The Books I Read in 2024 – the goal
I have a little project for myself as a reading writer and a writing reader in 2024. My aim is to read fewer books but to read more deeply. I will list the books I read here, and will also leave the link for a review by someone else.
And to thank the author, I plan to leave a review for each book I read, probably on Amazon, and on my own social media.
More mindful reading is the goal, rather than whizzing through books like a maniac. Perhaps I will read a book once fast and then read it a second time more slowly – we will see!
The Asparagus War – Carol Major
Again. Got so much more out of it this time after hearing her speak to Pip Williams at BMWF. I am remedial.
Overdrive ebook
This Is Not About Me – Janice Galloway
Memoir of her very early years. An ‘anti-memoir’ she called it. Brutal reality. Re-imagining before she could remember. Detail, description. Saltcoats by the sea. The terrible older sister.
Kobo Booktopia
The Importance of Being Seven – Alexander McCall Smith
A 44 Scotland Street novel, gentle, perspicious, character-driven humour as an antidote to the cruelties of the previous. Poor Bertie! Gentle wit, funny.
Opshop paperback.
Heather Rose – Nothing Bad Ever Happens Here
Author’s story, brother and grandfather drowned and that tore family apart. Her own journeys all over world, searching, estranged from mother for a long time, children, relationships. Beaut writing, very engaging
Bought paperback
Amy Thunig – Tell Me Again
Retelling of family stories like the day of Amy’s birth and then the actual truth. Most chapters start in present and then go back to past. re-telling of a truly traumatic childhood with addicted parents, also loving wider family, living alone at 15, working, hungry, and then homeless, estranged… and understanding, forgiveness, end when she finishes school. V good
Elizabeth gave me her paperback
My Mother and other Secrets – Wendy Nissan
NZ journo author on what she found out about her mum and dad’s lives and the hardship they went through. Lots about the harshness of her mums upbringing and how that made her hard to live with and cruel to her own kids. Lots of family secrets and trauma as author grew up with disturbed mother. Then a dementia and old age section, bit of a manifesto.
Written very plainly, journalese.
Library Book A+U 2021
In My Mother’s Hands – Biff Ward
Very moving and disturbing memoir of a family where mother is very mentally ill and only goes to hospital a few times. Central quest is to find out if Biff’s mother killed her first baby Alison at 4 months… and in the end we realise that she probably did, probably had psychosis. Mum was paranoid and OCD and delusional and yet they lived with that as her Dad did a PhD and then lectured at Armidale, his affairs and the traumas that led to, all of it for Biff. Then some reconciling by the end of her parents lives and understanding of what had been happening. Tense and distressed and very beautifully written.
2014 Allen + Unwin
Library book
All The Unloved – Susan McCreery
A novella about the people who live in a block of flats at Bondi in the 1990s. Exquisitely drawn characters and big stories told in few, careful, touching words.
Spineless Wonders 2023
Bought paperback
Magda Szubanski – Reckoning
Magda’s memoir is mainly about her father but also very much about her own battles with sexuality and then with being open about that with family and then in general. But the story is very much about her Dad and his role in the war in Poland, then his leaving and never going back, remaking himself and coming to terms with what he had done as a young man. Many threads and lots of detail about her parents marriage and family life, life as immigrants. Of course, I lapped it, up, swallowed it whole.
Book bought in op shop.
The Breaking – Kathryn Heyman
OMG – such violence and such amazing writing, how horror can be conveyed in so few words. A hard story to read. About a family where dad is violent alcoholic policeman with lockup in garden. Mal (?) and Ruth and Sarah Sweet…. in two parts, first the childhood and then the disastrous young adult like, Sarah turning violent herself.
Intimidatingly interestingly written.. poetic in parts..
Read on Libby app
Stranger Care – Sarah Sentilles
Memoir told in fragments really… the through line is the not being sure if she wants a baby and then deciding she does and then starting to try to foster to adoption… and a baby comes… stays only 10 months and has to go back but then… mother doesn’t cope, ends as they are still trying to get the baby back from the state next door. Bloody hell. Interspersed though with all sorts of wee bits of writing, about how animals care for young, all sorts of stories, just placed side by side… quite extraordinary and very upsetting!!
