It’s always a bit nerve-racking hearing your audiobook for the first time, because for so long the story has been so clear in your head, and now someone else is contributing their perspective to it too, since an audiobook really is a collaboration between author and narrator. But when I was casting for the audiobook
March was full of wonderful books, from Clementine Ford’s brilliant Boys Will Be Boys and Samantha Allen’s touching M to (WT)F and Love & Estrogen, to Felicity Pulman’s Arthurian adventure Shalott 2: Dangerous Magic, Lily Chu’s sweet The Stand-In and Yvette Poshoglian’s inspiring MG read Dear Greta, and some gorgeous books for younger readers... And
Someone asked for some recommendations of books to read by First Nations authors, so I thought I’d update my list from a year ago... I’ve read 45 books by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander authors over the last two years, and they’ve all been incredible – three of them were in my favourite six reads
I keep thinking I’ve almost finished this crazy deadline, and I’ll be able to curl up on the couch with a book, but sadly not quite. But audiobooks have allowed me to keep reading... well, listening to... books, and I’m so grateful to all the authors who create them. How We Love by Clementine Ford
Audiobooks for the win! Plus some wonderful books I reviewed for Explorers magazine or read to interview the authors... I love Mel Robbins, she’s so real and inspiring and down to earth and hilarious, and The High-5 Habit (61 of 52) is another great book. I bought the paperback, but have had no time to
Funny to think how recently I became an audiobook lover, since three of my four “reads” this month were actually listens, and the fourth was one I had to review for the magazine. My deadline is still hanging over my head, so no curling up on the couch with a good book until it’s done!
September was a wonderful month for reading - and I was grateful again for audiobooks, which helped me get through a few extra titles in a busy work month... I would never have read Jacqueline Bublitz’s (47 of 52), except that it was a book club choice - but I’m glad I did. It’s about
Equinox Blessings To You – September 23 Today is one of the two days each year of harmony and balance, when the sun is directly above the equator and there are twelve hours of light and twelve hours of dark. OSTARA WISHES The spring or vernal equinox, also known as Ostara, is celebrated between September
It’s been a crazy month with work, and not much time to read, but audiobooks have been a joy, helping me add two more to my monthly tally, since I can listen as a I walk or work out... So I should hit my #bookaweek goal for the year, and maybe I’ll go over? (In 2019
In 2019 I challenged myself to read a book a week – and hit 52. In 2020, I managed more than 70. I’m looking forward to trying to match that in 2021! No wonder I haven’t sent a newsletter in months – I’m not even keeping up with my book posts, oops! I read a
Imbolc blessings to my friends in the southern hemisphere. Spring has sprung! The wattles are in full bloom in our beautiful park, Signet and Cobie have new swan bubbas, and the light is slowly returning 🌿💐 Walking home from work last night, there was still a tiny glow in the sky before the almost-dark fell, which was
In 2019 I challenged myself to read a book a week – and hit 52. In 2020, I managed more than 70. I’m looking forward to trying to match that in 2021! My first June read was Blood Bound, book two of the Beshadowed series by Selina A Fenech (29 of 52), and it’s as
Yule : Winter Solstice : Rebirth The winter solstice falls around June 21 or 22 in the southern hemisphere – this year it is on June 21 – and around December 21 or 22 in the northern hemisphere – you can check the timing for you here. It’s the longest night and the shortest day
Litha : Summer Solstice : Fruition The summer solstice falls around June 20 or 21 in the northern hemisphere – this month it occurs on June 20 in the US, and 21 in much of Europe – and December 21 - 22 in the southern hemisphere. (Check your times here...) It’s the longest day and
In 2019 I challenged myself to read a book a week – and hit 52. In 2020, I managed more than 70. I’m looking forward to trying to match that in 2021! The beautiful, heartbreaking, deeply moving, tragic and love-filled Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray by Anita Heiss was my first May read, and I loved it so
Update! June 12, 2021 The Swan Maiden audiobook is out! Squeee! The Swan Maiden has been brought to life in a magical new way, as an audiobook narrated by wonderful voice actor Angela Peters, an Aussie living in London. It was such a joy to hear Gracie’s excitement, and Signet’s vulnerability, and the magic of
I’m honoured to have been nominated for the Australian Fairy Tale Society Award this year, for my books, including The Swan Maiden and Faery Magic, and for my work on the AFTS committee, and the creation and launch of our merchandise. And it’s so wonderful to have been nominated alongside three incredible women, storyteller Jo
Today is Sorry Day, and the fourth anniversary of the Uluru Statement. The Uluru Statement is a document Aboriginal people from all over Australia agreed on. In it they express that they are a sovereign people, and what they want all Australians to do to recognise and support this sovereignty. It also comments on the social difficulties faced
Gregg Dreise is an author, artist, songwriter and teacher from south-western Queensland, who is proud of his Kamilaroi and Euahlayi heritage. His books include Silly Birds, Kookoo Kookaburra, Mad Magpie, Cunning Crow, I Open the Door, My Culture and Me, and the new one, Hello and Welcome, which celebrates Australia’s Indigenous heritage. His books have
In 2019 I challenged myself to read a book a week – and hit 52. In 2020, I managed more than 70. I’m looking forward to trying to match that in 2021! I’m so behind on my book posts, but my first April read was Song of the Crocodile (20 of 52) by Yuwaalaraay storyteller Nardi
