I guess if you’ve been head of the FBI you’re going to write an incredibly authentic crime novel. I really enjoyed this and once I found time raced through it in a day. Political intrigue, money, power, crime, the law - it had it all. There were a couple of really charming characters - Benny, the long term FBI agent and Frenchie, the criminal associate of the NY mob who endeared himself to the jury and showed off his knowledge of the work of Marc Chagall. Although there were various crimes it was never gruesome or gratuitous. I appreciated that.
A funny twist was The Lucerne Hotel featured in the novel - the very hotel I stayed in on my 2014 trip to New York.

A hard book to review. How can you celebrate a talented artist who was such a despicable person? Many Australians would know Adam Cullen’s Archibald Prize winning portrait of David Wenham but did they know Cullen shot his biographer in the leg to see if he was serious and threw him off a moving motorcycle. Add misogyny, weapons charges and drug and alcohol abuse and you have a picture of Cullen’s life. Still this book was beautifully written with the author able to maintain a dispassionate perspective and simply tell it straight.

2023 Non Fiction Reader Challenge- The Arts

This was a really lovely book exploring loneliness, community and reading. One thing I really liked about the book was the sense of place it created. Fiction in Australia is predominantly local or American so to have a British book was very refreshing. I felt the characterisations were very authentic and I really appreciated the book lists. I had read five of the recommended 18 books and will definitely look up the others.
A very heartfelt book of community connection.

This turned up in my street library and I took it with me when I had a weekend away. Two flights, a train trip and a couple of extra hours and I had finished it. I loved this book. It was part comedy, part crime and part romcom with a bevy of meddling Asian aunties helping out our heroine. It was a quick and easy read with a few twists I didn’t see coming. Very enjoyable.
The second book in the series also turned up in my street library so I’m all set for Meddy and Nathan’s next adventure.

Although this book was interesting - I learnt a lot about unusual foods and travel - I couldn’t think past reports of Rene Redzepi’s bad treatment of staff and the exploitation of indigenous workers, most particularly in Mexico. The author, a New York Times food writer acknowledges that obsession and perfectionism plague the founder of Noma. Although some of the food sounds incredible I couldn’t see how some of the poorest people in the world could afford the $600 price tag for food at Noma Mexico. Crazy rich people throwing money through a fence, begging for a booking just made it seem more obscene. Great ideas but too many flaws to be acceptable. Thankful for all our cheap and cheerful places and those higher end places who are reasonable with staff and prices. Boo

Although the subject matter was disturbing, I just couldn’t put this book down. I’m not usually a true crime reader but the excellent telling of the crimes and the portrayal of the protagonist just reeled me in. While I felt no sympathy for the perpetrator, I did feel great sadness for all her victims, particularly the man she murdered. I especially liked Fred who prevented himself from being deeply duped by this sick woman.
After reading a library copy, I ordered a copy for my sister in the US.

2023 nonfiction reader challenge - crime

Pretty solid collection of essays about women in country/bluegrass/Americana music. Nothing too bland, more cutting edge and progressive musicians which was good. In some cases I would have liked meatier essays but this book often had me heading to Spotify to listen to music by the essay’s subject.
Can probably guarantee I’ll dip into this book again at a later date.

2023 Non Fiction Readers Challenge - The Arts.

Not quite as enjoyable as 84 Charing Cross Road but still a lovely travelogue.

This is a hard book to review. While the subject matter was grave, it was really compelling reading and I can’t help wanting to know - what happened next? The writing was very beautiful and along with the medical information, I learned a lot. Classical music, French cinema, French history. In some cases I had to consult a dictionary the author’s vocabulary was so immense.

This was a heartbreaking and beautiful treatise on grief.
After losing his wife in the Bataclan attack, Antoine Leiris posted on Facebook and was flooded with support and appreciation. Following the post he immediately started writing this book. Although it was heartbreakingly sad, Leiris’ background as a cultural commentator and journalist meant his writing was spare, sharp and exquisitely beautiful.
I raced through this and will probably read it again at a more leisurely pace.

I thought I might enjoy this book in terms of ephemera but it was actually heartbreaking for me with returns of lost pets so low. I would be devastated if my kitty went missing. I keep my cat indoors for her safety and for the safety of wildlife.

I love the New Yorker cartoons and especially the cat ones. This was a decent collection without being earth shattering. Special mention to Australian cartoonist Victoria Roberts who appears here.

Patrick Radden Keefe (The New Yorker) is a master of long form journalism. Most of these true stories were fascinating. They definitely show that truth is stranger than fiction. Very easy reading as you can dip into medium length stories.

A favourite book of mine and the third time I have read it. Probably my favourite book of the last ten years and definitely my favourite author. ❤️

Craig Silvey is a favourite author of mine so I was pretty excited to receive an uncorrected proof from the publisher then a signed copy at an author event.
This book is delightful! It tells the story of Annie, her family and her closest friend - a ragtag, stray dog by the name of Runt.
Annie’s country town is at the mercy of a land baron who has acquired his wealth by nefarious means. When Annie’s family’s farm is at risk, Annie sees an opportunity to save it utilising some of Runt’s remarkable skills.
One thing I loved about this book was the hilarious names of some of the characters. They were so perfect for painting images of heroes and villains. I also loved the way the story unfolded and the way the town pulled together to help Annie out. There were no predictable outcomes so it was easy to remain engaged.
Although it is a quick read, it is really rather heartwarming and beautifully conceived and written. It is suitable for all ages and would make a great family read.
I have already purchased another copy as a gift for Christmas.

