This book has got me in with both hands and I’ve been immediately immerse.
Kate Mildenhall’s writing has taken me by surprise, I must admit. I was definitely not expecting to be reading a novel that has me physically cringing, squirming and churning my stomach as I’m reading. And I cannot stop!
Last night while I was inhaling this novel, I had the thought “I don’t think a novel has ever made me feel like this.” And by ‘this’, I mean such physical reactions.
To give some reference, The Hummingbird Effect is set in 4 different times in our society. Those being; 1933; 2020; 2031; and 2181. As you move through the book, you’re seeing little snippets of how our society is changing and becoming more reliant on mechanical, technological and alternative devices to limit our man power & skillsets. It is eery. It is scary. And it is real. Even though this is a work of fiction, you can feel so much history and research in its pages.
Kate’s ability to describe all aspects of an environment in which she places the reader, such as sound, smell and texture that all interconnects to the scene we’re reading – is just phenomenal!
I am looking forward to spending more time reading this afternoon & hopefully having this book finished before next weekend, where I’m listening to Kate in person at Write Around the Murray book festival βοΈππ€
Kate, owner of this hidden gem of preloved books, is one of the most knowledgeable bookaholic’s I know! Kate’s passion for preloved books started back in 2004 and her ability to source quality, perfectly curated and selective books has only grown with time.
Walking into Two Brown Cats Bookshop, located inside Little Triffads Florist, is like walking into a warm home library. As you look up towards the back of the shop, you’re greeted with the vision of timber top bookshelves, covered in plants and collectable books. The level of care and love is immediately evident, I can assure you.
As you wander down (because how can you not?!) you will find a variety of genres that are cleverly placed for your movement around the shelves. Kate’s fiction section, cooking and gardening sections cease to amaze me. It’s as if you’re looking at all the books you have on your wishlist that you’ve continually told yourself ‘one day’. Kate holds classic modern fictions from authors such as; Trent Dalton; Kate Grenville; Helen Garner; Garry Disher; Zadie Smith; and Jane Harper. She also hold beautiful children’s classics, both modern and collectable editions of; Winnie the Pooh; Peter Pan; Enid Blyton; and more.
Upon this visit, Kate recommended a gritty, rock and roll read in Lily Brett’s Lola Bensky. It was also incredibly hard not to walk away with this special edition of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaiden’s Tale. It is a hardback edition with red edges and an awesome indented dust jacket.
Kate has also encouraged me to add The Spare Room by Helen Garner to my TBR! Her recommendations are always spot on βοΈ
Make sure you visit this hidden gem sometime soon π
Debut Australian Author, Michael Thompson πΈ by Sally Flegg Photography
Michael Thompson has been a journalist, producer and media executive for the last fifteen years.Β He is a savvy business podcaster and digital talent! Michael was one of the most humble, genuinely connecting and open authors I’ve met in person. How to be Remembered is Michael’s debut novel π«
Michael, your debut novel ‘How to be Remembered’ is so unique, heartfelt and perfectly-paced. I loved Tommy as the main character! How did the idea of Tommy’s diverse life come to you?
The idea for the novel – this concept of a boy being forgotten every year on his birthday – came from two places. The first was social media, and the sometimes stupid things people post online. Those posts usually end up deleted, but it forms part of their digital footprint – it’s probably still there, somewhere, floating around in cyberspace. It made me wonder how many people would like to just have that footprint wiped, to be forgotten entirely. And I went from that to the opposite – what about somebody who just wanted to be remembered, and something was preventing that. The other inspiration for the novel came from the situation I found myself in when I started to write. I’d just finished at one company, having worked there for more than a decade. When I left, I was sure I’d be missed. But the business moved on, somebody replaced me, and I was forgotten (in a professional sense, at least). With that basic idea, I then started writing about Tommy – and the rest of his life just seemed to flow. I really wanted to focus on the ordinary things that we take for granted – having friends, relationships, a job. Because a year is long enough to build those relationships and those connections, and then to lose them on his birthday every year seemed like it had plenty of potential.
I feel like I’ll never forget the date of January 5th because of Tommy! Why in particular did you choose the date of JanuaryΒ 5th? Why not any other date?
