Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe


  • The Secret History of the Rainbow Trout Hotel – David Metzenthen

    Ford St Publishing June 2023 ISBN: 9781922696274 RRP: $19.99 Andy Lightfoot’s gap year takes him deep into the past – at the oldand weirdly wonderful Rainbow Trout Private Hotel. Here, high in themountains, Andy discovers working for nothing gives him everything. . . and that the middle of nowhere is the centre of an amazinguniverse,…

  • Queenie in Seven Moves – Zanni Louise

    Walker Books Australia February 2023 ISBN13:9781760655662 Australia RRP:$16.99 New Zealand RRP:$18.99 So this is another that took some time to reach me but when it did I was immediately picking it up to read. Firstly, because of that gorgeous cover art but secondly because it’s Zanni Louise. Not only is she a fine writer, but…

  • Dreaming by Starlight – Siobhan Curham

    Walker Books August 2022 ISBN13:9781529504019 Australia RRP:$16.99 New Zealand RRP:$18.99

  • Friday Barnes #10: Undercover – R. A. Spratt

    Penguin Australia February 2022 ISBN: 9781761043659 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $15.99 Some readers of this blog may recall my review of the ‘re-appearance’ of Friday and her cronies. My kiddos at school lost their minds when it hit the shelves so make sure you stand back again because the rush will be on. Now that Friday et al are…

  • Good Night, Ivy Bright – Ben Long/Andrew Plant

    Ford St Publishing April 2021 RRP: $16.99 ISBN: 9781925804720 What I didn’t realise while I was writing this story was the importance of the moose.Everyone needs a moose. We all have times when we’re challenged – when we are tired,troubled, or in tears. And it’s at those times when we need someone to sit down…

  • Don’t Read the Comments – Eric Smith

    Harper Collins Australia January 2020 ISBN: 9781489295705 ISBN 10: 1489295704 Imprint: HQ Young Adult – US List Price: 19.99 AUD Ok, I admit it, I’d kind of let this one slide because really my scan of the blurb made me think – oh, gaming online – so not my kind of thing. WRONG! Because, yes it does revolve around…

  • When Rain Turns to Snow – Jane Godwin

    Hachette Australia JUN 30, 2020 | 9780734420053 | RRP $16.99 If you are looking for something new in your ‘identity’ collection this beautiful coming-of-age narrative will be a perfect fit. The recent months have been a revelation in how some humans handle a crisis situation and for teens this can be a real challenge. Lissa is no different. Home…

  • The Shelly Bay Ladies Swimming Circle – Sophie Green

    Hachette JUL 23, 2019 | 9780733641169 | RRP $29.99   If you missed The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club which was a runaway success a couple of years ago you must make certain not to neglect this new novel from Sophie Green! Once again readers become heavily invested in the lives of the main characters; Marie,…

  • The Shop at Hoopers Bend – Emily Rodda

    Harper Collins       ISBN: 9781460753668       ISBN 10: 1460753666       Imprint: HarperCollins – AU      On Sale: 24/07/201      List Price: 16.99 AUD When you go to bed feeling a little tired and start reading a new book and then just keep reading it until you’re finished, you know it’s a terrific piece of writing. It’s been a while since…