Tag: books

3 tips for reading on a savvy $15 monthly budget 💸

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Something I don’t find readers talking about online or in person often enough, is the cost of book buying and keeping up with the latest bookish trends.

Reading can be an expensive hobby and honestly, when working in the bookstore that was a real deterrent for many people coming in. Paying $30+ for a book that you may or may not enjoy is an absolute gamble and for some, that’s a big chunk of your play money for the week. I know for me, it certainly was and is, as I budget according to my needs and saving goals.

Therefore, I thought it was time I shared my personal tips and tricks to reading on a monthly budget of just $15 AUD. Let’s jump in:

👜 VISIT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY w/ A TOTE BAG

Do I need to say more than the words FREE, FREE and FREE!

Most libraries that you walk into cost you $0 to sign up and start borrowing books that day. Plus, it’s usually free to use their internet and their internal searching platforms to narrow down if they have the books you’re looking for.

Additionally, I’m lucky that my local library (which I’m certain many others function this way as well) allows you to make ‘orders’. For example, if there is a book you’re after and it’s not on the shelf or in their title listings’ – you can order it – FOR FREE! The library will then purchase it out of their next lot of available funding and notify you when it comes in. I mean, you literally have just signed up for FREE, ordered a book for FREE and will read the books you’re desperate to get your hands on for FREE.

+ the reason I suggest taking a tote bag, is that it makes your library experience feel like a book buying experience. So if you’re that kinda girly like me, find your biggest and fav tote bag for the trip!

📲 BORROWBOX, LIBBY, HOOPLA & MORE

In Australia, we’re lucky enough that our libraries have connected online borrowing platforms such as BorrowBox, Libby and Hoopla, that allow you to borrow up to 6x e-books and 6x audiobooks (+ movies and magazines) at one time for FREE. These apps are downloadable and/or accessible on your phone, laptop, iPad or tablet AND Kobo’s.

Each app has a variety of different titles, therefore if you’re a veracious reader and tech savvy, in one month you could have two books borrowed from each library app and potentially have a total of 5-6 books to read. That’s more than a book a week for FREE.

These apps do require you to be a member of your local or regional library but as we discovered above, it costs $0 to sign up and takes less than 10 minutes in person or online.

✅ KINDLE DAILY DEALS & KINDLE BOOK DEALS

Did you know that Amazon Kindle have a variety of new release, popular books or books in series on sale for $4.99 or less – daily?

If you’re a Kindle reader like me and tend to pick up your e-reader once/twice per month for a new read, something I always do before jumping into a new book is check the Kindle shop (which if you’re on your Kindle is this shopping trolley icon 🛒) to see what the Kindle Daily Deals are. I’ve picked up trending romance books, crime fiction and mystery books, as well as book club reads for $4.99, $2.99 or even $0.99.

Kindle Book Deals is another section that has over 50 e-book titles on sale from $9.99 or less. This section holds even MORE trending books and is the place to be if you’re wanting a brand new release instantly at your fingertips. The titles in this section update every month as far as I can see and hold such a great diverse range of reading material.

So there you have it, my top 3 tips for reading on a savvy $15 monthly budget 💸

If you mixed all of these tips together, you could even budget for $10 per month, having bought just 1x Kindle e-book for $9.99 + borrowed 2x e-books and 1x audiobook on BorrowBox, + borrow 3x physical books from your local library. That’s 7 books in total 😮 The savvy budget reading options are endless!

I hope some of these tips come in handy for you and that you have a go at trying them for yourself!

If you enjoyed this and would like more reading on a budget tips, comment below ⬇️ 💬

‘Swift and Saddled’ by Lyla Sage

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You know when you come across a book that in every spare moment you have, whether it be in your morning tea break or when you sit down on the couch in your comfies after work, or right when you go to bed – that you’re thinking about and wanting to read?

That is Swift and Saddled 🤠🔥

THIS BOOK will have you hooked the moment you meet Weston Ryder!

Swift and Saddled is my first country/western romance and my gosh, talk about steamy! I didn’t even know this sub-genre was making such a come up in the romance world but I’m telling you, the hype is worth it.

Ada is an interior designer heading out to Wyoming, employed to refirbish a massive guest house on a family run ranch. The communicator on the other end of this big project has been Weston Ryder.

