​An interesting assortment of books from Shirley this month War Doctor: Surgery on the Front Line.  David Nott is a surgeon and Professor of Surgery in London and  is a volunteer frontline trauma surgeon who operates in the world’s most dangerous war zones. An excellent read.  Anne Boleyn: 500 Years of Lies: by Haley Nolan.  This is a new analysis of the evidence of Anne Boleyn’s life and relationship with Henry V111.  The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage, a modern day historical fiction.  The author has taken information about a real person, a royal mistress in 1660, and created a more modern tale which at times aligns certain information and situations that have been reported about the current royal family. Very much enjoyed. 

​The Salt Path by Raynor Winn was enjoyed by our reader despite current doubts about authenticity.  Suitcase of Dreams by Tania Blanchard.  This is a sequel to The Girl from Munich, historical fiction of Eric and Lottie who migrated from Germany and faced the challenges of 1950’s Australia, cultural displacement, union struggles and secrets that followed them.  Maya’s Notebook by Isabel Allende, a novel about a troubled 19 year old whose life spirals into drugs and crime.  To save her from dangerous criminals her grandmother sends her to a remote island near Chile, where she writes daily in a notebook.

Our crime lovers read some good ones Persuasion by Lee Child part of the Jack Reacher series, drugs, kidnapping, and some unfinished business from the past.  Saint Death by Mark Dawson part of the John Milton series, John saves the life of a young journalist who was targeted for execution, the only way to save her life was to smuggle her into Texas.  Next by Michael Crichton. This is a clever science fiction novel blending fact and fiction into a new world, bringing in genetics and the use and abuse of.  Sounds interesting.  Another favourite David Baldacci has a new book Nash Falls – Walter Nash is recruited by the FBI to help bring down a global crime network and his life is turned upside down.  This story is continued in a new book to be published in April called Hope Rises he doesn’t disappoint. 

Respected author Jane Caro has written The Mother, a domestic thriller. What  would we do when faced with a threat to those we love?  The Art Thief by Michael Finkel is a true story of love, crime and a dangerous obsession, sounds intriguing.  Royal Biographer Andrew Morton has written Winston and the Windsors,  a dual biography looking at Winston Churchill’s complex relationship with the British Royal Family.  Our group has read several of Andrew’s biographies and found them very interesting. 

Discovering Hitler’s Fuhrerbunker: Secrets Beneath Berlin by David Cameron this detailed account chronicles the construction and layout of the Bunker and its systems, it was destroyed by the Soviets after the War.  On a lighter note Liane Moriarty and the Three Wishes.  Always popular evergreen author  Bryce Courtenay’s Four Fires and lastly Land of Dreams by Peter Yeldham.  

An interesting spread of books read, see you all on Monday 1st June.

​Geraldine

Hope Easter provided lots of `reading’ time for you all. See you all Monday 4th May at 2 p.m.

​Geraldine

A small group gathered for our rainy day March meeting.  Bind Torture Kill by John Douglas the story of the man next door who stalked and terrorised the residents of a town in Kansas.  Recipe for Murder: The Poisonous Truth Behind Australia’s Mushroom Murderer by Duncan McNab not the best read if you are asked out to dinner, but the book was very good.  The Sting: The Undercover operation that caught Daniel Morcombe’s killer by Kate Kyriacou.  We all remember schoolboy Daniel Morcombe’s story, this was an undercover bust  revealing extraordnary details of the police sting that resulted in a confession.  The Babes in the Wood is the UK story of two 9 year old girls murdered and their bodies found in a nearby wood, the killer was eventually convicted for their murder.  The following books were enjoyed by our reader.  White Thorn by Bryce Courtenay Bryce sets this story in an orphanage in a remote town in the mountains of South Africa, a good read.  The Night Tide by Di Morrissey a tale of secrets and community in the quiet waters of Pittwater off the coast of Sydney.  Operation Pimento by Adam Hart told by his great grandson. Frank Griffiths set off from the RAF airbase in Britain on a secret midnight mission and was shot down over France, the story tells of his extraordinary escape from the Nazis, very much enjoyed.  Deception Creek by Fleur McDonald a rural suspense story set against the backdrop of the Flinders Ranges.  Paris Letters by Janice McLeod  this book is a non fiction love story that is funny, romantic and filled with financial tips on 100 ways to save money.  I should read this one!  Ward D by Freide McFadden is a psychological thriller full of suspense.   Lessons by Ian McEwan follows a young Roland Baines through Boarding school, where he is groomed by a piano teacher,  to a life of love and upheavals.  Bird Cloud by Annie Proulx, a memoir which is part autobiography and part natural history of buying a property and building a house on the Wetlands in Wyoming  on America’s West Coast.  An interesting book was The Man Who Planted Canberra by Charles Weston he planted 3 million trees turning Canberra into  a garden city.    To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee was enjoyed by our reader as was The Family Frying Pan by Bryce Courtenay this is different from his other writing.  Apparently it is the story of his wife’s grandmother who was of Russian heritage and  fled Communism with some clothes and a frying pan.  Last One Out by Jane Harper this is her latest release set around an abandoned mining town includes some current issues and topics worth some discussion.  Last book was The Partner by John Grisham a book our reader found very convoluted
.
Happy Reading until we meet after Easter on Monday 4th May.
​
Geraldine

