Book Review: Runt by Craig Silvey

I'm sure that you have an author (or authors) that you consider to be a favourite; one that when they release a new novel, it becomes automatically added to your list of books to read. 

For me, Craig Silvey is one of those authors. The first book of Craig's that I read was Jasper Jones, and when he released Honeybee (which was Dymocks Book Of The Year in 2020), it became one of my favourite novels ever. So I was very excited to be given the opportunity to receive a copy of his newest story, Runt. 

And what can I say? This is such a sweet, feel-good  story and I adored it!

The main character is 11 year-old Annie Shearer, who  lives with her parents, Bryan and Susie, her 13 year-old brother Max, and her grandmother Dolly in the country town of Upson Downs. Annie doesn't have any friends except for her dog Runt. Nobody knows where Runt came from as he was a stray and would often be seen around town, until Annie took him in and adopted him. The two are inseparable and share a very special bond.

Runt's years of scavenging for food and roaming the town whilst trying to evade capture from the local copper and ranger, Constable Duncan Bayleaf, have made him exceptionally agile and fast; ideal for herding runaway sheep.

But when the owner of the neighbouring farm, Earl Robert-Barren puts the Shearer's family home at risk, Annie is determined to fix the situation. She decides to enter Runt into the Agility Course Grand Championship at the Krumpets Dog Show in London in the hopes of taking out first position and the grand prize. 

But Annie knows that Runt will only follow her commands if nobody else is around to spectate, so how can they beat the odds and the fastest dogs in order to save the family farm?

Runt is such a beautifully written story and although it is targeted as a children's book, it definitely can be enjoyed by older readers like myself. It has a great cast of characters, a really feel-good story, and an important message of being true to yourself and bringing out the best in others. I would highly recommend Runt to readers of all ages, and I would love to see Runt made into a movie down the track! 

Runt is available now through Allen & Unwin Australia.

 Whodunnit, Eddie Woo? Series Review & Giveaway!

 

Eddie Woo is known as Australia's favourite Maths teacher, with over 1 million subscribers on his 'Wootube' channel, and over 100 million views of his videos. He is also the presenter for the ABC tv show Teenage Boss (which I love to watch!), and was named Australia's Local Hero of the Year in 2018.

Eddie is also a bestselling author, and he is back with a new series for middle-grade readers. 

Whodunnit, Eddie Woo? Time Out! and Team Trouble! are the first two books in the series, and with thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia, I have one copy of each to give away! Read on for how to enter!

Time Out features Kid Super Sleuth Eddie Woo as he uncovers a potential clue to a century's old treasure hunt, along with his best friends Rusty and DT. They must crack the clues, scale a lighthouse, discover a cave behind a waterfall and navigate hidden tunnels to ensure that the treasure doesn't wind up in the wrong hands. But they aren't the only ones searching for the treasure...

In Team Trouble, Eddie is back and this time he receives a cryptic message from Mr Appleby, a family friend and resident of the Sunny Side Aged Care facility. Eddie is soon on a mission to thwart the evil plans of smugglers as he cracks the clues whilst improving his skateboarding skills so that he can enter the annual school Triple Threat Quest with Rusty and DT. 

The books feature large font, short chapters and lots of illustrations, making them ideal for reluctant readers, and/or young readers. 

To win a copy of Time Out & Team Trouble with thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia, you need to: 

 

1. Be following either my blog, facebook page or Instagram page, and 

2. Answer the following question:

What was your favourite subject at school and why?

 

 

 T & C's: Failure to complete the above two steps will result in an ineligible entry. Winner will be selected by random draw on 20th July 2022 from eligible entries. AUS residents only. Winner will receive one copy of Time Out! and one copy of Team Trouble, RRP $14.99 each. Prize will be sent directly from the publisher. 

 

 

 

Book Review & Giveaway: Criminals by James O'Loghlin

 

 

 

I'll get right to it and say that this was an excellent book! I loved this story, and it is definitely one of my favourite reads of the year so far. And I am so glad that thanks to Echo Publishing, I am able to offer one lucky reader the opportunity to win a copy! Read on for entry details.

This is the first novel that comedian and award-winning author James O'Loghlin has written for an adult audience, drawing on his previous role as a criminal lawyer to bring this story to life.

