What we're reading: Cohen, Batrouney & Yu
Each week our amazing staff bring you a sample of the books or music they're immersed in.
Lian Hingee is reading Bad Men by Julie Mae Cohen
Having read Aurelia's rave review in our most recent Readings Monthly, Julie Mae Cohen's crime novel Bad Men rocketed to the top of my TBR list. Saffy Huntley-Oliver is a former supermodel, a socialite on the board of several charities (including one for donkeys that she doesn't want to talk about), a devoted sister, and a serial killer dedicated to removing terrible men from the world, one slimebag at a time. Problem is, Saffy has fallen in love. True crime podcaster Jonathan Desrosiers, known for his skill at unravelling unsolved murders, has no idea that his gorgeous new love interest has a fun side-hustle disappearing abusive men, paedophiles, and sleazebags. He's got other things on his mind ... like figuring out who left a dead body on his doorstep.
Bad Men is a highly enjoyable, extremely readable, deeply satisfying bit of fun. I adored Saffy, whose sunny positivity contrasted delightfully with her dark hobby, and I'm hoping that this isn't the last we hear from her.
Chris Gordon is reading The Bannerman Shortlist by Colin Batrouney
My mistake with The Bannerman Shortlist was to begin reading it at night, late on a Monday eve. I’ll just read a few pages before turning out the light, I said to myself. Friends, I was wrecked at work the next day because I read until the wee hours of the morning. It’s that type of novel; a compelling funny read about family, friends and a literary shortlist told with an elegance that is reminiscent of a previous time.
There is a person missing. There are authors profiled with all their weird wonderous ways and their beguiling hopes for success. There is money at stake. Reputations to hold close. The Bannerman Shortlist by Colin Batrouney is a mystery novel, and quite frankly you will not be able to read it fast enough.
My friend Lou Ryan told me to read this book as soon as possible, and I can understand why. Once it is finished, you will search for other people that have read it so you can discuss the content. Come to Readings. We are ready to talk.
Lou Ryan is reading But the Girl By Jessica Zhan Mei Yu
I’ve just read But the Girl By Jessica Zhan Mei Yu – an exciting fresh Australian voice.
Girl is on a residency in Scotland where she is supposed to be working on her thesis on Sylvia Plath’s poetry and also working on her post colonial novel. Haunted by the idea that everyone writes about Sylvia Plath and unsure of exactly what a Post-Colonial novel is, she becomes distracted by her upbringing in her Malaysian Australian family and ponders her place in this world.
Delightful. Reminded me a little of Crying in H Mart.