At our first meeting we welcomed some new faces to our group - we hope you enjoyed it and will return to our next gathering.  A great deal of reading was achieved over the Christmas break.
​
Territory by Judy Nunn was not enjoyed, several readers have mentioned this, whilst our reader was enthusiastic about  Walk the Wire by David Baldacci.  Next we have Murder in the Cathedral by Kerry Greenwood.  Unfortunately Kerry Greenwood died recently.  Before writing fiction she was an historian, which explains the timing and accuracy of her writing.  Popular author Nora Roberts was on a winner with  Night Work, a romantic suspense with well developed characters.  High Wire by Candice Fox is a fast paced outback thriller whilst Soldier's Daughter by Fiona McIntosh was a little different from her usual style, nevertheless a good read.  The Radio Girl  by David Dufty,  born in the 1890’s known as Mrs Mac, she was a pioneering engineer and wartime legend  highly regarded by WRANS and navy men.  Mrs Mac rescued the Australian communications system in WW11 - a very interesting book.  Pilbara by Judy Nunn was an easy read as was  The Family Frying Pan by Bryce Courtney, originally written in 1991 and rewritten in 2001 contained some interesting history.  Two books that involved horses were Horse by Geraldine Brooks containing the legacy of American slavery and racism.  The Horse Thief by Tea Cooper, can she save the family horse stud and reputation amid the excitement of a big horse race? Read it and find out!  Her Husband’s Mistake by Sheila Flanagan you could guess the content of this one,  and The Mother in Law by Sally Hepworth regales us with the family drama between Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in -Law.  Marching Powder by Rusty Young  sounds very interesting.  The true story of a British-Tanzanian man caught with 5 kilos of cocaine in his suitcase in Bolivia and sentenced to prison in the infamous San Pedro prison.   Always a good read The Season by Helen Garner and an interesting one, Flight Behaviour by Barbara Kingsolver, takes on the contentious subject of climate change.  The Black Widow by Daniel Silva  a 2016 spy novel by an expert spy author, The Last Train Home by Chris Hadfield, an action packed cold war era novel and Hellfire by Cameron Forbes, the story of Australia/Japan and prisoners of war.   A Daughter's a daughter by Mary Westmacott, Mary Westmacott is a pseudonym used by Agatha Christie, didn’t review well.  The Bee Sting by Paul Murray is the story of the Barnes family living in a small Irish Town.  The Midnight Estate by Kelly Rimmer a tale of love, loss and betrayal.  A big tick of approval was The League of Wives by Heath Lee, the true story of women who took on the US Government to bring their  prisoner of war husbands home from Vietnam.  An interesting semi autobiographical novel The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, a 1963 novel of Esther Greenwood’s descent into mental illness after accepting an internship.   The Bee and the Orange Tree by Melissa Ashley an historical novel set in 1699 and the use of fairy tales as a creative weapon.  Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy a memoir about her life and how it was shaped by her relationship with her mother.   Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, addresses the age old question of what would you change if you could go back in time?  Horses Who Heal by Sue Spence, Sue is a gifted horsewoman who uses her horse whispering skills to help humans, a good read.  The Midwife, the Plumber and the Bishop by Margaret Docking tells of Margaret Rutherford, a nurse with a compassion and dedication to maternal health across Australia and Uganda.  The Wartime Book Club by Kate Thompson - inspired by true events, Grace is the librarian on the island of Jersey during the Nazi occupation in 1942. 

Keep reading and we will meet again on March 2nd.
​
Geraldine

Welcome back to Lets Talk Books on Monday 2nd February at 2 p.m. 

I hope you all have enjoyed lots of reading over the holiday time especially during the very hot days.  I am sure we will have some great discussions and swapping of books during 2026. 
​
Geraldine McCorkell

What a fun afternoon we had talking about our reading and discussing a wide variety of topics arising from our love of reading.  Many books were swapped and lent across the table.  To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee written in 1960 the comment was how different this book is to what we read now.  What the Night Brings by Mark Billingham latest mystery in the Tom Thorne series, the criminal is targeting police.  Outback by Patricia Wolf two missing backpackers in the outback, a good mystery read.   The last novel written by Sidney Sheldon,  Are You Afraid of the Dark, two widows find themselves under attack and are drawn together, was enjoyable.  The Killing Ground by Jack Higgins was reviewed as a `good story’.  Violets Are Blue by James Patterson is the 7th book in the series featuring Washington DC Alex Cross, a good mystery read.  Ma He Sold Me for a Packet of Cigarettes by Martha Long, a teenage mother in the slums of Dublin in the 1950’s, this was not an easy read and our reader felt disappointment in the ending.  The Bark Cutters by Nicole Alexander  is a rural saga through four generations with a better ending than the previous book.  Still Alice by Lisa Genova is a moving novel about a woman with early Alzheimer’s disease. The Paris Wife by Paula McLain,  bohemian Paris in the 1920’s this is the story of the relationship between Ernest Hemingway and his first wife Hadley Richardson, a great story of the time this is set in.   A feel good story Fr. Bob, The Larrikin Priest by Sue Williams a look at the tireless work Fr. Bob did for people in need.  Limestone Road by Nicole Alexandra a soldiers journey home from Egypt to South Australia, a little bit of history in this one, our reader recommended it.  A daunting but very interesting read was Why Us? Why Not by Leslie Falkiner-Rose.  Leslie chronicles her family’s journey when her husband is diagnosed with Leukaemia sometimes sad sometimes funny. Lies Damn Lies and History this is the 7th book in the popular Chronicles of St. Mary’s series and was nominated for Readers Favourite Science Fiction in 2016.  Outlawed, Outcast and Forgotten by Peter C. Smith was described as `horrible’.  Also tried was Suburban True Crime by Emily Webb and Dead Souls by Ian Rankin neither were recommended.    Lee Child author of Blue Moon didn’t disappoint whilst The Secret Years of Dame Zara Holt by Kimberley Freeman began a great discussion and much laughter on the why and how of the disappearance of Prime Minister Harold Holt.  Nights of Rain and Stars by Maeve Binchy, when four strangers meet on a Greek Island their lives are changed forever.  Needle in a Haystack by Karly Lane had some good points and some ordinary points, so perhaps something else to choose to read.   The Partner by John Grisham he seldom fails to tell a good yarn.  Must Love Flowers by Debbie MacComber a feel good story of two women at different stages of life go on a path of renewal, quite a good read.  Deception Creek by Fleur McDonald set in the Flinders Rangers this rural suspense novel was also recommended.  The Scene of the Crime by Lynda La Plante was described as disappointing and predictable.  