Before Ada even gets to the ranch to start on the project, she meets a cowboy at the local pub. (Here in Australia, I have to admit that actually using the term cowboy is a little cringe HOWEVER, it does fit the American context and the western culture that surrounds this book). Ada and this cowboy have a steamy connection that finished all too quickly that evening. Little does Ada know, that cowboy is her employee and she’s about to come head to head with him tomorrow morning!

Weston Ryder is an absolute SWEETHEART of a main love interest. Not only does he put his families needs before his own, but he truely just wanted to takes care Ada and wholeheartedly respects Ada and her past.

The connection that builds between these two characters over the months of the project, their slow and steady unravelling of personal vices and traits, as well as their slow burn desire makes this the perfect romance book in my opinion.

+ it’s an all connected small town romance series! We’re talking the brother and sister of Weston also have their own books and I’m so keen to start reading them this month too!

I devoured Swift and Saddled in a matter of 3 days and it’s an absolute 5 star read for me in 2024 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What organising a Book Festival feels like 2 months out 💙📖

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I cannot fathom that this little idea I thought up around 2 years ago is now a ACTUAL REAL THING!

Like legit, it is real – it’s happening in less than 2 months and I think I’m still on the high of excitement and not in the pits of nervousness.

I cannot predict what emotions I’ll be feeling in a months time, or even in 2 weeks out from the event but what I can say is that right now – things are on track and somehow, I don’t know why, but I feel settled in this feeling that people will turn up and it will all be okay. A bit like when we were in the thick of applying for grants and I just had this gut feeling, we’d be okay.

I think one of the main things keeping me feeling centred and focused is that I’ve had such a positive experience working within a team of strong, intelligent and generous women. For these women to surround me, encourage me and propel me forward has been hands down, one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. And they’re all volunteering their time to do this! I get emotional thinking about it – the weight of that encompassing belief of “you can do it” and “we believe in you”.

It feels like we’re just putting the finishing touches on now and creating a run-sheet of what our team has had running over and over in our minds for the past 6 months.

So two months out and my day-to-day looks like – planning our social media content, trying to post 3 times per week with paid promotions behind some posts. Myself and the team are distributing promotional posters, bookmark and bits and bobs around the region. We’re organising media interviews and I’m getting calls from newspapers.

The sense of community excitement is creeping in and it’s a wonderful feeling that is hard to describe. Maybe on the day of the festival, I’ll find the words.

Author Talks with Rhianna King 🦜

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📸 Australian Debut Author, Rhianna King

Birds of a Feather is Rhianna King’s debut novel and by gosh, will it blow your socks off!

Rhianna is a professional communicator in State Government environmental agencies and has worked within an Aboriginal-led not-for-profit organisation as well. She’s also a graphic designer, having launched her own freelance business in 2015. How dynamic and talented is this woman who now adds ‘author’ to her resume as well!

I cannot thank Rhianna’s wonderful Affirm Press team for reaching out to me, gifting me Birds of a Feather to honestly read and review + have this opportunity to chat with Rhianna herself 🎙

Welcome to the blog Rhianna! 💖

Rhianna, how does it feel to be a debut Aussie author? Can you speak to the experience of being signed with Affirm Press and how the journey has been so far?

Being a debut Aussie author has been more wonderful than I could have possibly imagined (and I spent a lot of time imaging it!). I was lucky enough that Kelly Doust saw a place for Birds of a Feather in Affirm Press’s incredible collection of commercial women’s fiction and I have loved every second of working with the Affirm Press team. They have guided and advised me at every step, with respect for my vision, and the wisdom of experience.

Stepping behind the curtain of the publishing industry has made me fully appreciate how many people it takes to get a book published and in readers’ hands – the editors, cover designers, type setters, printers, marketing and publicity gurus, voice-over artists, those who get the books on the shelves and those who sell them. The experience has also shown me how much support there is out there for authors. Australia has such a wonderful community of people who love books, write them, enjoy talking about them, and are happy to spread the word about books they’ve enjoyed through their social and online platforms. Connecting with other authors and book lovers has been one of the best parts of this journey.

