writing is sublime, smooth, intense and unyielding. Every
sentence was a delight in which I, as the reader, needed to pay attention
and become totally immersed in the characters, plot and setting. This is
one book that I savoured and selfishly devoured at the expense of the
family and the pets. I think the saying 'didn't want the book to end' is
appropriate here. Usually, while reading a good book I can't wait to get
to the end to see what happens, but with Wolf Hall I wanted the experience
to go on and on. I would give this book to friends and enemies, family and
strangers and I would defy any of them to not love becoming a member of
the English court in the 1520's, with all its intrigue and drama, through
the reading of Wolf Hall.
Wolf Hall - Hilary Mantel
Reviewer: Amanda Jones
How do you retell the story of Henry VIII and his quest to make Anne
Boleyn queen in a new way? By challenging ideas about history and making
us fall in love with an unexpected hero, Thomas Cromwell. Some group
members felt that this was not the Cromwell they knew and disliked the
blurred line between fact and fiction. While others, myself included,
were completely swept up in the story, love a period drama (any period any
drama) and simply didn't care. Gripping from the first page the authors
use of the present tense and conversation between characters creates a
fast pace capturing Cromwell's private life, his work and his wish to make
life better for common people by freeing them from the church
all this
while making a buck along the way. The ending is clever leaving readers
filled with the sense of loss and regret that comes at the end of all
great books.
Guns, Germs and Steel - Jared Diamond
Reviewer: Brett Waldock
It is a short history of everyone from the last 13,000 years. It explains
an awful lot about how we got to be where we are and why we have the
things we have in intellectually defensible yet accessible terms. It makes
anthropology, history and a number of other intellectual pursuits
accessible to the non-academic community. On an island, it would be
helpful as you could spend a lot of time contemplating the implications of
what is reported in it. Further it would help shape your decisions if you
had to re-build a society.
Fishing for Stars - Bryce Courtenay
Reviewer: Warwick Shean
Nick Duncan has two great loves in his extremely convoluted life, Anna Til
and Marg Hamilton, both of whom make claims on his love. I found Anna Til
especially intriguing, the story of her abused life, under the Japanese
during the war, and the story of rise above all odds was both moving and
confusing, but compelling.
Wisdom of the Elders - David Suzuki and Peter Knutdson
Reviewer: Pennie Scott
What a difficult choice! David Suzuki and Peter Knutdson collect beliefs,
practices and meanings from 12 First Peoples from across the world about
how they relate to and live in country. These collective wisdoms provide a
complete alternative to Western consumerism and, instead, provide insight
as to how these ethnic groups have lived within their means for hundreds
of generations. Fun, fulfilment, joy, delight, tragedy, sadness, anger,
appreciation, celebration, rituals, feastings, fasting, learning,
knowledge and sharing represent the full gamut of human emotions - the
measure of living life to the full - and are the norm in ecological
communities. With pressure exerted on them by multi-national corporates
and free-market forces, traditions, species, relationships and diversity
are being lost at a frightening rate. Re-reading this wisdom provides me
with principles and practices to connect with and respect our precious
earth and resources even more. Individually, every little bit helps;
collectively, we can save our world. This is an important book with wisdom
which transcends politics and reminds us about what really is important.
Throwim way leg - Tim Flannery
Reviewer: Willow McGregor
A fascinating read about our closest neighbouring country, which I knew so
little about. The book is full of stories about human endurance, abject
poverty and lives lived so completely differently to ours. The stories
about animals and collecting remind us of the wonderful ark that is PNG. A
book of wide appeal with adventure, suspense and tragedy. A D Hope opened
Flannery's eye's and he in turn opened mine to the amazing universe which
is PNG.
The map that changed the world - Simon Winchester
Reviewer: Mary Reed
This book opened my eyes to the world in a way I would never have
imagined. I see the hills and the mountains and the plains anew. I
wonder at the shapes and contours of the landscape around me. I gaze out
of car and train windows and understand the countryside as it was and as
it is. I am constantly amazed and pleased with my insight and so grateful
to Simon Winchester for his decision to share his world with me.
A suitable boy - Vikram Seth
Reviewer: Kay Clayton
A Suitable Boy is like a long, long walk through India, the smells
(particularly in the leather making alleys ) so emotive that for a long
time I couldn't go into shoe shops, sentences such as telling a small
child not to worry about the flies that were annoying him as he was at his
morning toilet in the field behind his home, "it is futile he was told to
be brushing them away". I read this book in 1993 and am still able to pull
up the most amazing images, and they are IMAGES that the reader gets, it
is almost as though you are travelling with the families and through the
landscape. A huge, huge wonderful book, a challenge to read in single book
form, 1349 pages but was bought out later as 3 books, such a good idea, it
was very hard to read in bed!!!! It took V.Seth 10 years to write this
book, it doesn't take that long to read it but it does take rather a long
while It isn't the sort of book that you want to rush through and you come
to the end with some relief yet with a feeling of loss, what to read next,
but not to worry there are just so many wonderful books out there!