Good question! I needed a date that was in the school holidays (when Tommy was a child). I thought the Reset (which is what Tommy calls it) would be a lot easier to write around if he wasn’t at school. I also wanted it to be in that dead zone around Christmas / New Year, where all the days start to blend together. I landed on January 5, and stuck with it!
Every time I explain the premise of How to be Remembered to friends, SO many say, ‘I hope that it becomes a movie!”. If you could choose a main character to play Tommy on screen, who would it be and why?Β
Fingers crossed it becomes a movie! The film rights have been picked up by a Hollywood production company, so there’s a chance, but a lot of books get optioned and that’s as far as they go. If it was to make it to the big screen, I think I’d be okay with pretty much anyone playing Tommy – it would just be such a thrill to see it happen. Having said all that, Tom Holland would be terrific, or Austen Butler (who played Elvis). Tommy’s story covers quite a broad age range, up to his mid/late 30s, and I think either of these actors have the right look for Tommy. Tommy is kind, naive, optimistic, resilient – and I think either of these actors could do it well. Clearly I’m aiming high here, just picking out A-list names!
Michael, thank you so much for joining me on Author Talks π€ It has been an absolute pleasure to host you and meet in person! I cannot wait to see what your writing future holds, oh and watch How to be Remembered on the big screen someday ππ«
Tommy Llewellyn is like no other character I’ve read before and I can honestly say that his story is one that has stuck with me.
How to be Remembered starts off much like Harry Potter (stay with me here!) and funnily enough, when I actually posed this to Michael upon our meeting at Collins Booksellers Wagga, where I hosted him for some of our local readers, he admitted that nobody had ever recognised that before.
Now I’m not saying Tommy is a wizard, that is not where this is going BUT Tommy is special. He is born with the unfortunate gift of not being remembered by those around him, the world, the universe.
On the 5th of January, Tommy’s Birthday, he is forgotten. All evidence of his life; who he was; a birth certificate; any clothing that is not on his body; a memory; pictures with him in it; they either disappear or alter to not have Tommy in them. So like Harry Potter, he’s a little bit alone in the world and figuring out how to navigate his life without a parent because (heart wrenchingly π) they don’t remember him.
I loved the fact that we didn’t miss one part of Tommy’s childhood. We really saw it all, year by year and written perfectly so we felt so utterly helpless knowing that nobody will remember Tommy’s first steps in a foster home, his tender relationship with Miss Michelle, making friends, learning skills, attending school and of course, meeting Carey.
Carey is a young girl living in the foster home as well. Of course, she like everyone else, doesn’t remember Tommy reappearing every year having only been there less than 24 hours before the 5th of January. Carey is troubled and has a history of events in her young life that have shaped the way she sees the world, people and relationships. Most children in this particular environment are, which is particularly why I think Tommy also found a place here.
Carey and Tommy’s friendship was sweet from the beginning and I just adored watching the two of their lives intertwine year, after year, after year. The persistent drive in Tommy to find a loop in the ‘Reset’ as he called in, was incredibly intriguing and had me guessing. I had no idea how or where this story would end (and I must say, I adored the ending!)
Tommy’s story isn’t one just about love, its about resilience, knowledge, not giving up on your friends, courage and compassion. Tommy is also just so genuinely sweet and empathetic that he even though he knows people won’t remember him in the future, what he does right now will benefit someone else in the long run. And in some ways, I think that’s a beautiful way to live.
Join Michael Thompson and I to discuss How to be Remembered over on my Instagram for a LIVE book chat this Saturday the 2nd of September @ 10am AEST. AND … keep you eyes peeled over on the Author Talks tab for an interview with Michael Thompson π€
So … I finished Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros last night and I don’t even have the ability to put words into a review yet – let alone how I got through the DAY without telling every second person to READ THIS BOOK!
I have not felt that kind of rushing, need to know and absolute addictive feeling for a book in a long time. If you haven’t read Fourth Wing yet, this is your sign! Pick. It. Up.