Kindle
Commonwealth – Ann Patchett
A domestic tale of two families, an affair and the effect that it has for decades afterwards… where everyone ends up… six children, their cruelties, the parents terrible behaviour, having to live so far away… an affair with an older writer who tells the whole story of the family and the death of Cal… impeccable, fascinating and profound … domestic drama and honest truths, beauty and love and all of it.,
Kindle
Love and Other U-Turns – Louisa Deasey
A memoir about throwing it all away for love. Louisa left her home and work in Melbourne to go on the road with a comedian boyfriend. Travelled all over Oz, freelancing with difficulty. Eventually it ended. Madcap romantic road trip comedy. Fun and some good insights into remote and rural Oz and men/women in the bush. And lovely place writing. But too much repetition!
Bought book.
Dustfall – Michelle Jonston
A novel set in WA, a doctor not dealing well with trauma, and the effects of dust and asbestos, some polemic about mining companies.
Kindle
Drop Your Weapons – Sarah Sentilles
A complex book of braided memoir and essay writing – about violence, love and peace. ‘A meditation on art and war.’ Which I need to reread.
Kindle
Floodline – Kathryn Heyman
Story of a religious sect and a flood, families and secrets and lies.
Kindle
Skin Deep – Philippa McGuiness
Everything about skin… so much to learn, enjoy the lively and learned style.
Audible
Trespasses – Louise Kennedy
Fantastic novel set in Northern Ireland in the Troubles, a family saga, telling broad stories within the love affair a young teacher has across the sectarian divide. Gripping/
Kindle
This Is Not A Pity Memoir – Abi Morgan
Screenwriter Abi Morgan tells the story of her husband’s collapse and coma… and then partial recovery. Dispassionate but relentless, the detailed daily tales of dealing with brain damage which will not get better.
Audible
Ultra-Processed People – Chris van Tulleken
Huge book about junk food – oh dear.
Audible
Waterlog – Roger Deakin
Wonderful wonderful swimmer and naturalist wanders, eccentric and knowledgeable, just fantastic!
Paperback – press from Mo
Captain Starlight’s Apprentice- Kathryn Heyman
Dazzling tale across two times, a 19th century trick rider and an ill new mother newly migrated to Australia, with everything falling apart. Terrific.
Library ebook
The Byline Bible – Susan Shapiro
How-to guide on getting published in US magazines and newspapers, with a view to having memoir commissioned.
Kindle
Operation Jungle – John Shobbrock
Shocking tale of police corruption and attempts to curb it in 1970 Brisbane – which fail!!
Paperback
Urning: Queer Identity in the German Nineteenth Century – Douglas Pretsell
Early gay rights awareness and activistsm in Germany in the late 19th century. Douglas’s PhD turned into a book which will be officially published in April next year. Fascinating for general reader, an important historical period told from many original sources. A clear explained and well-written eye-opener for yours truly.
Queer Voices in the Works of Richard von Krafft-Ebing 1883-1901 – Douglas Pretsell
Letters sent to this psychiatrist. History comes alive – cliché but 100% spot on.
Drink the intimate relationship between women and alcohol – Ann Dowsett Johnston
Author’s sobriety story plus loads of interviews and the full journo treatment on women drinking more and the consequences, etc etc
Kindle
A Kind of Magic – Anna Spargo-Ryan
A memoir of madness, of terrible anxiety anyway. Well written and thought-provoking.
Kindle
This Much Is True – Miriam Margolyes
Fascinating autobiography from everyone’s favourite Jewish lesbian entertainer. Her early life in Oxford was captivating to me.
Kindle
Vintage Roger – Charlie Mortimer
The letters of Roger Mortimer sent during the four years he was a POW in Germany. Marvellous.
Kindle
Thirty-one
Lucky Lupin – Charlie Mortimer
Charlie Mortimer’s memoir of his dissolute life, as seen in the Dear Lupin letters book. Swinging London and AIDS and eccentric English upper class life, a poor show at Eton!
Kindle
Marram – Leonie Charlton
The story of a journey by pony through the Outer Isles, with many characters, beautiful nature writing and a deep love of her horse and friends and family.
Mairi’s book
Dear Stumpy – letters to a disobedient daughter. Louise Mortimer
Wonderful letters from Roger Mortimer to his daughter Louise, so hilarious, charming and eccentric.
Kindle
Diary of a Nobody – George and Weedon Grossmith
The classic comedic story as serialised in Punch 1888-1889.
