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A New Map of the Universe by Annabel Smith
A New Map of the Universe by Annabel Smith is a novel about the silences within and between people. The title comes from a wonderful sentence, “He gave her a new map of the universe and then he left her to navigate her way through it alone.” (p. 65) Annabel writes in a spare poetic…
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Promises by Cathryn Hein
Promises by Cathryn Hein opens with a perfect balance between an absorbing portrayal of the world of horse training and the slow reveal of secrets. The tension sustains beautifully and becomes the emotional journey to maturity of the heroine, Sophie. There’s drama in the journey, but I could believe the ending. And I have to confess,…
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Black Glass by Meg Mundell
Gorgeous cover, isn’t it? Black Glass by Meg Mundell definitely met the Australian Women Writers Challenge to read outside my comfort zone. Dystopian YA with no guarantee of a happy ending? To prove I’m no coward I cracked open the book (thanks to my local library for getting in a copy 🙂 ) and started…
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Heard It on the Grapevine by Monica Gagliano
As a non-scientist I’m hugely appreciative of scientists who can write up their findings in a simple way that invites everyone to consider the implications. Monica Gagliano has done just that with her article, “Heard it on the grapevine: the mysterious chatter of plants” published online at The Conversation. Studies show that plants respond to…