I've been reading a lot this month - on purpose as it's a reprieve from a busy life. I've consumed eight books of variable quality across a number of genres. Here's a short review on each book to demonstrate what a contrary reader I can be.
1. The One and Only Dolly Jamieson by Lisa Ireland
Format: Paperback
Stars: 3-ish
This was our February book group book, and if I'm honest, I wasn't enthralled with it. Dolly is a bit down on her luck. Once a famous actress she finds herself between abodes. She's in the library, her place of refuge, when she meets Jane, also in the library, seeking solace. Both women have a story to tell.
If I'm honest, as a book group book it was a bit light on, and some things needed an elastic imagination to get around some of the scenarios, but the themes were good, particularly around older women and homelessness.
It was okay. 
On the other hand, this book spoke to me. Clem Bastow, Melbourne academic and writer has produced this wonderful memoir about what it is to be diagnosed later in life with autism. I listened to her read this on audiobook and it was brilliant. As I've got a late-gotten AUDHD diagnosis I found myself listening and nodding, relating, and hard relating to a lot of the content.
2. Late Bloomer by Clem Bastow
Format: Audio
Stars: 5
On the other hand, this book spoke to me. Clem Bastow, Melbourne academic and writer has produced this wonderful memoir about what it is to be diagnosed later in life with autism. I listened to her read this on audiobook and it was brilliant. As I've got a late-gotten AUDHD diagnosis I found myself listening and nodding, relating, and hard relating to a lot of the content.
I reckon this is required reading for anybody finding themself on the spectrum later in life, coming to terms with the diagnosis and all that it brings. You are not alone.
Bastow is incredibly relatable.
I picked this up in an audible sale and loved it a lot.
3. A Lifetime of Impossible Days by Tabitha Bird
Format: Audio
Stars: 4
In this wise, funny and sometime baffling book you meet three versions of Willa. 8-year-old Super Gumboots Willa. 30-year-old Middle Willa, mother of two who's dealing with the fallout of a dysfunctional family. And we meet Old Willa, 91 years old and desperate to not go into the "plastic sheets home." The three Willas can meet through the ocean at the end of the garden.
The magic realism takes a little bit to get used to, but once you work out what's going on, you get to where the author is taking you.
Ostensibly, this is a story about healing from the effects of domestic violence, and because of this, I'll add this gentle trigger warning.
However, I loved the authors use of language and idiom. It's quirky and effective. As Super Gumboots Willa would say, "AMAZE-A-LOO!".
I was recently asked why I persist with books.
4. The Temperature by Katerina Gibson
Format: Paperback
Stars: 2.5
I was recently asked why I persist with books.
I started this last year while in Darwin and I abandoned it at around 100 pages. I picked it up again and tried to like it but didn't. I persisted. It took forever to finish. Yeah.
It's all over the place. There wasn't a likeable character in the novel, although there is some very good writing in places. I could see what the author was doing, but for me, it was too convoluted.
Already, it's been relegated to the street library. It doesn't come recommended.
As the antithesis of The Temperature, I broke out the book of the latest Bridgerton series.
5. An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn
Format: Kindle
Stars: 4
Julia Quinn is fun. A friend of mine says that she's soft-core porn in a lot of ways.
Benedict Bridgerton has always been my favourite of the tribe, and in this he's a lot harder and less self-reflective than the Benedict we see on television (and Luke Thompson who plays Benedict in the series is like... phwoar!)
Regardless, this is a reworking of Cinderella and on the second reading, it held up. It's light, fun, easy to read and so much more engaging than the last book I read.
It also goes to prove that I don't always go high-brow.
From the slightly ridiculous to the sublime, Lily King's Heart the Lover is incredible. It's not a long book, and I listened to this over two days. I was driving around, finding places to go so I could listen to it. It's a stunner.
6. Heart the Lover by Lily King
Format: Audio
Stars: 5
From the slightly ridiculous to the sublime, Lily King's Heart the Lover is incredible. It's not a long book, and I listened to this over two days. I was driving around, finding places to go so I could listen to it. It's a stunner.
This coming-of-age novel is in three parts. You meet our unnamed protagonist, and her friends Sam and Yash. All three are at university in New England. All three are writers. Our protagonist embarks on a relationship with the staid Sam, although she feels a connection to Yash. And then things go to crap things change. Sam goes back to Florida, Yash remains. Our protagonist gets some opportunities to move abroad and find another life. Yash follows her. And then more things happen. I'm not going to spoil anything.
I absolutely loved this book. I can't wait to read it again. Accessible, glorious prose. Loved it.
7: Calls May Be Recorded for Training and Monitoring Purposes by Katherina Volckmer
Format: Paperback
Stars: 3
The best thing about this book is that I bought it at Shakespeare and Sons in Paris on the banks of the Seine. It was light, small and looked amusing. And it was light, small and reasonably amusing, and rather surprising and a bit blue in places.
Did I like it? Yeah... nah.... If found that feels like it was written for a bit of shock value.
For anybody who's worked in a dead-end job, you'll get some of the pointlessness of Jimmie's job.
But this did not light me up as I would have wished it to. 
I try and read a non-fiction book a month and I've been seeing Mel Robbins books everywhere. This one relates her guiding rule that helps her get things done. The 5 second rule.
8. The 5-Second Rule by Mel Robbins
Format: Audio
Stars: 3
As much as I like the theory of this, the book was repetitive and preachy - which, from what I gather, is what Mel Robbins does best.
I'm glad I've read this, but I won't be reading it again.
