Book-A-Week – May books read
May was a month for extraordinary books. Blackbirds Sing by Aiki Flinthart and Phosphorescence by Julia Baird are two of my favourites this year, but the rest were awesome too!
I loved the novelisation of The Rise of Skywalker by Rae Carson (26 of 52). I listened to the audiobook (narrated by the incredible Marc Thompson) and bought the paperback for Juz, and we both devoured them. So much extra story, extra background, extra Leia (which was beautiful), extra motivation… We laughed and cried, just like the movie.And the narration was so much like the movie at times it was uncanny. So wonderful ❤️
To celebrate/reward myself for the release of Into the Air last year, I bought Joanne Harris’s beautiful (and beautifully illustrated) hardcover book A Pocketful of Crows (27 of 52), and it was a delight… “Following the seasons, A Pocketful of Crows balances youth and age, wisdom and passion, and draws on nature and folklore to weave a stunning modern mythology around a nameless wild girl. Only love could draw her into the world of named, tamed things. And only revenge will be powerful enough to let her escape. A stunning and original modern fairytale…”
Starting Over at Acorn Cottage (28 of 52) by Aussie author Kate Forster is a sweet and uplifting village romance, with lovely characters, second chances, tea and scones, English countryside and the joy of friendship.
OMG! Blackbirds Sing by Aiki Flinthart is incredible! I absolutely LOVED it. It’s a historical fantasy novel, set in London in 1486 and based on real events and real people – with some licence taken, a couple of characters invented, and a little extra enchantment added. There’s love, loyalty, treason, royalty, herbalism and midwifery, intrigue, plots-within-plots, courage and ancient Irish magic, and it’s told in the most ambitious way possible – each chapter is a short story in itself, focused on one of the twenty-four main characters, and is somehow able to evoke her entire life, while also weaving together with the other characters’ sections to beautifully tell one overarching story that kept me gripped from the first page to the last (I may have stayed up way too late for a few nights, oops!). The format has been described as the literary equivalent of a reverse quadruple somersault – it’s brave and audacious and incredibly ambitious, and shouldn’t work – yet it does. Talented Aussie author Aiki pulls it off in the most stunning way. Aside from the incredible accomplishment of the structure, the story itself is fascinating, richly researched, completely immersive, clever, engrossing, and so much fun. Bold, brilliant and truly beautiful, from a master storyteller. (29 of 52)
Sorry to everyone who buys the books I recommend, cos here’s another one! (I’ve had a few joking complaints about filling people’s book shelves #sorrynotsorry) A Pinch of Magic (30 of 52) by Michelle Harrison is a lovely, sweet, magical adventure, suspenseful and intriguing, with a curse, three enchanted objects, a mystery, a prison break, a fascinating cast of characters, and a wise-but-stern granny and three feisty, brave sisters who love each other despite their flaws and will risk their lives for each other. It’s enchanting and spellbinding, and I can’t wait to start book two, A Sprinkle of Sorcery – and am so happy that book three, A Tangle of Spells, is on its way…
A missing sister, a secret island and … a sprinkle of sorcery. Michelle Harrison’s A Sprinkle of Sorcery (31 of 52) is just as sweet, suspenseful, adventure-filled and enchanting as the first book, A Pinch of Magic. This time the fierce, feisty, flawed but fabulous Widdershins sisters encounter pirates, will-o-the-wisps, rogue warders and plenty of danger in their quest to rescue Charlie and clear an innocent man’s name in time to save him from the gallows. Can’t wait for the third book, A Tangle of Spells… Oh, and the talented author is also an artist – the maps and sweet chapter heads were created by her!
“Elsie Pickles was minding the family shop when the witch blew into town…” I was just going to check the first line of this book for Instagram’s #whatlinewednesday, but I got sucked in and read the whole book 😊 Witch For A Week by Kaye Umansky (32 of 52) is a sweet middle grade read, with adorable illustrations by Ashley King.
And my first and last read for May was the truly luminescent Phosphorescence by Julia Baird (33 of 52). I started the month listening to the audiobook whenever I went to the park to visit my swan friends (the babies are now six weeks old, and still so adorable!). It’s beautifully narrated by Julia, and I finished listening on May 31. But it’s such a gorgeous book that I bought the paperback too, so I can savour it, and dip back in and out for words of wisdom and comfort. It’s inspiring, enchanting, powerful and important.
💕 📚 🌟
Book-A-Week – April books read
April was a strange month for everyone. Like many I’ve been struggling a little to write, and for a while I was having trouble focusing on books too. But when social media got too much, I retreated to my book shelves, and devoured a bunch of books – so many that I had to split my April reads instagram post into two!
