Enjoyed among our group were Calabrian Daughter by Tania Blanchard set in the mountains above the Ionian Sea, The Jam Queen by Josephine Moon, a warm inviting story about a Barossa Valley café owner, published in 2022. Another book by Tania Blanchard Suitcase of Dreams inspired by a true story. A family leave Nazi Germany at the end of the War and arrive in Australia in 1956 looking to start a new life. The War Nurses by Anthea Hodgson is based on her own family story showing friendship and courage during the Bangka Island Massacre, a sad story but one to never be forgotten. The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule is the biographical true crime story of serial killer Ted Bundy. To Love a Sunburnt Country by Jackie French is a tale set during the War in 1942. Lucinda Riley, Girl on a Cliff, doesn’t disappoint. Much enjoyed was the Peter Brocklehurst story Finding My Voice whilst So, Anyway by John Cleese didn’t rate a mention. Kokoda by Peter FitzSimons is a gripping story of brave young men. Some ancient history Troy: The Siege of Troy Retold by Stephen Fry was a little different whilst The School by Brendan James Murray bought us back to present day. Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi was written in his own inimitable style and Lisa by Lisa Curry is her own story. Back to crime, Silent Death: The story of Julie Ramage by Journalist Karen Kissane, whilst Catch 22, a satirical novel by American Joseph Heller, received a tick of approval. On the humour side Men are from Wagga and Women Wish they Weren’t by Steve Myhill and Dinkum Dunnies Down the Back by Fred Hillier, bought out some memories from our group. We finished off with the story of Peggy Guggenheim the American Art Collector, and The Traitor King Edward the 8th by Andrew Lownie.
Keep reading and see you all on Monday 5th June.
Geraldine McCorkell