The Dickens boy by Tom Keneally

Who knew that Charles Dickens had a son who lived in Australia? In fact, he had two sons who travelled to and lived in Australia, Alfred and Edward (Plorn) Dickens. The theory is that they were under achievers and Dickens sent them to Australia to better or to ‘apply’ themselves, as he did with a few of the characters in his books.

 Thomas Keneally follows Plorn’s footsteps after his arrival at the tender age of 16 when he ends up near Wilcannia working for Edward and Fred Bonney, a progressive pair of siblings for the day. Of course like Plorn there was a real life Frederic Bonney who was a pastoralist, photographer and amateur anthropologist at Momba Station in the 1860s. In the Dickens Boy, Momba station and the surrounding district are a thriving community with cricket games and social gatherings, full of odd and unusual boundary riders, stock and station agents and bushrangers.

Plorn keeps a terribly embarrassing secret, but eventually it is uncovered as the shameful truth that he has never read any of his famous father’s books. Charles Dickens’ writing was hugely popular in Australia at the time and Plorn is welcomed as a minor celebrity wherever he goes. He skilfully changes the subject whenever Magwich, Mr Micawber or Little Em’ly is mentioned.

All that aside this is a great yarn of days gone by; a mixture of fact and fiction which is highly entertaining in an almost Dickens like way and has you hoping for a happy outcome for the young Plorn.

The left-handed booksellers of London by Garth Nix

The Left-handed Booksellers of London? Clearly this was going to be right up my alley, and it didn’t disappoint. Set in an alternate 1983, art student, Susan Arkshaw, comes to London looking for her father and gets a lot more than she could have imagined when she falls in with Merlin, a left-handed bookseller. Full of magic, adventure, humour, books, and romance, I loved every minute of this fun urban fantasy. For fans of Rivers of London and the Checquy Files.

A donation of murder by Felicity Young

This is the 5th book in the series featuring autopsy surgeon Dody and it was my least favourite. I enjoyed the London setting of the story, set just before WWI, and the insight into criminal gangs of the era. The storyline did not hold much substance for me and the story ended ubruptly – it felt like it needed another chapter. The focus was on Dody’s and Pike’s relationship, while good for the relationship to develop and knowing that they have the possibilty of a wonderful life together, it let the mystery side of the story down.

The only story by Julian Barnes

19 year old Paul is home from his first year of university and joins the tennis club, where his mother hopes he will meet a nice young lady. Instead, he meets Susan, a 48 year old mother of two, and they fall in love. Paul is thrilled at the unconventionality of this love, for he despises suburbia and his parents’ lives, but it takes him places he could not have imagined. As Paul looks back on his life, this defining love story, he ponders the nature of love, suffering, and inevitability. A quietly beautiful, sad, and introspective novel.

The mill on the floss by George Eliot

Oh, poor Maggie Tulliver! Such a bright, passionate, loving child, misunderstood and unappreciated by so many as she struggles to do what is right. As Maggie grows she becomes entangled in her own feelings, her sense of duty, and expectations from family and others, until there is no clear way forward. It is a tragic tale, but a beautiful one.

The stationery shop of Tehran by Marjan Kamali

This book was such a good one to sit with a cup of tea or a glass of wine and get somewhat lost in. The beautiful descriptions as well as the character depictions were such a treat. It is about Roya, a dreamy, idealistic teenager living amid the political upheaval of 1953 Tehran. She finds an oasis in Mr. Fakhi’s stationery shop and it is here that she meets her first love, Bahman. Some months later, Roya agrees to meet Bahman at the town square, but suddenly violence erupts, a result of the coup that forever changes their country’s future, and Bahman never comes. Do not think that this is just a love story. In the background, it is about class, politics, Iran, tradition vs progressive change and loss.
Sometimes it is a really happy story and sometimes very sad. There was one part of the story-telling that seemed a bit too much of a coincidence but it was necessary in order to find out why and what happened that broke up Roya and Bahman on that fateful day.

Hollowpox by Jessica Townsend

We’re back for more colourful, sweet, imaginative, daring adventures with Morrigan and her friends. As Morrigan begins to learn more about being a wundersmith, a nasty illness is infecting wunimals, bringing fear and confusion for Nevermoor. Complete with librarians, this is a fun episode in a delightful series.

The giver of stars by Jojo Moyes

A story that has a lot of warmth and emotion. Set in Kentucky and features the women who started a packhorse library. We see a glimpse into the lives of the mountain people – the hardship and attitudes of the depression era. It is also a powerful story of the power of reading and knowledge and friendship and love. I just had to keep reading, hoping for everyone’s happy ending.

Whale rider by Witi Ihimaera

Set in a small, coastal town in New Zealand, The Whale Rider is a mythic story of a young girl’s fight to earn her great-grandfather’s love, and save her people. It is sweet, heart-breaking, hopeful story that both reveres, and challenges tradition. I listened to the audio version, and Jay Laga’aia did a brilliant job of narration.

The dark dream by Kay Dobbie

Australian historical romance. A woman is discovered near a lagoon, injured and lost her memory. Adam agrees to take her with him to the goldfields to see if the authorities can help. Adam calls her Ella, who even with her memory loss can tell she is a lady. We follow Ella’s life on the goldfields as her relationship deepens with Adam and we gradually discover how she came to be by the lagoon. Can Adam and Ella have a life together? A story full of adventure and romance.