What I Read in June 2024

I’ve been busy celebrating the release of The Riding Gallery, and spreading a love of reading on behalf of the Premier’s Reading Challenge, and somehow overlooked that a month had ended without me posting my reading list. So, better late then ever, here are the 13 books I read in June.

Books for Children Poetry Comics, by Grant Snider (Chronicle Books, 2024). I fell in love with this book in the conference bookstore at the AFCC last month and, in spite of my luggage already overflowing, knew I had to own it.  A blend of image and work to make perfect little poems for children – and adults – to adore. Tree, by Claire Saxby and Jess Racklyeft (Allen & Unwin, 2024). Oh wow! Full disclosure: Claire is a lovely friend of mine, but I don’t think that could have made me any more in love with this book. The ecosystem of a single tree, in poetic text and with sumptuous illustrations make this an absolute work of art. Seed to Sky: Life in the Daintree (Nature Storybooks), by Pamela Freeman & Liz Anelli (Walker Books, 2024). A perfect complement to Tree, this one traces the journey of a different tree (a Bull Kauri pine) from seed, to sapling, to towering tree. Just lovely.Let’s Chase Stars Together: Poems to Lose Yourself In, by Matt Goodfellow (Bloomsbury, 2022). I picked up this collection in a bookshop in London and am very glad I did. The poetry is aimed at middle grade graders, and covers tough topics, like family breakdown, domestic violence and loneliness, as well as happier ones that made me smile. It’s excellent.The Flying spring Onion, by Matthew Sweeney (Faber & Faber, 1992). I didn’t know Sweeney’s work, but an activity on a writing retreat last month used one of his poems, Fishbones Dreaming, led me to want to read more and I managed to find a copy of this book. A mix of nonsense, whimsy and curiosity. A Leaf Called Greaf, by Kelly Canby (Fremantle Press, 2024). This beautiful picture book made me cry – it is such a perfect depiction of grief, in its many forms, accessible for young children but also sure to touch adult hearts, as it did mine. Antarctica, by Moira Court (Fremantle Press, 2019). Another beautiful picture book with collage art bringing to life the diverse animal inhabitants of Antarctica. The Kindness Project, by Deborah Abela, Puffin Books, 2024). I’ve been anticipating this one for a while, knowing that Deborah Abela was working on a verse novel and being equally sure that it would be wonderful. It is!Watercress, by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Jason Chon (Neal Porter Books, 2021). I was lucky enough to meet Andrea Wang and hear her speak at last month’s AFCC in Singapore, and knew I needed to own this stunning picture book about belonging, and memories, and families.

 

Books for Young Adults Where the Heart Should Be, by Sarah Crossan (Bloomsbury, 2024).  Oh. This is brilliant. I knew it would be – Sarah Crossan is one of my favourite verse novelists. This time she is sharing a story of love, family, and hardship set in the midst of the potato famine in Ireland.  I picked this copy up in England, but am pleased to see it’s available in Australia.Books for Adults Alphabetical: How Every Letter Tells a Story, by Michael Rosen (John Murray, 2013). Purchased at the Southbank second hand book market in London, because I can’t ever walk away from a Michael Rosen book. The history of the alphabet told with Rosen’s intelligence and humour. So many interesting tidbits and side quests. How to Avoid a Happy Life, by Julia Lawrinson (Fremantle Press, 2024). I have been eagerly awaiting the release of this one – I know Julia personally, and admire her for many reasons. Her honest, open voice, and ability to share some really torrid and almost stranger-than-fiction life events makes a really powerful read. A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD: Embrace Neurodiversity, Live Boldly, and Break Through Barriers, by Sari Solden and  Michelle Frank (New Harbinger, 2019). I listened to this on audio, and found it would likely be better in hard copy, simply because it had some useful exercises and, because I was driving, I couldn’t do them, and because I had ADHD, by the time I wasn’t driving I’d forgotten to do them. But otherwise, this had lots of good and affirming advice for women with ADHD.

That brings my total for the year to date to 70 books. At halfway through the year, I’m happy with that. Here’s to lots more wonderful reads in the second half of 2024.