Our last gathering is on Monday 1st December for a chat and afternoon tea to finish off 2025.

Geraldine McCorkell

​Shirley entertained us with The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid.  Evelyn led a glamorous and scandalous life; we all thought we had been very staid and boring compared to Evelyn.  Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid  is about a girl in LA in the 60’s sneaking into clubs and sleeping with rock stars.  I don’t think any of us reached those heights, although you never know!  The Dark Side of the Mind: True stories from my life as a Forensic Psychologist by Kerry Daynes, well written providing a look into the world of monsters and the misunderstood.  The Last White Rose of York by Alison Weir historical fiction of the turbulent life of Elizabeth of York, the mother of Henry V111 and the first Queen of the Tudor dynasty. Whilst on the Royals, Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York.  Andrew Lownie has written the first comprehensive biography of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson - makes interesting reading.  Sister Bullwinkle – the Untold Uncensored Story, written by Lynette Ramsey Silver.  This only survivor of the Bangka Island attack put on a brave face for 52 years.  After release from a Japanese prisoner of war camp she was forced to tell a sanitised story to the world, this is a record of what really happened.  Jan Morriss: Life From Both Sides written by Paul Clements. Celebrated Welsh historian, author and travel writer, born James Morriss, he transitioned to a woman in 1972, living with her wife Elizabeth Tuckniss until her death in 2020.  High Time in the Low Parliament by Kelly Robson, a lighthearted novella, was quite amusing.  The Mind Behind the Crime by Journalist Cheryl Critchley.  Cheryl is a respected journalist in Melbourne. In this book she profiles Australia’s most horrific and most unlikely killers.  A murder mystery The Granite by Robert M Smith, detective Greg Bowker travels back to the town of his childhood to investigate a murder.  Whilst on crime and mystery, in Roses are Red by James Patterson, detective Alex Cross hunts a criminal known as the Mastermind who plans bank robberies that result in murder.   Redemption by David Baldacci - this is the 5th novel in the series. FBI consultant revisits his first murder case from his early time in Ohio. Both of these books were enjoyed by our reader.  South of Nowhere by Jeffrey Deaver - a reward seeker races against the clock to save a town from flooding, this series was adapted to TV.  Lyrebird by Jane Caro: a brilliant mimic, was it a woman screaming for help or a lyrebird? You will have to read this one to find out.  The Stranding by Karen Viggers a beautiful story of love and recovery by this Australian author.  Di Morrissey, Before the Storm, not her best effort.  The Ambassador’s Daughter by Pam Jenoff - set in Paris in 1919 the nations ambassadors meet in Paris to rebuild the world after the Great War.  During a cold winter in Benalla our reader consoled herself with books namely The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath was depressing, The Paris Wife by Paula McLain a fictionalised account of Ernest Hemingway’s first of four wives, the wife was very unhappy.  The Last Man in Europe by Dennis Glover - a novel about Orwell’s last days mmm! Bird Cloud by Annie Proulx was not her best and finally Chanel’s Riveriera by Anne De Courcy a look at the world in the Cote d’Azur.  Our reader was relieved when Spring arrived.  Sister Kate by Jean Bedford is a novel based on the life of Ned Kelly’s sister Kate.  Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty, a novel of love, marriage and family, worth reading, form your own opinion.    Moira read us a piece from a magazine by Meg Bignell about the Coast Forest, whilst Bob Brown has written a new book Defiance stories of environment issues. That Bligh Girl by Sue Williams, Governor Bligh’s troublemaking daughter, enjoyable read.  Our last read, Challenger by Adam Higginbotham, a true story of heroism and disaster on the edge of space. 

​A lot of reading this month.   See you in November.

Geraldine McCorkell

An interesting selection of reading this month from our group.

​The Royal Librarian by Daisy Wood - a very emotional book beginning in Vienna at the beginning of WW11.  Escaping to London after witnessing the death of her parents, the young girl began a job in the library at Windsor Castle. Despite recent controversy, The Salt Path by Raynor Winn - after losing everything and one terminally ill, the journey taken by a middle-aged couple - is well written with beautiful descriptions of the scenery around her, almost like reading a personal diary, worth reading.  An Undeniable Voice by Tania Blanchard - set in early 20th Century London, continues the author’s fascination of the suffragette movement.  A lot of detail in the reading, it follows on from her previous books.  Also enjoyed was A Distant Voice by Di Morrissey - an American woman marries a NSW grazier; uncovering a family mystery helps her adjust to the challenges of life on a remote property.  The Last Hours in Paris by Ruth Druart - very well written, a story of war, love and forgiveness.  Love letters from Frida Kahlo.  Artist Frida Kahlo was a prolific letter writer; these are letters written to various lovers through her life, our reader found it extremely boring.  White Crow by Michael Robotham is the most recent book written by Michael; having enjoyed previous books our reader found this one disappointing and lacking form.  Despite the misleading title Hitlers Brothel by Steve Mathews is worth the read.  The Last Man to Die by Michael Dobbs is an historical thriller with a twist in the story.   The Black Briar Genesis by Robert Ludlum is the latest in the new Jason Bourne series and written in typical style throughout the series.  Mrs Mahoney’s Secret War by Claudia Strachan is the account of the life of a young woman in Hamburg during WW11.  Our reader described The Governor, His Wife and His Mistress by Sue Williams as brilliant.  Governor Phillip Gidley King and the two women in his life, his convict mistress and his wife, a must read I would imagine. In If She Wakes by Michael Koryta, a college student, the victim of a suspicious car crash, is left in Locked in Syndrome aware but unable to move - a good story line.  The tick of approval was given to Melaleuca by Angie Faye Martin - an aboriginal policewoman, a brutal murder and a shameful past - a very good read.   A Brilliant Life A Mother’s Story by Rachel Unrech is the true story of a holocaust survivor and the ability of the heart to heal.  Eden by Mark Brandi is very enjoyable, with good characters, a mystery and moral dilemmas set around the Melbourne General Cemetery.