Kindle
The End of Alzheimers – Dr Dale Bredesen
How to avoid… ie live a healthy life…. not great.
Kindle
The Sea Wolves – A History Of The Vikings – Lars Brownforth
Book by historian, my starter Viking history. Next one was more comprehensive.
Audible
Found, Wanting – Natasha Sholl
A grief memoir, about not coping, going mad, and recovery. Natasha Sholl’s partner died unexpectedly aged 27…. her pain, gradual changes, and the nature of love, loss and grief explored in lovely writing.
Kindle
Don’t Be Too Polite Girls – Wendy McCarthy
A chunky memoir, more of an autobiography of her life, written at 80. Childhood, study, teaching, marriage, children, working, Womens Electoral Lobby, Family Planning, lots of boards, business, family, friendship. Moving and illuminating esp end of friendships
- saw her talk at library and bought the book.
Can’t You Just Get Over It? by Angela Kehler
This is a book about being brought up in a very strict Christian religious community in the US with a charismatic leader. The author left when she was 18 or 19 – self published.
Apple Books – self published
How To Kill Your Family – Bella Mackie
Black comedy from English journo author. Enjoyed very much.
Library ebook
The Man Of My Dreams
Curtis Sittenfield
So well written, clear simple prose
Coming of age of a tricky person in messy circumstances, a girl who is a bit difficult in various stages of her life, childhood, college, adult life.
Op shop buy
And The The Land Lay Still – James Robertson
Epic, thralling, history of postwar Scotland told through intertwining tales. Mesmerising. panoramic. Loved.
Paul’s paperback
On Drugs – Chris Fleming
Giramondo Kindle
Sydney academic on long drug history. Very academic, all show no tell. Final recovery bit most interesting.
The Bookseller of Inverness – SG Maclean
A post-1745 thriller, spies and murders and blood-soaked history in the Highlands. Fantastic.
Kindle
Kate Grenville – Lilian’s Story
A tour de force, what a novel. Not easy reading, upsetting but dazzling.
Op shop paperback
No One Is Talking About This – Patricia Lockwood
Hmmm…. not sure at all. Not my cuppa, or not for my age group. It was interesting on the infertility themes, but overall not my fave.
Paperback library
The Seeker – SG MacLean
Set in London in time of Cromwell. Complex murder/crime thriller. Very dark character Damian Seeker who is Captain of Cromwell’s guard. Love historical detail and complex plot.
Kindle
This Is Not A Book About Benedict Cumberbatch – Tabitha Carvan
Enjoyable memoir, great author voice, weird and odd and interesting, a bit here and there themewise, but well done Tabitha Carvan, your first memoir and it raises many themes and issues for modern women.
Library ebook
Lets Pretend This Never Happened – Jenny Lawson The Bloggess
Crazy tales of growing up in small town Texas with a taxidermist dad and massive anxiety. Daft stories, ‘I’m so crazy’ stories. Did not read it all.
Library book
The Bookbinder of Jericho – Pip Williams
Wonderful, loved it. Oxford! Jericho! The canal! Somerville! All set during WW1. A twin struggles to get out of the bindery. Suffragettes, degrees. Fantastic. So enjoyed it..
Library book
The Black Friar – S.G.MacLean
Second in Seeker series, set in 1655, manly plots against Cromwell, Royalists and mad Christian sects, and within it a murder mystery and disappearing children mystery – very complex… also a love story! How does she do it?
Kindle ebook
Children of Ash and Elm – Neil Price
Massive book by a university proff all about everything Viking… everything! Learned a lot about the extant texts, esp early Arab writers contemporaneous accounts. Lots of archaeology too.
17 hours Audible audio book!
The Passion of Private White – Don Watson
Story of Don White, Vietnam conscript then anthropologist and his long links with Arnhem land township. heartbreaking and loving, as told by Don. Portrait of man, a place, a people and lots of mistakes in aid.
Audible audio book
Restless Dolly Maunder – Kate Grenville
Her grandmother’s story, fictionalised. Inside the head of a very frustrated women Norn with very few options, who takes risks as much as she can, always restless. Grumpy and difficult at times too. Money earned and lost again, a faithless marriage that disintegrates int he end. Terrible hardship.
