Fall Girl by Toni Jordan

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Genre - General fiction

Fall Girl is a fun read about unconventional people who fall in love. Interesting characters, an unusual plot and set in familiar suburbs of Melbourne and Wilson's Prom. This is a humorous and entertaining book.

---- Reviewed by Sue, guest

Frontier Wife by Margaret Tanner

Genre - Romance


I ordered Frontier Wife off Amazon only because it was an Australian story. Well, what a pleasant surprise was in store for me. Once I opened the first page I couldn't put this novel down.

Set in Australia during the 1860's it is basically the story of the wealthy squatters versus the poor selectors.

Thomasina (Tommy) Lindsay and her brothers arrive from England to a run down farm which they inherited from an Uncle. Their next door neighbour, Adam Munro, considers their farm has been stolen from him and he wants it back and he will do anything necessary to achieve this aim.

He doesn't anticipate falling for Tommy. She isn't the type of woman he had planned to have as the mother of his sons.

Bushfires, feral mountain families, the harshness of the Australian bush, not to mention lust and finally love make, this story a rolicking good yarn. Haven't heard of this author before, but she has written several other books which I intend to read.Highly recommended.

---- Reviewed by Joan, Guest

Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin

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Genre - Autobiography

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was so powerful it just made you want to get up and dance. I learnt alot about China. I thought it was a great way to tell us how China was in the early days. Read it I promise you will enjoy it.

---- Reviewed by Jade, Guest

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

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Genre - Fantasy

Twilight is one of the best books I've ever read!!

It is a little bit of romance and you can't stop reading it until you have finished and then you will want to get, New Moon, Eclipse and then the last one Breaking Dawn.

---- Reviewed by Kaitlyn, Guest

By Nightfall by Michael Cunningham

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Genre - General Fiction

A great read about how we deal with middle aged angst and how we come to terms with roads taken in our lives.

It deals with marriage and the difference values held by younger generations.It has a great emotional punch with a bit of a twist.

Enjoyxxx


---- Reviewed by Leonie, Ringwood

The Small Hand: a ghost story by Susan Hill

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Genre - Horror

Susan Hill is a great English writer that really knows how to create a creepy atmosphere. Its not a blood curdling horror, more like a sad haunting english story that keeps you reading till the end.

Lots of atmosphere, presented in a little bite sized beautiful book.

---- Reviewed by Leonie, Ringwood

The Happiest Refugee by Anh Do

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Genre - Autobiography

I went to a motivational seminar for work where Anh was the guest speaker. The Happiest Refugee is a good book, good story. Very inspirational, the things he had to go through. He's an intelligent young man. If you ever get the chance to see him, it's worthwhile.

---- Reviewed by Steve, Admin

f2m - the boy within by Hazel Edwards

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Reading f²m has given me a much broader understanding of the trans-sexual way of life. Therefore, my review will be based on this fresh insight.

f ²m is a superbly written and well researched record of the issues surrounding trans-sexuality and gender reassignment. Some sections of the book are highly academic in tone. Nevertheless, the book presents an unbiased and easily read fiction story that contains a wealth of information for people who have limited understanding of gender reassignment and trans-sexuality. It is a good starting point to learn more about trans-sexuality and its impact on society today.

There are numerous differences in the human race, spanning a broad spectrum of religions, sexuality, intellect, colour and culture etc. A greater understanding of what it truly means to be a human being is an essential ingredient to acceptance of people, whose values and way of life may vary from what we perceive as “normal”.

After researching trans-sexuality and gender reassignment, I am very impressed with the easily accessible selection of books and information available to readers who have little or no understanding, or may be misinformed about this special group of people. It is expedient for the public to be made aware, that a holistic collection of resources are available on this subject, on the Net, in bookstores and in their local library.

Since immigrating to Australia, Hazel Edwards, co-author of f²m is the first Australian author I have studied in depth. I met Hazel Edwards at the Athenaeum Library in Melbourne’s CBD and she kindly autographed my copy of f²m. I feel privileged to have met Hazel Edwards, who in my opinion is a brilliant author able to present her material in easy to understand language, yet with great finesse. I particularly appreciated her writing style and use of words, as English is my second language. I was personally impacted by her unbiased and broadminded respect for people who undergo gender reassignment. Consequently, I have realised the importance of the public at large being made aware that much of what they have been taught about trans-sexuality and gender reassignment is nothing more than a myth.

---- Reviewed by Mitra, Guest

The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X

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It is the most painful , heartbreaking and page turning book I have ever read. Even adolescent teenagers will love this book. Malcolm X is a perfect role model.

---- Reviewed by Lachie, Guest

Gang of Four by Liz Byrski

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The ladies in this story are so real. The story of four ladies who have been close friends for over 20 years. They live in Perth, are in their 50's, and all have been successful. Isabel, Sally, Robin and Grace have supported each other through many crises, but they each set off on separate adventures, and learn something about themselves they didn't know.

---- Reviewed by Robyn, Guest

The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail by Baigent, Leigh and Lincoln

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It is no doubt one of the best books I have ever read.

It is compelling. persuasive and shocking.

Any one who likes to have their beliefs shaken to the core Isuggest you read this book
---- Reviewed by Lachie, Guest

When I found you by Catherine Ryan Hyde

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The title makes this book sound like a romance, but it is not.
It begins with a middle aged man, who is duck hunting with his dog. They discover a newborn baby that has been abandoned. Beginning in 1960, the story covers the following 30 years and the relationship that develops between the aging man & the baby boy as he grows up, through his troubled teens and into adulthood. A very well written book, that is an honest and realistic reflection of people and their relationships.

---- Reviewed by Heidi, Guest

A Brush With Mondrian by Yvonne Louis

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Genre - Biography

This is a fascinating look at the ancestry of a Dutch/Australian woman and her quest to solve the mystery of two paintings from her parent's collection.The story is cleverly constructed and contains many interesting detours into Dutch history.The small painting at the centre of the book's raison d'etre also tells its own story.This is a seriously good read.
---- Reviewed by Kay, Guest

Moonraker by Ian Fleming

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Genre - Thriller

I think it is a great book it is full of action and so are all the James Bond books but this one stands out a lot!!!!

---- Reviewed by Chris, Guest

The Story of Danny Dunn by Bryce Courtenay

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Genre - Family Saga

Of course this book is well written. Although I disagree with it being listed as a family saga, I don't even think it should be fiction.
This book was an Australian history textbook with a thin veil of fiction to meld it together.
I was unable to immerse myself in the story, rising to the surface at the last page surprised it's finished, I have endured this book.
Mr Courtney acknowledges his publishers, researchers and marketing people, yes they have made a book under his name, this one may have paid the bills or even gone to the charities.
Not much of it is imagination or even a story-telling ability.
I know Mr Courtney is a very good author that is why I am disappointed and disillusioned.
When asked if I'd recommend it I will um and ah.
---- Reviewed by Kirsty, Guest

The unit by Ninni Holmqvist

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Genre - psychological fiction

This debut novel by Swedish short story writer, Holmqvist, has created a fascinating future society where people have allowed the government to set up accommodation for older single 'unnecessary' people to live in. We follow 50 year old Dorrit Weger as she packs up her modest home and gives away her dog and moves into the sterile and controlled world of the unit. This is where single, childless women over 50 and men over 60 who work in non progressive jobs must go to live out the rest of their lives. There is the security of knowing all your needs will be met for food, clothing, accommodation and recreation but you will be expected to submit to drug and psychological testing and donate your organs to save the ‘necessary’ people. People live comfortably but not for very long and when Dorrit meets a man and falls in love she is not so sure she is ready to accept this situation anymore. Strangely familiar and frightening!
---- Reviewed by Sue, Belgrave

A change in Altitude

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Genre - Relationships

Popular author Anita Shreve has written about newlyweds Margaret and Patrick setting off to live in Kenya for a year. He is a doctor and she is a photographer and they settle into married life as strangers in a dangerous land. They agree to join a climbing expedition to the summit of Mount Kenya with two other couples without realizing just how testing it will be on them. Both physically and emotionally they are unprepared for the tragedy that unfolds and find they may never recover from it.

---- Reviewed by Sue, Belgrave

Lovesong by Alex Miller

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Genre - Love stories

This novel from a master storyteller is simple, familiar, romantic and tragic. It takes us into the lives of the widow Houria and her young niece Sabiha who run a small Tunisian café in Paris which caters to the North African immigrant workers of the area. Sabiha is a young woman delighted to be living in Paris with her Aunt and sometimes she can barely remember her old life in El Djem. When Australian John Patterner stumbles into their café he embarks on a gentle romance with the beautiful Sabiha. It is their tragic love story that is later confided to his new friend, Ken when they are finally settled in suburban Melbourne many years later.

---- Reviewed by Sue, Belgrave