Birds of a Feather is being absolutely DEVOURED in my household! I’m reading on my lunch break, as soon as I get home and right before bed. When did you know that Beth and Elsie’s story was a keeper? – Thank you! 😊

I started writing the book during 2020, after Zoom trivia and puzzles had lost their novelty, because I wanted somewhere to escape to. I grew to love Beth and all her quirks, and I adored Elise’s character, so, once I started, I kept writing because I genuinely wanted to spend time with them. Being in lock-down gave me a whole new appreciation for being able to spend time with friends and family and in the natural environment so, I guess, it was a love letter to all the things I was missing from my life at the time. I also wanted to write a story that was different to anything I’d read before and I was keen to make a contribution, however small, to increasing representation of diversity in commercial fiction.

Beth’s winnings certainly throw her stickler budget and tightened nature out the window. I really enjoy watching her unfold and let in the world around her. Did you always know where Beth’s story started and where it ended? Or were you just along for the ride with her?! 

I did have a pretty structured plan for the book before I started writing it, which I guess is ironic since the story centred around encouraging Beth’s character to be more open to going with the flow! 

Much of Beth’s rigidity was in response to her family’s complete lack of structure – she enjoyed order while they preferred spontaneity, she liked well-made plans, where they took a laissez-faire approach to life. But I wanted her to see that it doesn’t have to be one or the other; if you open your heart (even a little) and are prepared to step out of your comfort zone, you can still be in the driver’s seat of your life but also find unexpected joy along the way.

I adore the passages where we watch, feel and listen to Elsie and Beth spend precious time together. Is there anyone in your life or from life experiences that influenced the loving, kind and special familial relationship these two have?

I was so blessed with two incredible grandmothers. Both were remarkable women and, incidentally, both were writers. Spending time with them was such a gift and, even though they’ve both been gone for many years, I still miss them. 

I think the relationship between grandparents and their grandkids is so special because in many cases it’s all love, no responsibility. For Beth, Elise was the one person who she felt ‘got’ her when she didn’t feel like she belonged in her immediate family, and the two were bonded by their love of the natural environment. I think that having someone in your life who you trust, and with whom you share a common interest, means you always have someone to feel at home with.

Rhianna – thank you so much for your time and generosity in sharing your answers with us on Mel Reviews Her Books 💖

You can find Rhianna and I on Instagram Live this morning at 10am 🎥

Author Talks with Maxine Fawcett

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Australian Debut Author, Maxine Fawcett 📸

There is no doubt that Maxine knows her words! She has written for MamaMia in Australia and Mummypages in the UK. With a BA in Communication and Art History from the University of East London, it’s an absolute given that her debut novel ‘Everything is Perfect’ would be incredible!

Welcome Max, to Mel Reviews Her Books 💖

Congratulations Maxine on your debut novel Everything Is Perfect published with Penguin Australia! How does it feel to be an official author and can you describe to us your first pinch me moment?

Thanks Mel! After a decade of attending courses, writing my first novel, pitching it again and again and again, receiving rejection after rejection (crying in my car more than a few times reading the first line of those emails that start something like, ’thank you for sending us your manuscript, even though we liked it we can’t take it further on this occasion’) then starting another book and then getting signed by PRH, it feels surreal but I’m also proud of myself that I kept going.

That’s the hardest thing, with no guarantee of anything, the drive to keep putting your bum on the chair and carrying on.

The first pinch me moment was seeing it on the shelf in Big W, and signing a copy for a lovely lady called Barbara who had picked it up to buy.

Your main character Cassie, has a number of secrets piling up and at some point everything is bound to explode and some people will become hurt by the consequences. What inspired you to write about a woman who has a seemingly happy, content and fulfilled life on the outside, but on the inside, she’s not the person she truly wants to be?

I was half way through my forties when I started Everything is Perfect and couldn’t have written Cassie at any other time. I had been journalling about my own feelings to do with ageing, peri menopause, my own identity and how I felt about no longer being seen.

Her wry voice came to me one morning as I was sitting in my local cafe having coffee (which is why ‘Black Honey’ coffee shop features in the book) and I wanted to explore the experiences of a midlife woman who seems to have it all but underneath is hiding everything.

Something I’ve chatted about with my own friends.

Going through the process, understanding and accepting how some children struggle in an educational setting is also a strong theme throughout your novel. I really appreciated that you shared this aspect and awareness! Was this always an initial thread in your novel or did it develop over time?