Man's Search for Meaning - Viktor Frankl
Reviewer: John Forsey
If I were to recommend a book, something special, one book that certainly
changed my outlook to life was "Man s Search for Meaning" by Viktor
Frankl. Viktor was a Jewish psychiatrist sent to the Nazi concentration
camps. He survived and published this work in 1946. The first part of
the book is his account of the camps and the witness he bore to both the
pain and suffering of some, and the will to live and survive by others.
The second part of the book is his analysis of these experiences and
observations as a practicing psychiatrist. Arising from his personal
account of the suffering and those who survived, he offers a great message
to all of us who ponder the elusive meaning of life. He challenges the
reader to consider:
It did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life
expected from us. We needed to stop asking about the meaning of life, and
instead to think of ourselves as those who were being questioned by life
daily and hourly. Our answer must consist not in talk and meditation, but
in right action and in right conduct.
Huckleberry Finn - Mark Twain
Reviewer: Brian Millett
I'd recommend this book as a classic in storytelling with great issues
which are deceptively hidden in its seemingly simple tale of a boy who
discovers just how complex life is. Huck Finn is often lumped in with
Twain's other book about a boy growing up on the Mississippi in the C19th,
Tom Sawyer but is infinitely more complex. It addresses the challenges of
Huck's growing up when he is Twain's tool to look at hypocrisies of the
adult world and uses the development of Huck's relationship with the
'nigger' Jim and the mystic relationship which grows between them as they
escape from the demons of where they find themselves. Huck grows as a
tolerant human being and withdraws from the prejudice of his times in his
love for Jim. Twain uses the complex vernacular of the time to define his
characters and the issues they face. After all his experiences along the
river Huck is renewed and reborn at the book's ending as he contemplates
"Lighting out for the territories" to leave behind the corruption of his
Society, as "he's been there before", and to find a new vision. This is
one of the greatest books ever written to define a corrupt world through
the deceptively simple vision of an inexperienced river boy who shows the
reader the world as it should be seen. Huck 'holds the mirror up to Nature
'for the reader to see.
The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho
Reviewer: Vaishali Pathak
The Alchemist is a beautiful and happy story of a young boy with dreams.
The book is easy to read, thought provoking and engaging. It made me cry
and laugh and think. The book also highlights the Earth as being one place
with boundaries only lines of the mind. Highly recommended!
The Hungry Hungry Caterpillar - Eric Carle
Reviewer: Angus
The book has it all, the deadly sin of gluttony, and contemporary issues
such as body image, binge purge fad dieting, self development and self
reflection.
It has suspense, intrigue; it's a real page turner. The final twist (which
I won't reveal) is as triumphant as it is surprising.
Mistaken Identity - Mark Tabb
Reviewer: Nicolle Sullivan (Book Topia Book Club)
Not so much controversy but an incredible amount of mixed feelings and
emotions in relation to what happened in the book. Among our group there
was sadness naturally, but also anger and astonishment about the level of
commitment from both families to their faith which got them through. Some
found it very difficult to believe that the family did not realise it was
not their daughter. Of all the books we read - we talked about this one
the most. We all struggled to put it down at times.
The Bone People - Kerrie Hulme
Reviewer: Jillian Brankin
Read this book many years ago, I enjoy having a visual experience while I
am reading, beautiful wild rugged New Zealand coast line. Keri Hulme won
the 1985 Booker Prize with this book.
Vulcan 607 - Roland White
Reviewer: Michael Apperley
A superb account of the longest and most daring bombing raid since WWII.
It is factual but told in a way that brings the reader into the story as
though you were part of it.
The Surgeon of Crowthorne - Simon Winchester
Reviewer: Angela Casey
'The Surgeon of Crowthorne' by Simon Winchester is a brilliant example of
truth being stranger (and more compelling) than fiction. American civil
war history, the realities of mental illness, the construction of one
amazing dictionary and man's capacity to endure is a sometimes poetic,
sometimes prosaic read. It's one to re-read, recommend and relish.
The Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
Reviewer: Chris Lathbury
A dramatic read. A book that you can't put down. The human condition in
the raw. Full of hope and sadness. New life and death. The effect of a
great depression and the dramatic downside of unemployment. What
desperate people will do and what other desperate people will do to stop
them. Discrimination exposed. Just a magnificant and honest read on
humanity.
Gate of Tears - Christopher Holt
Reviewer: Bill Maynard
This is a great first book by Christopher Holt (who actually spent some
time as a school teacher here in Canberra and who now lives in the UK). It
is a compelling story of an English woman (Bronwyn and her young son
Tristan) as they struggle to rebuild their lives with their Australian
born husband/father, in the Sydney suburbs of the late 1940 s. Like a lot
of men who had experienced the horrors of war, Robert has some unresolved
issues that may threaten to tear their world apart. I know it's a cliché,
but I really found it hard to put this book down. You just need to know
what is going to happen next, and how it is all going to end, and the
suspense is maintained right to the last page. It is also a nostalgic trip
for anyone who grew up in post war Australia, or those looking for an
authentic depiction of this era. It is a book that deserves to be read,
and possibly read more than once.
Don't tell mum I work on the rigs she thinks I'm a piano player in a whore
house - Paul Carter
Reviewer: Ben Max
The combination of adventure story and insight into the drilling industry
across the globe makes it a book none of my friends and I have been able
to put down...brilliant.
Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
Reviewer: Sylvia Alston
My earliest, and happiest, memories of growing up in the North of England
are of listening to someone telling me a story. As my mother rarely had
time to read to me during the day this activity was generally confined to
bedtime. Unfortunately, that was also when my younger brother demanded
attention. My father was a shift worker I often went to bed without my
promised story. This parental neglect was mitigated to some extent by a
daily dose of the radio program Listen with Mother (BBC 1950 to 1982) when
for fifteen blissful minutes every weekday afternoon a faceless someone
would read aloud while I sat comfortably entranced. Thus began my love
affair with the written word and I'll never forget the first book I
received one magical Christmas. It was Lewis Carroll s Alice in
Wonderland, bound in plum coloured mock leather with gold deckle edged
pages. It was the most beautiful thing I'd ever owned. And that was just
the outside! Inside was this fantastical tale, a tale of an upside down
world where the magical is reality and vice versa. The story still
delights me and continues to enthral generations of new readers. Who
wouldn't want to read it?
The Gift of Fear - Gavin de Becker
Reviewer: Camilla Pribil
This book changed the way that I assess my safety and the way that I
assess other people - for the better. I would recommend this book to
anyone, especially young women. Thanks go to Gavin de Becker who has
written a book that has helped me to live more boldly.
A Home at the End of the World - Michael Cunningham
Reviewer: Marilyn James
I recommend Michael Cunningham's magnificent character piece entitled "A
Home at the End of the World". It took me on a totally credible,
emotional, 40-year journey where the main characters, Jonathan and Bobby,
were so sensitively brought to life that they soon felt like old friends.
Cunningham effortlessly transports the reader into his character's
unfolding world. We watch the boys stumble through early childhood, via
the Woodstock years, through to middle age. Their gradual awakenings, both
sexual and worldly, are touching to observe. Cunningham s language
overflows with brooding passion. His uncanny observations of the human
psyche, of parenthood, homosexuality, love, dreams, guilt, and dying are
so believable that we come to care for these men, for their families,
friends and lovers. I am amazed that this man can so eloquently express
the many facets of his male AND female characters. The book made me want
to know what happened after the last sentence had been read. It was gutwrenching to not be able to see their lives through to old age. Now, I
tell you, with a reaction like that, it HAS to be an overwhelming
masterpiece. Read it and you will believe.
Prater Violet - Christopher Isherwood
Reviewer: Jenni Rayner
"What makes you go on living? Why don't you kill yourself? Why is all this
bearable? What makes you bear it?" Christopher Isherwood's 'Prater Violet'
asks each reader these searching questions and every time I read it I am
challenged to consider what my own answers are as well as how these have
changed in the ten years since I discovered this book.
On, Off - Colleen McCulloch
Reviewer: Judith White
It is a chilling thriller. I read this some years ago and still feel the
fear when thinking of the refrigerators and freezers essential to the
researchers to store their experiments and cells. The highly clinical
atmosphere with steely professionals make this 'who dunnit' hard to put
down. Also, I love Colleen McCulloch.
Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson
- Mitch Albom
Reviewer: Kristijan Stojanovic
This book has had more impact on my life than anything else I've read.
It's a reminder to appreciate the simple, little things in life, that when
you die, the things you've accumulated and done will disappear. What will
remain is the ways that you have affected or touched other people. This is
a simple book with simple messages: live fully and in the moment, treat
others with respect, kindness, love, and dignity and seek joy. This is a
guide to live your life in a way that you'll be able to look back at the
end and feel peace and contentment. I encourage you to read this book and
do so with an open mind and heart.
The Secret River - Kate Grenville
Reviewer: Tony Williams
A quick-tempered, sensitive, illiterate Thames bargeman is transported
from London to New South Wales in 1806. After a few years he is pardoned,
and he and his wife settle on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, home to
the Darug aboriginal people for tens of thousands of years. Constant
friction with the Darug boils escalates when the settlers decide to fix
the Darug in a bloody battle for territory. Thornhill, a moderate man,
must decide whether to join them or not. His ultimate decision will
dictate the rest of his life. In Kate Grenville's fine, evocative
international bestseller, The Secret River, the reader is invited to
experience what frontier life was like for pardoned convicts living on the
very edge. Grenville offers moral dilemmas to consider. By not judging her
characters on their day-to-day decisions and dealings with the aborigines,
she challenges us to consider what we might have done in their place. Then
there is the bigger picture where aborigines have occupied territory for
millennia, and settlers who have no doubts about their own land rights.
Nothing is clear-cut. Except that this is a great Australian novel,
written with eloquence and authority, and one you must read.
The Beauty Myth - Naomi Wolf
Reviewer: Elisabeth Stanger
I read this book in my early 20's and it was seminal in my decision to
accept my body for what it was and how we are manipulated by the clothing
industry and the media to be unaccepting and buy into the products they
are selling.
It helped me with the view I should embrace myself as I am.
Failure is not an option - Gene Kranz
Reviewer: Phil Sarkies
This autobiography is an excellent overview of the US space program fom
its inception with the Mercury program to Apollo 13 and beyond. The book
gives a detailed insight from a Mission control perspective and is a
riveting read right from page one.
