Laughter is the Best Ending by Maryam Master, illustrated by Astred Hicks

Laughter is the Best Ending by Maryam Master illustrated by Astred Hicks Author/illustrator Interview at PaperbarkWords ‘You’re not supposed to laugh at funerals. That’s the number-one rule of funerals. Everybody knows that. Even my pea-brain pet chihuahua, Jox, knows it. But I can’t help it. Tears (of the laughter variety) are rolling down my face. […]

The 113th Assistant Librarian by Stuart Wilson

The 113th Assistant Librarian by Stuart Wilson (published by Penguin Australia) Author interview with Stuart Wilson “‘My dear boy, books are powerful ….’ The librarian paused to cough with a horrible chesty rattle, wincing as he did. ‘They are more than simple bound pages. Books may record the past, predict the future, or hold the […]

How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade Five by Carla Fitzgerald

How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade Five by Carla Fitzgerald (published by UQP) Guest Author post about How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade Five by Carla Fitzgerald for Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords blog I have always loved the Guinness Book of Records: it was a source of utter fascination for me as a […]

The Lost History by Melanie La’Brooy

The Lost History by Melanie La’Brooy The Lost History follows the The Wintrish Girl in the excellent ‘Talismans of Fate’ middle fiction high fantasy series by Melanie La’Brooy. The series stands out for its beguiling storylines deftly layered with light and dark threads. These are entertaining, intelligent books. Both are published by UQP (University of […]

How To Free A Jinn by Raidah Shah Idil

How To Free A Jinn by Raidah Shah Idil How To Free A Jinn is Raidah Shah Idil’s middle fiction fantasy debut. It is published by Allen & Unwin. How To Free A Jinn, A Love Letter: Guest Author post by Raidah Shah Idil When I first migrated from Singapore to Sydney, it was a tough transition. […]

Secret Sparrow by Jackie French

Secret Sparrow by Jackie French Secret Sparrow by national treasure Jackie French (HarperCollins Australia) has just been shortlisted for the 2024 ARA Historical Prize alongside Two Sparrowhawks in a Lonely Sky by Rebecca Lim(Allen & Unwin) and Spies in the Sky by Beverley McWilliams (Pantera Press) in the Children and Young Adult category. The winner will […]

Six Summers of Tash and Leopold by Danielle Binks

Six Summers of Tash and Leopold by Danielle Binks Author Interview at PaperbarkWords “And I stayed on the bridge, watching as she walked back to where she’d dumped her helmet and board outside my house. She gathered her things back up to ride home. By then I’d gone back to leaning over the railing, looking […]

The Sugarcane Kids and the Empty Cage by Charlie Archbold

The Sugarcane Kids and the Empty Cage by Charlie Archbold Author Interview at PaperbarkWords “Now, if us Sugarcane Kids know anything from our adventures it is that mysteries are layered like fat sandwiches. And when Dad drops me at the golf course, something tells me I’m about to get a big dose of salad filling.” […]

Inside the CBCA 2024 Winners

Inside the CBCA 2024 Winners As I have done every year for almost thirty years now, this year I’m again actively, and in depth where possible, writing about and promoting the CBCA Shortlist and Winners. Inside the 2024 CBCA Shortlist 2024 CBCA Winners & Honour Books CBCA Winner, Honour & Shadow Judging announcement The winners […]

Always Was, Always Will Be by Aunty Fay Muir & Sue Lawson

Always Was, Always Will Be by Aunty Fay Muir & Sue Lawson Published by Magabala Books Guest Author post about Always Was, Always Will Be by Sue Lawson for Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords blog Always Was, Always Will Be has been a long time coming. Aunty Fay and I first started writing the […]