Having had my boys go through Primary school, I did want the struggles some children face to be an integral part of Everything is Perfect. There are so many parents doing an outstanding job of advocating for their kids but finding it extremely difficult to be heard in the school system.

I wasn’t writing to point any blame as the teacher’s my boys had – they were all outstanding! – but there were moments when the system wouldn’t bend to accomodate a child who may need something different and this was very frustrating.

Max – what does your day-to-day life look like now as a published writer? Is the second novel underway and does the process of writing look different the second time around?

If it works – stick to it is my motto! So I’m trying to do exactly the same thing as the first time around.

Some mornings I journal, others I get an idea and jump straight in. My writing time is generally 9.30am – 11.00am. Monday – Friday.

I’m also having to remind myself what it’s like to return to the beginning and make peace with the messy draft that emerges before any editing can be done. I’ve learnt to love editing and shaping a story from an idea.

Max, it’s been an absolute pleasure chatting with you here and also in person (virtually 😉) on Instagram! I cannot wait to read your next novel and celebrate with you again!

One Book One Temora w/ Fleur McDonald

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Last night I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing bestselling Australian rural fiction author, Fleur McDonald, at One Book One Temora.

This annual book event is held at the Temora Shire Library and the beautiful community of Temora comes out to spend an evening listening to an Aussie author, of whom they’ve all read one of the authors’ books for their book clubs.

Fleur is incredibly warm, kind, open and willing to share her knowledge about the book industry and writing fiction for over 15 years. She publishes two novels a year while still running a farm over in Western Australia. She is very involved in her small town community and gives back when she has time off everything books. This truly shows in her passionate discussions about the importance of community and connection.

And in talking about community and connection, one rural town that does it so well is Temora. The Temora Shire Library is a hub of chatter, regular borrowers and weekly program goers. The team there are not only approachable, full of life and generous, but they also represent a pivotal consistent hub in the small country town.

The wonderful Wendy handmade this super special Peachy 🐱 bookmark for me in thanks and I’m OBSESSED! How special and what a talent! Thank you Wendy, in more ways than one!

Writing this bookish experience and enjoying a delicious Eggs Benedict, I can’t help but smile and feel gratitude for meeting such wonderful people again this year. Being invited back to 2024’s One Book One Temora is an absolute privilege 💖

Book Review: ‘When in Rome’ by Sarah Adams

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You know that feeling when you find a new book that will continue to be the book you re-read to get you out of a book slump?

When in Rome by Sarah Adams is that new book for me 💖

It’s been a hot minute since I last had a book that I just simply NEEDED to spend my whole Sunday reading. When in Rome had me hooked from the moment we open the first pages and Amelia is in her beat up car driving off into the middle of nowhere, in an effort to just escape the overwhelm that is her current celebrity life.

Amelia, or better known as Rose Ray, is a pop superstar with T-Swift levels of fame. Her singing career is at its peak but her wellbeing is not. Her relationship with her Manager is overbearing. Her mum only wants her to pay for extravagant trips around the world. Her dating and true friendships are basically non-existent because of the grinding life she leads.

Deciding that the only way to clear her head and get a little perspective, Amelia drives to Rome, Kentucky in an effort to loosely recreate her favourite Audrey Hepburn film, When in Rome (that’s Rome, Italy, but sadly her scheduling cannot allow for that plane flight).

15kms out of Rome, Kentucky, Amelia’s car decides that it’s had a good life and it’s ready to call it a day … right on Noah’s front lawn. That’s right, we have a good old grumpy X sunshine trope goin’ on and I was stocked about it!

Noah has returned back to his home town of Rome after a heartbreaking relationship that upended his life. He’s just starting to resettle into country life again. He’s opened and is running his family pie shop with the help of his sisters and is certainly NOT in the mood for romance. Noah immediately recognises Amelia and assumes she a spoilt, rich and stuck up superstar who expects to be treated like royalty. But that is certainly not the case. Amelia is reserved, shy and uncertain of the fame and stardom that is her current stressor. And this experience in Rome, and with Noah, could be just what she needs.

Their bickering, joking and heat is so well paced and I adored Noah for all his grumpiness! He’s the protector in his family, has emotional intelligence (at times) and ends up opening his world to Amelia + we have the addition of his sisters! Gosh I loved them! And it you want more of their stories, read Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams.

