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Newtown Review of Books
@newtownbooks.bsky.social
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Sydney's original online review of books, established March 2012 by Jean Bedford and Linda Funnell. We are a free and independent site for book reviews. Find us at https://newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/
On Gadigal land. Posts by LF.
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newtownbooks.bsky.social
"In her latest book... North moves into the realms of modern space opera, and once again brings something new to the table... [using] her science fiction stylings to consider large, real-world issues."
Robert Goodman reviews Slow Gods:
newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/claire-north...
#BookSky 💙 📚
Image of cover of book Slow Gods by Claire North, reviewed by Robert Goodman in the Newtown Review of Books.
December 2, 2025 at 12:14 AM
newtownbooks.bsky.social
ICYMI this week's reviews of two new novels from Australian authors:
Amelia Dudley on Keshe Chow's dark fantasy For No Mortal Creature
Annette Hughes on Erin Hortle's second novel A Catalogue of Love
Find them at newtownreviewofbooks.com.au
#AustralianAuthors
#NewFiction
#BookReviews
#BookSky 💙 📚
Image of covers of books For No Mortal Creature by Keshe Chow and A Catalogue of Love by Erin Hortle.
November 28, 2025 at 12:14 AM
newtownbooks.bsky.social
"the exhilaration of surfing is crafted with such precision, it’s hard to believe Neika is the work of Hortle’s exceptionally vivid imagination... irresistible."
Annette Hughes reviews A Catalogue of Love:
newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/erin-hortle-...
#AustralianAuthors
#Fiction
#BookSky 💙 📚
Image of cover of book A Catalogue of Love by Erin Hortle, reviewed by Annette Hughes in the Newtown Review of Books.
November 27, 2025 at 12:14 AM
newtownbooks.bsky.social
"gripping, full of misunderstandings and their often terrible consequences ...this is a beautiful, original story about grief, letting go and finding your place."
Amelia Dudley reviews Keshe Chow's new novel For No Mortal Creature:
newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/keshe-chow-f...
#ghosts
#BookSky 💙 📚
Image of cover of book For No Mortal Creature by Keshe Chow, reviewed by Amelia Dudley in the Newtown Review of Books.
November 25, 2025 at 12:14 AM
newtownbooks.bsky.social
ICYMI this week's reviews:
Braham Dabscheck on Richard Denniss's Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us
Ann Skea on Nicola Barker's latest novel TonyInterruptor
Find them at newtownreviewofbooks.com.au
#BookReviews
#NewBooks
#BookSky 💙 📚
Image of covers of books Dead Centre by Richard Denniss and TonyInterruptor by Nicola Barker.
November 21, 2025 at 12:14 AM
newtownbooks.bsky.social
TonyInterruptor is "often very funny and it certainly demonstrates the dissembling, self-delusion and dishonesties of our everyday lives."
Ann Skea reviews Nicola Barker's new novel:
newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/nicola-barke...
@grantabooks.bsky.social
#NewFiction
#BookSky 💙 📚
Image of cover of book TonyInterruptor by Nicola Barker, reviewed by Ann Skea in the Newtown Review of Books.
November 20, 2025 at 12:14 AM
newtownbooks.bsky.social
Great evening at @gleebooks.bsky.social to hear Don Watson discuss The Shortest History of the United States of America. The history, the contradictions, the violence, the energy, the rhetoric of freedom, the racism - and the overturning of conventions by the current president.
#BookSky 💙 📚
Image of Don Watson, author of The Shortest History of the United States of America, at Gleebooks Image of book The Shortest History of the United States of America by Don Watson
November 19, 2025 at 11:30 AM
newtownbooks.bsky.social
"a clear and concise examination of the timidity of Australian politicians to tackle major issues central to Australia’s long-term needs."
Braham Dabscheck reviews Richard Denniss's Dead Centre
newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/richard-denn...
@australiainstitute.org.au
#AustralianPolitics
#BookSky 💙 📚
Image of cover of book Dead Centre by Richard Denniss, reviewed by Braham Dabscheck in the Newtown Review of Books.