The Swiss Family Robinson - Johann Davie Wyss
Reviewer: Kristy Moyle
I first read The Swiss Family Robinson when I was eight years old. For a
tomboy, dreaming of adventure and forever frustrated by the pink, frilly
world that is thrust upon girls, this book provided me a means of escape.
I could imagine the taste of salt, the muskiness of the animals; the
fresh, openness of a jungle tree house. I could wear boyish clothes; let
my hair to go wild, learn to tie complex knots and build raft boats with
my Dad. I remember reading the book in bed at night, in the howling wind
of mountain weather, imagining the radiating kiss of tropical sun and a
belly full of fish. Imagine having the opportunity to recreate a society;
start from nothing, creating a peaceful, respectful society, all from
incidental boat wreckage!
Even now as an adult, whenever I need to daydream away my frustrations
with the world or when in need of a quick mental holiday, I imagine the
Island. Plenty have tried to recreate what was written there; however, I
believe that the gift of this story is the concept, which provides you
with the empty barrels and allows you to float into shore on your own
terms.
One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel García Márquez
Reviewer: Niccy Aitken
Out of all the wonderful books I've read, if I could recommend just one,
it would be One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez for
its sheer beauty, elegance, and the right amount of quirkiness.
The book chronicles several generations of the Buend a family in the small
(fictional) village they founded in South America. It is a work of magical
realism and the overlapping worlds of reality and magic are blended to
absolute perfection. The manner Marquez has of using the narrative to
describe events makes the magical seem quite unremarkable, as well as the
mundane quite magical. The aspect I love most about the book is that the
line between these two worlds is often impossible to determine and in a
way, quite irrelevant.
Despite spanning several generations, the constant presence of history,
persistence of certain themes, and repetition of names, mean that time
passes almost unnoticed. Themes such as selfishness and isolation/
solitude permeate the novel and there is immensely more going on than is
immediately apparent on the surface. The repetition and similarity of
names across several generations makes the family tree at the beginning an
absolute necessity!
Talking about Jane Austen in Baghdad - Bee Rowlatt and May Witwit
Reviewer: Fiona
This is an amazing true story of an academic living in Baghdad and the BBC
journalist who befriends her. Their constant emails show the differences
in their lives but also the way friendship and love can help you endure
anything. An interesting inside account of the war in Iraq contrasted with
the everyday life of someone in London. Truly thought provoking as well as
amusing and I shed more than a few tears!
Beyond Heartbreak - Lorraine Cibilic
Reviewer: Margaret Day
Most people in their lifetime gets a challenge (mainly dealing with death)
& how you handle it, is different for each person. This is why I really
enjoyed this true story of Lorraine Cibilic Beyond Hearbreak(1995) her
fight for the justice of others even though she herself was dying from
Aids, the strengh she showed & taking on the Goverment & other legal
systems,especialy as she herself at times was having such a hard time, a
wife & mother I find so corageous & really admired all that she did.
A Fortunate Life - A.B. Facey
Reviewer: Nicole Inveen
This is one of my favourite books - it was on my booklist when I was at
school (1986). It is an autobiography of Albert Facey who tells of his
life story as a farmer then serves his country at Gallipoli and survives.
He talks of his love for his wife upon his return and his life in general.
He is just such a positive fellow who endured such hardships in his life but considered his life to be a fortunate life'. As the cover of the book
says - 'It is the story of a life lived to the full - the extraordinary
journey of an ordinary man'.
I think every Australian should read this book - I love it!
A Year to Live: How to Live This Year as If It Were Your Last - Stephen
Levine
Reviewer: Dorothy Broom
This short, apparently simple book will repay all the attention you give
it. I bought it mid-1999, realised immediately that I needed to study it
meticulously and that some of the exploration would be difficult to embark
on alone. So I gave copies to five friends who I recruited to meet monthly
throughout 2000 to discuss and process the chapters. Despite travels,
major illnesses, surgery and parental deaths, we kept our commitment,
supported one another as we each confronted griefs, fears and undertook
life changes. While the acronym for the rest of the world was Y2K, ours
was the much more affirmative Y2L : a Year to Live. A decade on, despite
interstate moves, five of us still connect regularly by Skype, and have
self-organised long-weekend retreats together to re-engage with the
questions raised by where each of us is now, and what it means to live
this day or this year as if it were our last. Far from being morbid or
depressing, these are times of creative renewal and joy. There are many
books I have read and loved, some of which I have remembered, but none
that have so changed my life as this one.
Mao's Last Dancer - Li Cunxin
Reviewer: Ruth Lee
A lovely story about a boy who worked hard to become a great ballet
dancer. It's an inspirational book about family love, courage,
determination to follow his dream. I learned that there are injustices in
this world that even children can recognise as wrongs, and from finishing
this book I learned to keep an open mind to everything and everyone, for
people can be Mocking birds too.
Breath - Tim Winton
Reviewer: Rosa O'Kane
Bruce is a calm, clinical but cynical paramedic, dealing with a suburban
nightmare. Suspend pre-judgement, as you join him as he journeys back to
his life as a lonely teenager living with his aged parents, thirsting for
adventure in a sleepy seaside village. . He and his best mate Loonie
encounter the larger-than-life couple, Sando and Eva. Caught in a web of
danger, dare, lust and pain, the boys find adventure beyond their dreams
(or nightmares). Tim Winton creates a seascape, where you can smell the
briny air and feel the wind in your hair. If you've never stood on a
surfboard - now is your chance without getting wet! If you have ever taken
or intend to, take a single breath- read this book.
