WHAT I'M READING

 I am a self-confessed book-aholic!  It has been said that "she doesn't read 'em, she INHALES 'em!"  and that's probably correct!  I have an eclectic taste, but after spending 25years in the corporate sector, reading for; qualifications, self-improvement, career progression, etc etc, I am now fully dedicated to Reading For Pleasure Only!  Here are a selection of novels (and authors) that I have thoroughly enjoyed ...month by month.

June 2026: *"The Tangled Web" by Tea Cooper. This is an engaging tale with lots of historical information about the Maitland district in the late 1800s. You'll meet a determined young heroine looking for answers to her brother's death. There's mystery, there's twists, and there's a cast of characters - some you'll cheer for, some you'll want to string up from a tree!    *"The Hobart Hotel" by Mary-Lou Stephens. Set in Hobart and Uruguay, the story of a young woman croupier at the first Casino in Tasmania, 1973 and her great-aunt, a spy for the Americans in Uruguay in the early 1940s. An enjoyable mystery, although a sub-plot seemed to have little relevance and the popping back and forth between the two eras with each chapter was distracting. 

May 2026: *"Sins of the Fathers" by John Byrnes.  Another gripping yarn from this local author, set in Sydney and beginning in the early 1900s, the reader is taken through life in the era, to the first world war and back. It follows the tale of a family conflict, carried on by the sons, with an inevitable outcome. Lots of historical references and a vivid picture of growing up in poverty on the streets of early Sydney. *"The Parisian Chapter" by Janet Skeslien Charles, shares the contemporary tale of a young woman working at the American Library in Paris. It reaches back into the library's historic past and for those who loved the "Librarians of Rue di Picardi", you will enjoy reading the updates from some of those characters. I savored this from start to finish and especially liked the way she wrote from the different perspectives of library workers, volunteers, and even the library itself.     *The Paradise Heights Miniature Railway Bust-Up" by Kate Solly, it was on a 'pick&go' shelf at the library and I picked it up on impulse. It's a cute little lightweight read which was most refreshing following some heavy political tomes I'd been ploughing through and which remained unfinished! So this was my reward! It was a gentle, often funny, scamper through an Aussie outer suburb and some of its characters, with a little mystery thrown in for good measure.  *"The View from the Balcony" by local author Janette Paul. I thoroughly enjoyed this heartwarming read about three women facing challenges and finding new strengths and friendship along the journey. *"Life in His Hands" by Susan Wyndham about brain surgeon, Charlie Teo and one of his young musically gifted patients. I loved this book, following Aaron's story, reading about the attitude of Charlie's narrow critics and a comment that stayed with me, long after the last page - There's no excuse for not offering patients the best form of treatment available. 

April 2026:  * "The Chateau on Sunset" by Natasha Lester. A favourite author of mine, her latest novel is a 'rippa'! Loved it from the first chapter. Set in Hollywood from the late 50s, the golden era, it's a fascinating tale of a young girl sent to live with her aunt in a famous Hotel on Sunset Boulevarde.   *"Radio Girl" by David Dufty. This is a biography of an Australian pioneer of radio - and so much more - Violet McKenzie. A true story of an extraordinary woman who made an extraordinary contribution to our country and to the world.     *"So you Want to Own Greenland" by Elizabeth Buchanan. Not a novel  but a most interesting tale indeed about the history of Greenland and why Trump thinks he can just buy it.           *"The Black Wolf" by Louise Penny. The latest in her Armand Gamache series and this one had me on the edge of my seat. I sensed a change in the wind of this novel as it explored the US/Canada political issue of water security. As geopolitics are something that I follow regularly, this novel was remarkably close to current political events, though it was written prior to certain events being made public.  An engrossing and sobering read which I highly recommend, it follows  on from the previous release The Grey Wolf. 

March 2026:  *"The Missing" by Australian Author Fleur McDonald, she's set this series in Kalgoorlie WA. This was my first taste, I'll go back for more. It was a good story, nicely developed, loved the descriptive style which made me feel like I actually was in the red dirt country, and a nicely finished climax. *"Murder in the Cathedral" is the final in the Phryne Fisher series, published posthumously because the author Kerry Greenwood passed away last year. It didn't disappoint.  *"The Impossible Fortune" by Richard Osman. Another in his Thursday Murder Club series, this was a fun read with the usual relatable characters plus a couple extra, a somewhat believable plot, and a solution laid out like a jigsaw puzzle without the picture on the box!  A light, easy and enjoyable read.  

February 2026: *"The Impossible Fortune" by Richard Osman. Another in his Thursday Murder Club series, this was a fun read with the usual relatable characters plus a couple extra, a somewhat believable plot, and a solution laid out like a jigsaw puzzle without the picture on the box!  A light, easy and enjoyable read.  *"The Milliner of Bendigo" by Darry Fraser a light and easy read by this Australian author. The story is set in the late 1800s around the Murray River region of NSW and Ms Fraser has researched the times very well, to the extent that I was transported to the era on the back of a well structured story line.    *"The Italian Secret" a tantalising new read from author Tara Moss, another in the Billie Walker Investigator mysteries. A great character, good storyline and an intriguing plot. Most enjoyable. 

