Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • The Framing: a memoir – Fernanda Dahlstrom

    Melbourne University Publishing Distributed by Simon & Schuster April 2026 ISBN: 9780522881882 RRP: $32.99 I have to thank Isobelle Carmody for drawing my attention to this outstanding book, and also, of course, to MUP for graciously allowing me to review it. It came to my attention that Isobelle and Fernanda will be in conversation at…

  • Treeshape – Trace Balla

    Allen & Unwin March 2026 ISBN:9781761181252 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children Trace Balla’s work always fills me with both admiration and emotion, and I think really, this one is the best yet as it is the most intensely personal as well, outlining the journey of Trace from child to present. Leaf-light (2023) and Rivertime…

  • Extraordinary Stories – Katherine Owens

    ISBN: 9781764398640 ISBN-10: 1764398645 May 2026 Contempo Publishing/Katherine Owens It was an exciting challenge to be contacted by Katherine and asked to create some supporting resources for this book, as it is something completely out of my usual repertoire. But this collection of micro-memoirs is such a worthy addition to a library, a counsellor/guidance officer’s shelves or…

  • Last Rites: Never-before-told stories of a legendary life from the rock ‘n’ roll hellraiser – Ozzy Osbourne.

    Hachette Imprint: Sphere Oct 7, 2025 | 9781408724064 | RRP $34.99 Of course, he’s not really Halloween at all, but for someone known as The Prince of Darkness and famed for his outrageousness, wildness and powerful lyrics, it seems appropriate to put this review into this week’s collection. I’m saying it openly. I’m not a metal fan – never…

  • A Different Kind of Power: a memoir – Jacinda Ardern

    Penguin Australia First up, I’m going to say a big thank you to Penguin, especially the indefatigable Dot Tonkin, for giving me the opportunity to read and review this. As someone who admired this young woman as a trailblazer, it has been interesting to see her in close-up, so to speak. I think for many…

  • What I Ate in One Year (and related thoughts) – Stanley Tucci

    Penguin Australia October 2024 I have loved Stanley in every role in which I’ve seen him from Caesar/Lucky Flickerman (Hunger Games/Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes) to Muertes (Undercover Blues), from Nigel (The Devil Wears Prada) to Mr Stringer (The Witches – and everything inbetween. I think the only film I’ve eschewed was The Lovely Bones…

  • Searching for Charlotte: The Fascinating Story of Australia’s First Children’s Author/s-Kate Forsyth, Belinda Murrell

    Paperback | Nov 2020 | National Library of Australia | 9780642279699 AUD$34.95, NZD$39.99 I had hoped to review this when it was released – sadly, the publicists did not get the memo and I missed out. But it was always going to find its place in our collection given both its subject matter and the…