Oliver Phommavanh – class clown to champion

Author interview with Oliver Phommavanh Oliver Phommavanh is the highly popular author of funny, thoughtful books that feature Asian-Australian protagonists. His books range from Thai-riffic!, Con-nerd, Super Con-nerd, Natural Born Loser and The Other Christy to Brain Freeze and What About Thao? (all published by Penguin Random House). Thanks for speaking with ‘Joy in Books’ […]

Noah Barleywater Runs Away by John Boyne

Noah Barleywater Runs Away by John Boyne Christmas gift / book review A recommended gift book for Christmas is Noah Barleywater Runs Away by John Boyne, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers (published David Fickling Books). Noah Barleywater Runs Away was the first book I was commissioned to review for the Weekend Australian in 2010. The book […]

Round the Twist with Paul Jennings

Round the Twist with Paul Jennings It’s time for some nostalgia with much-loved, iconic Australian writer Paul Jennings taking us Round the Twist. Thanks for speaking with Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords, Paul. Round the Twist was originally a children’s TV series set in a lighthouse based on some of your short stories selected from […]

The Prison Healer trilogy by Lynette Noni

The Prison Healer trilogy by Lynette Noni Author Interview “You say you became the darkness, that it consumed you … but … I’ve never met anyone who shines as brightly as you do.” (The Gilded Cage) Lynette Noni has written exceptionally popular and high-selling fantasy series, the Medoran Chronicles and the Whisper duology. Here I’ll […]

The Break by Phillip Gwynne

The Break by Phillip Gwynne Author Interview “But nobody had made Kimbo smuggle those drugs, had they? He’d known the penalty. How could he not, there were signs all over the airport.” (The Break) The Break is a high-octaneYA tale that will be remembered for a long while. Phillip Gwynne skilfully incorporates the angst his […]

When Days Tilt by Karen Ginnane

On writing When Days Tilt by Karen Ginnane This book had the gestation of a small planet and it assumed various forms during its long development. However, a few conceptual structural beams have remained unchanged, such as: London as character. Time, and how people use it. Filling your own time on this earth as best […]

We Love You, Magoo by Briony Stewart

Inside the 2021 CBCA Shortlist We Love You, Magoo is written and illustrated by much-loved author-illustrator Briony Stewart. It is shortlisted for the CBCA Book of the Year: Early Childhood awards and is published by Penguin Random House Australia. Thank you for speaking to PaperbarkWords, Briony. No worries! My Pleasure! I have loved and promoted […]

Words on the Waves Writers Festival 2021

The inaugural Words on the Waves Writers Festival was held on Darkinjung Country on the NSW Central Coast over the June 2021 long weekend. The festival was marked by its combination of professionalism and strong sense of hospitality. The program was exceptionally well curated, ranging from the Climate Changemakers; On Truth, Brains, Money & More; […]

FLY: Financially Literate Youth by Marlies & Jai Hobbs

FLY: Financially Literate Youth (Penguin) is such a good idea for a book for high school students and those who have left school. It is a comprehensive and well set-out handbook that will help people make informed decisions about their financial future and also prevent them from falling into potholes. Thank you for speaking to […]

Ruby Tuesday by Hayley Lawrence

“Everything is quiet in the forest. For the first time in years, I don’t dream of falling when I close my eyes. No, I dream of flying.” (Ruby Tuesday) Ruby Tuesday is a thoughtfully composed tale about Ruby who lives in a forest near a small Australian town with her disabled mother. They are both […]