In a nutshell, there are three main characters - Dean, Sarah, and Mary.

Dean Acton is 23 years-old and a small-time thief with a drug addiction looking for his next hit. He decides to stage an armed robbery at the local leagues club in Blacktown, but his plan isn't as smooth sailing as he hopes.

Sarah Hamilton, also 23, is a junior policewoman on extended leave for stress, and is working the bar when Dean and his accomplice storm in.

Mary Wallace, aged 45, is a former school teacher and an alcoholic with severe depression who is drinking at the bar when the robbery occurs, and she refuses to give in to the robbers' demands. 

What follows is a journey that will make the reader wonder just what makes someone a criminal, and are there good guys and bad guys, or are we all just a bit of both?

I don't want to say much more than that so I don't spoil this book for others, but Criminals is a highly entertaining and enjoyable read. It has a lot of emotion and is very cleverly written. I love a story that makes the reader think outside of the box, and James has achieved that with this book.
Each chapter is told in alternating perspectives from Dean, Sarah and Mary, and with each passing chapter, a little more of their character is exposed, and another layer of their personality and history is shown. The reader discovers the underlying reasons why each character make the choices they do, and by the end, Criminals asks just what it means to break the rules.

I would highly recommend Criminals, which is available now through Echo Publishing, RRP $29.99  

And now for the giveaway! To win a copy of Criminals, you need to 

1. Be following either my blog, facebook page or Instagram page

2. Answer the following question:

What has been your favourite read of the year so far?

 

 

 T & C's: Failure to complete the above two steps will result in an ineligible entry. Winner will be selected by random draw on 14th July 2022 from eligible entries. AUS residents only. Winner will receive one copy of Criminals, RRP $29.99. Prize will be sent directly from the publisher. 

 

 Book Review: A Dolphin Called Jock by Melody Horrill

 

 

A Dolphin Called Jock is a beautifully written memoir that is filled with emotion, heart, and hope. 

Melody Horrill was born in England and later migrated with her family to Australia. Her childhood was filled with emotional and physical trauma at the hands of her father. Her parents often argued and were physically violent towards each other, and Melody felt ashamed, embarrassed and different to others.

When Melody began studying at the University of South Australia, she was a very lost and tormented woman. She tried to keep her past hidden as she still felt shame and hurt.

One day Melody volunteered to help her university lecturer Dr Mike Bossley to monitor pods of river dolphins in the Port Adelaide waters. There, Melody first encountered Jock, a dolphin with a maimed fin, living apart from the other dolphins.

 She formed a very special bond with Jock, and by doing so, she slowly learned how to free herself from the demons of her past. This bond with Jock was the start of a long-term mission for Melody to help save the river dolphins.

The story reverts back and forth through time, as the reader gains an in-depth understanding of her troubled childhood and teenage years, and also the present day. This was a very touching story and I really felt for Melody. I was saddened to read about what she had to endure in her younger years, and I admired her courage and determination to live in hope and to find peace within. I highly recommend A Dolphin Called Jock, which is available now through Allen & Unwin. 

Book Review: Paperbark Hill by Maya Linnell

 

 

 

I was fortunate to receive an early copy of Paperbark Hill with thanks to Allen & Unwin, and was excited to read it as I am a fan of Maya's stories, having read the other three books in the McIntyre family series (Wildflower Ridge, Bottlebrush Creek, and Magpie's Bend).

I thought that this was a beautiful story, and as warm and comforting as a cup of tea (and a scone or two!) Maya has a real talent for writing about families, and the idyllic rural setting compliments her tales. Throw in a sprinkling of romance and its the perfect combination for a good book!

This fourth installment in the series centers on Diana McIntyre, who is a widower and mum to four boys. The past 18 months have been tough on them all, but thankfully the love and support of their family has helped them through it. Diana dreams of starting a flower farm and seeks help from an elderly friend named Colin Gardiner who is an expert at growing dahlias.

But when Colin suddenly passes away, his son Ned returns to the farm with his two young children in tow to sort out Colin's affairs. 

Ned is soon introduced to Diana and they become friends. He offers to help her on the farm, and she welcomes him into the community by introducing him to the locals, including her sisters and her father, Angus.