​See you in October and happy reading.

Geraldine

Another pleasant afternoon talking books.  The Lost Book of Bonn by Brianna Labuskes - a librarian sent overseas to retrieve and catalogue books plundered by the Nazis, tracks the owner of some poetry in one of the books, a good historical novel.  Where the Birds Call Her Name by Calire Van Ryn, beginning in Broome Saskia’s mother leaves her a caravan in her will, she sets off with her daughter, for Tasmania, finding clues about her mother’s mysterious past and her love of birds.  The Deadly Dispute: The Tea Ladies Mystery, another delightful book in the Tea Ladies Series, they solve mysteries one cuppa at a time.  The Horse Thief by Tea Cooper - set around the Melbourne Cup, can India save her family’s horse stud and reputation, you will have to read this to find out!  Maximum Security by James Morton, set in Australia’s high security prisons places of violence and despair.  Hitler’s Brothel by Steve Matthews, two sisters separated one to a Nazi Concentration Camp, the other to the dangers of the Polish underground, they do what they must to survive and find each other.  A very interesting read, The Timeline of Time Keeping over 2,500 years. Jilted by Rachel John is the latest in the Hope Junction Series, a soap star returns to the small country town of Hope Junction hoping to remain anonymous.  Chinese Cinderella - this nonfiction book, the story of an unwanted daughter by Chinese American physician and author Adeline Yen Mah, describes her experience growing up in China and the mental and physical cruelty of her stepmother.  A very interesting read, Uprising by Steven Gapps reveals the incredible story of the Aboriginal resistance along the Murray-Darling River system from 1838-1844, and includes reference to the Benalla area.  We should all read this!  Lyrebird by Jane Caro. Lyrebirds are brilliant mimics, so was it a bird or was it a woman screaming, a twisty mystery novel by a well-known author.  The Conspiracy Club by Jonathan Kellerman - when his romance with a young nurse is cut short by her kidnapping and murder a young psychologist is left emotionally devastated.  The Dressmakers of Yarrandarrah Prison by Meredith Jaffe, can a wedding dress save a bunch of hardened crims? A very entertaining read.  The Islands by Di Morrissey lived up to her standard of writing and was enjoyed.  Are You Afraid of the Dark by Sidney Sheldon a master of the unexpected and very well written.  The JFK Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Kennedy and Why it Failed by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch, a look at the first assassination attempt before his inauguration and how it failed.  Geraldine Brookes featured in two books People of the Book and Memorial Days, both enjoyed by our readers. Suitcase of Dreams by Tania Blanchard  - based on a true story of love and identity, this is a follow up from the Girl from Munich, both excellent reads.  The Empty Family by Colm Tolbin - nine stories make up The Empty Family, imagining a taboo relationship between Pakistanis workers in Barcelona.  The Cooking School at Z by Daniel Kennedy - a couple risk everything to open a cooking school in Mexico and soon face problems.  A Conspiracy of Bones by Kathy Reichs is written in her usual style.  On a different level, Henry the VIII by Alison Weir, examines the life at Court from the Monarch and his courtiers to the Kings laundress.   See you in September.

Geraldine McCorkell

In a cold Monday afternoon plenty of laughs and discussion took place over books read in June.

​Three mysteries were enjoyed Shadow Kill by Chris Ryan, Conspiracy of Bones by Kathy Reichs and Maximum Security by James Morton the toughest classification in the Australian Prison System.   Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks - after the sudden death of her husband, Geraldine took herself to Flinders Island to grieve her loss.  We compared her story to that of Meg Bignell, author of After the Rain, who lost her husband to suicide and her mother to cancer. The House of Now and Then by Jo Dixon, set in Tasmania, is a twisty story of the consequences of telling the truth.  David Baldacci has a new novel for 2025 that is different to the usual - an historical drama in War time London, Strangers in Time, received a big tick of approval.   Before We Forget Kindness by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, the fifth book in the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series.  Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy is set on the storm ravaged island of Shearwater and a family’s struggle to protect a seed bank against nature and climate change.  A good read.    Our reader described A Prisoner of Birth by Jeffrey Archer as a brilliant story of twists and turns.  Two Di Morrissey books - Following The Morning Star and Kimberley Sun which is a sequel to Tears of the Moon - as usual meticulously researched and well written.  Our history buff enjoyed The Dark History of the Kings and Queens of Europe, The Queen’s Fool by Phillipa Gregory as well as The Lady in the Tower by Alison Weir.  The most powerful and elusive woman in Europe, the biography of Angela Merkel by Kati Marton, was very interesting with a different look at the political games played among world leaders - big tick of approval.  Another biography that caused much discussion was Joan Lindsay: The Hidden Life of the woman who wrote Picnic at Hanging Rock by Brenda Niall, a very talented woman in her own right.  The Lost Child by Kathleen McGurl is a dual timeline novel on the Titanic disaster, the mother of twins gave one of her children to a deckhand while she got in a lifeboat with the other, only to never see the other child again.  The Windsor Diaries 1940-1945 by Isabella Leyland are the diaries of Alathea Fitzalan Howard who lived in Cumberland House during WW11, giving a glimpse into the lives of the two young princesses.   The Whisperer’s War by Jackie French is the tale of a wealthy upper class young woman in the UK and the conflict between love and duty.  Lastly The Whitest Flower by Brendan Graham is written in the era of the Potato Famine in Ireland.

