Who read what in November?

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Kylie Mason reviewed the short story collection Letter to George Clooney by Debra Adelaide. Kylie writes; Debra Adelaide is one of those rare writers who is able to document everyday lives with wit, pathos and vivacity. She presents us with properly rounded characters – whether a desperately poor single mother, a middle-aged woman taking a second chance on love or a Sudanese refugee – and she tells their stories with compassion and insight. It is the skill of these portrayals that allows Adelaide to infuse each story in Letter to George Clooney with hope: for love, for success, for happiness; for a better life.”

Along with a selection of children’s picture books, Shannon of Giraffe Days reviewed The Barkcutters by Nicole Alexander and Staunch by Ginger Briggs. Of the two, it was the latter she found staunchmost compelling, describing the book as a; “very powerful, emotionally-intense, moving, thought-provoking one. It taught [her] plenty, and it should be required reading if we ever want to really consider ourselves to be enlightened thinkers and compassionate civilians.”

Marilyn of Me, You and Books reviewed The Solemn Lantern Maker, by Merlinda Bobbs, a compelling story about a mute boy in the slums of Manila, the American woman he tries to rescue, and the furor caused by her disappearance. Marilyn recommends it to, “readers who are interested in the Philippines, the global slums, and in current conditions in our globalized world.”

If the Moon SmiledIf the Moon Smiled by Chandani Lukogé , which tells the story of Manthri, whose charmed girlhood in Sri Lanka comes to an abrupt end with her marriage to Mahendra, was for Angela Savage a ; “profoundly sad story, almost unbearably intimate at times; and yet paradoxically, a pleasure to read due to the beauty of the writing.”

Over at Goodreads, Dale Harcombe has shared reviews of The French Promise by Fiona McIntosh,  The Railway Man’s Wife by Ashley Hay, and Taking A Chance by Deborah Burrows. Though she enjoyed them all, she awarded five stars to The French Promise which she says is an excellent read, especially if you have read The Lavender Keeper.

Natasha Lester shared reviews of Secrets of the Tides by Hannah Richelle and Addition by Toni Jordan , the first novels of both authors , which left her feeling a little intimidated. imago-redndle-short

From Dani at Dinner at Cephs we have reviews of Automaton by Alana Woods and Imago by Francesca Rendle-Short both set in Australia’s capital city, Canberra.

There is just barely three weeks left for you to complete your challenge goals – if you are looking for something to read, why not try one of these great titles.

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About Me

My name is Shelleyrae Cusbert I am a mother of four children, aged 6 to 16, living in the mid north coast of NSW. I am an obsessive reader and publish my thoughts about what I read at my book blog,  Book’d Out.  In 2012 I read and reviewed a total of 109 books for the AWW Challenge (see obsessive!) and featured more than 35 Australian women writers. I juggle caring for my family with a part time job and volunteer at both the town’s local library and her children’s school library. While I have a degree in Education, I hope to gain a diploma in librarian studies in the near future.