The Drowning Girl - Margaret Leroy
Reviewer: Erin Barry
It starts off quite mundanely, and then suddenly explodes into this
entirely unexpected tale about past lives and spirituality. It made me
wonder what on Earth I would read next.
To Kill A Mocking Bird - Harper Lee
Reviewer: Lauren Kajewski
At age 11 (the same as Scout) this book taught me that there is black and
white in this world when it comes to people, but never to feelings and
judgements.
To kill a mocking bird - Harper Lee
Reviewer: Tam Goddard
I have read this book several times and I know it is a famous book, but I
like it not for its famous but for what makes it so enduring. When I read
it I seem to be able to hear the child-like voice of Scout, I can imagine
America in the South. Harper Lee was able to convey through her writing
the innocence of childhood as well as racial tension. The book has stayed
with me forever as I keep wondering how the characters would turn out to
be if Harper lee wrote a sequel. It is a book that i can't wait to
recommend to my 11 year old son.
April Fool's Day - Bryce Courtenay
Reviewer: Shelley Owen
From a few years ago, Bryce Courtenay's account of his son's battle with
AIDS (contracted via a blood transfusion). Powerful. Sometmes I could only
read one page before I had to put it down, walk away, recover for a few
days before I attempted to continue. A must read.
A Fortunate Life - Albert Facey
Reviewer: Cheryl Coble
I love books and grew up reading the classics like Little Women Robinson
Crusoe, Great Expectations and Gulliver s Travels to name a few. These
days I have many favourite authors like Lee Child, Michael Connelly,
Robert Crais and Carl Hiaasen. To Kill a Mockingbird is a great read which
I have enjoyed reading a number of times. But AB Facey's A Fortunate Life
is such a beautiful story which is hard to beat as a book I recommend. He
endures hardship pain and sorrow yet views life as it should be, something
special, beautiful and something to be treasured.
The House of the Eagle (Ptolomies quartet book one) - Duncan Sprott
Reviewer: Fiona Ross
This was the first book I have read in a very long time (other than for
uni study). It begins with Alexander the Great and follows the reign of
the Greeks (Ptolomies) in Egypt. After the first few sentences the style
of story telling got me hooked. I loved it so much, I am going travelling
to Egypt next month as my first overseas trip.
Happiness Project - Gretchen Rubin
Reviewer: Maree Sullivan
Uplifting book that makes you analysis all the components of your life,
well referenced & written
When the Singing Stops - Di Morrissey
Reviewer: Diana Adams
This is a book that I read probably 10 years ago written by Di Morrissey.
It was the first of her books and I loved it. It felt like I really was
there in the jungles listening to the frogs singing. I really recommend
this book to all people that have not read one of Di Morrissey's books.
It is a great one to start off with!
The Circle Trilogy - Ted Dekker
Reviewer: Cris McGrath
The study of the human mind and existence is place into question when our
hero is asleep in one place to then awake in a totally different
environment just as real. Death in one realm means death in the other, but
knowledge gained in one produces amazing results in the other. Couldn't
put it down and each re-read has produced a new experience for me the
reader. I would highly recommend this flight into the impossible or
possible. Just think if you could experience your dreams in a real state
where your future or past are equally affected. It is a study of
integrity, human survival, base instincts and finally good versus evil.
The Book Thief - Markus Zusak
Reviewer: Sheridan Maher
An extraordinary original novel that I could not put down. Centred around
the short life of a young girl, Leisel, during WW2 in Munich, the story is
narrated by "death", whose "job" is to collect the souls of the recently
departed. Beautifully written, the story is one of hardship, love and
courage. The book reinforces the senselessness of war and the courage that
some individuals have to stand up for their principles regardless of the
risk to themselves. A truly amazing book that deserves a second read!
The Book Thief - Markus Zusak
Reviewer: Alison Ryan
The Book Thief stands out above my other favourites because of the way
Zusak brings the characters to life. I feel as if I'm there with Liesel,
talking to her friends, hearing her mama swearing and watching the daily
goings-on of the people on her street. I still think of Liesel's papa
whenever I hear an accordion, which is a testament to how the story
remains with you long after you finish reading. It is a beautiful story
that at times moves me to sobs, but all the simple happy moments in such a
difficult time also remind you of how resilient people can be. The Book
Thief gives an eye-opening perspective on life for ordinary people in
Germany during World War II, but beyond this, it's just a fantastic and
very memorable read.
The Time Travelers' Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
Reviewer: Lisa Barlin
This is about a man who travels through recent time and the impact of his
time-travelling on his wife and their relationship. Ridiculously, I was
presuming a twist where the time travel was explained away through a
medical condition. But no. He is simply a time traveller and it is so
perfectly written that you travel along with him every aching and quirky
step of the way. This book tore at my heart and made me cry out loud and,
dare I say, rates as my greatest snot producing book of all time. I could
read the end again and cry again and again each time. Welling up now...