Happy reading during the cold weather - see you all on Monday 4th August.
 
Geraldine

A good variety of books discussed and crossed the table this month. 
 
The Debs of Bletchley Park and other stories, book by Michael Smith tells of the young women who were recruited for code breaking work at the top secret Bletchley Park and the lives they gave up.  A necessity was the ability to speak and understand German, a creche was even provided for the children.   Mrs. Mahoney’s Secret War by Gretel Wachtel.  Gretel helped protect fugitives hunted by the Gestapo, passing on secrets to the resistance she learned from her work, she was eventually arrested in 1945 and liberated as the British Army advanced.  Also enjoyed was The Plantagenets: The Kings Who Made England by Dan Jones.  The English Royal Dynasty that ruled England from 1154-1485, highly recommended for lovers of history.  Annette Kellerman: The Australian Mermaid by Grantley Kieza, the true story of Australian Swimming champion and Hollywood star Annette Kellerman.  Having read Grantley Kieza’s previous books, our reader’s anticipation was not met in this book.  Daughter of the Ganges a memoir by Asha Miro.  Asha, born in India, was adopted by the Catalan family and lived in Barcelona, this is the story of her journey into her past.  An interesting book was Drawn Testimony by Jane Rosenberg: My Four decades as a Courtroom Sketch.  Jane describes her time in courtrooms, a very good memoir and worth a read.  Picture You Dead written by Peter James, an ordinary couple dreamed for years of finding something priceless buried amongst junk in a car boot sale.  Our reader felt this was written for TV.  The Shipping News by Annie Prouix has been around a while but a good read, a reporter from New York moves to Newfoundland for a fresh start.  Melania and Me by Stephanie Winton Wolkoff.  Stephanie is an American businesswoman who writes about working for and friendship with Melanie Trump, sounds interesting.  Just the Sisterhood by Cathy Kelly is set in Ireland - two sisters embark on a journey of self-discovery.  Cathy is a popular author.  Black Sheep by Judy Nunn, an historical novel about a prosperous sheep farming family and the young man they let into their lives, the usual high-class book from this author.  The Butterfly Woman by Madeleine Cleary - a debut novel set in 1863 amid the brothels of Little Lonsdale Street, where all walks of life could mingle - received a tick of approval.  Walking Free by Dr Munjed Al Muderis, the true story of a young man who fled Iraq as a refugee spent time, in a detention centre and went on to become a pioneering surgeon.  The Governor, his Wife and his Mistress, an historical novel by Sue Williams, had special meaning for our reader whose family can be traced back to that time.  The Whitest Flower by Brendan Graham, historical fiction set in 1845 during the Great Famine in Ireland, a sad book.  The Jam Maker by Mary Lou Stephens, published in 2025, relates to the history of jam making in Tasmania, love and friendship and rags to riches, very enjoyable.  The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer, Clover works as a death doula in New York City.  The Night on the Darling River by Darry Fraser, this book started well but didn’t really click with our reader.  Our usual crime writers Harlam Coben’s Nobody’s Fool was great, and John Grisham The Abduction, a simple story at teenage level. A Woman of Courage by Tania Blanchard, inspired hy a true story this historical fiction was excellent. Little Italian Bakery by Valentina Cebeni - the smell of freshly baked bread, lemon and aniseed, a lovely read.  One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus, a young adult mystery novel but quite enjoyable.
 
See you all in July. 
 
Geraldine
​

​Another enjoyable afternoon spent chatting about the books we have read over the past month.

The Girls from Fitzroy by Jennie Jones - the unlikely friendship between two girls from opposite ends of Fitzroy portraying the loyalty of people living in the slum areas as against the more wealthy, the book also bought back memories for some, of time spent training to be nurses in Fitzroy.  Popular author Fiona McIntosh has written The Tea Garden - a young midwifery nurse sets sale from England to Calcutta with hopes of making a difference, an enjoyable read.   Mrs. Mahony’s Secret War - a non-fiction biography by Emma Manners, the Duchess of Rutland, focusing on the life and times of Mrs. Mahony.  In Dusk by Robbie Arnott, twins Iris and Floyd hunt in the Tasmanian highlands for the mythical Puma with mixed results.  The Mysteries of History is a collection of stories and the mysteries that have fascinated people for centuries.  Murder by Design by Ann Burgess - with her research on criminal profiling Burgess and the FBI agents solve the murder of two boys.  Gary Ridgway: The Green River Killer is an American serial killer initially convicted of the murder of 48 people.  On a lighter note, The Animals that Noah Forgot by AB (Banjo) Paterson is a collection of poems that brings to life Australian animal characters such as Weary Willy the Wombat and Old Man Platypus, an absolute delight.  The Man Who Died Twice, by Richard Osman, has now become a popular read among pupils in schools.  Maralinga by Judy Nunn - set during the cold War, the 1956 testing of nuclear weapons in the SA desert had consequences, as usual very well researched. Call of the Outback by Marianne Van Velzen - the remarkable story of Ernestine Hill, a nomad and adventurer and her writings of her travels across the Australian outback, this was thoroughly enjoyed.  Table for Two by Amor Towles was popular as was his style of writing.  Our first Science Fiction has appeared, Extras by Scott Westerfield is a young adult science fiction novel.  Our reader persevered but wasn’t too impressed, however he did enjoy The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins with its twist in the tail.  Devil’s Waltz by Jonathan Kellerman a psychologist confronts a strange medical mystery involving a child, this was a rather sad one with the mother apparently being the problem.   The End of October by Laurence Wright, a medical thriller where a doctor races to find the origins and cure of a mysterious new killer – sounds familiar. The Winds Further West by Alexander McCall Smith whose novels never fail to delight.  The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern was not a favourite whilst Blood and Gold by Michael Trant, in which someone is stalking gold hunters, was a good read.  Harlem Coban and Lee Child were, as usual popular whilst John Grisham’s The Abduction, the third in the series, received a tick of approval.  The Whitest Flower by Brendan Graham is an historical fiction set against the backdrop of The Great Famine in 1845 in Dublin.  Last Known Contact by Phillipa Nefri Clark, a body found at sea and who can she trust, a well-known author who writes well. The Governor, His Wife and His Mistress by Sue Williams is in the time of Australia’s early history. 

