What We’re Reading

A week after Corissa noticed her local bookstore was up for sale, her husband Nathan suggested they buy it- and just like that, a new chapter began. Eighteen months on, they’ve made Need2Read in Warragul a true labour of love- leaving a lasting imprint on all those who walk through the doors to find their next read. A teacher with a master’s in literature, Corissa has always been passionate about great books, and now she shares that passion with her community through Book Clubs, thoughtful conversations with customers about characters and plot twists, and personalised recommendations across every genre. Here, Corissa and Sasha- another friendly face at Need2Read- shares their top 12 favourite books for our Unwind Book Club.

Corissa’s Picks

An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister: A laugh aloud romance about two long-term rival academics vying for the same position. From the brilliant use of structure, including footnotes full of comedy gold, to the underlying idea that intelligence is sexy and worthy of respect, this was a book that hooked me from the prologue and kept me invested. McAlister writes beautifully flawed, real characters and even when I didn’t like their choices, I wanted them to succeed against the bigger villain of corporate academia. Loved it!

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas: I have a deep love of a fantasy world that builds over time so I went back to Throne of Glass last year for a re-read, and now that I’ve read all three of the series in the Maas backlist, there were so many things I could see being set up in this one. The whole concept of a female assassin drew me in – I love when we get to see a character excelling in an unexpected position and Maas showed this well. If you’re into an epic story and excellent world-building, with some romantasy along the way, definitely get lost in the Maas universe.

Silverborn by Jessica Townsend: This is the fourth book in the Nevermoor series, and it does not disappoint. Townsend conveys the complexities of a teenager’s life with care, highlighting all the ways one finds their place, with genuine sass and wit along the way. Plus, for protagonist Morrigan Crow, she’s doing it while solving a murder mystery! Townsend expertly draws connections in unexpected ways, allowing her readers to be surprised by revelations on every step of this wild adventure. Silverborn is delightfully unpredictable and I love that in a book.

Empire of the Damned by Jay Kristoff – book two of a trilogy: I am the first to say I am a huge fan of Kristoff’s backlist and this is one of my favourites by far. In this case, Damned is a sequel that improves upon the first book in every single way. Kristoff builds an intricate, compelling world that you can never trust because it is always unpredictable and never goes where you expect the story to go. Known for killing his darlings, my advice is don’t get attached to any of the characters because you never know when he’s going to write them out of the story, in dramatic, compelling, devastating ways! A masterclass in fantasy writing – if you haven’t read this trilogy, you need to.

Might Cry Later by Kay Kerr: A deeply empathetic story that draws readers into the ways people experience grief and the messy and uncomfortable ways we might go about rebuilding our lives after something rocks the foundations. Kerr’s writing is beautiful and she presents readers with a tragic, flawed protagonist, then takes us all on the journey towards learning how to repair relationships with the people you love while also ensuring that you take care of yourself in the process. A beautifully heartfelt story.

The Hollow Girl by Lyn Yeowart: This novel fascinated me – I could not put it down. Written from three points of view, this murder mystery is set in the space of a home for unmarried mothers. Told over two timelines, the pace keeps you turning the pages, desperate to know what has happened and who is responsible. I often found myself equally enraged at the treatment these young women received and bereft at the knowledge that these places existed in our history. The narrative explored many big concepts – the power of shame, the need for education, the ways people are kept small – seamlessly embedded in the compelling narrative. Yeowart has produced an exceptional crime novel about the ways people were disempowered by a patriarchal society and a gripping mystery with an ending I did not see coming.

Sasha’s Picks

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston: If you want a book to give you a big comforting hug this is the one you need. Frederick Fife has a heart of gold, but at 82 and recently widowed he is also lonely, broke and close to being homeless. When an unlikely series of events sees him slipping into the life of cranky Bernard at the Wattle River Nursing Home he uses this astounding opportunity to mend fences and be part of a family again. But will his lookalike show up? And what happens when Bernard’s estranged daughter turns up?

Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher: This is about a princess trapped in a tower, but this is not the princess’ story. What happens when a protection blessing goes wrong? What happens when a debt needs to be paid? What happens when the princess is the fairytale monster?  What if the one needing to be saved is the prison guard? I love T. Kingfisher’s unexpected protagonists and quirky tales that always take you on a journey I can never predict.

The Usual Desire to Kill by Camilla Barnes: This tale of intergenerational friction, misunderstandings, frustrations, and parental quirks is told with snarky humour that will have the children of the boomer generation laughing out loud; but will also make them stop and consider the past with new eyes. And there are llamas.

A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle: Funny and cosy, this is the book I reach for when I want to take an armchair trip to France: to feel the sun, meet the locals, and imagine the food. Read it with a glass of wine, a baguette and some delicious cheese and you have a holiday in book form while your funny friend tells you the stories of their renovations, adventures in speaking a new language and all the fabulous meals they have eaten!

A Loo of One’s Own by Eleri Harris: An amazing, funny, and educational picture storybook that should be read by everyone! Australia’s first female Parliamentarians were not just breaking the political glass ceiling they were also dealing with the unexpected hurdle of the fact that the old Parliament house in Canberra had exactly ZERO female toilets! Light-hearted but eye-opening this is one book to introduce to kids exactly why we should never take equality for granted!