Jasmine Seymour is a Darug woman from the Hawkesbury area of NSW. A writer, artist and primary school teacher, she is the author of Cooee Mittigar, which introduces us to the plants, animals and seasons of Darug Country and language; author and artist of Baby Business, about a ceremony to welcome a baby to Country;
July was a fascinating month for books, and online book launches. Living On Stolen Land (40 of 52) by Ambelin Kwaymullina is a short, powerful book that *everyone* should read (although sadly those who most need to hear these words of wisdom – including politicians, police and policy makers – will turn away again). It’s
June has been a strange, unsettling month, of high tension, of long overdue attention on black lives mattering, and of educating ourselves to learn more, do more and be better. Award-winning journalist Reni Eddo-Lodge’s book Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race (34 of 52) is a searing, illuminating, absolutely necessary examination
Book-A-Week – May books read May was a month for extraordinary books. Blackbirds Sing by Aiki Flinthart and Phosphorescence by Julia Baird are two of my favourites this year, but the rest were awesome too! I loved the novelisation of The Rise of Skywalker by Rae Carson (26 of 52). I listened to the audiobook (narrated by
Book-A-Week – April books read April was a strange month for everyone. Like many I’ve been struggling a little to write, and for a while I was having trouble focusing on books too. But when social media got too much, I retreated to my book shelves, and devoured a bunch of books – so many
Book-A-Week – March books read As I get ready for the online launch of The Swan Maiden on April 1, it’s no surprise that my March was filled with faery tales, and faery tale-inspired books. Although first I had to read and re-read my book a few times (11 of 52), ha ha! Then I
Book-A-Week – February books read My first book I read this month was Angela Slatter’s A Feast Of Sorrows (7 of 52), because our Australian Fairy Tale Society story was The Jacaranda Wife, one of the short stories within. This book is a slightly creepy collection of dark faery tales, peopled by women and girls
Book-A-Week – January books read 💕📚🌟 Last year I challenged myself to read a book a week, and I did! 52 books in 52 weeks. And it was awesome. It’s so easy to not make time for reading, with work and deadlines and everything, but I’m so glad I did. And this year I’m doing
I can’t believe I reached my goal and read 52 books this year. I was always feast or famine in my reading – banning myself on deadline, then bingeing and getting no work done – so I hoped the #bookaweek challenge would help, and it kinda did! My first December book was House of Wishes by Jenn
November is NaNoWriMo month, where I write feverishly to try to hit 50,000 words in 30 days. I made it, but it did unfortunately limit my reading. I did skim-read Public Speaking for Authors, Creatives and Other Introverts by Joanna Penn(45/52), in preparation for my first public speaking event (I was terrified!), and it was
In October I attended three mini workshops (and some great panels) as part of the HNSA (Historical Novel Society Australasia) Conference – by Kate Forsyth, Meg Keneally and Alison Goodman, so I read the latter’s Lady Helen novella in preparation (41/52). And I really enjoyed it, so I bought the first book in the series, The Dark
My favourite book this year is Harp of Kings (39/52) by my favourite author Juliet Marillier (with her Beautiful novel and Madeline Miller’s Circe very close second). It’s the first in her new Warrior Bards Trilogy, so now I’m impatiently waiting for book two! It’s such a beautiful, magical, mysterious, action-packed, adventurous, enchanting and hope-filled
Circe is one of my absolute favourite books I’ve read this year, and author Madeline Miller’s previous book The Song of Achilles (32/52) is as beautifully written and almost as wonderful (it’s just obvious that I would lean slightly to goddesses and witchcraft rather than warcraft)... While walking through our gorgeous park and visiting the
July was all about high tea book launches (thanks Kate Forsyth!), and falling for audiobooks, thanks to Juliet Marillier’s audiobook exclusive last month (well played Audible!). I’ve been listening to Michelle Obama’s Becoming when I walk each night after working out, or if I’m driving on my own, and I’m loving it. I’ve been reading
I read some wonderful books in June as part of my Book A Week Challenge – although two have to be kept secret for now (yes, it is killing me – one is by one of my favourite authors!). But I will post about those two as soon as I can... Juliet Marillier broke my
May was a little tricky for reading, because I was in England for the month with my beloved, and we spent all our time searching for stone circles, wandering across the moors, climbing tors, and drinking tea and eating scones in little tearooms. But between the English Heritage website and google maps, I dipped in
Just got a lovely 5-star review for Into the Mists... Into the Mists is a work of fantasy and magic written for young adults by author Serene Conneeley. Written as the first book in the trilogy of the same name, the story revolves around our central teenage character Carlie. In the blink of an eye,
Just got a lovely five-star review for Into the Mists... Into the Mists by Serene Conneeley is the story of Carlie, a young woman who loses her mother and father and is sent from Australia to England to live with a woman she doesn't know - her grandmother, Rose. Carlie is dealing with her grief
Here are the first audiobook reviews... Into the Mists "Beautifully written magical story" 5 stars Where was this book when I was a teen? Perfect for those young adults who find themselves drawn into new age stores but don't really know why or what to do once there. Beautifully written, lovable characters, set in a
Into the Mists Serene Conneeley is an Australian author who has captivated many readers with the first two books of her current ‘Into the Mists’ trilogy series. Work on the third and final book will commence in November and be available for release in 2015. From inSpirit magazine. Carlie, a vibrant teen on the cusp