Oh Hugh, you have my heart!! *calling on somebody to find me a Hugh*
I would describe The Last Love Note by Emma Grey in 3 simple ways; heart-wrenching; a direct but warm portrayal of grief; & from the heart. Let’s break these down shall we …
Heart-wrenching is the perfect way to describe Kate, Cam and Hugh’s story. At the beginning of the novel, we’re in the present and Kate is living with the grief of losing her once in a lifetime love, Cam. Cam was diagnosed with early onset dementia and his deterioration was rapid. Kate lost Cam over 2 years ago and living with that grief has been raw, brutal and hard. It smears a smog over each everyday action, conversation & decision. We learn to live with this grief as the reader just as Kate is, because we move through past and present watching how this horrible disease changed Cam and alter’s their lives forever.
I think Emma Grey has created a direct and warm portrayal of grief through her ability to make this novel a romance, incorporate humour AND take us on the hard, stressful and uncertain journey of Kate finding love again – all in one!
Hugh, Kate’s boss and workplace colleague, has always been a fixture in Kate’s life since her meeting him. And by ‘meeting him’ I mean falling off a treadmill in a hot sweaty gym, and then feeling very exposed when her breastmilk makes an entry, and Hugh, ever caring Hugh, hands over a spare shirt to help Kate cover up her chest and her embarrassment. The moment Kate enters her new job interview, all while Cam is sick and they’re needing income to support their small family, Hugh is taken with her. The grief she is living with is something he has experienced himself in a way we didn’t expect. He understands Kate’s grief process and gives her all the time, energy and support she needs. His silent yet reassuring manner is not what Kate realised she needed during the deterioration of Cam’s health and after his passing … until now. That’s right, Kate and Hugh are on an unexpected holiday together!
This novel is truely from the heart. Hugh’s grumpy personality (which we know is just his attempt to stay away from Kate, give her space and grieve) is just the reason we love him. But there is a challenge and reason for Kate and Hugh not exploring what could be … Hugh & Cam had a friendship and in this friendship there was a secret passed between the two of them that Kate was not allowed to know. This secret really keeps us guessing until the end of the book and when you find it out, my GOSH , my HEART!! I’m not usually one to shed a tear while reading but let me tell you, my eyes were brimming π₯Ί
The Last Love Note has been one of my favourite novels this year and to be honest, I may not have ever found it in the endless bookshelves until Emma walked into the shop, introduced herself and signed a few copies. I’m so grateful she did because we have now connected over books, met multiple times and had an awesome time in July with weekend of romance together π
Join Anita Heiss, author ofΒ Avoiding Mr. Right & Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray, and I over on my instagramΒ @melreviewsherbooksΒ for a morning discussion about romance novels and pursuing a career in writing!
The Dangers of Female Provocation is the type of novel that will make you feel empowered with female strength, visibility and what could just be the consequence of a women/all women being pushed aside for far too long. If you’re wanting feminism and spice – this is the novel for you!
I had the pleasure of meeting ZoΓ« in the bookstore. Her and I immediately connected over books that we love – most, if not all of them having themes of modern feminism, female empowerment and English & Australian historical fiction. I knew immediately after these discussions with ZoΓ« that I would adore her writing and sure enough, The Dangers of Female Provocation has been one of my favourite reads this year βοΈ
Odessa is an enraged woman on a mission. Her beautiful group of female friends are surrounding her and discussing openly how much of their lives they’ve placed on hold for their husbands. Whether that be; putting the family first; diverting their career for another 2-3 years because their family just can’t manage without her being at home; limited intimate time with their husband; having a financial allowance enforced by him; and/or overlooking his affairs with younger colleagues from his workplace. Simply brushing it off as letting out steam and convincing herself it is more the female colleagues fault for tempting her husband in that sexual manner.
All of this sounding familiar? There are so many instances where conversations like this take place and a woman is continuously repressed, put down and has limitations set on her by a male figure. Some men have an ability to confidently manipulate and coercively control a woman’s autonomy and voice.
Odessa cannot let her sisterhood be repressed, ignored and persuaded like this any longer. A strong, fiery and burning female rage is growing. She is determined to teach the husbands of her sisterhood a lesson. She’s going to educate them in a way they’ve never been educated before. She will seduce, lure, tempt and manipulate these men. Her intentions are clear, yet as the pieces of her life begin to disintegrate around her, her methods become more and more extreme.
