Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Picture Book Month bonus: Hometown – Shaun Tan

    Allen & Unwin September 2026 ISBN:9781761180811 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $35.00 Some reviews just demand to be written straight away and this is one. I read this glorious, sumptuous, provocative, thoughtful, philosophical book last night and absolutely revelled in its beauty and magicality. I am still miffed that I missed out on…

  • The Hidden War – Belinda Murrell

    Jeparit Press, an imprint of Connor Court Publishing and The Robert Menzies Institute. August 2026 RRP: $24.95 ISBN: 9781923568457 I really want to thank Belinda for asking me to review this terrific slice of history because, though I am that nerd who enjoys all things historical, I really had no idea about any of this.…

  • Nothing to Lose: Friday Barnes #14 – R. A. Spratt

    Penguin Australia September 2026 ISBN: 9781761349737 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $16.99 My delight in R. A. Spratt’s books is well known and no matter if it’s Friday, Nanny Piggins, the Peskis or any others of her wide-ranging titles, I am always eager to pick them up and never fail to be both entertained and to snort…

  • Web of Spies: S.I.G.M.A. #1 – Tim Ayliffe

    Affirm Press September 2026 Distributed by Simon & Schuster ISBN13: 9781761636615 LIST PRICE: AU$ 16.99 / NZ$ 19.99 With a promo that offers the reader a ‘Australia’s answer to Alex Rider’ this will entice many thrillseekers. And, being a fan of Alex Rider myself, I was keen to read this ARC. Two swift sessions as…

  • Us in the Bright Lights – Zanni L. Arnot

    Hachette Australia 9780734424501|July 2026|RRP $19.99 Imprint: Lothian Children’s Books I confess that I can be a bit of a sucker for a good rom-com and this new YA romance from Zanni ticked all the right boxes for me because it was not only a sweet romance but had serious moments as well as some vicarious…

  • Old Bertie – Perrella & Osborn

    Fremantle Press August 2026 ISBN: 9781760996390 RRP: $24.99 This is 100% completely bonkers but I mean that in the most positive way possible. This is dystopia as you’ve never read it before. If you imagine – and forgive me for showing my age – humour such as that of Young Einstein or The Castle – that…

  • Eleanor Jones is Not Drowning – Amy Doak

    Penguin Australia June 2026 ISBN: 9781761357305 Imprint: Penguin RRP: $19.99 Amy Doak’s thrillers, especially the Eleanor Jones series, have been smash hits from the start and you could bet that when this one arrived on Thursday 18th, it wasn’t going to languish on the shelf for long unread. In fact, I took it away with us up the…

  • Good Young Men – Gary Lonesborough

    Allen & Unwin March 2026 ISBN:9781761182174 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $22.99 Once again Gary brings his own upbringing as a young gay Koori in a regional setting [from the same part of the country as my family] as well as his professional experience working with Aboriginal youth in a skewed justice system,…

  • I Know What You’re Hiding – Jack Heath

    Scholastic Australia May 2026 ISBN: 9781761526794 RRP: $17.99 My first introduction to Jack Heath and his amazing capacity for inventive and thrilling narrative was at the ASLA Conference Canberra [circa 2005 if I recall?]. I am quite sure his presentation was at The Shine Dome, which was great fun in itself but it’s been a…

  • Drawing Nudes While Making Other Plans – Zoe Gaetjens

    Penguin Australia May 2026 ISBN: 9781761358012 Imprint: Penguin $19.99 Sometimes it’s just so refreshing to read something that’s different and this was one of those. It’s not that I don’t enjoy reading the YA cosy murder mysteries and so on, but when you get a book that gives you a slice of real life set in your…