A great variety of reads this month. 

Geraldine

Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick, a 2009 non fiction book based on interviews with ordinary people and their lives in North Korea.  We all agreed we are lucky to live where we do.  And the Mountain Echoed by Khalid Hosseini this is the 3rd book written by Khalid, two brothers travel across the desert to Kabul with their father and have no idea of the fate that awaits them.  Batavia by Peter Fitzsimmons the Shipwreck of the Batavia combines the brutality of colonisation with sea faring adventure as usual Peter Fitzsimmons has done his research very well.  The Boy from the Woods by Harlem Coben 30 years ago Wilde was found as a boy living feral in the woods with no memory as an adult he still doesn’t know his past, there is also the mystery of a missing teenage girl involved. A good one.  Chanel’s Riviera by Anne De Courcy, Life, Love and the Struggle for Survival on the Cote d’Azur 1930-1944, the title tells it all.  The Phantom of 5th Avenue by Meryl Gordon, the mysterious life and scandalous death of heiress Huguette Clark whose father obtained his riches by copper mining.  Our Australian Author Judy Nunn wrote Tiger Men set in and around Hobart, this is the saga of three families leading to the sacrifices of WW1. Judy doesn’t fail to write a good story.  Love Anthony by Lisa Genova, a friendship that gives a mother the ability to understand the thoughts of her 8 year old autistic son.  On an entirely different level a TV Series on SBS The Swap is a 3-part series that took place in Brisbane.  Ali Kadri the CEO of the Islamic College of Brisbane put forward the idea of 6 Islamic students swapping with 3 pairs of students from Catholic Colleges and a secular State High School, giving students the opportunity to attain unity, respect and understanding of each other and the different lives we all lead.  Excellent viewing and a great idea.  Joice Nankivell – Blue Ribbons, Bitter Bread ​a biography by Susanna De Vries.  This biography is a tribute to one of Australia’s most heroic women who during WW11 was an agent for the Allies in Eastern Europe and helped over a 1000 Jews and Poles escape.  Take Me Home by Karly Lane, set in the Scottish Highlands, a lovely story of family values and self discovery.  In the Middle of Nowhere by Terry Underwood, a novel of beating the odds, the power of love and the strength of family ties.  Also enjoyed was Flame Tree Hill by Mandy Magro and The Whitest Flower by Brendan Graham.  American writer Stephen King has written a novella Everything’s Eventual, sounds different but was enjoyed by our reader.   Hostage by Robert Crais a small town thriller, The Tribute by John Byron, a thriller with a serial killer loose in Sydney.   Book of Souls by Glenn Cooper, a shocking truth lies with the pages of an ancient library locked inside a high security complex under the Nevada Desert.  I am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes received a mmmm! Whilst the Death of Dora Black by Lanie Anderson  and Dead Man’s Chest by Kerry Greenwood were enjoyed.   Angel of Waterloo by Jackie French,  the soldiers she saved called her `the angel of Waterloo’, a powerful novel by a very good author. 

Geraldine

It was great to see everyone back to Let’s Talk Books for 2025.  A big welcome to Rex Nankervis and Val Harris, with Dianne McKinlay also returning to our ranks.

We began with The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman, a High society Regency London feminist historical mystery series, recommended to our reader and quite enjoyed.  Mr. Lear, a Life of Art and Nonsense by Jenny Uglow, the biography of renowned English artist, musician, author and poet best known for his poem `The Owl and the Pussycat’.  Richard Osman’s latest offering `We Solve Murders’ takes a different path to his previous books, you either like his writing or you don’t.  Our reader and several others have enjoyed Arcadia by Di Morrissey, we commented on how well she researches her stories.  A new author to our group, Faye Lockwood wrote A Sister’s Deception, tragedy strikes a family and loyalties betrayed.  Her second book Heavens Homestead – The Body Under Barooga Bridge was set in and around Cobram/Barooga.  The Rust Red Land by Robin Bishop brings to life the injustices faced by women in the 1800 and 1900’s.  Two books enjoyed were Dark Tides by Phillipa Gregory and The Station Masters Cottage by Phillipa Nefrie Clark, who gave an author’s talk at the Benalla Library.  A fossick through a second-hand bookshop found two books with the same title – the first, In the Margins by Gail Holmes, is a historical novel set in 1647 telling the story of book collector Frances Wolfreston.  The second book In the Margins: On the Pleasures of Reading and Writing by Elena Ferrante the well-known Italian author, is a book of essays published by Elena based on a series of lectures presented in the University of Bologna in 2011.  Enjoyed was Framed by John Grisham and Jim McCloskey.  A DVD The Professor and the Mad Man by Simon Winchester, a tale of madness and genius at the heart of the Oxford Dictionary.  The Last Lifeboat by Hazel Gaynor was inspired by the true story of a boatload of children torpedoed by a Nazi U boat taking them to safety in Canada and Australia.  Lives of the Wives: 5 Literary Marriages by Carmela Ciuraru; speaks for itself; Blue Ribbons Bitter Bread, the Life of Joice Nankivell Loch by Susanna DeVries, an historical novel.  Also enjoyed was The Children Who Fought Hitler, a true documentary of a heroic battle fought by children of the British Memorial School.  The Hidden Beauty by Lucinda Edmonds, before she became Lucinda Ryly, was introduced.  Author John Safran wrote Squat of his time squatting in the house of American Kanye West.  Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty was enjoyed.  Sharing a table over a coffee our reader held a conversation with first time author Clayton Dealy who wrote and published Timber Floats, a portrayal of a year in the life of two emotionally displaced individuals. He then presented Dianne with a copy of his book.  Agatha Christie: A very Elusive Woman by Lucy Worsley was intriguing, as was Three Times a Countess: The Extraordinary Life and Times of Raine Spencer by Tina Gaudion.   What an extraordinary woman! Also enjoyed over the holiday period - The Charlston Scandal by Pamela Hart; The Golden Thread by Tea Cooper; Out of Nowhere by Fleur McDonald and Her Father’s Daughter by Bonnie Henderson. 