Library paperback
Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens – Shankari Chandran
I thought this was a light-hearted cosy old folks mystery and it has some elements of that. But the theme of the war in Sri Lanka and the appalling cruelties on all sides is the backbone. Easy to read, and it swept me away, but very troubling.
Library book
Destroying Angel – S.G.MacLean
Third in the Seeker series, this one set in York and Yorkshire. Another complex plot with Royalists, mad religious people, interesting characters and such a complex plot. Read a lot at 3am awakenings.
Kindle
The Bear Pit
4th Seeker – another ripping yarn set in Cromwell’s England.
Kindle
House of Lamentation – SG MacKean
Fifth and final Seeker. Set in Bruges. Super complex and gripping.
Kindle
All The Little Bird-Hearts – Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow
Wonderful book about an autistic mother and her daughter and a couple who move in next door and take over. All about relationships. Author is autistic. Fantastic.
Library book
Whatever You Love – Louise Doughty
After seeing her talk on structure and how she sorted this one out. Preface – before, after, before, after.
Girl knocked down, brings divorced parents together.
Library book
Secrets Beyond The Screen – Anita Jacoby
Both Anita’s own story and her father’s, she unearthed a lot of info about him after his death. Enjoyed a lot. Ventura
Kindle ebook
Dominion – Tom Holland
Massive tome about how Christianity has had a huge total impact the Western mind. So many stories! And now must read more about the Jewish religion, and Islam.
Borrowed paperback
Lies My Mirror Told Me – Wendy Harmer
Memoir – really an autobiography I think – about her whole life and its many ups and downs. Such a hard start in life and she has worked so hard and done so much. Wise and lively woman!
Library ebook on Libby
The Hummingbird Effect – Kate Mildenhall
Womens’ stores cross four time periods, working class Melbourne, present and future. Very deft and interesting and literary. Master storyteller.
Libby ebook
Trust – by Jeanne Ryckmans
One of those books that astound… the story of the author being sucked in by a charming academic conman, then investigating his many crimes and misdemeanours in relationships and in academia. Very bold, well told and startling.
Audible
Bila Yarrudhanggalan/River of Dreams – Anita Heiss
The story of the Gundagai flood and the indigenous men who saved many lives, going on to the imagined life of the daughter of one of them, moving to Wagga Wagga. The injustices of the colonial period are astounding and horrendous.
Paperback
Walking With Ghosts – Gabriel Byrne
Memoir, mostly about childhood and characters in Ireland, interspersed with stories from early acting life, alcoholism, Hollywood success. Great – and that voice.
Audible
Ladies’ Rest and Writing Room – Kim Kelly
Novella about two young women, about grief. Won 20/40 prize. Wonderful!
-paperback bought Bathurst Library
Mrs D Is Going Without – Lotta Dann
A sober diary, taken from an anonymous blog written by Lotta Dann when she stopped boozing in 2011. Enjoyable and funny at times.
Audible
Edenglassie – Melissa Lucashenko
Magnificent. A sweeping tale of Brisbane in early colonial days and then present-day, five generations later. Very distressing at times, fascinating details of indigenous life in the past, magnificent female characters. Excellent.
Library ebook
Euphoric AF – Karolina Rzadkowolska
A bit of a memoir but mostly a self-help book. Why and how to stop drinking, by a sober coach. Aimed at young go-getters ie not me.
Paperback – sent to me
Binding, More Than A Motherhood Memoir – Lynn Garlick
Very good memoir, story of a marriage, abuse and escape, the difficulties of managing motherhood and a career, a lot about social work and social attitudes.
Paperback – bought from author
Wild Abandon – Emily Bitto
A coming of age, road novel. Heartbroken, Will escapes Melbourne and is caught up in hedonistic excess in New York, then leaves there and ends up helping a Vietnam veteran out with his dozens of exotic animals. Emily Bitto’s self-described ‘baroque sentences’ took a bit of getting used to. By the end I was swept away and really enjoying this book, though I struggled at the start.
Second hand bookshop paperback
A Pebble In The Throat – Aasmah Mir
Story of Aasmah in Glasgow as a young child and then teen and up to end school, and of her mum’s childhood and young adult years, arranged marriage and coming to Glasgow and family life. So many thmes, not least the terrible anxiety of Aasmah’s teenage years, and the difficult marriage of her grand, a second wife. Told in fragments, times all mixed up. And both stories in first person, very bold.
Audible
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