Although Ned hasn't called Victoria home in years, he is drawn to the countryside, and wonders if it would be best to provide some stability for his children, even though he didn't have the best childhood on the farm.

Can Ned make peace with his past, as well as with his estranged mother? And can Diana juggle raising her boys whilst making her dream of opening the flower farm come true?

This was my favourite book in the McIntyre series. I felt a connection to Diana as we share similar interests including baking and a love for dahlias. The McIntyres are a close-knit family much like my own, and the characters are lovable and relatable. I would definitely recommend Paperbark Hill (and the other titles in the series).

Paperbark Hill is available now through Allen & Unwin, RRP $29.99

Book Review: The Cult Of Romance by Sarah Ayoub

I haven't read any other novels by Sarah Ayoub, but was recently given the opportunity to read her newest novel, The Cult Of Romance, with thanks to HarperCollins Australia. It is classified as a YA book, and although I am far from being a young adult, I really enjoyed it.

The main character is a young woman named Natalie, who lives in suburban Sydney with her father and her Tayta (Lebonese for grandmother). Natalie's mother left when she was a little girl, and all that Natalie knows about her is that she suffered post-natal depression and had to leave. The subject of Natalie's mother is one that her Lebonese family avoid talking about at all costs, so Natalie doesn't know all of the details surrounding her mother's ill health.

Natalie is a professional babysitter, and is in the process of starting up a business selling desserts with her best friend Janet. The two have been inseparable from a very young age and know everything about each other. 

But when Janet returns from a trip to Lebanon, Natalie finds out that Janet is engaged to be married. At only 19 years old, Natalie thinks that it's way too young for Janet to get married. Where will Janet live once she ties the knot? What will happen to their friendship and their dessert business? And who is the guy that swept Janet off her feet?

The opportunity to find out occurs when Janet asks Natalie to be her maid-of-honour, and although Natalie isn't thrilled with the responsibility, she accepts, and sets of for Lebanon where the upcoming wedding is to be held.

Upon her arrival, Natalie has to juggle the cultural traditions, the judgemental relatives, as well as the talk that her mother may be looking for her. Not to mention meeting the annoyingly good-looking best man, George, all whilst trying to be supportive to Janet and her fiance Michael. But will she be able to help pull off the wedding without any trouble, and can she avoid falling in love herself?

This book has a lot of heart, and I enjoyed learning about the Lebanese culture and traditions. It also has explores the themes of family, friendship, acceptance and of course, love.

The Cult Of Romance is available now, RRP $19.99

 

 

 

 

 Book Review: In A New York Minute by Kate Spencer

Do you find that your mood or current life situation effects what books you read? I've definitely become more aware of this over the last few years. When I have a lot going on, I tend to go for books that are more light-hearted, easy, and entertaining. 

Thankfully, I got the opportunity to read a book that ticks all those boxes; the debut novel In A New York Minute by Kate Spencer, which is released this week through Pan Macmillan Australia.

This is a romantic comedy that is set, as the title suggests, in New York. It begins with a woman named Franny who is fired from her job, and whilst she is heading back home on the subway, complete with cardboard box filled with her personal belongings, her dress gets caught in the subway doors and rips all the way up. Franny is mortified that her dress now resembles a hospital gown and scrambles for something or someone to come to her rescue.

Enter businessman Hayes, who kindly gives her the suit jacket he is wearing. Franny is extremely grateful, and wants nothing more than to put the entire embarrassing episode behind her. However, unbeknownst to Franny and Hayes, a fellow commuter has captured the entire incident and shared the video across her social media platforms, dubbing the couple as the '#Subway QT's'.

The couple are given the opportunity to meet again, this time on live television after the clip starts going viral. Franny just wants the opportunity to thank Hayes again and put it all behind her, but it doesn't quite work out that way...

I thought that this book was a great read with a decent cast of characters, including Franny's two best friends, Cleo and Lola. The romance wasn't overdone, which is a win for me. I also enjoyed reading about all of the New York landmarks, foods, etc as it really helped set the scene and gave the story and extra layer of depth.

