The Lace Weaver tells the story of two young women, Lydia and Kati, whose lives are swept up by forces of war and displacement. It is a sweeping tale full of love and tenderness, loss and upheaval. Kati is a master weaver, the creation of intricate lace shawls is part of her Estonian heritage, the … More Review: The Lace Weaver
Stone Girl moved me and made me think about marginalised youth in a more personal way. It tells the story of Sophie, made a ward of the state after a traumatic incident. She is suffering from low self-worth and grief at the same time as trying to navigate a world where no one appears to … More Review: Stone Girl
The Sisters’ Song is a wonderful read, one of the most absorbing books I’ve read in a while. I liked the simplicity of the linear narrative which drew me quickly into the story, combined with great emotional subtlety. The story explores sibling rivalry, the role of women and the limitations placed on them, and what … More Review: The Sisters’ Song
The Secrets at Ocean’s Edge is set in 1930’s coastal Dongarra, but the themes of public versus private identity, what it takes to hold a family together, and the heavy burden of secrets resonate just as much in present day. Lily and her family are forced to start again in Dongarra after their wheat farm … More Review: The Secrets at Ocean’s Edge
I enjoyed The Tides Between, by Elizabeth Jane Corbett, for many reasons. Warm, layered characters that you care about, lyrical and beautiful prose, and a wonderful depth of humanity. This coming of age story whose protagonist, Bridie Stewart, spends her journey to Port Phillip trying to understand her place in her family and the wider world. In … More Review: The Tides Between
This enjoyable and lyrical read by Louisa Deasey is about what happens when a city girl abandons her comfortable urban life to hit the road with the man she loves. The novel is both light-hearted and serious, examining the tension in even the most loved-up couples when there is a lack of personal space and, … More Review: Love and Other U-Turns