Life on Air - Sir David Attenborough
Reviewer: Vaishali Pathak
Life on Air is a beautiful book about Sir David's life, his adventures and
his beautiful experiences with nature and wildlife. We all love Sir David
through his tv docos. So it was a pleasure to read his memoirs which have
been written with honesty, humour and passion. For some of us who would
probably never visit the deep jungles of Borneo to see the zillion
different types of birds of paradise, or walk alongside orangutans, Sir
David's experiences can be enjoyed vicariously. I recommend this book
highly to nature lovers and lovers of non-fiction.
Change Your Thinking - Sarah Edelman PhD
Reviewer: Natalie Parker
I have read more than a few self-help books and have implemented the
strategies suggested in them with varying degrees of success. However, I
first read Change your Thinking in 2004 and it really did change my life
in a very positive way. Before I read this book I struggled with selfdefeating thoughts and behaviour. I found it difficult to connect with
people and felt down in the dumps a good deal of the time due to a lack of
confidence and bad relationships with family, friends and work colleagues.
The book gave me strategies to overcome those thoughts and behaviours
using the widely accepted Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) techniques
which have been empirically tested and adopted by many Psychologists. The
book also taught me to pursue life-enhancing goals and encouraged me to
find my passion and indulge in it as often as possible. I still have bad
days but the book gave me the strength to challenge my self-defeating
thoughts logically and appreciate all the good things that life has to
offer.
The Blood of Flowers - Anita Amirrezvani
Reviewer: Natalie Parker
The Blood of Flowers is one of the most beautifully crafted books that I
have ever read. It didn't change my life but I found it immensely
enjoyable. It is a tale of a young woman in seventeenth century Iran,
whose misfortune sees her and her mother forced to live with a distant
uncle in Isfahan. Her life is not easy with her uncle as his wife is
worried about the extra expense on the family and the household. This
sees the heroine subject to some most unpalatable agreements. However, the
protagonist's uncle who is a master carpet maker for the court, sees that
she has a talent for carpet making and he carefully mentors her in the
art. Despite the care that her uncle shows her she is reckless and this
threatens both her and her mother s existence. Anita Amirrezvani took 9
years to research and write this debut novel and it certainly looks like
her labour of love has paid off.
The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho
Reviewer: Allura Maison
The Alchemist tells a simplistic tale about a boy following his dreams
through signs and omens he comes across along the way of his journey. The
message behind this story is the powerful ignition it lights within your
own 'inner self'. I recommend this book not only for the visual poetry it
so often possesses but for the journey itself, it's different to other
books. It will challenge the way you perceive and think - which in its own
is a beautiful thing :) I hope you can enjoy this as much as I do, as I so
often find myself reading it again for the experience.
The Thing Around Your Neck - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Reviewer: Alexandra Torrens
Storytelling at its best. A compelling collection of short stories about
Nigerian culture highlighting the universal nature of the themes of
relationships and family.
Revolutionary Road - Richard Yates
Reviewer: Liz de Chastel (Bertel Reading Group)
Is this a true depiction of suburban life or a depressing distortion?
This book elicited such strong reaction that some members couldn't bring
themselves to come to the meeting where we also watched the DVD. The
ending also polarised the group - too awful or yes we saw it coming. 50's
American suburbia seen through Richard Yates eyes is an undercurrent of
trapped lives and unfulfilled dreams. You can either relate to it be
repelled by the flawed characters.
Agony and ecstasy - Irving Stone
Reviewer: john ORourke
Read this during the VN war. Took only enough pages that I could read in
the short time between eating and going into night ambush, maybe five or
six pages per night. only reason i read it was it was thick and the only
book left that no one wanted. His trial and tribulations inspired me and
helped get through the hell. Have not stopped reading since. Thank you to
the author.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson
Reviewer: Marie Huttley-Jackson (St Judes Book Club)
Our book club discussion about The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo had under
currents that threatened to rip me out of my comfy lounge chair. We had
ladies saying it was common trashy sex novel, who think denial is a river
in Egypt; to others who thought it was the best, most liberating book ever
written. The gripping and eye brow raising nature of the plot that was
riddled with sexual violence had most of us on the hook. Innocent mums
from a Catholic suburban school didn't feel abashed to say they had no
idea this sort of thing went on. Like many Catholic schools we have at
least one survivor of sexual abuse from a trusted priest. But even the
horror of this novel didn't change the atmosphere of risk and doubt that
threatens to stifle disclosure from such survivors. The book clearly
raised the question of when to speak out about sexual abuse and when, as
so many women unprepared for the horror find themselves trapped into
finding great safety in silence. The question of when fiction about sexual
abuse of women is gratuitous and when is it a liberating expose was
unresolved by our humble book club.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson
Reviewer: Ellen Bell (Embassy Book Club)
The original title of this book in Swedish "M n som hatar kvinnor" means
"Men Who Hate Women". Even given this information, I believe some in our
bookclub were unprepared for the confronting images left with the reader
of violence against women. Most in the group would agree that it was a
book that you couldn t put down and the majority really liked it. The
book was divisive in that readers usually loved it or hated it. The ones
that hated it stated it was because of the subject matter. The ones that
loved it said that in spite of violence inflicted on the heroine, she
comes out as a bold, strong woman that can take care of herself. She gives
uncompromising vengeance where vengeance is due. This book definitely
sparked our most interesting bookclub discussion. Some readers felt that
you need to be aware of atrocities, however disturbing or confronting.
