This one has been sitting on my kindle for years and I’m so glad I finally read it. Genuinely excellent.

A Christmas present from my partner’s family. Spec fiction + the civil service, fitting neatly in my Venn diagram of interests. Funny and interesting.

I would have enjoyed this more if I hadn’t just read one of Shamsie’s excellent novels. But still, a fun read.

Possibly my new favourite children’s book … my little friend Hazel introduced me to this one.

Kamila Shamsie was recommended by my colleague Lauren, and I’ve loved all of her work.

A short, powerful novella by Australian writer Amanda Lohrey. I read it in an afternoon, and with great pleasure.

The first Captive’s War novella. Still a bit of a mystery, but will presumably make sense as part of the Verse over time.

I finally read Jilya, after attending the book launch a few months ago. Dr Westerman is building an army of First Nations psychologists, and this is her story.

I first read Ghosh in a postcolonial lit course at uni, and have continued to read and love his work. This sprawling historical family story was wonderful.

I smashed the new Helen Garner in a day. More footy than I’m really comfortable with, but as with all things, it’s magical when told through Helen’s pen.

Second book down. By one of my fav sci fi authors, James SA Corey of Expanse fame. A more complex story and universe, took me a while to get into it, but am now intrigued and looking forward to the next one.

First book of the holidays - All Our Shimmering Skies, obtained in the annual dandolo bookswap.

Beautifully written, with a great love of the Australian bush.

@tvaughanedu.bsky.social & @joeconnell.bsky.social - we can talk berries once again!

I proudly present my first ever home grown blueberries.