​What a vast range of topics and books we have read.  See you all next month.
​
Geraldine

Another enjoyable chat about books we have read.  Apples Never Fall, by Liane Moriarty, a family saga enjoyed by Helen, although The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho, was found to be somewhat convoluted. The latest fiction by Lucy Foley, The Midnight Feast, was a winner. The Quest for Anna Klein, by Thomas H Cook, is a reminiscence of an old man in 2001 as he relates an operation in pre-war Germany in 1939 to a resentful young man.  Highly recommended was Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick, an insightful overview of 1990’s in North Korea. 
​
​We had another discussion on Murder on Easy Street by Helen Thomas - after all these years a suspect has now been found in Italy.  To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, our reader enjoyed this book finding the story had been told truly. Batavia by Peter Fitzsimmons is a well written historical book about the ship Batavia wrecked off the coast of WA in 1629. As usual Peter has done his research meticulously. Wed by the Wayside by Alana Valentine, the shared stories of the community of Kings Cross in Sydney, where everyone was welcomed, this book was highly recommended.  Bodies of Light by Jennifer Down, an award-winning novel of tragedy and heartbreak based on various children in care, in particular Maggie Smith. 

Not only books were discussed.  An ABC series on Iview, The Assembly, showcases 15 autistic students interested in pursuing journalism careers interviewing famous Australians, mentored by Leigh Sales.  This is a heartwarming series worth watching. An interesting article appeared in The Age written by Maggie Beer, who set out to transform meals and dining experiences in Aged Care with wholesome and delicious food. ​

Back to books, the series Portraits in Blue by Penny Field-Schneider was inspired by her love of art and grew into the series of historical fiction books.  John Cleese, So Anyway was entertaining and Alan Alda’s memoir Things I Overheard While Talking was candid and amusing.  Princess More Tears to Cry, a new book by Jean Sasson and Saudi Princess ‘Sultana’, reveals what it means to be a Saudi woman today.  A Cargo of Women, by historian Babette Smith, is the story of 100 women transported together in 1829 from England to Australia.  Past Tense, by Lee Child, seemed to be very long and convoluted. 

There was something for everyone this month.  See you all in December for our last gathering for 2024.

Geraldine.

Our usual chat began with deception and mystery with Operation Mincemeat, taking place during WW2 to disguise the 1943 Allied invasion of Sicily, by none other than Ian Fleming of James Bond fame, followed by the biography of Hermann Goering and lastly Everyone in my Family Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson, everyone in the family is a killer or a suspect, which one is a murderer​?  The Spirit of Progress by Steven Carroll, the new age train speeds through the French Countryside with an Australian writer on board, the story brings together various characters and places back to Melbourne in 1946, an enjoyable read. The Philosopher’s Dog by Raimond Gaita was different; whilst Rough Music by Patrick Gale, an autobiographical novel, a family showing two defining points in time and the realities of being a gay child.   Death at the Sign of the Rook by Kate Atkinson is a clever twist on a classic murder mystery, whilst Wartime Book Club written by Kate Thompson is a heart-warming story from WW2 of bravery, resistance with romance thrown in, an excellent read.  A new book by author Gina Chick, ‘We Are the Stars’,  is a powerful memoir of her life.  Gina was the inaugural winner of Alone Australia.  The Milliner of Bendigo by Darry Fraser, was enjoyed for its historical value.  Our reader has been reading the Waltzing with Matilda series of 9 books by Jacki French up to the 4th in the series To Love a Sunburnt Country. Laughter greeted our next book Everything Men Know About Women by Alan Pease when opened had only blank pages, comments from the group were classic.  Under the Polar Star by Stef Penney, this book relates the story of exploration and romance crossing the Artic Circle.  Brain on Fire by Susannah Cahalan, the true story of a promising journalist who suffers a rare neurological disorder and her fight to regain her health, was also made into a movie.  The Dressmaker’s Secret by Rosalie Ham, all agreed that this book was not as good as her first.  The Book Club by CJ Cooper, a psychological thriller with revenge the motive, was well written.  Lastly, I’ll Leave You With This by Kylie Ladd, a warm story of a brother’s legacy and the bonds of sisterhood.  Enjoy your reading, we meet again in November. 