With thanks to Allen and Unwin for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

So many twists and turns and kept me guessing to the end. Very clever.

Gorgeous book of modern illustrations and quotes about cats.

Close to perfect. Expertly researched and executed. Some truly sad moments. Probably my best book this year.

Excellent investigation into the family behind OxyContin and the subsequent opioid epidemic. Patrick Radden Keefe is an excellent long form journalist and in this study of the Sackler family and their aggressive manufacture and marketing of a pain relief drug, Radden Keefe reports that he was sometimes overwhelmed by the amount of material he could gather. In most instances, court records from the multitude of challenges brought against Purdue Pharma. The owners vigorously denied their opioid OxyContin was addictive despite medical evidence showing otherwise. Using the family’s wealth to buy complicity from federal agencies, the legal and medical systems and employees and to buy immortality through philanthropy, the family come across as amoral megalomaniacs whose sole objective is greed.
More Americans died during the opioid epidemic than in the US’s foray into Vietnam.
Radden Keefe makes narrative non fiction so interesting.

2023 Nonfiction Reader Challenge - Health

Better than 5 ⭐️
My friend sent me this book for my 60th birthday citing it as one of her two favourite books (the other was To Kill A Mockingbird which she was sure I’d read. Correct!) My friend said she hoped I’d give it a go despite being a 950 page western.
People, this book was EPIC! I absolutely loved it. The characters were so vivid and the writing was beautiful. While I was reading I couldn’t wait to see what happened next and the fate of the central characters.
The book won a Pulitzer Prize for fiction and really is a masterpiece. I can definitely see myself reading this again, in fact the minute I finished it I wanted to go back to the start because I was so invested in the story and characters.
I have to know what happened to these characters before and after this book although my friend warned me the other novels in the tetralogy pale in comparison. I’ve also lined up the mini series starring Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones to watch. My friend says it’s very faithful to the book.
It took me awhile to get through this but I absolutely LOVED it.
My one regret is that I’m not able to share this with my late father and his brother, my late uncle. They were western fans and I’m sure they would have loved it as much as me.
Without doubt one of the best books I have ever read.
Thank you Bonnie for sending me this book.

Although I am not usually a historical fiction reader, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
The liberalism of the times, the Paris setting and the cameos of emerging writers visiting Sylvia Beach’s Shakespeare and Company bookshop were really engaging. Sylvia’s own development as a businesswoman as early as 1919 made for a compelling central character.
Although Sylvia is affected by a lack of confidence, she is really brave in running her own business and supporting the publication of James Joyce’s Ulysses, a book that had been banned for obscenity. Joyce is depicted as as a self centred, heartless bastard who doesn’t share the same integrity when it comes to business agreements and publishing. A lot of the authors who come into Sylvia’s orbit can also be considered as egotistical and unstable. Sylvia is continually forgiving and supportive. Sylvia and her partner, Adrienne act as patrons of many artists.
This was a really interesting look at Paris and the literary arts in the early 20th century.

Think I enjoyed this one more than the first book. The addition of characters such as Daisy and Sir Robert gave new dimensions to Veronica. Loved this book.

Delightful!

Cute story about a lost dog, gorgeous illustrations and lots of factual information about Paris. Although this is a kids book, I read it as a French language learner and soon to be Paris visitor.

I love niche books; curious collections, quirky hobbies, borderline obsessions I’ll probably enjoy it. This book recommended by my friend Tracey of Carpe Librum book blog was just like that. Secret and obsessive ambergris hunters, a bit of marine biology, history, natural science this book was really interesting. An added surprise was seeing one of my friends named as one of the marine experts the author needed to talk to while investigating the ambergris industry. Very enjoyable read.

This was a re read for me. Being my late mother’s favourite book, having snaffled a beautiful newish edition at an op shop, being a snail mail enthusiast and book lover and being on holidays I raced through this. An absolutely charming book. I don’t believe I have read the sequel which I am about to start straight away.

Stunning book of nature and philosophy. Best read as a companion to the documentary The Velvet Queen.

Fittingly described as an Australian classic. I am a huge Craig Silvey fan and this book did not disappoint . I loved some of the expressions used and the simmering undertones of a 1960s country town were so vivid. I can see why this book was on the Australian high school curriculum. So many themes to explore. Probably my best book of 2023.

This book has made me seriously reassess how I rate books on Goodreads. Why? Because I can’t give this book more than 5 stars but have probably rated other books that are less worthy just as highly. I’ll be thinking more carefully about my ratings from now on. This book was audacious! Original, inventive, fantastical with beautiful lyrical language. Fantasy is not my go to genre but I really loved this book. It just transports you to other worlds.
With thanks to my Goodreads friend, Krystal for this amazing book!

Another lovely instalment of this series. I once heard these books described as ‘like a long, cool glass of water on a hot day’. So nice to revisit these characters, a few warm laughs and all the goodness of Precious Ramotswe and Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni.