• Current Reading Header

    I’ve been reading

    Below are some of the books I’ve been reading.
    For an in-depth review of each book, please click on the cover image.

  • THE SAFEKEEP

    the safekeep

    The Safekeep

    Yael Van Der Wouden

    This outstanding debut about the disruption of one woman’s tenuous security by another, was winner of the Woman’s Prize For Fiction 2023. An enthralling tale, and fascinating character study, with so many unforeseen ramifications.

  • LUCKY THING

    lucky thing

    Lucky Thing

    Tom Baragwanath

    Significant police under-resourcing in small town Masterton sees savvy records clerk, Lorraine Henry, again take the lead in investigating the brutal bashing of a young woman left for dead in remote bushland. A gripping, tense and beautifully crafted thriller.

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  • THE MUSHROOM TAPES

    the mushroom tapes

    The Mushroom Tapes

    Helen Garner, Chloe Hooper, Sarah Krasnostein

    Collated conversations and reflections between three astute writers covering the trial of Erin Patterson, who was convicted of murdering three extended family members by lacing their food with deadly mushrooms. ‘The Mushroom Tapes’ offers a summary of the damning evidence, musings about Patterson’s possible motivations and personality, and an exploration of the wider social fabric underpinning the trial.

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  • THE BOOK OF GUILT

    book of guilt

    The Book of Guilt

    Catherine Chidgey

    A gripping and darkly dystopian novel set in an ‘alternative’ 1970s Britain, in which triplet boys being raised in a tightly regulated government home form part of a sinister post-World-War-II initiative.

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  • LESSONS ON LIVING

    lessons on living

    Lessons on Living

    Nigel Latta
    ‘Lessons On Living’ was released the day well-loved and respected psychologist and social commentator Nigel Latta died from cancer. Written in his final months, it distils a simple code for living well and navigating life’s vicissitudes. A book written with the clarity and honesty of someone facing down their own death. A book written with love.

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  • PATEA BOYS

    patea boys

    Patea Boys

    Airana Ngarewa
    A wonderful collection of short stories about growing up in small town New Zealand. Honest, immersive, humorous, and affecting.

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  • SURPLUS WOMEN

    surplus women

    Surplus Women

    Michelle Duff
    Based around themes introduced in the title story, this short-story anthology artfully explores the lives of women 100 years ago, in present day, and speculatively in the future. A powerful read.

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