I do hope we see these small town characters again in future Sarah Adams’ novels because this was a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5) star for me!

4 Books to Begin my 2024

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It’s been a hot minute since I’ve written a good ol’ fashioned bookish blog post! So here you are my friends – I’m going to fill you in on the 4 books I’ve already whipped through in 2024 📖

The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren was the first book I completed in 2024. I zipped through this in about 3 days because it’s addictive plot line and characters were just divine. The True Love Experiment is about a US best selling romance author going on a reality dating tv show, much like ‘The Bachelorette’ or ‘Love at First Sight’ here in Australia. However, the set up for this reality show is that each guy introduced to our eligible bachelorette needs to be inspired by a romance novel trope, such as ‘the bad boy’, ‘the one that got away’, ‘the nerd’ etc. And of course, our beautiful, kind hearted producer (😉) can see this is a fabulous idea and will help make the tv network the money it needs for him to go back to producing animal documentaries. That is, until he also becomes incredibly invested in the show … and our main character. This book was laugh out loud funny, had great angst and hot moments, but also sweet and down to earth moments. I find Christina Lauren’s books a great palate cleanser ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5 stars)

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth was my next completed novel. Admittedly, I started this in December of 2023 but just didn’t get around to finishing it until the hustle and bustle of Christmas and New Year was over. This story follows 3 women as they’re thrown into an investigation of the foster home they all lived in as children. A child’s body has been found under the house in present day and all 3 woman are suspects as the police try to put the timeline together. The flashbacks of each woman’s perspective shed light on what actually took place in the house/at this time/who this child could be. Due to the manipulative, abusive and influential experiences all 3 girls had at that house, they consider themselves sisters and are determined to see the woman behind their abusive childhood found guilty. I enjoyed this book. I would say that I saw some of the ending coming but there were other parts that I didn’t! Overall, enjoyable and I would like to try more of Sally Hepworth’s books this year. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5 stars)

Weyward by Emilia Hart was picked up at the perfect time for me! I wanted the feel of magic/fantasy but didn’t want drudge through the whole world-building chapters, not understanding peoples roles and having no clue what peoples names are – you know? 🤣 So Weyward was more magical realism and I found it the perfect slice for my craving. Following 3 quite extended generations of Weyward women, all 3 are guided by their connection to nature, ability to intuitively speak with animals, and also grow their gifts. A strong plot line that I was not expecting in this book is domestic violence and intergenerational trauma. Each woman has either been exposed to and/or experienced domestic abuse, with the male figure being the perpetrator, first hand. This abuse is actually the start of their spark in magic as it is used as both a coping mechanism and also a form of protection or revenge. One woman is in the 1600’s and she is on trial for witchcraft. Another woman is in the 1950’s and she has lost her mother, has a poor relationship with her father and her cousin unexpectedly comes to stay following his time serving in the War. Another woman is in present day, and she is on the run from her husband after just finding out she’s pregnant. This novel certainly hits some cautionary points and has quite descriptive scenes at times. I didn’t find this a bad thing, if anything it made me more passionate about seeing these women through to then end. ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5/stars)

Love, Just in by Natalie Murray has been my fourth completed book and I just NEEDED to pick this up because, girl – is she getting some hype (totally worth it I might add)! Love, Just In is a friends to lovers but there is also some high school chasing and then present day heartache. Josie and Zac have been best friends since the moment they bonded over music in high school, but as the years went by, poor timing, dating other people and after Zac experiences a tragic accident, resulting in the loss of someone significant in his life, they’ve drifted. Zac fled Sydney 2 years ago following the tragic accident and since then, him and Josie have barely been in touch. Josie has been offered an opportunity to help progress her news reading/tv presenter career, and it just happens to be in the city Zac fled to – Newcastle. Instantly, their friendship is starting to mend but Josie is seeing Zac in a different light; an attractive light; a more than friends light; a HOT light. Zac & Josie’s story had perfectly timed reveals, angst, funny moments and tender heart moments. The perfect Sunday morning/afternoon read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 stars)

How are you guys starting your 2024? New books? New hobbies underway? 🙈📖 Comment below 💭