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Toni Simpson Western Wakka Wakka, Giabal and Jarowair country

@umar_loves_to_read

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Avid reader and late to start writer. Book reviewer, animal lover and big chatter!

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Mantle by Romy Ash 🎧

A book I listened to and absolutely did not want to end. Ursula, the main character has returned home to Tasmania to care for her dying Mum. The authors writing style
is beautiful, I wanted to Re listen to so many chapters to hear the descriptive prose over again. Grief is a theme throughout the novel along with food, eating, climate change, and fungi, lots of fungi! I loved every bit of the story, some may be confronted at time, but everything described fitted the mood, the setting and the dystopian feel. What I’ve written doesn’t match with humour, but there are so many amusing things that Ursula discusses, I giggled often. A really unusual book that I highly recommend, I guarantee you will think about it often after reading. Thanks to author @romyash for coming up and creating such an amazing and needed story, shout out also to excellent narrator Casey Withoos. 🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠 taken in Toowoomba, Queensland by @umar_loves_to_read

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16 days ago

The Children’s Bach by Helen Garner 🎧

I listened to this novel as an audio book, narrated by Helen herself. I always find it extra special to hear an author read their own book. Unfortunately I struggled with the content of this story, maybe because it was an audio book. My focus was not good and I wondered if I was reading a hard copy, and could flick back and forth to details about the characters, my refreshed memory would have managed better with the story line. For me the story was a little muddled and I had difficulty matching the individuals with family and friends. I’ve loved other books by Helen so I’ll keep up with my goal of reading more, but definitely as hard copies rather than audios. 3.5 stars 🪻🪻🪻1/2. taken in Toowoomba, Queensland by @umar_loves_to_read

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a month ago

The Angry Wives Club by Gabbie Stroud. This was a ‘listen to’ read for me via Libby, thanks to the great narrator, Jo Van Es. Set in a fictitious town in coastal Australia, and based around three fabulous women, Heather, Steph and Joney. The trio are different ages and from contrasting backgrounds but they have much in common.
The feistiness of these girls and their integrity for ‘the right thing’ is what I loved about the novel.
The author does a great job of gradually sharing each woman’s story, some of which is quite confronting. It is one of those books that has the perfect amount of lightness and humour that balances the very serious topics shared.
The women get up to shenanigans in their local town and be warned, there are many very funny moments and comments.
Families and communication are an important part of the content and we will each recognise ourself or some one we know in the scenarios.
I loved sharing time with these characters and I was sad when the book ended. One I am keen to read again, next time as a hard copy, there are lots of parts I would reread.
Highly recommend, a strong five stars 🪻🪻🪻🪻🪻 taken in Toowoomba, Queensland by @umar_loves_to_read

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2 months ago

📖 Book Review ✒️
Murder at Thornwood Park by Joan Sauers 🎧🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠

The third novel by this lovely author, once again following the adventures of the main and very loveable character Rose McHugh. I really enjoyed the combination of historical fiction, real life locations and lots and lots of mystery. I love that the friendships explored are not your standard same gender/same age aquaintance. The compassionate older gentleman George features again and he is a firm favourite of mine (and Rose) as someone who always does the right thing.
Many themes are explored in the novel - family secrets, the vulnerability of women, addiction, coercive control, domestic violence, elder abuse and community relationships (and gossip) to name a few.
I enjoyed the banter between sisters Rose and Kim and there is plenty of humour through out the book, needed to balance the horror of he potential murders Rose is set on exposing.
The beautiful Souhern Highlands of NSW once more is presented in its glory, as well as the many sweet treats with coffee that Rose and George of ent enjoy. I think the food discussed is actually a welcome character too!
I’m excited for the author too, that the books are to be adapted into a TV series, how very exciting is that? Thanks @joan__sauers for another fabulous book and thanks as well to @global_girls_bookclub for introducing me to Joan when she was the author of the day. taken in Toowoomba, Queensland by @umar_loves_to_read

