Author: thelonghotspell

Digital Minimalism – Book Review Author: Cal Newport Genre: Technology, simplicity, minimalism, productivity, non-fiction My rating: ★★★★☆ Release Date: Published 5th February, 2019 by Portfolio Format: Hardcover, 304 pages What did I think? “Digital minimalists see new technologies as tools to be used to support things they deeply value—not as sources of value themselves. They…

Your Own Kind of Girl – Book Review Author: Clare Bowditch Genre: Memoir My rating: ★★★★☆ Release Date: Published 28th October, 2019 by Allen and Unwin Format: Paperback, 352 pages What did I think? Clare Bowditch had a privileged life in some respects (and admits so in the book) with a supportive family and friends…

Ted Bundy: The Only Living Witness – Book Review Author: Hugh Aynesworth and Stephen G. Michaud Genre: True crime My rating: ★★★★☆ Release Date: Published 18th August, 2019 by Mirror Books Format: Kindle, 300 pages I’ve posted a shorter version on Goodreads here. “Ted Bundy’s wearying saga of waste, failure, and death had one villain…

The Rosie Effect (Don Tillman, Book two) – Audiobook Review Author: Graeme Simsion Genre: Contemporary, romance, humour My rating: ★★★★☆ Release Date: Published 1st February, 2015 by Bolinda/Audible audio Format: Audiobook, 9 hours, 10 minutes What did I think? Look, I’m a fan. I love Don Tillman, I love Rosie. I love hearing about their…

Growing up Aboriginal in Australia.  Editor: Anita Heiss. Genre: Non-fiction, indigenous australians, australian culture My rating: ★★★★★ Release Date: Published 16th April, 2018 by Black Inc. Format: Paperback, 368 pages What did I think? I want to say straight up that this should be mandatory reading for non-indigenous people in Australia. I learned so much…

The Poor and The Haunted – Book Review Author: Dustin McKissen Genre: Horror, mystery, family trauma My rating: ★★★★☆ Release Date: Published 31st October, 2019 by Black Rose Writing Format: Ebook, 153 pages “Love is expressed in all sorts of ways, words being the least important among them.” The Poor and The Haunted is definitely…

If the Creek don’t Rise – Book Review Author: Nancy Hartney Genre: Short stories, American south My rating: ★★★★☆ Release Date: Published 17th November, 2016 by Pen-L Publishing Format: Kindle, 210 pages What did I think? ‘If the Creek Don’t Rise’ is a compilation of short stories from the Deep South. It’s not all about…

The Best Kind of Beautiful- Review Author: Frances Whiting Genre: Contemporary My rating: ★★★★☆ Release Date: Published 29th October, 2019 by Macmillan Australia Format: Kindle Edition, 259 pages What did I think? ‘The Best Kind of Beautiful’ is a novel about quirky people from quirky families. Mainly Florence Saint Claire, who is an ex child-performer,…

Split (Book two of Makedde Vanderwall series) – Audiobook Review Author: Tara Moss Genre: Thriller, mystery, serial-killer, contemporary My rating: ★★★★☆ Release Date: Published 9th January, 2009 by Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd Format: Audiobook, 7 hours and 55 minutes What did I think? This was a serial-killer mystery read that that was quick, easy, and…

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Author: J.K. Rowlings (Book three) Genre: Young adult, fantasy, supernatural My rating: ★★★★★ Release Date: Published 20th November, 2015 by Pottermore from J.K. Rowling Format: Audiobook, 12 hours and 30 minutes What did I think? There is so much to love in book three. I enjoyed that this…

How to be Second Best- Book Review Author: Jessica Dettmann Genre: Contemporary, Australian, women’s, humour My rating: ★★★★★ Release Date: Published 17th December, 2018 by HarperCollins Format: Paperback, 362 pages What did I think? “I should have a slogan: Emma Baker – she’s what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” How to be Second…

Boy Swallows Universe – Audiobook Review Author: Trent Dalton Genre: Literary, magical realism, crime, historical fiction, faction My rating: ★★★★★ Release Date: Published 24th June, 2018 by Bolinda/HarperCollins audio Format: Audio, 16 hours, 42 minutes What did I think? A New York Times article said that the book is a “50-50” mix of fact and…

Where the Crawdads Sing- Book Review Author: Delia Owens Genre: Historical fiction, mystery, crime, southern My rating: ★★★★★ Release Date: Published 14th August 14th, by G.P. Putnam’s Sons Format: Paperback, 384 pages What did I think? I’m ever careful about seeing reviews prior to reading a novel. I might scan them, looking at ratings (particularly…