My 2018 Aussie Top Ten Reads

                  

I am jumping on the bandwagon and posting my best books of the year.  As choosing only ten books though is just way too difficult, I’ve decided to post my top ten books by Aussie authors first.

Suspect by Michael Robotham:  How did I only discover Robotham this year?  This is the first book in the Joseph O’Loughlin series and I adored it. Although this thriller/mystery has so much going on in it, it’s still an easy read, fast paced and a definite page turner. I couldn’t wait to get to the end to find out how Joe would get out of his dilemma. Just a warning, sitting up late at night to finish the book will happen. There was an unexpected twist in the end that left me breathless for a long moment.  5 out of 5

Lost by Michael Robotham:  It’s a gutsy move to relegate the character you’re planning to make the star of a series to a supporting role in only the second book, but I also thought it was a master stroke. In this thriller/mystery, we follow the story of DI Ruiz who’d pursued O’Loughlin in Suspect. The action moves along with breakneck speed and again Robotham made me gasp out loud a couple of times with shock at the many plot twists and unexpected scenes which occur.  5 out of 5

Life Or Death by Michael Robotham:  A stand alone Robotham thriller/mystery.  Set in the US, it starts with the book’s hero, Audie Palmer, escaping from gaol only one day before he is due to be released on parole. Robotham’s skill for writing action sequences is highlighted, especially during the first part of the book which is full of above average fight and flight scenes. The book is much more though. Robotham’s observations of family and society and the dark side of human nature are remarkable and he manages to present many literary elements.  5 out of 5

The Right Place by Carla Caruso:  Nella and Adrian’s story was probably one of the best contemporary romances I’ve read for a while. The book also comes under the genre of historical fiction by featuring Nella’s grandmother’s, Esta, story of migrating to Australia from Italy in the 50s.  There’s beautiful Italian recipes included (and not just a couple — as many as some high priced recipe books I have purchased in the past) which makes  The Right Place double the worth. 4 1/2 out of 5

The Art of Preserving Love by Ada Langton: This rich and unique tale is about preserving love; ensuring it doesn’t fade, no matter the circumstances.  Love in all its forms, not just romantic.  There is romance, of course, but it isn’t written in the traditional form. The romance more or less just weaves its way through what I’d probably class as a historical women’s fiction book.  4 1/2 out of 5

The Way Back by Kylie Ladd: I thought The Way Back would be a mystery cum physiological thriller, perhaps police procedural.Instead it is the dramatic story of a typical Australian family coping with an unbearably heartbreaking situation. I think my favourite thing about this book is that it felt so real. No character or plotline seemed over the top.  I shed a tear more than once.  4 1/2 out of 5

Beautiful Messy Love by Tess Woods:  A contemporary romance done right.  Woods uses modern references and topical political subjects to actually add to the plot and characterisation. Social media, terrorism, fear of Muslims, asylum seekers, Australia’s off-shore detention centres – they’re all integrated into the plot seamlessly. If you’re looking for a book that represents how Aussies really think, talk and act, this is the book for you. The dialogue and slang are spot on.  4 1/2 out of 5

The Sunday Girl by Pip Drysdale:  An addictive psychological thriller in the vein of Girl on the Train. Instead of the big shock twist, Drysdale just keeps the tension on one blood pumping level. She has a knack of making even the most mundane moments feel frightening. From a parrot squawking to a yellow ribbon, you just know, as you read, that these small things will be dangerous.  4 out of 5

The Secrets at Ocean’s Edge by Kali Napier:  Set in 1932, WW1 is still affecting many of this book’s characters either physically, mentally or financially. The secrets of the title are many and varied. Napier covers tough issues: sexual abuse/rape, child abuse, adultery, arson, extortion. The book can be quite harrowing at times but is an impressive debut and will believe it will become an important piece of Australian literature in the future. 4 out of 5

The Memories That Make Us by Vanessa Carnevale:  Our heroine, Gracie, suffers from complete amnesia after being involved in a car accident. She can’t remember her best friend, her mother, or her fiance, Blake, who she was supposed to marry in three weeks. Yes, the old faithful amnesia trope. But with this book and her heroine, Carnevale has really done an excellent job at looking at the fear of memory loss instead of simply using it as a cliched romantic plot device.  4 out of 5

The Art of Preserving Love

Book Review:  The Art of Preserving Love by Ada Langton

I thought The Art of Preserving Love was difficult to describe. Then I realised, once I’d finished reading the rich and unique tale, that the book’s title describes it beautifully. Preserving love, eternal love which doesn’t fade no matter the circumstances, is a major theme throughout. And I mean love in all its forms, not just romantic.

There is romance, of course, but it isn’t written in the traditional form. The romance more or less just weaves its way through what I’d probably class as a historical women’s fiction book. At times I was reminded a little of The Dressmaker, only this book isn’t quite as dark as I found that. (I must point out I haven’t read that book, only seen the movie.)

At the beginning of the book we are introduced to 19 year old Edie. In 1905 Ballarat, she is in love with Theo who plays the organ at her church, even though most believe she is too plain to catch his eye. From here, the book covers Edie’s growth from a spoilt self absorbed girl whose only care is the length of her skirt, to 1924 when Edie is a self assured independent woman who has sacrificed much for love.

Langton doesn’t centre completely on Edie and Theo, however. She introduces seemingly random characters and focuses on their stories intently until she manages to pull the threads together and we eventually understand each individual’s inclusion and impact upon the novel’s plot.

I liked all the female characters, especially Edie’s maid, Beth, and Theo’s mother, Lilly. However, I didn’t feel I became as attached to the male characters. In fact, if there is one flaw in the book it would be that I’m not sure if I was ever particularly fond of Theo. There was something about him I found quite often unappealing.

Many historical events are covered within the 1905 to 1924 timeframe – the most obvious
being WW1. I thought Langton was strongest when describing the war and its lasting effects. This not only included the returning soldiers and their shellshock/PTSD but the way the war changed society in general, the political climate and such things as the feminist movement.

The institution of marriage is comprehensively studied also. Divorce, sex before marriage, forced marriages, marriage for convenience or religious reasons, de facto relationships, extramarital affairs, and same sex marriages/relationships are all brought up at some stage. It’s interesting how some ideas have changed considerably and yet some are still exactly as they were in the early 20th century.

Another interesting subject Langton included was the medical advice given at the time. True story: My great aunt had a (slight) birth defect and was basically left for dead by the medical profession around the same time this novel started, so the idea of the character Gracie being written off by the doctors is not unrealistic and extremely frustrating.

And sadly, the medical profession and society’s ignorance when it comes to dealing with mental health has probably only improved by a fraction.  However, I’m happy to announce that no one suggests drinking a wine laced with cocaine anymore. I’m sure it sounded like a good idea at the time… And I won’t mention what they wanted to feed a newborn baby instead of a mother’s breast milk!

Being set in Ballarat gave Langton the chance to also focus on Australia’s early struggles when it came to workers’ rights. I’m not sure if Langton lives in the area or has just researched it thoroughly but she certainly made the large country town come alive. In fact, the book has a very Australian feel to it. Perfect for an Australia Day weekend.

Highly recommend.

4 ½ out of 5