I’d really been looking forward to The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins (16 of 52), because of the title and premise. I really liked it, although the title was a bit misleading – sadly the book charming isn’t a big part of the plot. But it’s still a lovely story, with a touch of magical realism, and I’ll read the next in the series when it comes out.
And I enjoyed it enough to buy the prequel novella when I finished it – despite the name (Love In the Afternoon) and the cover, which don’t really suit it – I would have scrolled right past it if I didn’t have the link. It was a sweet read, with hints of magical realism with a minor character – who gets her own book later this year (Cup of Silver Linings) – and a ghost who gives great advice… 
Then I got back to The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories by Angela Carter (18 of 52). I’m still not quite sure how I feel about this collection of short stories (one taking up much of the book, another just two pages long)… It’s beautiful writing… at times disturbing… brutal yet enchanting… edging into horror, which is not my thing. One person described the title story as Edgar Allen Poe doing Fifty Shades… They have faery tale origins, but some are unrecognisable – they’re very much their own stories.
On the lighter side, I read Cooee Mittigar by Jasmine Seymour (19a of 52), a gorgeous kids book that’s beautifully illustrated by Leanne Mulgo Watson. It introduces readers to the plants, animals and seasons of Darug, the Greater Sydney area. Narrated by Mulgo, the black swan, it’s a worthy addition to every book shelf. It’s books like this one that make me wish the kids mags were still going so I could share it more widely…
Nessie and the Holiday Surprise by Isla Wynter (19b of 52) is another adorable kids book, this one about sweet Nessie, the Loch Ness “monster”. I read the ebook, but recommend the paperback to get the full effect. Isla also has some gorgeous books about mermaids, unicorns and llamas.
Then I read Alice Hoffman’s The Story Sisters (20 of 52), which was a bit of a struggle at times, I think more because of my frame of mind, and the craziness of the world right now, than the story itself… There are beautiful parts, as well as depressing ones, and characters that are wonderful and sympathetic, and a couple less so… It’s made me wonder how much the timing of when you read a book impacts on how much you love it… I read a haunting short story by Alice, Everything My Mother Taught Me, too, and am looking forward to Magic Lessons, the prequel to Practical Magic, which will be out in October. 
My favourite read so far this year came out in 2004, and I’m not sure why I waited so long to read it – I’ve had it for ages – but I’m so glad I saved it because I got to read it now! Kate Forsyth’s Tower of Ravens: Rhiannon’s Ride Book One (21 of 52) is a *beautifully* written, gorgeously magical fantasy with enchanting characters, a spellbinding, immersive world, a murder and plenty of intrigue, with witches, humans and magical beings, and lots of action. I did my “one more chapter” thing at 1am – but several hours passed before I could tear myself away, oops! It’s set in the same world as The Witches of Eileanan, which is one of my favourite series ever. I’m going to have to use book two as a bribe and not start it until I’ve got way more writing done!
We were chatting about Australian animals at the launch of The Swan Maiden, and one of the US guests remembered reading Magic Tree House: Dingoes At Dinnertime by Mary Pope Osborne as a kid, so I tracked it down. It’s about two American kids transported (magically, not by convict ship!) to Australia, where they have to save a koala bubba from a bushfire, and dingoes. The series started in 1992, and is still going strong, and this book came out in 2000. This one and many others feature Morgan Le Fay sends the siblings on adventures and missions in an enchanted tree house. Short and sweet and very cute.
I was interviewed by two lovely English Witch Lit authors, so I checked out their books. Sheena Cundy’s book The Madness and the Magic (23 of 52) was funny and chaotic and enchanting and brandy soaked and surprisingly sweet, full of laughter, and the trials, triumphs and challenges of real life, complete with spells, rituals, a handsome vicar, and the magic of possibility.
And I also enjoyed The Naked Witch by Wendy Steele (24 of 52). It’s contemporary fiction, with a little magic, a little mystery, a little crime, a little mother-daughter time, a little family conflict, a little almost-romance, but no nakedness (although Lizzie *is* at odds with her new boss over her colourful wardrobe…). Looking forward to the next in the series…
And Demelza Carlton’s Float (25 of 52), inspired by the Enchanted Horse faery tale, was enchanting. Set in Venice, it’s full of love and war, magic and mystery, and a kick ass MC I was cheering on the whole way… I’ve read a few of Demelza’s faery tale reimaginings now, and have loved them all. I’m looking forward to reading more… 💕
💕 📚 🌟
Book-A-Week – March books read
As I get ready for the online launch of The Swan Maiden on April 1, it’s no surprise that my March was filled with faery tales, and faery tale-inspired books. Although first I had to read and re-read my book a few times (11 of 52), ha ha!