Odessa is moving through grief, reflecting on her parents relationship and her own current marriage breakdown while her ‘re-education’ is taking place. We can see how much of an influence processing these emotions are taking on her. Yet, does this excuse her actions or make them more justified?
This book was quite divisive in our book club and it encouraged deeper conversations about our own feminist perspectives and what experiences we’ve had in being disrespected, pushed aside for our thoughts and feelings, as well as what our place is in society.
My goodness, I needed to pick up my laptop and get this feeling down before it was gone! I finished Five Bush Weddings by Clare Fletcher last night (Friday) at 1.30am!! That’s right – this novel had me grinning from ear to ear and I was so invested that sleep was not in sight.
I can easily say by far, this novel has been my most fun, laugh out loud and unputdownable read so far this year.
If you’re a follower of the blog, you may remember that I DNF’d this book back in May last year (READ HERE) but I specifically pointed out that it was a funny and capturing read, just not what I was feeling at the time. Let me tell you – the time was RIGHT and this is why you should never be ashamed about keeping books that you haven’t read … like ever! … says an unashamed book buying lover π
Stevie-Jean is 31 and feels as if love is passing her by. She’s a trending bush wedding photographer who takes on the role of capturing everybody else’s special day. The flowers, the dancing, the speeches, the cake cutting and more. But when will it ever be her?
Feeling a little lost but pushing through with the task at hand, Stevie is snapping away at a local wedding when Johnno West strides over. Johnno is the best friend of Stevie’s old uni flame and has always had a long lasting crush on her. But that’s in the past … isn’t it π
Johnno is at a bit of a crossroads himself. He has finally hit the ripe age of 31 as well and is being called back to run the family farm. He is of course, the only son in the family. His job in London had his passions sufficed but something was missing and being in an office job 9-5 was not his calling.
See, Stevie and Johnno actually have a bit of history and their long line of weddings they are both attending in the year of 2019 is ever growing. It’s a given that they’re going to bump into each other and learn about the other’s life again. What’s not a given, is whether Stevie can accept that love isn’t always about grand gestures, much like the displays put on at these wedding dos, but more like the little gestures of love Johnno gives along the way.
I adored every inch of this story. I particularly LOVED that you could read the ending and it connected in sequence to the beginning of the story. The perfect circle! I actually have the privilege of moderating a panel of which Clare Fletcher is a part of, next weekend at A Romantic Evening of Books. Come along if you’re a Wagga local, you’ll be feeling cozy, loved up and chummy π
WWW Wednesday is hosted byΒ Sam @ Taking on a World of WordsΒ πΒ It is a book tag to broaden the reading community and help connect avid readers!
All you have to do is answer the following three questions:
What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think youβll read next?
CR:Five Bush Weddings by Clare Fletcher is going down as one of my favourite books this year! I am laughing out loud at the conversations between Stevie-Jean (bush photographer who is yet to find love at 31) and Jen (social worker, housemate and best friend), as well as the spicy implications of Johnno (handsome farmer who is best friend of Stevie-Jean’s ex) moving back to the country after being away for years. Stevie-Jean and Johnno have a bit of a history. They promised each other drunkly one night while catching up overseas, that if they’d turned 32 and were both single, they’d marry each other … will it come true?! I DAMN WELL HOPE SO!!
RF: Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare was such a nostalgic read for me in my week off of R&R. How is it, that since starting out with the Mortal Instruments series (perfect for 15-20 year olds) when I was 16, I’m now 25 and have the same warm and cozy feeling reading Cassandra Clare. Every time a new book by her comes out, I need to buy it! I just know it will find me when the time is right. All I can tell you about Chain of Gold (as you probably do need to read the Infernal Devices series for reference) is that the children of Will & Tessa Herondale are fighting off demons and figuring out their own individual powers and abilities to help save the human race and world.
RN:The Last Love Note by Emma Grey is my next read and it is connected with an upcoming romance panel I am moderating, plus – it’s just such a sweet book!! The perfect romantic comedy to lighten ones TBR and whisk you into another fictional world.
If you’re local to Wagga Wagga, come along to this event I’m moderating:
Mel Reviews Her Books 