November 18, 2025 at 12:14 AM
newtownbooks.bsky.social
ICYMI this week's reviews:
Ann Skea on Mariana Enriquez's memoir Somebody is Walking on Your Grave: My cemetery journeys
Amelia Dudley on T Kingfisher's new novel Hemlock and Silver
newtownreviewofbooks.com.au
@grantabooks.bsky.social
@torbooksuk.bsky.social
@tkingfisher.com
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Image of covers of books Somebody is Walking on Your Grave by Mariana Enriquez, and Hemlock and Silver by T Kingfisher.
November 14, 2025 at 12:14 AM
newtownbooks.bsky.social
"This novel is not just for fellow plant biologists or anyone else fascinated by poisonous plants.. It’s hilarious and charming and heartbreaking."
Amelia Dudley reviews T Kingfisher's Hemlock & Silver:
newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/t-kingfisher...
@torbooksuk.bsky.social
@tkingfisher.com
#BookSky 💙 📚
Image of cover of book Hemlock and Silver by T Kingfisher, reviewed by Amelia Dudley in the Newtown Review of Books.
November 13, 2025 at 12:14 AM
newtownbooks.bsky.social
Mariana Enriquez is "an amusing, thoughtful and well-informed companion" as she details her fascination with cemeteries.
Ann Skea reviews Mariana Enriquez's Somebody is Walking on Your Grave: My cemetery journeys:
newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/mariana-enri...
@grantabooks.bsky.social
#BookSky 💙 📚
Image of cover of book Somebody is Walking on Your Grave by Mariana Enriquez, reviewed by Ann Skea in the Newtown Review of Books.
November 11, 2025 at 12:14 AM
newtownbooks.bsky.social
ICYMI this week's reviews:
Bernard Whimpress on Brian Stoddart's Playing the Game: How cricket made Barbados
Braham Dabscheck on David Price's The Shameful Isles: The true story of north-west Australia’s fatal experiment with medical apartheid
Find them at newtownreviewofbooks.com.au
#BookSky 💙 📚
Image of covers of books Playing the Game by Brian Stoddart, and The Shameful Isles by David Price.
November 7, 2025 at 12:14 AM
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"an important book that deals with difficult – and shameful – issues."
Braham Dabscheck reviews David Price's The Shameful Isles: The true story of north-west Australia’s fatal experiment with medical apartheid:
newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/david-price-...
#AustralianHistory
#BookSky 💙 📚
Image of cover of book The Shameful Isles by David Price, reviewed by Braham Dabscheck in the Newtown Review of Books.
November 6, 2025 at 12:14 AM
newtownbooks.bsky.social
"an important work and essential reading for anyone who cares not only about the direction of West Indies cricket but the future of the global game."
Bernard Whimpress reviews Brian Stoddart's Playing the Game: How cricket made Barbados:
newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/brian-stodda...
#BookSky 💙 📚
Image of cover of book Playing the Game by Brian Stoddart, reviewed by Bernard Whimpress in the Newtown Review of Books.
November 4, 2025 at 12:14 AM
newtownbooks.bsky.social
ICYMI this week's reviews:
Naomi Manuell on John Banville's gothic historical novel Venetian Vespers
Linda Godfrey on Andrew Pippos's new novel The Transformations
Find them at newtownreviewofbooks.com.au
#NewFiction
#BookReviews
#BookSky 💙 📚
Image of covers of books Venetian Vespers by John Banville, and The Transformations by Andrew Pippos.
October 31, 2025 at 12:14 AM
newtownbooks.bsky.social
"Pippos offers a nuanced and insightful exploration of second-generation migrant experiences ... and the transformative impact of love."
Linda Godfrey reviews the new novel from Andrew Pippos, The Transformations:
newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/andrew-pippo...
#AustralianAuthors
#BookSky 💙 📚
Image of cover of book The Transformations by Andrew Pippos, reviewed by Linda Godfrey in the Newtown Review of Books.
October 30, 2025 at 12:14 AM
newtownbooks.bsky.social
"Evelyn Dolman, the book’s narrator.. is a writer, a self-deluded scribe whose comeuppance is a delight to witness."
Naomi Manuell reviews John Banville's new novel Venetian Vespers:
newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/john-banvill...
