Category Archives: Australian Authors

Sapphire Skies

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9781743099117Sapphire Skies – Belinda Alexandra

Abstract

2000: The wreckage of a downed WWII fighter plane is discovered in the forests near Russia’s Ukrainian border. The aircraft belonged to Natalya Azarova, ace pilot and pin-up girl for Soviet propaganda, but the question of her fate remains unanswered. Was she a German spy who faked her own death, as the Kremlin claims? Her lover, Valentin Orlov, now a highly-decorated general, refuses to believe it. Lily, a young Australian woman, has moved to Moscow to escape from tragedy. She becomes fascinated by the story of Natalya, and when she meets an elderly woman who claims to know the truth behind the rumours, Lily is drawn deeper into the mystery. From the pomp and purges of Stalin’s Russia through the horrors of war and beyond – secrets and lies, enduring love and terrible betrayal, sacrifice and redemption all combine in this sweeping saga.

Group Comments

One reader found the Russian history very interesting but didn’t find the writing style was good. The book was an easy read and different aspects of the dual storyline and the topics raised, eg. Moscow Metro, animal rescues. This book was recommended by the BBC Book Club in 2014 and it was an easy book to read. One reader found the enduring love of Valentin for Natalya touching and sweet. The trauma of life under the various political regimes was very clearly depicted.

Read by – The Second Tuesday Evening Book Group.

2015 IMPAC Shortlist

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IMPACWhen talking about reading diversity, the International IMPAC Dublin Award truly reflects the fiction works from world literature for the past 20 years. Nominated by public libraries around the world, the IMPAC Award is presented annually for a fiction work written in English or translated into English. The Award is an initiative of Dublin City Council the municipal government of Dublin which now retains full ownership of the award. The Award aims to promote excellence in world literature.

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Jack of Diamonds

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jack-of-diamonds

Jack of Diamonds – Bryce Courtenay

Abstract

Born and raised in a poor, working-class family in Toronto, Jack Spayd is the son of an unhappy marriage. But when he is given a harmonica as a young boy, he discovers a talent for music that will change his life forever. After being taken under the wing of ‘Miss Frostbite’, the owner of a local jazz club, Jack becomes a gifted musician, playing piano and harmonica. After the death of his mother, he travels to Las Vegas and finds work in the clubs there, but is increasingly drawn to gambling. He earns a reputation as a good player, which brings him to the attention of the mafia. Jack wants to join the professional circuit, and to do that he needs serious money behind him.

Group Comments

Book could have been condensed. The book started of very interesting and you didn’t want to put it down.
Some thought provoking sentences, a bit too much violence. Much laughter re the parrot – called ‘Jack of Diamonds’. All were happy he wasn’t killed.
Large volume – was difficult to hold, but typical Bryce Courtenay; would make a great television drama.
Some American slang language was difficult. Very graphic sexual descriptions.
Jack is somewhat a coming of age story!
Overall everyone read it but there have been better ones.

Read by

The Last Thursday Book Group

INDIE Book Award 2015

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INDIE AWARDS

 

 

 

The Indie Awards shortlist for 2015 has been announced!

How many have you read?

Pick your winners from the shortlist before they are announced on 25th March 2015.

 

DEBUT FICTION

Lost & found by Brooke Davis

Foreign soil by Maxine Beneba Clarke

The strays by Emily Bitto

After Darkness by Christine Piper

FICTION

Amnesia by Peter Carey

Golden Boys by Sonya Hartnett

The Rosie effect by Graeme Simsion

When the night comes by Favel Parrett

NON FICTION

This house of grief by Helen Garner

The Bush: travels in the heart of Australia by Don Watson

Where song began by Tim Low

Cadence by Emma Ayres

CHILDREN’S & YOUNG ADULT

The 52-storey treehouse by Andy Griffiths

Pig the Pug by Aaron Blabey

Withering-by-sea by Judith Rossell

Laurinda by Alice Pung

 

 

Questions of Travel

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Questions of Travel

Michelle De Krester

untitledAbstract

A mesmerising literary novel, Questions of Travel charts two very different lives. Laura travels the world before returning to Sydney, where she works for a publisher of travel guides. Ravi dreams of being a tourist guide until he is driven from Sri Lanka by devastating events. Around these two superbly drawn characters, a double narrative assembles an enthralling array of people, places and stories – from Theo, whose life plays out in the long shadow of the past, to Hana, an Ethiopian woman determined to reinvent herself in Australia.

 

 

 

Comments

Read half of it, enjoyed it. Parallel stories, quite interesting a nice read.

A worthy book, too many themes, too many characters; enjoyed the prose various quotes from book.

Ready only 200 pages excellent characterisation. Tourism and travel. Took a while to get into. I think I will finish it. Shows how people can change from travel.

Did not read, only 100 pages, did not enjoy.

Did not read, started and could not get into.

Did not read

Read by – The First Wednesday Book Group