Then I did a beta read on Arnold Ethon Book Two: The Eagle and the Jaguar by A. P. Beswick (12 of 52), a fun, action-packed middle-grade adventure story set in the north of England – and another dimension.
Then I could finally read my bribe-book, the one encou
raging me to finish writing mine so I could dive back in to the bliss of reading. I’ve loved all of Menna van Praag’s magical realism novels, and her first fantasy, The Sisters Grimm (13 of 52), is also wonderful and enchanting – and a little darker than usual. I don’t want to give too much away, but come chat to Menna at my online book launch on April 1.
This month’s Australian Fairy Tale Society story is Hans Christian’s Andersen’s The Snow Queen (14 of 52), which has inspired so many tales, from books to the movie Frozen. I discovered I’d only ever read the condensed version before, but the complete tale, told in seven stories, or chapters, is complex and fascinating – and oddly and disturbingly religious – with a princess and a robber girl, various wise women and witches, magical tears, flying sleds, deep friendship, adventure, compassion, and an evil Snow Queen, of course…
And lastly I read the beautiful Faerie Knitting: 14 Tales of Love and Magic by Alice Hoffman and Lisa Hoffman (15 of 52), which is filled with wonderful original faery tales, plus an amazing wearable craft project to go with each one, from the Blue Heron Shawl and the Love Never Ending Cowl, to the Three Wishes Mittens and Amulet Necklace. I kinda wish I could knit, just so I could make these. And the stories are lovely too.
💕 📚 🌟
Book-A-Week – February books read
My first book I read this month was Angela Slatter’s A Feast Of Sorrows (7 of 52), because our Australian Fairy Tale Society story was The Jacaranda Wife, one of the short stories within. This book is a slightly creepy collection of dark faery tales, peopled by women and girls who are fearless, frightened, brave, bold, frail, and fantastical.
Then I beta read Chasing Neve (8 of 52) by K. A. Last, which is out on March 31. It’s a wonderful reimagining of Snow White, which is love-filled and action-packed, with lovely twists and lots of magic.
I bought The Chaos of Stars (9 of 52) by Kiersten White ages ago, because I loved a quote I came across online. And I kind of forgot about it until my book club theme for February was fate and destiny, and it seemed the perfect choice. It’s an engaging story of first love, Egyptian mythology, and family – if your family happens to be a bunch of twisted Egyptian gods and goddesses! I read it in a day, so I clearly enjoyed it…
🌟 “I didn’t fall in love with you. I walked into love with you, with my eyes wide open, choosing to take every step along the way. I do believe in fate and destiny, but I also believe we are only fated to do the things that we’d choose anyway. And I’d choose you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality, I’d find you and I’d choose you”
Kiersten White, The Chaos of Stars 🌟
And I’m absolutely loving Lucy Cavendish’s Magickal Faerytales: An Enchanted Collection of Retold Tales (10 of 52), a gorgeous selection of re-imagined faery tales that restores their pagan wisdom. In addition to the eleven classics, it includes an original story, plus faery-tale-inspired spells, fascinating histories, and more. Beautifully illustrated by Jasmine Becket-Griffith, this hardcover edition is definitely one to keep and savour.
💕 📚 🌟
Book-A-Week – January books read
Last year I challenged myself to read a book a week, and I did! 52 books in 52 weeks. And it was awesome. It’s so easy to not make time for reading, with work and deadlines and everything, but I’m so glad I did. And this year I’m doing it again, because I love reading and I want to make time for it. Plus, there are SO MANY amazing books on my TBR shelf that I can’t wait to read!
January was a mix of things, starting with Greta Thunberg’s No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference (1 of 52), which sparked some fiery debate when I posted about it on instagram (sigh).
I read my favourite singer Mick Thomas’s graphic novel Coldwater Chronicles (2 of 52) as part of a reading challenge, and the middle grade urban fantasy adventure Arnold Ethon and the Lions of Tsavo (3 of 52) by new English writer A. P. Beswick.
I also read three books by BABE authors, in preparation for the book event I was signing at – the saucy Winter Princess by Skye MacKinnon (4 of 52) and For the Win (5 of 52) by Eve L Mitchell, and the grippingfantasy book The Princess Must Die (6 of 52) by Jaymin Eve and Everly Frost, the first in their Storm Princess Saga trilogy.
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