The story is told in alternating chapters from Franny and Hayes' perspectives, and I particularly liked Franny. I would recommend this novel for those looking for a fun and easy read, and for those who enjoy romantic comedies.

In A New York Minute is available through Pan Macmillan Australia, RRP $26.99

Book Review: This Is My Dad by Dimity Powell & Nicky Johnston

Families come in all different shapes and sizes. Some have two parents, and some don't. This Is My Dad came about after the author drew inspiration from teacher-librarians who noticed that there were a lack of stories reflecting children who have never known a father figure in their life. 

The story is about a young boy named Leo who loves Show and Tell at school, but when he finds out the latest topic - Tell Us About Your Dad Day, he is filled with concern. Leo has never met his father, so how can he celebrate along with his classmates? Leo doesn't have a courageous, smart or cool dad, or any dad at all. Or does he?

Leo lives with his mother, who is an author of children's books and spends her days (and some of her nights) using her imagination to come up with stories.  Is she the solution to Leo's dilemma?

This book acknowledges single parents and the important roles they play to their children. It celebrates families of every shape and size, and highlights the fact that whilst the presence of a male role model is helpful to a child's upbringing and well-being, it is not always possible or realistic, and there are many other carers that are equally as worthy of celebrating.

This Is My Dad is available now through EK Books, RRP $24.99, for readers 4-8 years old.

 Book Review & Giveaway: The Tricky Art Of Forgiveness by Meredith Jaffe

 

I have read a couple of Meredith's other novels, including The Fence (released in 2016) and The Dressmakers Of Yarrandarrah Prison (released last year) and I thought that they were both excellent books, so I was looking forward to reading her new novel, The Tricky Art Of Forgiveness. I recently got the opportunity to do so, with thanks to Harper Collins Australia, and they have generously given me an extra copy of the book to give away! Read on for how to enter!

Diana and Will Forsyth are approaching their 30th wedding anniversary, and also Will's 60th birthday. Diana is throwing a big party, and their two adult children, Aiden and Persephone, are flying in to celebrate the milestones, along with friends and family.

Diana and Will have recently downsized from their family home, and it is whilst Diana is unpacking their things that she discovers a torn piece of paper with the message 'I forgive you' written in Will's handwriting. Unsure what to make of it, Diana is left with a lot of questions about her husband, and she isn't entirely sure she wants to know all of the answers. But as the story continues, it becomes evident that Diana has her own secrets to hide.

The story reverts back and forth through time from the early days of their relationship to present day, and it deeply explores their marriage. The reader finds out that there have been a lot of highs and lows that have shaped their relaionship. 

The story explores what it means to forgive, how to let go of resentments, and how the choices we make impact the course of our lives. 

The Tricky Art Of Forgiveness is available now through Harper Collins Australia, RRP $32.99

*** GIVEAWAY ***

To win a copy of The Tricky Art Of Forgiveness, you must be a follower of either my blog, Instagram page or Facebook page (@Inthegoodbooksblog) and answer the following question:

 

Who is your favourite celebrity couple and why?

 

Winner will be chosen randomly from eligible entries on 10th March 2022, Australian residents only.

 Book Review: The Maid by Nita Prose

 

 

 

I received a copy of this book months before its release date and I hadn't heard much about it, so I wasn't quite sure what expect. Well, I must say that from the first page, I was hooked! To say I loved this book would be an understatement! 

The main character is 25 year-old Molly, who works as a maid at The Regency Grand Hotel, which is a 5 star establishment.
Molly is socially awkward and interprets things differently to those around her. She was raised by her beloved grandmother who always made sense of things for Molly, but since her grandmother's recent passing, Molly now resides alone in a rundown apartment block. She has no friends and enjoys jigsaw puzzles and ice-cream. She also loves having everything spotless and in order.

Molly takes pride in her job as a maid, and thoroughly loves what she does, and whilst many of her co-workers think she is weird, there are thankfully some that like her, including the doorman, Mr Preston.

One day when Molly is on her rounds cleaning various hotel suites, she enters the room of an infamous guest named Mr Black, and makes the gruesome discovery of finding him dead in bed. Before she can make sense of things, Molly is targeted as the prime suspect of the crime!

Molly needs to find a way out of this mess, but isn't sure who can she turn to. Who can she trust to help her? You will have to read it and see.

