Violet LeVoit’s towering new narrative gives voice to the seedier, more disparate collection of souls that Tinseltown tends to ignore.
Make no mistake – Autumn Christian’s “Girl Like a Bomb” is a future classic
Autumn Christian’s new book is an articulation of deep meaning, sex and the ‘whats’ that keep us.
Ann Weisgarber: The Glovemaker – A Mormon tale of striving and revenge with great meaning
The harshness of Ann Weisgarber’s frontier setting is matched in the fierce spirit of this historical novel’s central protagonist. A truly decent book of Mormon.
“Zebra” – Debra Adelaide’s collection of short stories earns its stripes
‘Zebra’ is a collection of feelings, and narrative, linked by an obvious truth: Debra Adelaide is a deft author worthy of our national acclaim.
“The Lonesome Bodybuilder” embraces the surreal and doesn’t let go
The Lonesome Bodybuilder is a walk through the underworld of the strange. Buckle up!
“For all the dead queers” – Michael J Wilson’s towering salute to the AIDS crisis
Michael Wilson’s peerless salute to those who made it (and those who didn’t) deserves to be consumed in one sitting, and plays best with wine and tissues handy.
A surrealistic masterpiece: James Reich – The Song My Enemies Sing
James Reich’s trip through the underworld of our psyche is painted with ornate tableau, a gallery that that allows the reader to fill in the blanks. Read it.
Brian Alan Ellis’ “Sad Laughter” throws back veil on standup scene
Brian Alan Ellis’ book is a retelling of a comedy career formed on Twitter, stapled into a manuscript. His cynical tone allows you to make up your own mind, primarily on who is the real punchline.
English history meets English whodunit in “Tombland”
Tombland is a bold concept crippled by its subject matter. That being said, if history is your thing, wade into the mire, my love.
Love in the time of typhus: “The Winter Soldier” – Daniel Mason
Daniel Mason transports us back to the time where the world came under the heel of war. Detailed romance backdropped by universal ugliness is difficult to pull off, but Mason nails it.
Kelby Losack’s “The Way We Came In” is a story of sibling unification, and the risk of division
Two lost brothers are reunited by desperation and a new life of crime in Kelby Losack’s towering book. More than anything, it is that empathy that grabs you.
Small town issues writ large in Rosalie Ham’s “The Year of the Farmer”
The trope of the regional Australian town has been done to death. Rosalie Ham’s “The Year of Farmer” stands well above the malaise.
Rashomon meets underground punk in Jeff Jackson’s “Destroy All Monsters”
Destroy All Monsters is an island powered by its own high-concept vibrancy. Jeff Jackson should be saluted and castigated in even measure.
Deep Time Dreaming – Billy Griffiths on Indigenous Australia
In Deep Time Dreaming, Billy Griffiths examines Australia’s coming-to-terms with its Indigenous past. Hyperbole aside, it is the most important analysis of who we were in a very long time.
Exile on Front Street: My Life as a Hells Angel – George Christie
George Christie’s version of his life as charter president of the Hells Angels is as verbally grandiose as it is proudly grim. Consider it a literary chain across one’s face.
Megan Abbott’s “Give me your hand” – Far more than it promises to be
Don’t be fooled by the cover, Megan Abbott’s book is a true powerhouse, flitting between two vivid timelines. Go read it.
Difficult protagonist, difficult to put down: Michael Robotham – The Other Wife
‘The Other Wife’ follows a crime trail walked by a protagonist with Parkinson’s. It is difficult to let that path go cold.
The tense psychological character study that is Lynne Vincent McCarthy’s “Lonely Girl”
Lynne Vincent McCarthy’s stunning debut novel is a grating example of a character gone awry. It’s terror visited under glass, and well worth an examination.
The search for lost innocence breathes in Jonathan Ames’ “You Were Never Really Here”
Jonathan Ames’ book moves at a quicksilver pace, a homage to actioners that is deep enough to not be shallow. Consider it a casual punch to the face.
Ponti – Sharlene Teo’s debut a visceral analysis of intergenerational disconnect
Sharlene Teo’s opus articulates the challenges three generations of women face in the same city. A staggering debut.
The charming, fleeting season of Isabel Allende’s book ‘In the Midst of Winter’
Parting as it is said, is such sweet sorrow. That certainly goes for the fantastic In the Midst of Winter, a lovely season gone too soon.
The Lucky Galah – An Australian classic from a very Australian viewpoint
Rarely does a book come along that articulates Australia so wonderfully, and very rarely does it come from the mouth of a galah.