Great Reads

Gum Ashley Hay

I have loved reading Gum. Ashley Hay has a beautiful writing style. Creative, poetic and soothing. Her story of the Australian landscape, the bush, gum trees, rivers and birds all come to life on the pages. She is compassionate and thought provoking in her account of early settlers, colonial rule and the impact on our First Nations Peoples. Ashley Hay is courageous and yet sensitive in her account. An amazing read.

RBG: Of Many, One Suzie Miller

One of the best plays I've read in years. Inspiring, emotional and powerful. It tells the story of Ruth Bader Ginsberg (RBG), a strong feminist who changed the American Supreme Court justice system with determination, perseverence, courage and intellect. I felt empowered reading this book.

Falling for Water Francesca Cairns

A unique and amazing story about water and Kayla, a who has rivers running through her veins. I felt moved and elevated after reading this story about being human and connected to water and the planet we live on.

Boy, Lost Kristina Olsson

I found Boy, Lost to be a tragic family memoir of loss and grief within a family across generations. Harking back to a time when women and children had few rights and could be left feeling powerless and vulnerable. This memoir made me feel inspired by the resilience, courage and strength of women and families facing harsh realities.

Hine Toa, A story of bravery Ngāhuia te Awekōtuku

Hine Toa is a memoir about bravery, courage, strength and truth. Sometimes I felt unsettled reading the vulnerability of childhood and adolescence written on the page. Growing into adulthood, Hine Toa shares her experiences of forming her own identity in the gay community, grounding herself in Māori culture and tradition and straddling the pakeha world. An amazing read.

Lola in the Mirror Trent Dalton

Lola in the Mirror is a book that perfectly captures landmarks, sub cultures, floods, heat and humidity that represents the Brisbane, Queensland urban environment. If you enjoyed Boy Swallows Universe then read Lola in the Mirror. I loved Lola who is simply gorgeous. A fantastic quirky read.

Authors who positively influenced my reading, writing and life

Alice Walker

Barack Obama

Bonnie Garmus

Cass Moriarty

Charles Dickens

Charmaine Clift

David Marr

David Malouf

Elizabeth Jolley

Ernest Hemingway

Evelyn Waugh

Francesca Cairns

George Johnson

Harper Lee

Haruki Murakami

Jacinda Ardern

Jane Austen

Joseph Conrad

Jillian Mears

Margaret Mead

Maurice Gee

Maya Angelou

Michiko Aoyama

Naomi Wolf

Natasha Scholl

Nick Bantock

Olivera Simic

Oscar Wilde

Patrick White

Patricia Grace

Patti Miller

Peter Carey

Plato

Rosie Batey

Sally Morgan

Shelly va Pelt

Tara June Winch

Thomas Hardy

Tim Winton

Truman Capote

Virginia Woolf

Witi Ihimaera

William Golding

Yeon Somin