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3 months ago

✍️ BOOK REVIEW 📖 King Tide by Luke Johnson This was a gripping dual time line murder mystery that became a real page turner. Set in a fictional seaside town in rural Victoria, Australia, the environment featured and was relevant, in many of the chapters. The main characters are teenagers and their angst, confusion and need to be with mates and be treated as adults is a big feature in the storyline. Topics covered include family violence, alcoholism, small town gossip with a strong theme of bullying. Despite their faults, the main characters are very likeable and realistic. There is a sense of sadness throughout the novel, that is necessary, as the mystery continues for missing children Ben and Hannah. A great debut novel and I am keen to read anything else this author @luke_johnson_author writes. And as for the fob watch in my photos, you need to read the book to see the relevance ⏱️ taken in Toowoomba, Queensland by @umar_loves_to_read

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3 months ago

BOOk REVIEW King of Dirt by Holden Sheppard 🎧 I’m late in reviewing this book, read at the end of May. Thoughts of the main character Jack, have stayed with me a long time after I finished the book. Jack is a gay man, in his thirties, who is hiding his sexuality, he was ‘outed’ as a teenager and his family and townspeople were unaccepting. Since then he left the town he grew up in, Geraldton, and worked as a labourer on a variety of construction jobs across Western Australia. When an openly gay man joins the construction team and is supportive and kind to Jack, he gives Jack the reason to return to Geraldton. What follows is an amazing story of Jack exploring his sexuality - some times in disastrous ways - and gradually accepting and liking himself. Jack has a friend and a sister who are incredible encouraging and supportive of him, I often felt quite emotional at how these women acted sensibly, calmly and with a sense of humour whilst always being there for Jack. The way most of his family and the community act is horrid and cringeworthy. But I loved seeing Jack pick up with an old mate and learn how to stay true to himself. Jack also has to deal with a big surprise from his teenage years, and this ‘issue’ is dealt with poignantly and shows a more mature side to Jack. @holdensheppard is a great Aussie author, this is the second novel of his I have read, and the rest of his books are high on my TBR list. taken in Toowoomba, Queensland by @umar_loves_to_read

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4 months ago

🖊️ BOOK REVIEW 📔 The Sisterhood of the Rose by Robyn Adams What an incredible read this historical fiction book is, the research is immense and the story presented beautifully. It is a long read and for I did struggle with the first third or so of the book. I had trouble remembering all the many different characters and how they all fitted together. So glad I kept reading as once the women were on their voyage, things got so very interesting. I enjoyed the relationship between the women as well as the incredible females they met along the way. As the ladies learnt mediation and other forms of communication, I found myself practicing some of it myself. I’m honoured to know the author of this book for the last three years. I have been wanting to read her book in all that time, so very happy that I have now. Fabulous writing @robyn.adams.562 🌠🌠🌠🌠 taken in Toowoomba, Queensland by @umar_loves_to_read

5

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4 months ago

BOOK REVIEW 🎧 Stronger Than Bone by Gregory Smith I was very privileged to meet the author Greg, through my online book club. Listening to Greg share snippets from his life was so interesting, I was delighted that I was able to track down his memoir through Audible. Greg has a great way of expressing himself and his life story is never boring. Despite a diagnosis of a life changing disease, Greg never once complains. His parents gave him the best possible life and because of this Greg always has a positive approach to absolutely everything. His sense of humour shines through always, and I found myself smiling and having a giggle often throughout the memoir. A solid five star read that I recommend to all (with an excellent narrator too). taken in Toowoomba, Queensland by @umar_loves_to_read

