NSW State Library launches humour-writing prize

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The State Library of NSW (SLNSW) has announced the launch of the inaugural Russell Prize for Humour Writing to ‘celebrate, recognise and encourage humour writing, and to promote interest in this genre’.

The biennial prize, worth $10,000, is open to published works of fiction, memoir, poetry and verse by Australian writers. It is being funded ‘by the generous bequest of the late Peter Wentworth Russell, a farmer, businessman and passionate reader,’ SLNSW said in a statement. The award’s patron will be author and journalist Peter FitzSimons.

Losing Kate

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Losing Kate by Kylie Kaden

Summary

This mesmerising debut is part love story, part mystery, telling the captivating story of two lovers torn apart by tragedy and the secrets they kept of one devastating night.

I’m the most authentic version of myself when I’m around Jack. We’ve known each other since we were kids, and our relationship was always one of mudpies and mocking.

Then everything changed.

Beautiful Kate, my best friend, disappeared on a moonlit beach after Jack dumped her for me. Jack was a suspect and, sure of his innocence, I lied to protect him. I know Jack didn’t kill her. Our betrayal did.

Thirteen years later, I am thirty, childless and single, attempting to renovate my life rescuing a rundown worker’s cottage. All is as it should be in my safe little world – until Jack buys the vacant lot behind my house… and the feelings that we buried all those years ago – the guilt, the love and the pain – resurface.

We can’t keep running away from the past – and to move forward we have to know what really happened to Kate.

Comments

What a FANTASTIC book! I can’t believe it is a debut novel.

I couldn’t stop reading it and finished it in one sitting.

The author very skillfully switches between past and present, pulling you from one time to the other at just the right moment.

This book has everything a great book should have; interesting plot, great characters, romance, mystery and family ties.

A MUST read.

Another great addition to enjoyable Aussie Fiction.

Read by

Jody

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Queen of the Tearling

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Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

Abstract

Kelsea Glynn is the sole heir to the throne of Tearling but has been raised in secret by foster parents after her mother Queen Elyssa, as vain as she was stupid was murdered for ruining her kingdom. For 18 years, the Tearling has been ruled by Kelsea’s uncle in the role of Regent however he is but the debauched puppet of the Red Queen, the sorceress tyrant of the neighbouring realm of Mortmesme. On Kelsea’s 19th birthday, the tattered remnants of her mother’s guard each pledged to defend the queen to the death arrive to bring this most unregal young woman out of hiding.

Comments

I had been waiting to read this book for so many months, after seeing it on some list. I waited a few months after publication to read it because I really wanted to savor the moment and I am really happy to say I LOVED it.

I can’t believe it is Erika Johansen’s first book. She has done such a brilliant job. There are many aspects that contribute to make this such a GREAT READ. The storyline was interesting, while it read like it was set in the Middle Ages, it was actually set in the future; such a fantastic idea.

From the very first page the character of Kelsea grabbed hold of me and I loved her straight away. The way she grew in confidence with each chapter and interacted with all the other character in the book makes it a winner.

I loved the character of Lazarus and can’t wait to find out his whole story in the next two books (I hope). Father Tyler, Pen, Andalie, Marguerite, Javelin are all great support characters who add so much to the story.

I really can’t wait to read the next book in the series it will be one I read the minutes it is published.

Read by      Jody

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Weekends with Daisy

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Weekends with Daisy by Sharron Kahn Luttrell
weekends
Abstract

Still mourning the loss of her family dog, mother and journalist Sharron Luttrell signs up for a weekend puppy-raising program. There’s just one catch: on weekdays, the dog is being trained by a convicted felon. She co-parents the pup with Keith, a seemingly friendly inmate serving a 40-year sentence.

Group Comments

The majority of people thought the book was average, most members of the group read the book.

I read the book but wasn’t enthusiastic. Found the author monotonous.

Didn’t finish it, found the author weak, lost interest. Will finished it but not sure when.

Didn’t finish too similar to work, found it romanticised prison.

Found the author went on about the other people in her life too much. Struggled to read it and wouldn’t recommend it. The program (NEADS) sounds good but book was uninspiring.

Found the author annoying, her character didn’t appeal to me; she seemed weak plus mild when dog training needs to be firm. Read other books around rather than finishing this; did eventually finish though.

Author was not a modern woman, didn’t love it but was an easy read.

Still reading but finding it dull.

The dog is lovely but the author is scatty. Thought it was funny she was disconnected from family but worried about children growing up.

Read by 2nd Tuesday Evening reading group.