The usual wide variety of books have been enjoyed over the Christmas break. Corrie read The Goodbye Cats, although childishly written was enjoyed as well as Story Tellers by Leigh Sales an excellent writer Leigh interviews Australian Journalists about their craft.
Moira enjoyed Collected Poems by Denis Byrne and also told us about her sister who is in care but always wrote little snippets about her day. Her daughter gathered up all the little bits of paper with her writing on and had them published into a book, giving an insight into her daily life for many years. All Her Fault by Andrea Mara is a suspense thriller about a missing 4 year old boy. Joan our lover of mysteries has read Sherlock Holmes presumably by Watson; Australian Book of Great Trials by Jeremy Stoljar and When a Child Kills by Paul Mones. A most interesting read was Memoir: Her Mother's Daughter: Nadia Wheatley a very well written book. The three Richard Osman books beginning with The Thursday Murder Club were enjoyed but probably not everyone’s choice. Twelve Red Herrings by Jeffrey Archer is a collection of short stories and our reader found Big Little Lies by Lianne Moriarty delightful reading. Leigh Sales rated another mention with Any Ordinary Day. An uplifting and funny debut novel was The Wakes by Diane Yarwood, one to look out for. Anna Funder, author of Stasiland, received the thumbs up - this book records the stories of East Berliners from behind the Berlin Wall, written in her usual excellent manner. The true crime of Teachers Pet: Tell Us Where Mum Is: Chris Dawson who murdered his wife to be with the baby sitter. An entertaining read, Behind the Shoulder Pads by Joan Collins. Disappointing was the verdict on Phillipa Gregory’s new book – Normal Women: 900 Years of Making History, a very long and boring book. A light read was a debut novel The Whalebone Theatre by Joanna Quinn and worth the read was The Talented Mrs Greenway, wife of feted colonial architect Francis, by Tea Cooper. The question asked was Whose Hand Really shaped Sydney? The Blacksheep by Judy Nunn received a mediocre review from our reader. Shirley read her usual interesting books Serial Killers of Russia; Criminal Minds and Hitlers Horses by Arthur Brand, the true story of the theft of statues of Hitlers favourite horses. American Politics written by Bernie Sanders, who is the longest serving Independent in US Congressional history. This would be an informative read. Homecoming by Kate Morton we decided was a bit long winded, but The Girl from Botany Bay by Carolly Erikson held our readers interest. Dorothy had a sport fix listening to memoirs from Trent Cotchin and Ash Barty.
Keep reading and we will catch up on the 4th March at 2 pm at the Seniors.
Geraldine