August was, relatively speaking, a bit more of an average month with a bit more down time involved, which mean that my previously pretty miserly totals were up a bit! I tried to read a few more books that could tick off some more prompts for the Reading Challenge, but I mixed it up a bit too as I haven’t read many new releases this year. I also turned a lot to crime and mystery in August, not intentionally but as I haven’t read the genre for a while it was great to return to what’s always been one of my favourites. I even managed to discover a pretty amazing Australian debut from an author that I will certainly be keeping an eye on in the future for any more releases!
I’m here talking about Dirt Town by Hayley Scrivenor, a mystery set in a small Australian town Durton (colloquially referred to by locals as Dirt Town), where twelve year old Esther has gone missing after never returning home from school one Friday afternoon. The shifting perspective across this novel covers Ronnie, Esther’s best friend, Lewis, another friend of Esther’s who has a secret that might help find Esther but might also put himself at risk in the process, Detective Sergeant Sarah Michaels, who is in charge of the case, and others, including a Greek chorus of Durton children speaking of their collective experience.
I’ve come to know myself pretty well as a reader, especially in recent years, and I know that some of the things I love in a novel are shifting perspectives, short chapters, a sense of mystery and a strong sense of place – Dirt Town had it all, so there really wasn’t ever a chance that I wasn’t going to enjoy this one. I was completely captured by the mystery, the characters, the secrecy that they all had and how that contributed to the stifling nature of small-towns, and I really didn’t ever want to put this one down. I didn’t really want it to end, and it’s certainly one of the top picks of 2022 for me so far!
Another top pick of 2022 I managed to read in August was Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. Already snapped up for a silver screen adaptation, this charming, feminist and revolutionary novel was one I had originally avoided, but I’m so glad that I had a change of heart as it was just a lovely read. All about Elizabeth Zott, a chemist in the 1960s amongst her all-male team, she battles hard to be accepted, let alone treated as the brilliant scientist that she is; she also battles to be treated in a humane way, let alone to be treated well at her workplace, Hastings Research Institute. When she meets fellow researcher Calvin Evans, however, everything changes, as he falls in love with her brilliant mind and they embark on a true love partnership.
But life is anything but predictable, and when Elizabeth finds herself a single mother and a host of a television cooking show, things seem to be far from where she envisaged her life taking her. But with the help of an unforgettable cast of characters (I don’t think it can be refuted that the highlight of these characters is Six-Thirty), things may just work out for Dr Zott as yet.
Even though this was a “light read” it certainly wasn’t a fluffy one as this had great substance and tackled controversial, confronting and enduring topics, particularly set against the backdrop of 1960s culture and taboos. As a reader who knows next to nothing about chemistry or science, it mattered little to enjoy this book and to fall in love with Elizabeth and the motley crew of characters helping her get through life one day at a time as nothing but her quirky, intelligent and brilliant self.
MONTH IN REVIEW – RAPID FIRE
- The Mother’s Promise by Sally Hepworth
Rating: 4.5 stars
Why did I read it? An “Aussie August” contribution that was chosen entirely randomly
What’s it all about? Single mother Alice and her daughter Zoe have never needed anyone else to get them through life. But when Alice is dealt a crushing blow to her health, she knows she needs help to raise her special teenager, and she finds it from unlikely sources as they all journey through the unpredictable together.
Why should you read it? If you’re a fan of Jodi Picoult (like I am!) you are sure to love this emotional, rich and powerful book. - Black River by Matthew Spencer
Rating: 3 stars
Why did I read it? Another Reading Challenge prompt
What’s it all about? A serial killer plaguing residents along the Parramatta River in Sydney, is his latest victim a copycat or not? Adam Bowman, journalist and lifelong resident, and Detective Sergeant Rose Riley are on the case.
Why should you read it? It was plotted well, and there was certainly a strong sense of mystery, even if it took until the last third of the book for it to move along. - Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Rating: 4.5 stars
Why did I read it? A new release in 2022 that was buzzing along
What’s it all about? A female chemist in the 1960s battles against adversity and sexism to emerge on the other side somewhere completely different to where she thought she’d be.
Why should you read it? Despite its dark moments, this is a lovely book with a strong feminist message and an unforgettable, largely loveable, cast of characters. - Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote
Rating: 4 stars
Why did I read it? Another Reading Challenge prompt
What’s it all about? Such a classic story that even without having read it before, I basically knew all about Holly Golightly and her eventful life in 1940s New York. My edition also contained 3 further short stories which aren’t to be missed either.
Why should you read it? It’s iconic, it’s beautifully written with such evocative language, this really is a masterclass from an incredible author. - Dirt Town by Hayley Scrivenor
Rating: 4.5 stars
Why did I read it? An Australian crime debut that sounded very intriguing
What’s it all about? A twelve year old girl goes missing in a small town where everybody has secrets, and everybody is a suspect.
Why should you read it? It’s brilliantly plotted, evocatively set, moves well and has a great sense of mystery throughout the whole thing. - Love, Locked Down by Beth Reekles
Rating: 4 stars
Why did I read it? Another Reading Challenge prompt
What’s it all about? An entire apartment building in London is forced into a 7 day quarantine – relationships are set to be tested, love will bloom and patience will be tried.
Why should you read it? For a collective trauma that we have all lived through over the past few years, it was refreshing to find a romantic, funny take on lockdown living.
SEPTEMBER: What’s on the horizon?
- More 2022 new releases as they keep on getting released!
- Winding down the Reading Challenge prompts
thankbookitsfriday 