Geraldine

Our discussion opened with Lola in the Mirror by Trent Dalton.  Trent has written several successful books, but our reader found this one very long, frustrating, wordy and far-fetched; in other words, disappointing.  Very much enjoyed was The Unlikely Voyage of Jack De Crow by A.J. McKinnon, several of our group have read this delightful book.   In the Australian Newspaper in August this year, novelist Rodney Hall aged 88 sat down with historian Geoffrey Blainey, who is 94, to talk about writing, would have been very interesting.  The latest book by Dervla McTiernan What Happened to Nina? was hard to put down, the reader kept guessing until the end.  Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood, tells of a woman who leaves her child and city life, retreating from the world to enter a remote convent in New South Wales.  This book was long listed for the Booker Prize.  Normal Rules Don’t Apply by Kate Atkinson is a collection of linked short stories, fairy tales, romance and fantasy, in other words `a bit weird’.  A little mystery, our reader read The Murmur of Stones by Thomas H Cook with a quote from The Highway Man in the front, some years later the same book with a different title and a different publisher, but with the same quote in the front.  Very odd.  Lying Beside You by Michael Robotham is the third book in the Cyrus Haven and Evie Cormac series, a good writer.  His latest book Storm Child, full of suspense until the end.  The Nazis Knew My Name by Magda Hellinger, a personal and rare account of SS guards and their prisoners.  This was followed by When There is Nowhere Else to Run by Murray Middleton.  A collection of sad but `real’ stories of people who find their lives unravelling.  Murray was a survivor of the Black Saturday bushfires.  The Secret Son by Australian author Jenny Ackland, what happens when an Australian soldier is accidentally left behind in Gallipoli, an enjoyable debut novel.  Absolute Power by David Baldacci, who always pleases, this book was made into a film.  Trafficked by Sophie Hayes, when a 24-year-old English girl is used as a sex slave and left traumatised, any wonder!    Line in the Sand by Dean Yates and also The Last Mile Home by Di Morrissey were both enjoyed, as was The Redgum River Retreat by Sandy Docker and The French Gift by Kirsty Manning.  Joan is working her way through the Agatha Christie books, whilst on a different tangent, Heather has read Startrek Memories by William Shatner. Keep reading and enjoying.
 
Geraldine McCorkell
​

​We opened our book chat with Line in the Sand by Dean Yates, a war time correspondent.  Dean writes of his time in war zones, including the Bali bombings and the Boxing Day tsunami, and his subsequent struggle with PTSD.  He now speaks to groups and looks at Duty of Care across different levels of service. 

Hanna’s Daughters, written by Marianne Fredriksson, is a beautifully written book which spans the lives of three remarkable women, this was enjoyed.   From Under the Overcoat by New Zealand author Sue Orr, a collection of short stories. very well written. 

Our history reads this month included The Last Princess by Matthew Dennison, which gives an insight into the relationship between Beatrice, the youngest of Queen Victoria’s nine children, and her mother.    Beatrice eventually married and became Princess Henry of Battenberg, outliving all her siblings and dying in 1944. The Last Princess gives a good overview of life in the Victorian era.  Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantell, this is a big book that our reader enjoyed. 

On the crime side Good Girl Bad Girl - popular author Michael Rowbotham doesn’t disappoint with a multi-layered story and fascinating characters.  Pheasants Nest by crime reporter Louise Milligan, a recent publication of fiction that seemed to take a long time to get to the solution; her other books are of true crimes committed in Victoria.  Death in a Lonely Place, a new crime thriller by Stig Abell, Detective Jake Jackson moved to the country for a quiet life and found it anything but quiet, a riveting read.  The Wife and the Widow by Christian White, a real crime thriller with a twist at the end that doesn’t please everyone. Based on fact and fiction, The Apollo Murders by Chris Hadfield is a cold war thriller from the Space Race.   ​Popular crime writer John Grisham made an appearance with The Litigators, as did Chris Hammer with Silver. 

We had a laugh at our next two books - The Best Way to Bury your Husband by Alexia Casale a darkly funny story about four women; followed by Knife Skills for Beginners by Orlando Murrin involving a Master Chef finalist with murder on the menu. 

We then moved to Politics with Too Much is Never Enough by Mary L. Trump, a family member willing to speak out about a divisive and unnerving person - a good discussion followed with this book.  

Some good reads were, The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton, Dust and the Land by J.H. Fletcher.  Woman of Courage by Rita Bradshaw, and Normal Rules Don’t Apply by Kate Atkinson. 

​Lastly, Balcony over Jerusalem, a memoir by Australian journalist John Lyons on his personal journey through the wonders and dangers of living in Jerusalem. 

Enjoy your reading until we meet in September.

Geraldine McCorkell

A small group gathered on the 1st July to talk about `books’. 

Shirley R entertained us with the difficulties and quirks of the English language. i.e. fill in a form can also be filling out a form etc., so we had a few laughs to start our session. 

A few of us attended the Vikki Petraitis author talk at the Library.  Vikki is a true crime writer based in Melbourne and, as well as her fiction book The Unbelieved, has written a number of books on the Frankston murders, the Phillip Island murders among others.

Some more books enjoyed were The Wartime Book Club by Kate Thompson this was about the occupation of the Channel Islands during WW11.  The Dressmaker of Dachau by Mary Chamberlain spans the war years.  Normal Rules Don’t Apply by Kate Atkinson, 11 interconnected short stories, was very well received, whilst Wifedom: Mrs Orwells Invisible Life by Anna Funder, was very wordy and raised the question what does it take to be a writer and what it is to be a wife?  Stalin’s Englishman: The Lives of Guy Burgess written by Andrew Lownie was interesting and a good read.  A Memoir My Name is Why by Lemn Sissay is described as extraordinary, beautiful and shattering, a story of neglect and determination, a very good read.  December to Remember by Jenny Bayliss three sisters who rekindle their broken relationships described as a nice read.  The Flying Vet by Dr. Amelia Scott, this outback Vet spends her time flying to remote outback places to tend to animals in trouble, Dr. Amelia is based in Broken Hill.  The Milliner of Bendigo by Darry Fraser, set in Bendigo in 1898, was described as a twisty historical mystery.  Moira read an article by Maggie McKellar from the Country Style magazine, beautifully written and leads into the explanation of her book The Graft.  Author Phillip Kerr has written The Other Side of Silence, a Bernie Gunther mystery involving a former Policeman and British spies, a true story involving none other than Somerset Maughan. 

To finish our discussion Mary Balogh wrote Someone to Honour the 6th instalment in the Westcott series, a delightful easy read to end the report. 

See you all on the 5th August.
Geraldine