Others felt it best to not subject yourself if unnecessary to the horrors
of the world. Still others just enjoyed reading a spellbinding crime
story with compelling characters.
The Road - Cormac McCarthy
Reviewer: Meredith Freeman
Cormac McCarthy's 'The Road' is a dark, powerful and haunting novel. The
world has been decimated by an unnamed cataclysmic event which has
destroyed the countryside, the flora and fauna and the majority of the
human race. Everything is laid waste and the earth is covered with ash,
the sky grey and lifeless. The main character and his son are travelling
the road to get to the coast in the hope of escaping the approaching
winter and finding warmer climes, while avoiding marauding gangs who have
reverted to cannibalism as a means of survival. McCarthy s use of
language inspires such vivid imagery that you believe yourself transported
to this terrifying place. A story that shows the strength and
determination of the human spirit as well as the depth of baseness that
humans can reach, this novel is confronting in its truthful ugliness and
comforting in its validation of the fierceness of family and the
forgiveness of nature.
Atonement - Ian McEwen
Reviewer: Susanne Schmidt
Ian McEwen is one of my favourite authors and it was hard to choose - the
haunting French Lieutenant's Woman? The frightening Child in Time? The
sparse and lovely On Chesil Beach? But in the end it's Atonement, the
sprawling tale of a young child's misunderstanding of an event and the
terrible repercussions it has over the rest of her life and the lives of
those around her. I was so surprised and then captivated by the last
chapter of the book and the "atonement" of the novel's title that I went
back and re-read it about 5 times. It's also one of the few books that was
actually made into a great movie - and of course there's that fabulous
green dress...
The Old Man and the Sea - Ernest Hemingway
Reviewer: Samantha Shaw
Ernest Hemingway s novella The Old Man and the Sea explores the journey
of Santiago, an aged fisherman, in his quest to catch the biggest fish
ever seen in his village, to become the village hero. Santiago has pride
in his work, in his life and in his ability to successfully fish the
waters near his village. All of these attributes are tested during the
ensuing marathon battle and eventual catching of the Marlin. Santiago is a
man who has great wisdom and knowledge of himself and of nature and in the
circle of life. Santiago s pride in his skill as a fisherman does not
blind him to the greatness of the fish that he must duel for days and
nights, while at the same time enduring the forces of nature and
overcoming his own misgivings and weakness, until he is eventually
victorious. The Old Man and the Sea shows us the character of a true hero
who in the end, though beaten by other forces, maintains a purity of
spirit, a wisdom and humility that comes from knowing man s place within
nature, not above it and not outside it.
Tomorrow's Catholic - Michael Morwood
Reviewer: Susanne Schmidt (Corpus Christi Parish Bookclub)
Our book club tries to read books on a broadly spiritual theme - they may
be fiction or non-fiction. Fr Morwood's book created a huge controversy
several years ago when it came out and he was actually banned by his then
bishop, George Pell from speaking in his diocese. This led to him
eventually leaving the priesthood. Some of us agreed with Morwood's quite
controversial views, some disagreed, but we were all challenged to
consider our viewpoint and profoundly sad that someone in his position was
effectively gagged. We felt that despite not necessarily agreeing with
him, the freedom to speak was an essential element of an open faith.
One for the Money - Janet Evanovich
Reviewer: Liz Lopa
This is the first of the Stephanie Plum novels - now up to over 16 books.
The tales of Stephanie, an accident-prone bounty hunter - and her family
and sidekicks - are amongst the funniest books I have ever read. The
pickles she gets herself into are downright hilarious. I laughed out loud
numerous times, sometimes to strange looks from people sitting near me.
The whole series is a great, funny and endearing read. Let's face it - we
all just need a good laugh sometimes.
How to Make it All Work - David Allen
Reviewer: Mark Scully
The book sets out a regime for organising your life. In doing so it
ranges from rudimentary principles of determining meaning in life (at one
end of the spectrum) to deciding 'next actions' (at the other end of the
spectrum).
The book in one sense links these principles by defining organisation as
'things being where they suit you' and then explicating this modest
rudiment to develop an efficient model of thinking based on clear goals
and proper perspective. Yet in a much more important sense the book
promotes the kind of focus and control which allows us to positively
express our answers to the fundamental existential and spiritual
questions of life.
Jemima J By Jane Green
Reviewer: Robyn Millward
This is a great Chick Lit read! It's a story of a girl who battles with
her weight, her job and finding love. She learns are few good life lessons
that are relevant to us all. It is described as "a novel about ugly
ducklings and swans". It's a simple, heart-warming novel that will make
you feel good.
The Thorn Birds - Colleen McCullough
Reviewer: Christine Tyas
I read this book nearly 30 years ago and even though I had very young
children at the time, could not put it down. I worked from home, finishing
often at midnight (or later) and would then go to bed and read "The Thorn
Birds". Colleen McCullough's writing style was clever and intriguing and
she remains one of my favourite authors even today. This was one of the
first books I read set in Australia, about Australian characters - I
learned so much, loved the book, its story and the characters. Thank you
Colleen McCullough for taking me with you on the journey of the "Thorn
Birds".
