The Other Hand by Chris Cleave

This is a very powerful book, beautifully written. The subject matter isn't light and yet the book doesn't seem heavy or depressing. It is told from the view points of a young Nigerian refugee called Little Bee and a suburban woman in London. Little Bee's story is shocking and frightening and not only the part that happened to her in Nigeria. This book made me think differently about the life of refugees; before they leave their country and after they arrive in the place that is supposed to bring safety and stability. Despite the horror at the heart of the book, it is funny and life-affirming.

You can borrow this book from Wagga City Library or reserve it here.

Salvation in Death by J.D. Robb

This is the 27th book in the "In Death" series by J.D. Robb aka Nora Roberts. For those of you who like to follow characters, this is a great crime series set in New York in the future. Lieutenant Eve Dallas is the main character, a strong woman who believes in justice. If you haven't already discovered this series, it is a great read. She meets her husband in the first book of the series "Naked in Death", so there is a romantic element. Her sidekick Peabody is another great contrasting character in the series. Whilst not essential to read the books in order, as each book can stand alone, I would recommend that you do read them in sequence and enjoy the gradual character development. This series is light, easy to read and great escapism with the futuristic setting adding an interesting element.

The Waterlily: A Blue Mountains Journal by Kate Llewellyn

This is such a delightful book! Kate Llewellyn is an Australian poet who bought a house in the Blue Mountains and wrote this journal for one year. It is filled with love, heartbreak, hope, gardening, fabulous food and cups of tea. Her writing is evocative and I feel as though I too have spent a year in the mountains coming to terms with life and enjoying it through all the ups and downs.

If you love beautiful writing, gardening or food you must read this book. Reserve it here. Also available by Kate Llewellyn are The Mountain, The Floral Mother and other Essays, The Penguin Book of Australian Women Poets, The Dressmaker's Daughter, Honey: Poems and Playing with Water.

The Trout Opera by Matt Condon

The Trout Opera is an epic, Australian novel, spanning the twentieth century. It begins with a Christmas pageant in Dalgety in 1906 and ends with the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympics. We follow Wilfred Lampe whose long life is lived in the Monaro and who must come to terms with modern Australia and Aurora Beck whose life is fraught with modern problems and who needs to find a way to reclaim her life.

Australia itself is one of the fascinating characters in this book. From the Snowy to Kings Cross covering history, war, romance and the media. If you like Australian literature you may find this a wonderful experience.

You can reserve The Trout Opera here.