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4 months ago

BOOK REVIEW Honour Thy Father by Susan Mackie What a page turner this lovely novel was, with dual time lines featuring, many characters - the main ones being Isabel, aged 15 back in 1917 and in present day, Abigail and her gorgeous Grandmother Sylvie. Each chapter features either Isabel’s or Abigail’s story, both linked, as Isabel is Abigail’s great grand mother. As per my five star rating I loved this novel! The World War One time line shares so much about the challenges women faced as well as the grief experienced due to the deaths and disability caused by war. Whilst in the back ground the belief that people could not have relationships if they were from different religious backgrounds. This sensitive topic is handled so well and blended cleverly into the story line with out judgement. Meanwhile in current time Abigail and her beloved Grandmother Sylvie become even closer, as Sylvie shares the story of Isabel and family. I’m not doing the book justice, it’s wonderful, I learnt more Australian history and despite serious topics, there was lovely humour through out. It was easy to feel you were there with both Isabel and Abigail and their families. Sad when I finished the book, but very looking forward to reading more in this series. Thanks for an ebook ARC @susanmackieauthor taken in Toowoomba, Queensland by @umar_loves_to_read

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4 months ago

🖊️ BOOK REVIEW 📚🎧 Good Boy by Michelle Wright Thank you to one of my Instagram friends who recommended this beautiful book. I was in from the first page and found every minute I could, to listen to it. The story is about Cookie, a 37 year old man almost at the end of his prison sentence. Cookie is encouraged to apply for a rescue dog, attend dog training, keep the dog and be guaranteed work at a dog shelter. Told in dual time lines - in current time we are part of Cookie meting his rescue dog Nigel - and the reason for the name changing to Good Boy. The past time line gradually shares Cookies younger years, and I was able to piece together Cookies challenging childhood and what led him to a prison sentence. Despite heavy and complex content there is so much humour in this book. Cookie is likely neurodivergent (although this is not stated) and his communication style is clear, wonderful and unfiltered. Good Boy has had a tough life, though how is not known, it’s is extraordinary hearing Good Boys change in behaviour with the consistent influence of Cookie. The characters are real, and most very likeable. So well written and narrated, I think it’s a book I need to purchase and own. The novel is a good reminder that we never know what people have gone through and experienced. Time to hug those you love and tell them so. @michelle.wright.author thank you for writing a story that needed to be told. taken in Toowoomba, Queensland by @umar_loves_to_read

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4 months ago

🖊️ BOOK REVIEW 📚☕️ Know Their Names by Lesley Synge Australian history has not acknowledged the many First Nations men and families who were contracted from 1909, for the next 25 years, to breed and train horses for the Queensland police force. The author, Lesley recognised this anomaly and set about ensuring that the names of these men are now known. The incredible amount of research to complete the book has me absolutely astounded, Lesley has worked so hard to discover the background and history of each and every person employed as a tracker. Written records were scant and very limited. Many men and their families seemed to disappear once they were no longer employed. It is a fascinating but not proud history, and I thank Lesley for exposing it. Not an easy read as the content shows constant racial discrimination. But a history that we all need to know. Lesley points out at the beginning we need to show emotions and feeling, because the common theme with colonialism and success in taking over the country, was the lack of feeling and emotion. An example is in every document Lesley researched, the wives of the black trackers were never referred to as wives, always as gins. More horror occurs when leprosy occurs at the Rewan Horse breeding station (in central Queensland). Three daughters from one First Nations family are sent to Peel Island. Two of the girls die on the Island and assumedly are buried in an unmarked grave. The third daughter, when recovered from illness, is sent to a Townsville mission, so far away from her parents. This was a common theme for the trackers and families to be dispersed to anywhere in Queensland far away from where they were born and grew up. A very sad read but a necessary read, I complement Lesley on writing the book and I do hope it will be used as a text and reference so more of the community becomes aware of truth telling and fact. 🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠 taken in Toowoomba, Queensland by @umar_loves_to_read

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4 months ago

🖊️ BOOK REVIEW 🎧. Cockatoo Cove by Maya Linnell A really lovely book that when reading often felt like a big comfortable cuddle. Although mostly predictable and lovey dovey stuff there is a great story line with very realistic characters. The behaviour of the teenage characters is described beautifully and I felt how misunderstood the children felt and how bemused and confused the parents were. The romance unfolds nicely with lots of misunderstanding between Maggie and Fergus. Some surprises occur as the story unfolds and creates a great side story or too. Fabulous narration too, thank you. Another great book by @maya.linnell.writes taken in Toowoomba, Queensland by @umar_loves_to_read

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4 months ago