A Year of Wonder - Geraldine Brooks
Reviewer: Kylie Paulsen
This is an eloquently written novel about a tragic event. From the very
first sentence of this heart wrenching tale I could visualise the scenery,
smell the hay and empathise with the villagers. It's a gripping account of
a little English village that decides to quarantine itself after a bolt of
cloth contaminated with the 'plague' infects the village. It's an amazing
study of human behaviour and the social dynamics of a closed community in
crisis - the people that selflessly nurse and support others, those that
opportunistically extort from their friends and neighbours and those that
selfishly flee from the face of the challenge. It's an excruciatingly
powerful story based on historical fact. Whilst the subject is harrowing,
the story twists and turns with exquisite prose. It's a surprisingly
beautiful tale with a romantic twist and one of my all-time favourite
reads.
The Mists of Avalon - Marion Zimmer Bradley
Reviewer: Jessica Begley
I never tire of reading this epic. Although long and in the fantasy
genre, both factors that often turn me off a book, it is written so
beautifully that it reads well. From when I first read the book 20 years
ago to now, it never gets old. My copy is falling apart but it's a
treasure that started me off on Arthurian legend.
Pillars of the Earth - Ken Follett
Reviewer: Heather Davey
This well written story takes you along a family journey in the 1100's in
England. I loved reading the historical aspects of the time as well as
the concepts of the process of building a cathedral. The story linked the
continuing family in such a smooth transition. A wonderful read, suitable
for teens to oldies.
People of the Book - Geraldine Brooks
Reviewer: Jeannie Robertson
I thoroughly enjoyed 'People of the Book'. It is engaging, intriguing and
believable and many of the perceptive observations resinated and remained
with me. I enjoyed the novel's clever construction. As conservationist
Hanna's examination of the Sarajevo Haggadah unfolds, the story dips back
in time, presenting different vignettes that transverse place and period.
This mirrors Hanna's comments that a book is more than the sum of its
materials. It is an artefact of human mind and hand. I value the contrasts
in the work, which emerge from the juxtaposition of time, place and
circumstance. The context is worldly: the Bosnian-Serbian war; different
continents; a codex residing in different cities; interweaving of Jewish,
Christian and Muslim themes. Yet the structural thread about Hanna
displays an easy, authentic Australian flavour. The novel presents human
acts of religious respect or bias juxtaposed with the tension of Hanna's
complex personal relationships. Likewise, I appreciated the differing
writing styles. The contemporary thread presents perceptive comments of
cutting honesty and poignancy. The historical vignettes swim with rich,
vivid embellishments and imagery. 'People of the Book' is a fresh and
fascinating work that will appeal to many readers. It truly cherishes
books.
The Road - Rose Tremain
Lisa Barlin (Club: Books Stripped Bare)
The Road home tells the story of Lev, a Polish migrant who travels from
his small village to London seeking a better life for his mother and
daughter. The cast of characters made this story fabulous and memorable.
The controversy revolves around our feelings towards Lev. Some fell in
love with the flawed and imperfect protagonist. Others felt he was
nothing short of a selfish pig. One scene in particular divided and
outraged the group as we debated fiercely over whether an incident
involving Lev amounted to rape. It was very interesting that, in a group
of women of similar ages and backgrounds, we were so hotly divided.
Breath - Tim Winton
Reviewer: Christine Jones
A story that takes you back to the 1970's to a place where there was an
innocence and refreshing moments. My brother is a surfer (just like Tim
Winton) and through this magical story I could relate to the attraction of
the surf and also the mate ship that friends can enjoy. The book is full
of friendship and courage and also things that become lost and others that
become discovered. The cover of the Breath takes my breath away just by
looking at the amazing colour and it made me want to know more of what was
within this little book by Tim Winton who is such a great story teller and
a great writer from Western Australia.
All That Swagger - Miles Franklin
Reviewer: Mark Connolly
You have to love a book that tells us on the first page that old Fearless
Danny "was wont to rune himself as he sat alone...and would gaze backward
into what long ago had been the future.." Canberrans will puzzle over the
mixture of real placenames including Queanbeyan, Cooma and Brandy Mary's;
and the imagined ones such as Bandalong, Glenties and Heulong. Franklin
tells in picturesque detail of the homesteads, the wildlife, the gardens
and the hardships of the pioneering people. She vividly captures the
experiences of the families who first braved mountains of the upper
Murrumbidgee. As an Irish descendant I love the way she blends their
heritage and culture into a story that rolls through three generations.
The book is dedicated to her grandparents of Brindabella , which tells me
the descriptions of the locations and the people are near enough to first
hand. And then there s the selfless Danny Delacy, the man we all want to
be. As the constant good man he costs himself several fortunes over a
lifetime because he believes sufficient is enough and nothing can ever
compromise him. It's absorbing, albeit with a slightly slow finish.
So read an Australian historical classic and gaze backward into what long
ago had been the future.
(Reviews reproduced in good faith, some slightly edited for formatting)