What I 'm reading?

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.

Remarkably Bright Creatures Shelby Van Pelt

A remarkable story of an intelligent octopus confined but free and a woman who recently lost her husband and must continue to work as she faces retirement and old age. A surprising and startling revelation appears at the end of the story that is truly beautiful. This book moved me to tears.

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 have positively influenced my reading, writing and life

Elizabeth Jolley
Jillian Mears
Charmaine Clift
Patrick White
David Marr
David Malouf
Haruki Murakami
Bonnie Garmus

Michiko Aoyama

Truman Capote

Evelyn Waugh

Witi Ihimaera

William Golding

George Johnson

Oscar Wilde

Keri Hulme
Naomi Wolf
Peter Carey
Tim Winton
Sally Morgan
Rosie Batey
Virginia Woolf
Alice Walker

Olivera Simic

Thomas Hardy

Charles Dickens

Natasha Scholl

Jane Austen

Ernest Hemingway

Maurice Gee

Katherine Brabon
Natasha Sholl
Patti Miller
Tara June Winch
Patricia Grace

Barack Obama

Cass Moriarty

Maya Angelou

Joseph Conrad

Plato

Harper Lee

Margaret Mead

Nick Bantock