The Maid is a spectacular debut novel; highly engrossing and entertaining, and I adored Molly so much. Her 'voice' makes the story what it is, and I was cheering for her all the way and wanted to give her a cuddle so many times throughout the story. I highly recommend The Maid (and I was also thrilled to discover that this will be adapted to a movie as I look forward to seeing how the two compare).  

The Maid is available from Harper Collins Australia, RRP $29.99

Book Review: The Islands by Emily Brugman

I was recently given the opportunity to read The Islands with thanks to Allen & Unwin. This was a different style of story to what I have read lately, and it was told very well and with a lot of heart. The author has researched the topic of migration in detail, and has drawn on her family's own personal experience which added another level of depth.

The story begins on the coastline of Western Australia where Finnish migrants Onni and Alva Saari, along with their baby daughter Hilda, set up camp on a tiny island known as Little Rat to begin their lives as a fishing family, in particular, fishing for crays. It is the mid 1950's and the decision to migrate is made once Onni receives some sad news about his brother Nalle. It isn't long before Onni is hooked in by the exquisite landscape. As the story unfolds, it spans over the years, and we learn about each of these three characters more.

Onni is an ambitious young man who aims to provide for his family. He works hard and wants to make a great future for his wife and daughter.

Alva is a quiet yet determined woman who has had to deal with her share of tragedy from a young age. She struggles to fit in and make friends as she has a hard time of communicating with people in English.

As Hilda grows into a young woman, she learns about life near the coast, and dreams of becoming the skipper of her own fishing boat. She can be complicated at times, but it is all part of growing up.

Together, they face many struggles but they do their best to make things work. Like the other families that have migrated there, they slowly adapt to their new life and eventually make friends within the community.

The book is told in two parts, first, when the family is in the West and then when they travel back to the East where Onni gets a labouring job in the Australian Capital Territory.

It reverts back and forth through time and I felt that it may have benefited from a date being included at the start of each timeline change, or some sort of indicator that the story had shifted in time as it confused me (briefly) on more than one occasion. 

Whilst this story is fictional, it captures the real story of the migratory path that Finnish people took (including the author's grandfather). It was interesting to learn about their journey, as I wasn't aware of it prior to reading this book. 

The Islands is available through Allen & Unwin, RRP $29.99

The Happiness Trap (2nd edition) by Dr Russ Harris

 

 

 

 

The first edition of The Happiness Trap sold over 1 million copies and has been translated into more than 30 different languages. In this new updated and expanded edition, there are many tips and lots of useful information for anyone who may be suffering with anxiety and depression, battling an illness, coping with grief or loss, or being in a high-stress situation, including at work.

Dr Russ Harris is a medical practitioner, psychotherapist, and bestselling author, and he uses the scientifically-proven model of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (a practice which is now recommended by the World Health Organisation). 

I, like so many others, have anxiety, and over the years, I have tried many things to help. I am now able to manage it a lot better, but am always on the lookout to educate myself further and to find ways that may help even more. It sometimes isn't easy, especially when you are not used to making time for yourself or putting yourself first, but it is achievable. Books such as this one can be helpful for those people like myself who want to improve their mental health and wellbeing.

In The Happiness Trap Dr Harris explains that when we want to increase our happiness, we often try hard to avoid or eliminate unwanted thoughts, but by putting in the effort to do so, it has an adverse reaction and leads to creating more difficult thoughts and feelings. He explains how to deal with 'emotional storms' by noticing and naming our feeling and thought processes. 

Dr Harris also explains how we tend to get hooked on negative thoughts and emotions, and implements strategies to help with it so that we respond to those negative things differently. He also points out ways that our emotions help us and serve three main purposes - communication, illumination and motivation. 

The topic of mindfulness is also explored and explained, and there are tips on being more present in our day-to-day lives (this is something that I need to work on). 

Books like this one offer hope and encouragement, and if you put in the time to follow the techniques, it can really be beneficial.

The format of this book is easy to follow, and it is set out in 30 chapters. It can be read from cover to cover, or you could even break it down and read it over time and refer back to it as needed. 

The Happiness Trap is available through Exisle Publishing, RRP $34.99