OUR FICTION BOOK OF THE MONTH

Wildflowers by Peggy Frew

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‘Sisters. They can be the strongest of allies, the fiercest of enemies. In her latest novel, Wildflowers, Peggy Frew delves, with startlingly precise detail, deep into the fraught history and heartbreaking present of three girls born to Robert and Gwen Atkins … Frew has a singular, remarkable gift for writing human emotion; her characters live and breathe beyond the page. My heart ached for each and every one of them. Here is a group of people shaped by events beyond what may or may not have been within their power to control. It is left to us the readers to ponder, what would we have done? How far is too far to try and save those you love?’

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OUR CRIME BOOK OF THE MONTH

No Country for Girls by Emma Styles

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‘What’s great about this book is the grittiness and the tension, coupled with the grim Thelma and Louise-like determination of our two central characters. There’s gold, theft, murder, dead bodies and a raft of consequences. As readers we’re rewarded with a satisfying ending, but you’d be silly to think it’s a happy one, and it comes as more of a release – that long exhalation of breath you hadn’t realised you’d been holding. What a ride!’

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OUR NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE MONTH

Humanity’s Moment: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope by Joëlle Gergis

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‘Divided into three parts – the head, the heart and the whole – the book first outlines the latest science in clear and straightforward language. This is ‘the head’ and it makes for incredibly grim reading. ‘The heart’ looks at our connection to nature across different cultures and how this has changed over time. Here, Gergis outlines the ongoing catastrophes caused by colonisation and capitalism. Finally, in ‘the whole’, Gergis imagines what we as a community can achieve. She looks at the important role of art and literature to inspire us and the necessity of heeding Indigenous knowledge if there is to be a brighter future. Many of the solutions already exist and Gergis’ ultimate hope with this book is that it will remind us how ‘human history is an endless tug-of-war for social justice. We are each part of an eternal evolutional force that can transform our world.’ The first step may just be to read this book.’

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OUR KIDS BOOK OF THE MONTH

My Strange Shrinking Parents by Zeno Sworder

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‘This is a picture book as much for adults as it is for children. Children will find it magical the way the parents get smaller as the boy grows up. It’s like watching Alice in Wonderland or The Borrowers; tiny beings in a supersized world. Adults will recognise the sacrifices made for a beloved child, particularly immigrants who come to a new country with nothing and must build their lives anew. The illustrative style gives a nod to Japanese woodblock prints, and there is incredible attention to detail throughout, from the endpapers featuring teapots through to the stunning tonal prints on each page.’

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OUR YOUNG ADULT BOOK OF THE MONTH

Dancing Barefoot by Alice Boyle

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‘What’s so heart-melting and cosy about this novel is how supportive and loving all the characters are. Although there are many incredible queer YA stories with unique narratives and voices, many of them explore the homophobia and transphobia inflicted towards the queer protagonists, and the daily struggles they endure from their peers and sometimes family. While these issues are important to address and shouldn’t be forgotten or dismissed, it is also important for adolescents today to discover and read about characters who are proud of their sexuality and are surrounded by an encouraging, nurturing community, so as to feel more comfortable and empowered in their identity.’

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CHILDREN’S CLASSIC OF THE MONTH

Milly-Molly-Mandy Stories by Joyce Lankester Brisley

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‘These timeless, comforting stories encourage kindness, responsibility and respect and can be joyfully shared with children aged 3 and up or independently read by ages 7 and up. They may even help children discover their future career – my favourite chapter always was ‘Milly-Molly-Mandy Keeps Shop’, and now I manage a bookshop. Coincidence? I think not.’

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CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE MONTH

William Barton: Heartland

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‘Serret has performed with everyone from Jónsi to Ensemble Offspring to Sarah Blasko, and she was also the concertmaster of the Darwin Symphony Orchestra. You can feel the history of her music-making on this semi-improvised recording – her use of improvisational electronic loops brings a sense of familiarity to the music, while the control and beauty in her tone make it feel fresh. The impressive use of extended techniques is what creates the soundscape you hear; they are not simply there to be inserted into the music. It’s an organic way of creating music and it’s beautiful.’

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