@faberbooks.bsky.social
#HistoricalFiction
#CrimeFiction
#BookSky 💙 📚
Image of cover of book Venetian Vespers by John Banville, reviewed by Naomi Manuell in the Newtown Review of Books.
October 28, 2025 at 12:14 AM
newtownbooks.bsky.social
ICYMI this week's reviews:
Karen Chisholm on Garry Disher's latest Hirsch crime novel, MIschance Creek
Braham Dabscheck on Graeme Turner's dissection of the crisis in Australian universities, Broken
Find them at newtownreviewofbooks.com.au
@austcrimefiction.org
#AustralianAuthors
#BookSky 💙 📚
Image of covers of books Mischance Creek by Garry Disher, and Broken: Universities, politics and the public good by Graeme Turner.
October 24, 2025 at 12:14 AM
newtownbooks.bsky.social
"provides a clear and concise analysis of the problems that beset universities and a well thought-out program for reform."
Braham Dabscheck reviews Graeme Turner's Broken: Universities, politics and the public good:
newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/graeme-turne...
#AustralianUniversities
#BookSky 💙 📚
Image of cover of book Broken: Universities, politics and the public good by Graeme Turner, reviewed by Braham Dabscheck in the Newtown Review of Books.
October 23, 2025 at 12:14 AM
newtownbooks.bsky.social
Our personal highlight of the History Unbound festival – NRB’s Linda Funnell in conversation with brilliant novelists Emily Maguire and Toni Jordan.
October 22, 2025 at 12:15 AM
newtownbooks.bsky.social
Historical fiction fans – don’t miss this! The History Unbound festival is on 1st and 2nd Nov at Parramatta Town Hall. Hear from authors inc Anita Heiss, Natasha Lester, Fiona McIntosh, & Pip Williams.
willorganise.eventsair.com/2025-history...
#AustralianAuthors
#HistoricalFiction
#BookSky 💙 📚
Image depicts advertisement for half day passes for the History Unbound 2025 historical novel festival on 1 & 2 November at Parramatta Town Hall.
October 22, 2025 at 12:15 AM
newtownbooks.bsky.social
"Disher.. is master of the art of misdirection, complicated scenarios made easy, and the slow, measured build."
Karen Chisholm reviews Garry Disher's latest crime novel, MIschance Creek:
newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/garry-disher...
@austcrimefiction.org
#CrimeFiction
#RuralNoir
#BookSky 💙 📚
Image of cover of book Mischance Creek by Garry Disher, reviewed by Karen Chisholm in the Newtown Review of Books.
October 21, 2025 at 12:14 AM
newtownbooks.bsky.social
ICYMI this week's reviews:
Jessica Stewart on Jennette McCurdy's memoir I'm Glad My Mom Died
Braham Dabscheck on Evan Osnos' account of the ultrarich, The Haves and Have-Yachts
Ann Skea on Heather Rose's new historical novel, A Great Act of Love.
newtownreviewofbooks.com.au
#BookSky 💙 📚
Image of covers of books I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy, The Haves and Have-Yachts by Evan Osnos, and A Great Act of Love by Heather Rose.
October 17, 2025 at 12:14 AM
newtownbooks.bsky.social
"Rose weaves many stories into [the book] and strands of poetry lighten some of the darkest parts."
Ann Skea reviews Heather Rose's new novel A Great Act of Love, set in colonial-era Van Dieman's Land:
newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/heather-rose...
#AustralianAuthors
#HistoricalFiction
#BookSky 💙 📚
Image of cover of book A Great Act of Love by Heather Rose, reviewed by Ann Skea in the Newtown Review of Books.
October 16, 2025 at 12:14 AM
newtownbooks.bsky.social
"provides valuable insights into the conceits of America’s ultrarich and their broader impact on the ‘working out’, or more correctly the dismantling of, the American dream."
Braham Dabscheck reviews Evan Osnos' The Haves and Have-Yachts:
newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/evan-osnos-t...
#BookSky 💙 📚
Image of cover of book The Haves and Have-Yachts by Evan Osnos, reviewed by Braham Dabscheck in the Newtown Review of Books.
October 15, 2025 at 12:14 AM