January 2026:  *"The Proving Ground" the latest novel by Michael Connelly, and for those fans of the  Mickey Haller/Lincoln Lawyer series, this one is a cracker! Couldn't put it down. This is his first case moving into Corporate law from Criminal law and you won't be disappointed.   *"The Valley" by Chris Hammer. This was my first taste of this author and I have to say I engrossed by this prolific Australian writer. An intriguing plot with a number of clever twists. Highly recommended and can't wait to read more. 

December 2025: *"Mad Mabel" the newest Sally Hepworth novel and I inhaled it! The little twists and turns kept coming but she left the very absolute clangers to nearly the end. I just love this authors work, her words and the way she weaves her tale. And this was an engrossing yarn to end the year on...Thank you, Ms Hepworth. And just one last one I squeaked in to finish off the month and the year, *"The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris" another very curious tale by Evie Woods who has a talent for weaving magic and mystery in past and present, characterising strong women at the centre of the tale. 

November 2025: Just one to recommend this month - and highly recommend! *"The Lost Bookshop" by Evie Woods. A quirky tale but it did something that few books do - it didn't allow me to race through! Rather, it said, 'pace yourself, Maureen, and enjoy this journey.' I did, and it was indeed a journey. Loved it from start to finish. This month I've also read a few non-fiction books, well, ploughed through more like! None I want to recommend. 

October 2025: *"Mischance Creek" the latest novel from Gary Disher. A gripping new tale with Senior Constable Paul Hirschhausen - or Hirsch. The master of outback noir - is a truly fitting descriptor for this author.   *"Bulldozed" by Niki Savva ( #note; I'm not 'recommending' this one - it's a political read and I was taken by the content but the writing style mightn't appeal to those who read novels. It's quite a 'dry' read and hard work in places. But it's a worthwhile read if you're politically minded - a decade of LNP leadership.)    ...    *This month I've also re-read a couple of books from the library that I'd forgotten I'd read! By another of my Fav authors - Barry Maitland - creator of the Brock & Kolla series of crime fiction. (and definitely recommended)

September 2025: *"Safe Place" by Anna Downes. What a tale she weaved! A gripping, on-the-edge-of-your-seat read that engrossed me right to the very end. Whew!  *"Dust" by Michael Brissenden his latest release is a bewdy, set in the hot dry country of SW NSW... Life is a river. Change is inevitable...is a quote from the book which resonated with me.    ...  Now I've picked up 7 books this month, I've part completed 5 ...that's just TWO books that I can recommend this month!...and that's quite a number of wasted hours I can't get back! Disappointing.  

August 2025: *"Nightshade" a new novel from Michael Connolly - with a new character. I've long been a huge fan of Michael Connolly and the characters he so excels at. Nightshade, a crime novel, introduces a brand new character, and I suspect he's going to be another new favourite. As always, the author weaves an intriguing tale around his believable characters.This one is set on Catalina.  *"Palazzo" by Katye Nunn an engaging read with a good plot, interesting characters, and a surprise twist at the end.

*"Strangers in Time" by David Baldacci his newest release and so very different from anything else I've read from him, I didn't expect to enjoy it. I was wrong. An intriguing war story, well crafted. *"Lyrebird" by Jane Caro what a gripping read! Set in the Hunter Valley, the tale weaves around the discovery of a skeleton in Barrington tops, reviving a cold case and involving multiple murders. 

July 2025: * "The Unquiet Grave" by Dervla McTiernan she has a way of weaving a tale like braiding hair! Strands intersect then intersect again and when you get to the end, there's a little unexpected twist you just didn't see coming!  *"An ill Wind" by Margaret Hickey an enjoyable little murder mystery set in rural Victoria and involving wind farms. A good plot and plenty of twists 'n turns.

June 2025: *"The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife" a debut novel by Anna Johnston a light and funny read with some lovely messages ...   #NOTE: although I've read 4 other books this month, 2 of them I couldn't finish, and none I could recommend.

May 2025:  * "The Last Days of Kira Mullan" by Nicci French  I found this one hard to put down!    * "The Women" by Krisin Hannah  a compelling read about women serving in the Vietnam war  * "What Happened to Nina" by Dervla McTiernan

Jan - April 2025:  * "Famous Last Words" by Gillian McAllister /  * "The Youngest Son" by John Byrne if this doesn't become an Australian Classic, I don't know why not!  / * "The Grey Wolf" by Louise Penny the latest in her Armand Gamache series - I just love these  / * "Lessons in Chemistry" by Bonnie Garmus so good I'm reading it again!  /  * "One Moment" by Linda Green  / * The Librarians of Rue De Picardi" by Janet Skeslien Charles an absolutely outstanding read with an extensive authors research notes  / * "Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens" by Shankari Chandran  a challenging and thought provoking read, well worth the effort

SO MANY BOOKS SO LITTLE TIME!  And some of my all time favourite classics;  *The Dictionary of lost words by Pip Williams /  * The Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak / * Khaled Hosseini; The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns, And The Mountains Echoed /  *Amor Towles: A Gentleman in Moscow, Lincoln Highway / *Judy Nunn: Sanctuary and Khaki town (but most of her books are pleasing to read) .......more to come as I remember them!😉